U.S.-Based GlobalFoundries
Innovates In Critical Silicon Markets
- GlobalFoundries (GF) is focusing on advancing mainstream semiconductor nodes with new materials and processes, after stepping back from developing 7nm technologies
- GF holds the “Trusted Foundry” designation, making it critical for government chip development and securing CHIPS Act funding
- GF is innovating in RF technologies, including SOI, SiGe, and GaN, for 5G and beyond, with plans to expand SiGe production to 300mm wafers by 2027
- GF is enhancing power efficiency for data centres and electric vehicles using BCD and GaN technologies, while advancing Silicon Photonics for AI and supercomputing
- GF is collaborating with companies like Efficient Computer and NXP to optimize energy-efficient processors and automotive chips, while exploring quantum systems and AI at the edge
GlobalFoundries (GF) is still innovating in semiconductor manufacturing despite moving away from developing leading-edge processes like 7nm. At the 2024 GlobalFoundries Technology Summit, GF showcased its focus on advancing mainstream semiconductor nodes with new materials and processes. The company is especially important for government sectors, being the only commercial foundry with a “Trusted Foundry” designation, which impacts government chip development programs.
Key areas of innovation include RF (Radio Frequency) technology, used in mobile devices, communications, and aerospace. GF’s RF technologies, including Silicon on Insulator (SOI), Silicon Germanium (SiGe), and Gallium Nitride (GaN), are critical for 5G and beyond. GF is also improving RF performance with wafer-to-wafer bonding and is expanding its SiGe production to 300mm wafers by 2027.
In power technology, GF focuses on efficiency, especially for data centers and electric vehicles (EVs). The company uses Bipolar-CMOS-DMOS (BCD) and GaN technologies for power conversion. GF is also advancing Silicon Photonics (SiPh), aiming to improve data transfer speeds for AI and supercomputing.
GF is collaborating with various companies, including Efficient Computer, to create energy-efficient processors for industrial IoT and other sectors. It is also partnering with NXP to optimize chips for automotive and IoT applications. With a large research team and collaborations with universities and startups, GF is pushing the boundaries of technologies like quantum systems and AI at the edge.
Overall, GF proves that semiconductor innovation goes beyond shrinking process nodes, enabling new technologies that support AI, communications, and other industries.
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