The HBM4 standard is expected to significantly increase memory bandwidth with its 2048-bit interface, which will benefit AI accelerators and high-performance computing (HPC) components. But this technology will require numerous changes in memory integration mechanisms, and hence closer cooperation between memory manufacturers and logic manufacturers. Therefore, TSMC and SK hynix formed an alliance to jointly produce HBM4.
The new organization is called the AI Semiconductor Alliance – the initiative will help TSMC and SK hynix combine their strengths and coordinate actions according to the principle of a “single team strategy,” writes Maeil Business News Korea. TSMC will undertake the development of “some HBM4 processes” – likely referring to the production of crystals using one of its advanced technologies that are not in the arsenal of SK hynix. According to unconfirmed information, we are talking about 12 nm standards; It also became known earlier that SK hynix and NVIDIA are working on technology that will allow HBM memory to be placed directly on GPUs without a substrate.
TSMC is simultaneously a member of the 3DFabric Memory Alliance community along with all three HBM manufacturers: Micron, Samsung and SK hynix. The Taiwanese contractor is also collaborating with the latter on the development of CoWoS packaging for HBM3 and HBM4, Design Technology Collaborative Optimization (DTCO) of HBM, and even the UCIe chiplet interface for HBM. The close cooperation between TSMC and SK hynix will ensure that HBM3E and HBM4 memory from SK hynix will work with chips manufactured by TSMC. This is important because SK hynix leads the HBM market and TSMC is the world’s largest semiconductor contractor.
The Korean publication said that the alliance is also aimed at creating a “united front against Samsung Electronics” – it is a competitor for both TSMC and SK hynix, but perhaps one should not put too much faith in such statements. Indeed, it’s hard to imagine that TSMC would deliberately limit its packaging compatibility to SK hynix products—in reality, it’s likely that the Taiwanese contractor would simply work more closely with SK hynix than with Samsung.
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