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Chartered Semiconductor to migrate Xbox 360 CPU to 65nm in 1Q07 |
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Apr 21, 2006 at 11:42 AM |
 Microsoft has signed a contract with Chartered Semiconductor to migrate the IBM and Microsoft designed microprocessor used in the Xbox 360 to the 65nm process node in the first quarter of 2007 and continuing to use Silicon-on-Insulator (SOI) wafers.
Currently Chartered is fabricating the chip using 90nm SOI technology
at Fab 7, its first 300mm fab that has ramped to 10,000wspm at the end
of last year. Microsoft is believed to be ordering 9,000wspm from the
foundry as of 4Q05.
"We look forward to working with Chartered on the production of such an important component of our Xbox 360 system," said Larry Yang, General Manager of Xbox Console Development at Microsoft. "Chartered's ability to demonstrate the manufacturability of IBM's advanced SOI technology in Fab 7 was key to our selection. We plan to continue with our strategy of dual sourcing from Chartered and IBM's fabs, which are operationally aligned and compatible, to give us the consistent product quality and flexibility we will need."
"We are excited to expand our manufacturing relationship with Microsoft and leverage the innovative 65nm SOI technology made available to us through our agreement with IBM," said Kay Chai "KC" Ang, senior vice president of fab operations at Chartered. "This is both a recognition of Chartered's 300mm manufacturing excellence and increasing customer confidence in our ability to enable cutting-edge technologies as products transition to 65nm. By working closely with IBM to enable manufacturing compatibility and dual-sourcing capability, our goal is to continue to be a reliable manufacturing source to Microsoft."
Chartered has also made a separate agreement with IBM to license the 90nm SOI process to be used for other customers outside the original deal with IBM and Microsoft for the Xbox 360. The agreement enables Chartered to expand the use of the technology to areas such as consumer, multi-media, communications, automotive and industrial applications.
"The licensing agreement allows us to open new markets for SOI technology and continue to reap the benefits of a common platform approach. It positions us to better serve the increasingly demanding power and performance requirements of a variety of products, as well as expand our market reach and client base," said Kevin Meyer, vice president of worldwide marketing and platform alliances at Chartered. "We intend to expand our collaboration with our value-chain partnerships to develop a comprehensive ecosystem in support of our portfolio of leading-edge technologies to help mitigate the challenges and risks of design and manufacturing."
"Today's agreement with Chartered is a significant step forward in driving adoption of IBM process technology around the world," said Walter Lange, field executive, IBM Systems and Technology Group. "Along with the innovative Common Platform strategy, IBM and Chartered continue to re-define the traditional semiconductor supply chain model."
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