Altera to launch ‘new category’ of programmable device featuring TSMC embedded flash
TSMC and Altera are collaborating on the development of programmable devices which blend the latter's fpga technology with the former's 55nm embedded flash process. The resulting devices are thought to have application in a range of low power, high volume products.
Talking to New Electronics, Altera's chief technology officer Misha Burich, pictured, said the parts would form a new low cost family with four to six members, but added they would represent a 'new category' of device. In approach, the devices are expected to be 'very similar' to Altera's MAX cpld family, but with the benefit of non volatile memory.
"TSMC's continued investment in technologies such as 55 nm embedded flash broadens opportunities for customers like Altera," said Jason Chen, TSMC's senior vice president for worldwide sales and marketing. "By aligning our business and technology goals, Altera can make its customers' products more competitive."
TSMC's 55nm embedded flash process is said to deliver faster computing. Along with increasing gate density by a factor of 10, flash and sram cell sizes have been reduced by 70% and 80% respectively.
