JMicron uses TSMC 55nm process to make SATA 6G/s SSD controller ICs

Josephine Lien, Adam Hwang,22 August 2012

JMicron Technology will adopt Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company's (TSMC) 55nm process for the production of its JMF667 controller ICs for SATA 6G/s SSDs, becoming the first Taiwan-based IC design house to use TSMC's 55nm technology to make such controllers, according to industry sources.

JMicron expects to launch JMF667 in September-October 2012, the sources noted. In addition to JMicron, Taiwan-based Phison Electronics has utilized United Microelectronics Corporation's (UMC) 55nm process to produce SATA 6G/s SSD controller ICs and US-based LSI will use TSMC's 55nm process to make such controller ICs, the sources indicated.

JMF667 uses in-house-developed PHY IP which supports NAND flash chips produced by Toshiba and Micron/Intel as well as mSATA, mSATA mini and NGFF (next-generation form factor) specifications, the sources said. In addition, JMF667 supports Device Sleep power management mode.

JMicron will shift from TSMC's 0.13-micron process to 85nm to produce its JMS569, USB 3.0 to SATA 6G/s bridge controller ICs in September.