Huawei is about to develop a new generation 5nm processor chip

Huawei and a Chinese processor chip manufacturer called SiCarrier, after a period of research, have filed a patent for a new technological method capable of producing advanced semiconductor chips such as 5nm chips.

According to Bloomberg, patent records filed with the Chinese intellectual property agency show that Huawei and its partners are developing "self-aligned quadruple patterning" (SAQP) technology to reduce dependence on lithography. premium version.

Huawei's above move shows that Chinese technology companies are finding new directions in the face of restrictions on importing ultraviolet lithography equipment.

SiCarrier's SAQP technology will engrave lines on the silicon wafer many times to increase transistor density, thereby increasing the performance of the processor chip. This will help Huawei produce chips without being dependent on ASML's modern ultraviolet (EUV) lithography equipment.

ASML is the world's only EUV supplier, but it cannot sell the equipment to China due to export controls.

Currently, the most advanced processor chips used in commercial production all apply 3nm technology. China already has the ability to produce 7nm processor chips and is aiming to switch to 5nm processor chip technology in the near future to narrow the technology gap with leading countries.

However, the US government is planning to add more Chinese chip manufacturing companies related to Huawei to the Department of Commerce's entity list, including SiCarrier. This could hinder China's efforts to develop processor chip technology.

Isabella Humphrey

Update 02 April 2024