90-nm chips being delayed, experts say

ToshiroOC · Jan 31, 2003, 03:02 AM

Tools, transistors and libraries for the 90-nanometer node might be there for the taking, but design and process complexities will conspire to push out the production of these next-generation chips until 2005, a panel of experts agreed here at DesignCon.

LSI Logic, which described its 90-nm process technololgy last April, has some customers evaluating its libraries for the next process technology node but the company doesn't expect to see a ramp up for at least two more years.

"We have customers looking for 90-nanometer production in 2005 and 2006," said Ronnie Vasishta, vice president of technology product marketing at LSI Logic.

Though some companies have said they intend to tape out their first 90-nm chips this year, most of those will be early prototypes. Some limted production could start in 2004, but full production won't likely begin until 2005, said Kevin Donnelly, vice president of the network communications division at Rambus.

Mark-Eric Jones, vice president and general manager of intellectual property at MoSys, agreed, pointing out that last quarter TSMC reported only 8 percent of the chips it produced were at the 130-nanometer node, indicating that the chip industry must still digest the current technology.

All told, four out of five panelists discussing challenges at the 90-nanometer process technology node said 2005 would be the year that chips using the latest process geometry would reach full production.

--By Anthony Cataldo, source: Silicon Strategies.com

Article can be read here.

Jan 31, 2003, 03:02 AM	#1
ToshiroOC Unbiased. Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 4,812 Rep Power: 0	90-nm chips being delayed, experts say Tools, transistors and libraries for the 90-nanometer node might be there for the taking, but design and process complexities will conspire to push out the production of these next-generation chips until 2005, a panel of experts agreed here at DesignCon. LSI Logic, which described its 90-nm process technololgy last April, has some customers evaluating its libraries for the next process technology node but the company doesn't expect to see a ramp up for at least two more years. "We have customers looking for 90-nanometer production in 2005 and 2006," said Ronnie Vasishta, vice president of technology product marketing at LSI Logic. Though some companies have said they intend to tape out their first 90-nm chips this year, most of those will be early prototypes. Some limted production could start in 2004, but full production won't likely begin until 2005, said Kevin Donnelly, vice president of the network communications division at Rambus. Mark-Eric Jones, vice president and general manager of intellectual property at MoSys, agreed, pointing out that last quarter TSMC reported only 8 percent of the chips it produced were at the 130-nanometer node, indicating that the chip industry must still digest the current technology. All told, four out of five panelists discussing challenges at the 90-nanometer process technology node said 2005 would be the year that chips using the latest process geometry would reach full production. --By Anthony Cataldo, source: Silicon Strategies.com Article can be read here.