tsmc CoWoS Series: A Breakdown of the Supply Chain
2023-09-19tsmc CoWoS Series: A Breakdown of the Supply Chain
TSMC CoWoS (Chip-on-Wafer-on-Substrate) is an advanced packaging technology that integrates multiple chips onto a single package. It's a 3D IC (Integrated Circuit) technology that enables higher levels of performance, reduced power consumption, and smaller form factors.
Here's a breakdown of the supply chain for TSMC CoWoS:
Design and Development:
- Fabless Semiconductor Companies: These companies design and develop the integrated circuits (chips) that will be used in the CoWoS technology.
- Design Tools and Software Companies: Firms that provide the necessary tools and software for designing and simulating the CoWoS package.
Wafer Manufacturing:
- TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company): TSMC is a major player in wafer manufacturing and provides the wafer fabrication services for CoWoS. They produce the silicon wafers on which the chips will be built.
Testing and Quality Assurance:
- Outsourced Testing Companies: These companies are responsible for testing the individual chips and ensuring they meet the required specifications and quality standards.
Substrate Manufacturing:
- Substrate Suppliers: Companies that manufacture the substrates, which are typically silicon carriers that provide a foundation for mounting the chips.
Package Assembly and Testing:
- Outsourced Assembly and Testing Companies: These companies assemble the CoWoS packages, which involves placing the chips on the substrate and connecting them. They also conduct final testing to ensure the package functions correctly.
Integration and Supply Chain Management:
- TSMC: TSMC plays a critical role in integrating the various components and managing the overall supply chain to ensure a seamless CoWoS process.
Distribution and Customer Delivery:
- Distributors and Logistics Companies: Entities involved in the distribution and logistics of the final CoWoS packages to customers worldwide.
TSMC, being a semiconductor foundry, acts as a central player in the CoWoS supply chain by providing wafer fabrication services and overseeing the integration process. Collaboration and coordination among all these entities in the supply chain are crucial to delivering high-quality CoWoS packages to customers.