China's SMIC adds IP for 0.18-micron foundry push

China's SMIC adds IP for 0.18-micron foundry push
By Semiconductor Business News
August 7, 2002 (2:57 p.m. EST)
URL: http://www.eetimes.com/story/OEG20020807S0016

SHANGHAI -- Paving the way for its initial 0.18-micron process technology, silicon foundry startup Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp. (SMIC) of China here today announced a major IC library deal with VeriSilicon Microelectronics (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.

Under the terms, VeriSilicon--formerly Celestry Microelectronics (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.--has release its so-called Standard Design Platform for SMIC's 0.18-micron CMOS process. The Standard Design Platform includes memory compilers for single- and dual-port SRAMs, diffusion programmable ROMs, standard cell libraries, and I/O cell libraries.

The platform was optimized specifically for SMIC's 0.18-micron CMOS process. It has also been proven in silicon through SMIC's multi-project wafer service, dubbed the Silicon Shuttle Prototyping Service, according to SMIC of Shanghai.

In addition, the design platform supports industry-leading EDA tools and is available to support all SMIC customers, said Wayne Dai, chairman and CEO of Shanghai-based VeriSilicon, a developer of intellectual-property (IP) cores.

"We are seeing tremendous customer interest in our 0.18-micron technology and silicon foundry service," added Richard Chang, president and CEO of Shanghai-based SMIC, in a statement. "Our 0.18 micron ramp-up strategy requires availability of the Standard Design Platform including cell libraries, memory compilers, and semiconductor IP," he said.

"This library will allow our business to grow significantly by attracting many new design projects, " he added.

In March, SMIC completed engineering samples of wafers at 0.18-micron, which were said to be among the first produced in China. The foundry company plans to move into 0.18-micron production within its new 8-inch fab by year's end. At present, SMIC is ramping up 0.25-micron chip designs.

SMIC, in part, obtained its 0.18-micron technology from Singapore's Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing Pte. Ltd. Late last year, Chartered struck a major deal under which it will take an equity stake and license 0.18-micron technology to SMIC.

Chartered will transfer its 0.18-micron baseline logic process technology and grant patent license rights to SMIC, in exchange for an equity stake and access to capacity (see Dec. 20, 2001 story )..

Meanwhile, another Chinese foundry, Shanghai Hua Hong NEC, plans to develop 0.18-micron technology in its 8-inch fab this year as well.