14 DAY TRIAL // With the ARM Cortex-A57 64-bit processor already taped out, and featuring 16nm technology, TSMC may have felt that its other processing nodes aren't advancing quickly enough.
Whether or not that is the reason, the foundry has decided to move up its plans to install 20nm production equipment at its fabs.
Digitimes got the information from a Chinese-language Economic Daily News (EDN) report. Previously, 20nm fabs were supposed to go online two months later than the new date, which is April 20.
By the end of the first quarter of 2014, TSMC should reach a production capacity of 30,000 – 40,000 wafers.
Initial capacity will only be of around 5,000 though (12-inch) with volume production of 10,000 set for Q3, 2013.
All in all, TSMC is definitely keeping itself busy.