Intel looks to Ericsson to boost 18A process
Ericsson is to use Intel’s next generation 18A process for its 5G system on chip devices in a move that Intel is using to boost support for the process.
As part of the agreement, Intel will manufacture custom 5G SoC ASICs for Ericsson for future 5G infrastructure. The commitment to 18A is vital for Intel which is looking to wrest back process technology leadership from TSMC and Samsung at 2nm.
The recent deal with ARM to port processor cores to 18A at Intel is a key part of the SoC development.
The two will also expand their collaboration to optimize the 4th Gen Intel Xeon Scalable processors for Ericsson’s Cloud RAN (radio access network) systems. This will help communications service providers increase network capacity and energy efficiency while gaining greater flexibility and scalability.
“Ericsson has a long history of close collaboration with Intel, and we are pleased to expand this further as we utilize Intel to manufacture our future custom 5G SoCs on their 18A process node, which is in line with Ericsson’s long-term strategy for a more resilient and sustainable supply chain,” said Fredrik Jejdling, executive vice president and head of Networks at Ericsson. “In addition, we will be expanding our collaboration to work together with the ecosystem to accelerate industry-scale open RAN utilizing standard Intel Xeon-based platforms.”
18A is Intel’s most advanced node on the company’s public roadmap and will use RibbonFET transistors and backside power delivery technology called PowerVia that are planned for Intel 20A, Intel will deliver ribbon architecture innovation and increased performance along with continued metal linewidth reduction in 18A and these technologies are aiming to compete with TSMC and Samsung in 2nm process technologies in the coming years.
- Intel works with 7 out of top 10 fabless companies on 18A
- Intel moves ARM cores onto 18A process for foundry
“As our work together evolves, this is a significant milestone with Ericsson to partner broadly on their next-generation optimized 5G infrastructure. This agreement exemplifies our shared vision to innovate and transform network connectivity, and it reinforces the growing customer confidence in our process and manufacturing technology,” said Sachin Katti, senior vice president and general manager of the Network and Edge group at Intel. “We look forward to working together with Ericsson, an industry leader, to build networks that are open, reliable and ready for the future.”
As 5G deployments continue, Ericsson and Intel see the future in fully programmable, open software-defined networks powered by the same cloud-native technologies that is used in the data centre.
www.ericsson.com; www.intel.com
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