UMC expands X Architecture support - first pure-play foundry to provide qualified 90-nm design rules

The X Initiative and UMC announced that UMC is the first pure-play foundry to release qualified design rules for X Architecture-based chip designs at the 90-nanometer process node. UMC is now ready to accept X Architecture designs from fabless semiconductor companies and its integrated device manufacturers (IDM) partners for fabrication at the 90-nanometer process node.

The X Architecture represents a new way of orienting a chip's microscopic interconnect wires with the pervasive use of diagonal routes, in addition to traditional right-angle "Manhattan" routing. By enabling designs with significantly less wirelength and fewer vias, or connectors between wiring layers, the X Architecture can provide significant improvements in chip performance, cost and power consumption.

 "Through our most recent effort, fabless semiconductor companies can develop 90-nanometer chips that incorporate diagonal routing with the confidence that UMC will support their designs throughout the design and manufacturing cycle", said Patrick T. Lin, chief SoC architect at UMC.