Key insights
- Intel Foundry Services (IFS) is collaborating with UMC on a 12nm FinFET node, leveraging DUV lithography. This node is suitable for RF transceivers, satellite systems, and defense electronics, potentially benefiting from high yields. The partnership aims to combine Intel's US manufacturing with UMC's mature node expertise. The key market question is customer demand, particularly from deep-pocketed aerospace companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin, and how this offering competes with other foundries for advanced analog products in space applications.
With the imminent / most hyped up IPO in a long while likely coming in June, SpaceX.
It go me thinking about space/satellite and the conquest for it by those who can build rockets.
To conquer space, you need power (solar or nuclear with HALEU) and semi-conductor (compute, communication and robotics for repair works when it needs servicing).
Back when Pat G was still around, he signed UMC (Taiwan Foundry, legacy node player) with Intel IFS. They worked on / taped out a 12nm chip which is more for analog oriented operations.
With 12nm, it's a FinFET node and with lithography steps that requires just DUV. And Intel is good with DUV, since they got experience with it on the 10nm doing SAQP ("self aligned quad patterning") for advanced logic products.
I reckon the yield is high and good enough for the 12nm products to make $$.
United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC) brings together Intel Foundry’s at-scale US manufacturing capacity and UMC’s extensive foundry experience on mature nodes to enable an expanded process portfolio for select applications.² The node is ideal for radio frequency (RF) transceivers, satellite systems and cost-sensitive defense electronics.
Then the monetize question would be are there customers for it and what are the market alternatives right now from other foundry players (GlobalFoundries, Tower Semi, TSMC, Samsung Foundry) for advanced analog products to be used in space (compute and commuication)
Customers with deep pockets -> SpaceX and Blue Origin