South Korean tech giant Samsung is at its latest trial production stage for three nanometer (3nm) technology. It has been used to manufacture chips for application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) which can be used for Bitcoin mining hardware. This production will be done at its fabrication plant in Hwaseong.

Samsung Electronics is manufacturing the first generation of 3nm chips. The first application of 3nm chips would be for high-performance and low-power computing, with plans to expand to mobile processors, the company said. This lead Samsung to be the first semiconductor manufacturer to produce chips on the 3nm process node. Chinese ASIC company known as PanSemi specializing in Bitcoin mining could be the first clients for Samsung’s 3nm chips as per local media The Elec. Samsung’s largest customer, Qualcomm, has also made reservations to take advantage of the new manufacturing process with sources reportedly stating Qualcomm can opt in at any point, but is not committed.

According to reports, if the trial production is successful this could lead to 16% smaller surface area in compared to current 5nm chips and 30% increase in efficiency. Additionally, the company focusses at decreasing the power size by 35% and consumption by 50% including increasing performance to 45%.

Gate-all-around (GAA) is Samsung's latest offering that will have gates on all four surfaces. The most commercially successful process uptil now is FinFET which has utilized only three surfaces. According to reports, this upgrade allows for narrower gates and more precise current control.

There was lack of production for 4nm chips from Samsung which was quite surprising, and it leads Qualcomm to cancel this past February. Qualcomm then moved to another company Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC).

According to a Samsung spoke person, the company has planning to start the manufacturing of second generation of 3nm chips later in 2023.

Dr. Siyoung Hoi, president and head of foundry business at Samsung Electronics, said that the company is demonstrating leadership in applying next-generation technologies such as FinFETs and high-K Metal gates in the foundry industry.

Indrani bose

CBW - External Analyst

INDIA