SAMSUNG’s vision for its new logic foundry is to serve both the fabless market and IDMs with the production of leading-edge products on 300mm wafers. Already in production are 90nm processes including generic, low-power, embedded memory and RF-CMOS options. In addition, jointly developed low-power 65nm processes are available, while the Common Platform companies are currently working on a 45nm process. Rather than competing with other foundries to build older legacy products, SAMSUNG’s focus is on providing capacity in this high-end segment of the market.

In the fast-growing 65nm arena, complicated deigns dictate the need for a close engineering partnership between customers and their foundry. This plays into SAMSUNG’s technical strengths and superior manufacturing capabilities. For example, SAMSUNG offers a broad DFM solution covering design through mask making that is shared with its Common Platform partners. In addition, SAMSUNG can deliver benefits such as a world-class mask shop, a broad manufacturing infrastructure and proven yield-enhancement programs.