ST decides to import CMOS, change Crolles function

Peter Clarke, EE Times
(01/25/2007 9:15 AM EST)

LONDON — Carlo Bozotti, chief executive officer of STMicroelectronics NV, told analysts Wednesday (Jan. 24) that ST would align with "industry leaders" to obtain a 32-nm CMOS process for use in its wafer fabs and as a platform for specialized extensions.

Bozotti did not say who would provide ST with its 32-nm CMOS platform but said: "It is obvious we have alternatives."

At present ST is aligned with leading foundry, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. which is an associate partner to ST, Freescale Semiconductor Inc. and NXP BV in the Crolles2 R&D alliance.

Speaking during a conference call for analysts Bozotti said that the Crolles2 Alliance would complete the development of 45-nm CMOS process technology during 2007 but there would then be a "discontinuation" in the role of the Crolles development center and pilot fab.

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