ST-Ericsson has let a few deadlines slip on its new product roadmap as it struggles to make sales from its ‘legacy’ products. It needs a 28nm-class process for the new products, but it is unclear, as of now, where this is coming from.
Last November, Didier Lamouche, then COO of STMicroelectronics, now CEO of ST-Ericsson stated: “We will introduce, in 2012, 28nm. The first chip that we will put on the market will be designed for ST-Ericsson, advanced processor and advanced modem in 28nm. The strategy we have on the advanced DLSI technology manufacturing is basically to manufacture one-third internally out of Crolles and two-thirds at foundry partners.”
Asked if the delay to the ST-E processor and modem is due to the delay in getting the 28nm process up and running, Jean-Marc Chery, ST’s CTO, says: “ST has already delivered ORLY, the most advanced SOC for set top box on 32/28 nm low power technology developed at ISDA which ST is part of. So this technology is ready for prototype and production ramp up since early 2011 at ISDA Foundry partners of ST and is transferring at CRolles. So the reason STE has missed product introduction must be found out of technology process and design enablement availability”.
At ST-Ericsson the word is: “At this time, we are still planning the A9600 as a 28nm product sampling in 2012 and we are working with ST and the ISDA alliance,” says Pam McCracken.
Asked if the A9600 would be sampled from Crolles or from the fab of an alliance partner, McCracken replied: “We are not ready to disclose that yet.