News Blacklisted Chinese chipmaker SMIC is working on 3nm process technology despite US sanctions that limit access to advanced tools: Report

[Admin]

Without access to leading-edge chip production tools, SMIC remains committed to 5nm and 3nm process technologies.

Blacklisted Chinese chipmaker SMIC is working on 3nm process technology despite US sanctions that limit access to advanced tools: Report : Read more

 

[purpleduggy]

won't make any difference. i hope SMIC brings it so hard at TSMC, Intel and Samsung, that they have to jump 3 nodes to outinnovate them, meaning the consumer gets the price/performance gains. They are stagnating because they have had no real competition.

 

[phead128]

there is no difference between 3nm and 5nm when it comes to AI or whatever military modernization.

For reference, F-35 stealth fighter uses 90nm chips, and it's the most advanced stealth jet with sensors/avionics in the world.

 

[TJ Hooker]

For reference, F-35 stealth fighter uses 90nm chips, and it's the most advanced stealth jet with sensors/avionics in the world.

Do you have a source for this? I think I tried looking once but couldn't find much technical info on the F35 processor(s).

 

[ex_bubblehead]

Do you have a source for this? I think I tried looking once but couldn't find much technical info on the F35 processor(s).

And you likely won't. Such information would be considered sensitive and be locked away from uncleared eyes.

 

[ralfthedog]

there is no difference between 3nm and 5nm when it comes to AI or whatever military modernization.

For reference, F-35 stealth fighter uses 90nm chips, and it's the most advanced stealth jet with sensors/avionics in the world.

Military equipment tends to use older outdated semiconductor technology because, it is more resistant to radiation, RF energy, extreme temperatures and such. NASA tends to do the same thing. No, they don't get anywhere near the same performance. Yes, they do get higher reliability in extreme environments.

 

[phead128]

Do you have a source for this? I think I tried looking once but couldn't find much technical info on the F35 processor(s).

And you likely won't. Such information would be considered sensitive and be locked away from uncleared eyes.

It's widely known that the JSF F-35 uses commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components.

It uses commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components, standardizing at this stage on Motorola G4 PowerPC microprocessors, which incorporate 128-bit AltiVec technology.

JSF: Integrated Avionics Par Excellence

JSF computers​

The computer being used for development is the Motorola PowerPC with AltiVec microprocessor.
F-35 jet fighters to take integrated avionics to a whole new level

F-35 was upgraded to PowerPC G4 processors during the TR2 (Technical Refresh 2) . The earlier versions used PowerPC G3 (200nm-130nm) tech.

 

[ThomasKinsley]

The team is led by co-CEO Liang Mong-Song, who used to work at TSMC and Samsung and is considered one of the best semiconductor scientists and executives in the industry.

This is a rather eye-opening statement. Just how many industry experts who have extensive knowledge of current processes are working for Chinese firms?

 

[USAFRet]

Do you have a source for this? I think I tried looking once but couldn't find much technical info on the F35 processor(s).

The lead time on parts like this is long. Current fighter jets, airliners, spacecraft, whatever....they do NOT use 'this years' new stuff.

 

[TJ Hooker]

It's widely known that the JSF F-35 uses commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components.




F-35 was upgraded to PowerPC G4 processors during the TR2 (Technical Refresh 2) . The earlier versions used PowerPC G3 (200nm-130nm) tech.

Interesting, thanks. I see that they're now onto TR3, wonder what processor that entails.

 

[TJ Hooker]

The lead time on parts like this is long. Current fighter jets, airliners, spacecraft, whatever....they do NOT use 'this years' new stuff.

Sure, but 90nm is ~20 years old, there's a lot of ground between that and brand-new-this-year tech.

 

[USAFRet]

Sure, but 90nm is ~20 years old, there's a lot of ground between that and brand-new-this-year tech.

Designs for the F-35 started in the 90's.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_Martin_F-35_Lightning_II
"Boeing and Lockheed Martin were selected in early 1997 for CDP, with their concept demonstrator aircraft designated X-32 and X-35 respectively"

First flight in Oct 2000.

 

[TJ Hooker]

Designs for the F-35 started in the 90's.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_Martin_F-35_Lightning_II
"Boeing and Lockheed Martin were selected in early 1997 for CDP, with their concept demonstrator aircraft designated X-32 and X-35 respectively"

First flight in Oct 2000.

Yes, but as has already been mentioned in this thread, the F35 has received multiple tech refreshes since then, which include updates to the core processor. TR3 appears to be in the process of rolling out now.

 

[USAFRet]

Yes, but as has already been mentioned in this thread, the F35 has received multiple tech refreshes since then, which include updates to the core processor. TR3 appears to be in the process of rolling out now.

As someone who is intimately involved with this...yes, I know.

Things happens slowly.