SMIC is selling 7nm chips reportedly made using copied TSMC technology

Since July 2021, Chinese foundry SMIC has begun shipping chips for a Bitcoin mining SoC based on its 7nm process node, according to analysis firm TechInsights (h/t SemiAnalysis). Reverse engineering the device, TechInsights claims that the “first photos imply it is a near duplicate of TSMC 7nm process technology,” which is significant given that Taiwan-based TSMC has previously sued SMIC twice for stealing their technology.

The discovery is being made as China works to expand its domestic semiconductor industry, with the heavily-reglement SMIC leading the charge. The US government is about to approve significant subsidies for US-based chipmakers.

SMIC
credit: toms hardware

According to TechInsights research, TSMC, Intel, and Samsung have all created technologies that are at least two nodes more advanced than SMIC’s 7nm and significantly more sophisticated. The importance of SMIC shipping its 7nm process, even though SMIC has been severely sanctioned by the US government, limiting its access to cutting-edge EUV chipmaking equipment, cannot be understated.

However, the company can leverage its current resources to create 7nm (and possibly smaller) chips, but with less ideal economics and yield. As China works to become technologically independent of Western nations by building its supply of domestically created chips, those economic considerations are scarcely a worry.

SMIC first revealed its 7nm node at the start of 2020.

Later on in the year, it was revealed that SMIC and its partner Innosilicon had taped out a chip on the N+1 version of the 7nm node. It is still unknown, though, whether the Minerva Bitcoin mining chip that Techinsights bought on the open market is connected to the Innosilicon project. We’re not sure if the Minerva chips use the N+1 or N+2 version of the process technology, despite SMIC’s assertion that it also had an N+2 version of their 7nm node under development at the time.

In 2002 and 2006, Taiwan-based TSMC filed lawsuits against SMIC for allegedly stealing its process technology. TechInsights’ claim that SMIC likely copied TSMC’s 7nm could result in additional legal disputes between the two businesses.

SMIC
credit: toms hardware

As a reminder, the process naming node convention, such as “7nm,” has evolved into more of a chipmakers’ marketing tactic than a metric connected to any actual measurement. To better understand how SMIC’s node compares to other industry nodes, TechInsights is selling specific reports based on its analysis of the chip, including a transistor density analysis, an advanced CMOS process analysis, and a process flow analysis.

Also Read: Qualcomm Launches its new Snapdragon W5 Plus Gen 1 and Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 platforms for Wearables

source

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

More like this

TSMC Opens 2nm Wafer Orders from April 1: Apple Likely First in Line

TSMC Opens 2nm Wafer Orders from April 1: Apple...

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) is set to begin accepting orders for its highly anticipated 2nm wafers...
TSMC 2nm Trial Production

TSMC 2nm Trial Production Yields Surpass 60% Milestone —...

TSMC 2nm Trial Production : Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) has reportedly made impressive strides in...
Tensor G5 for Pixel 10: Google’s First Fully Custom ISP & TSMC’s 3nm Process

Tensor G5 for Pixel 10: Google’s First Fully Custom...

Google is making a significant shift with the Tensor G5 chip for the upcoming Pixel 10, marking...

Exclusive: The Cheapest Places to Buy iPhone 16e in...

Cheapest Places to Buy iPhone 16e: Apple's iPhone 16e, launched as a budget-friendly alternative to its flagship...
China's Numemory Unveils Optane-Like Storage Class Memory: A Game-Changer in High-Speed Storage?

China’s Numemory Unveils Optane-Like Storage Class Memory

The race to develop high-performance storage solutions has taken a fascinating turn as China's Numemory, also known...

LATEST NEWS

Ajinkya Rahane Faces More Setbacks: Can KKR Turn Things Around at Eden Gardens?

Are you ready to dive into the latest drama unfolding in IPL 2025? As the Kolkata Knight Riders prepare to face Sunrisers Hyderabad at...

ISL 2024-25 Semifinal: Jamshedpur FC vs Mohun Bagan SG – Preview, Prediction and Where To Watch The Match LIVE

Jamshedpur FC will welcome Mohun Bagan Super Giant for the first leg of their Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 semi-final clash on Thursday. The...

Copa del Rey 2024/25 Semi-final: Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona – Preview, Prediction and Where to The Match Live

Atletico Madrid will face Barcelona in the second leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final at the Metropolitano Stadium. The tie is delicately balanced after...

Orange Cap in IPL 2025: Top 10 players with the most runs in IPL 2025 until Match 14 – RCB vs GT

Orange Cap in IPL 2025: Cricket lovers, gather 'round! The IPL 2025 fever is hitting new heights, and one of the most exciting sideshows...

Featured