Analysts weigh in on Globalfoundries tech day

Two days ago, Globalfoundries announced a lot of news at its technology conference in Santa Clara . Now there's an interesting article over at EE Times with some commentary from analysts.

In particular, analysts say they're waiting to see if the company can achieve its 7nm goals. This is the first leading-edge process Globalfoundries is developing on its own, after the foundry failed at 14nm development and had to license the technology from Samsung.

“I’m waiting to see if they hit their plans for execution on 7 nm. That’s the first leading-edge process they are developing on their own,” said Nathan Brookwood of market watcher Insight64, noting that the company licensed its 14-nm process from Samsung.

Globalfoundries chief technologist Garry Patton says immersion-based 7nm risk production will start before June 2018. This node promises 60 percent greater density and 40 percent higher performance than the 14nm proces.

The next big step is the introduction of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) production, Globalfoundries expects to incorporate EUV in early 2019. But initially it will be just for vias and contacts, Patton says full use of EUV will probably be something for 2020.