Spansion turns to TSMC for flash at 40-nm and below

Fab-light is a trend for all traditional semiconductor venders...

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Spansion turns to TSMC for flash at 40-nm and below

Mike Clendenin(05/15/2007 6:06 AM EDT)
URL: http://www.eetimes.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=199600158

TAIPEI, Taiwan — Spansion Inc is once again turning to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. to increase its NOR flash capacity, signing a deal with the foundry to produce MirrorBit at 40 nanometer and below.

Terms of the deal, which was signed Tuesday, were kept secret.

The agreement is an extension of earlier work between the two companies. TSMC also makes MirrorBit at the 110-nm and 90-nm process nodes. It began ramping up the 110nm parts in the second quarter of 2006 and production of 90-nm parts is expected to begin within months.

The two companies did not say when they expect to begin production of 40-nm parts, but it isn't likely to happen before 2009. TSMC isn't expected to introduce its 45-nm process until 2008. Meanwhile, Spansion won't ramp its internal 45-nm parts until mid-2008.

In a bid to diversify, TSMC rival United Microelectronics Corp. is also looking to increase its flash business and is targeting NAND production on its 65- and 45-nm technology nodes.