Huawei, the tech giant known for its innovations in telecommunications and mobile devices, is preparing to make a major leap in chip technology. Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC), the Chinese chipmaker that produces the SoCs (systems on a chip) for Huawei phones, seems to be finally breaking the 7nm technology barrier. According to a report from The Elec, SMIC is working on manufacturing 5nm chips using existing deep ultra-violet (DUV) fabrication technology.
Although competitors have already advanced to 5nm, 4nm and even 3nm processors, SMIC has been stuck at 7nm for a while. This is partly due to rising political tensions between the US and China, as economic sanctions have limited progress for both SMIC and Huawei.
"SMIC is gearing up for a 5nm process via DUV, and the use of photomasks is expected to grow further," an industry official told The Elec. However, while other companies have made these advances through extreme ultraviolet (EUV) manufacturing technology, SMIC cannot take this approach due to US restrictions on working with SMIC to supply EUV machinery.
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While it is possible for SMIC to reach 5nm with its existing DUV processes, this will be inefficient and expensive. "A large number of photomasks should be used compared to extreme ultraviolet (EUV) in 7nm process production through DUV," said the same industry official. Microprocessor chips use lithography to create integrated circuits in processors. The terms DUV and EUV refer to the types of light that can be used to produce microprocessors in each process.
For Huawei, using chips from SMIC has been a constant, and the two companies have impressed despite their limitations. However, it is difficult to compete with companies like Samsung and TSMC without making advances in manufacturing technology. That's why the rumored 5nm process upgrade would be so significant. It would bring SMIC one step closer to its chip-making competitors and could keep Huawei in the smartphone race.
Although The Elec report notes that using DUV to make 5nm chips would be highly inefficient and expensive, this may not be a problem for SMIC. The company is partly owned by the Chinese government, and China has helped in its effort to circumvent sanctions. Thus, SMIC could have more funds available than competing private companies.
In conclusion, with the advanced 5nm technology, Huawei and SMIC could enter a new era of semiconductor innovation, strengthening their position in the global market and once again demonstrating their ability to innovate and evolve despite challenges .
