Samsung introduces AI and Foundry Tech at SFF 2024

Samsung Electronics, the tech giant known for its semiconductor technology, recently made some exciting announcements at the Samsung Foundry Forum (SFF) U.S. event in California. With the theme “Empowering the AI Revolution,” Samsung revealed its latest foundry innovations and shared its vision for the AI era.

Dr. Siyoung Choi, President and Head of Foundry Business at Samsung Electronics, highlighted the importance of high-performance, low-power semiconductors in implementing AI technologies. He emphasized that Samsung is focused on providing its customers with the necessary AI solutions to thrive in this transformative era.

The event featured presentations from industry leaders such as ARM CEO Rene Haas and Groq CEO Jonathan Ross, who discussed their partnerships with Samsung in tackling new AI challenges. Around 30 partner companies also showcased their contributions to the U.S. foundry ecosystem.

One of the major announcements from Samsung was the introduction of two new process nodes: SF2Z and SF4U. These nodes are part of Samsung’s advanced process technology roadmap. SF2Z, a 2 nm process, incorporates optimized backside power delivery network (BSPDN) technology, which enhances power, performance, and area (PPA) compared to previous generations. SF4U, a high-value 4 nm variant, offers PPA improvements through optical shrink.

Samsung also reaffirmed its commitment to advancing beyond Moore’s Law by preparing for SF1.4 (1.4 nm) and exploring future process technologies below 1.4 nm. The company is actively pursuing material and structural innovations to shape the future of semiconductor technology.

Gate-all-around (GAA) technology, a structural advancement crucial for meeting AI’s power and performance demands, was another focus at the event. Samsung highlighted the maturity of its GAA technology, which has been in mass production for three years. The company plans to mass produce its second-generation 3 nm process (SF3) later this year and incorporate GAA into its upcoming 2 nm process.

Samsung AI Solutions, a turnkey AI platform resulting from collaboration between Samsung’s Foundry, Memory, and Advanced Package (AVP) businesses, was also launched at the event. This platform combines the unique strengths of each business to offer high-performance, low-power, and high-bandwidth solutions tailored to specific customer AI requirements. The collaboration also streamlines supply chain management and reduces time to market, resulting in a 20% improvement in total turnaround time.

Samsung is actively diversifying its customer base and application areas. Over the past year, the company has seen an 80% increase in AI sales due to close collaborations with customers. In addition to its leading-edge process nodes, Samsung offers specialty and 8-inch wafer derivatives with improved performance, power, and area characteristics. This diverse technology portfolio allows Samsung to cater to a range of customer needs across industries such as automotive, medical, wearable, and IoT applications.

To further advance the foundry ecosystem and explore the possibilities of AI, Samsung will be hosting its annual Samsung Advanced Foundry Ecosystem (SAFE) Forum. The forum will serve as a collaborative platform for ecosystem partners to discuss customizable technologies and solutions tailored for AI. Industry leaders such as Siemens CEO Mike Ellow, AMD Vice President Bill En, and Celestial AI CEO David Lazovsky will share their insights on chip and system design technologies.

The forum will also feature the inaugural Multi-Die Integration (MDI) Alliance workshop, where Samsung will engage in discussions with its alliance partners on mutual growth opportunities and collaborative initiatives. The focus will be on 2.5D and 3D IC designs for comprehensive solutions development. These activities aim to strengthen partnerships and foster a collective vision for the future.

Samsung’s latest announcements demonstrate its commitment to driving innovation in the AI era. With its advanced process technology roadmap, mature GAA technology, and collaborative AI solutions, Samsung is well-positioned to empower customers and shape the future of semiconductor technology.

Background Information

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About AMD:

AMD, a large player in the semiconductor industry is known for its powerful processors and graphic solutions, AMD has consistently pushed the boundaries of performance, efficiency, and user experience. With a customer-centric approach, the company has cultivated a reputation for delivering high-performance solutions that cater to the needs of gamers, professionals, and general users. AMD's Ryzen series of processors have redefined the landscape of desktop and laptop computing, offering impressive multi-core performance and competitive pricing that has challenged the dominance of its competitors. Complementing its processor expertise, AMD's Radeon graphics cards have also earned accolades for their efficiency and exceptional graphical capabilities, making them a favored choice among gamers and content creators. The company's commitment to innovation and technology continues to shape the client computing landscape, providing users with powerful tools to fuel their digital endeavors.

  

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About ARM:

ARM, originally known as Acorn RISC Machine, is a British semiconductor and software design company that specializes in creating energy-efficient microprocessors, system-on-chip (SoC) designs, and related technologies. Founded in 1990, ARM has become a important player in the global semiconductor industry and is widely recognized for its contributions to mobile computing, embedded systems, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices. ARM's microprocessor designs are based on the Reduced Instruction Set Computing (RISC) architecture, which prioritizes simplicity and efficiency in instruction execution. This approach has enabled ARM to produce highly efficient and power-saving processors that are used in a vast array of devices, ranging from smartphones and tablets to IoT devices, smart TVs, and more. The company does not manufacture its own chips but licenses its processor designs and intellectual property to a wide range of manufacturers, including Qualcomm, Apple, Samsung, and NVIDIA, who then integrate ARM's technology into their own SoCs. This licensing model has contributed to ARM's widespread adoption and influence across various industries.

  

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About Samsung:

Samsung, a South Korean multinational conglomerate, has established itself as a global leader in various industries, including electronics, technology, and more. Founded in 1938, Samsung's influence spans from smartphones and consumer electronics to semiconductors and home appliances. With a commitment to innovation, Samsung has contributed products like the Galaxy series of smartphones, QLED TVs, and SSDs that have revolutionized the way we live and work.

  

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Technology Explained

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Foundry: A foundry is a dedicated manufacturing facility focused on producing semiconductor components like integrated circuits (ICs) for external clients. These foundries are pivotal in the semiconductor industry, providing diverse manufacturing processes and technologies to create chips based on designs from fabless semiconductor firms or other customers. This setup empowers companies to concentrate on innovative design without needing substantial investments in manufacturing infrastructure. Some well-known foundries include TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company), Samsung Foundry, GlobalFoundries, and UMC (United Microelectronics Corporation).

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