Programmable logic supplier Altera is working with foundry partner Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) on a 55nm embedded flash (EmbFlash) process technology tailored to programmable devices for high-volume applications in markets including automotive and industrial, according to the companies.
TSMC indicated that compared to its prior generation, the 55nm EmbFlash delivers faster computing, increases gate density 10 times, and shrinks flash and SRAM cell sizes by 70% and 80%, respectively.
"Our relationship with TSMC is built on a shared commitment to delivering the latest technologies and capabilities to customers," said Reda Razouk, VP of Process Technology Development at Altera, in a statement.
Earlier this month (April 2013), Altera demonstrated what it claims is the industry's first programmable device with 32Gbps transceiver capabilities. The demonstration uses a 20nm device based on TSMC's 20SoC process technology.
Altera in February remarked that TSMC would remain its primary foundry, while in a separate statement announcing that the company had reached a deal with Intel for the future manufacture of Altera FPGAs on Intel's 14nm tri-gate transistor technology.
