Samsung Joins Semiconductor Development Group

EAST FISHKILL, N.Y. & SEOUL, Korea, March 11 -- Samsung Electronics announced it is joining a strategic semiconductor technology development partnership with IBM, Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing and Infineon. The companies will focus initially on 65-nm technology and will eventually include 45-nm process development.

The technology alliance "will reinforce IBM's technology-based design point for next-generation logic technologies, thus providing an industry-wide platform for nanoscale CMOS logic processes," the companies said in a statement.

The development will take place at IBM's 300-mm Advanced Semiconductor Technology Center in East Fishkill, N.Y., which began operating in July 2003. Each company will have the ability to implement the jointly developed processes in its own manufacturing facilities.

A separate agreement with IBM will give Samsung license rights to 90-nm CMOS logic technology. Samsung plans to introduce IBM's technology to its system-on-chip (SOC) product line, such as high-definition televisions (HDTVs), DVD players and mobile applications. The advanced logic technology will be available to Samsung's internal and external customers, expanding IBM-based technology sourcing.

"The participation of Samsung, a worldwide technology leader, along with our current prestigious partners, makes IBM's New York-based chip facility the worldwide center of expertise for silicon research and development," said John E. Kelly III, senior vice president and group executive, technology, IBM Systems and Technology Group.

For more information, visit: www.ibm.com