Applied Micro-TSMC bring Power Architecture MPUs to TSMC technology platforms

SUNNYVALE, USA: Applied Micro Circuits Corp., a global leader in energy conscious computing and communications solutions, and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. announced a collaboration enabling AppliedMicro’'s Power Architecture microprocessors to be manufactured on TSMC’s industry-leading technology platform first at 90nm then moving to 65nm and 40nm soon after.

The agreement signals the first time that Applied Micro'’s embedded microprocessors are available beyond complex and costly Silicon-on-Insulator (SOI) fabrication processes. The first product of this collaboration, the Applied Micro APM 83290 processor, operates at 1.5GHz which represents the highest performance for a Power Architecture processor manufactured on bulk CMOS technology, thus highlighting the benefits of successful technology partnership with TSMC.

“The collaboration with TSMC marks an entirely new milestone for Power Architecture processing as it enables us to reach many low-cost application areas that were impractical for processors built in SOI technology,” said Robert Fanfelle, Associate Vice President of Strategic Marketing for Applied Micro. “TSMC’'s 90nm CMOS technology is stable and mature and it offers an unbeatable combination of performance and price flexibility for a new generation of embedded computing applications.”

“TSMC values the collaboration with Applied Micro because by pooling our strengths it signals a new wave of innovation for both companies,” said Pan-Wei Lai, Vice President of Business Development at TSMC North America. “Power Architecture technology is highly versatile and adaptable for a wide variety of embedded applications and AppliedMicro’'s plans for new processor designs promise to extend the relationship between our two companies as we explore ways to bring about improvements on TSMC’s advanced technology platforms.”

Applied Micro Power Architecture processor families have forged market leadership positions in wireless access points, cellular base stations and multifunction printers. Moreover, the company’s expertise in communications technology and advanced peripheral development around Power Architecture cores continues to capture market share from major networking, storage and consumer OEMs.

Prospective system designers can leverage an extensive ecosystem of industry-leading partners encompassing operating systems, development tools, software platforms, board-level products, and design services allowing rapid time to market product release.

“Our company’'s collaboration with TSMC heralds a new era in Power Architecture computing as it becomes more accessible for systems designers that want an excellent balance of high performance and low power consumption for today’s energy-conscious system designs,” Applied Micro'’s Fanfelle said.

“Our processor and system-on-a-chip expertise combined with TSMC’s experience and technology provide a powerful launching point for Power Architecture based solutions as we enable new classes of products and systems.”

The announcement kicks off a long-term strategic relationship between Applied Micro and TSMC designed to widen the availability of Power Architecture embedded processing across TSMC’s competitive bulk technology platform. The move extends Applied Micro’'s energy efficient product emphasis leadership by leveraging the benefits of TSMC’s high-performance, low-power processes.