Intel brings its lead products on Intel 18A, Panther Lake (AI PC client processor) and Clearwater Forest (server processors), out of the fab. These products have powered-on and boosted operating systems.
The milestone was achieved in less than two quarters after tape-out, with both products on track to start production in 2025.
Additionally, Intel expects first external customer to tape out on Intel 18A in the first half of next year.
“We are pioneering multiple systems foundry technologies for the AI era and delivering a full stack of innovation that’s essential to the next generation of products for Intel and our foundry customers. We are encouraged by our progress and are working closely with customers to bring Intel 18A to market in 2025,” said Kevin O’Buckley, Intel senior vice president and general manager of Foundry Services.
Intel released the 18A Process Design Kit (PDK) this July. The PDK enables foundry customers to harness the capabilities of RibbonFET gate-all-around transistor architecture and PowerVia backside power delivery in their designs on Intel 18A.
Intel Foundry became the first to successfully implement both the transistors and power technology for foundry customers. The foundry brings together all the necessary components to design and manufacture next-generation AI solutions that scale and run more efficiently.
Intel’s leading-edge process technology, 18A is expected to return Intel to process leadership in 2025.
In gaining access to the Intel 18A PDK 1.0 last month, the company’s EDA and IP partners are updating their tools and design flows to enable external foundry customers to begin their Intel 18A chip designs. This is a critical enabling milestone for Intel’s foundry business.
“Cadence’s strategic collaboration with Intel Foundry helps accelerate our mutual customers’ innovation by providing access to industry-leading EDA solutions and IP optimized for Intel 18A,” said Tom Beckley, senior vice president and general manager, Custom IC & PCB Group at Cadence. “It is very encouraging to see Intel 18A achieve this critical milestone, and we are pleased to support customers on their leading-edge designs on 18A.”
Shankar Krishnamoorthy, general manager of the EDA Group at Synopsys, said, “It’s great to see Intel Foundry hitting these critical milestones. With 18A now customer-ready, Intel Foundry is bringing together the necessary components needed to design next-generation AI solutions that our mutual customers require and expect. Synopsys plays a mission-critical role as an on-ramp to the world’s foundries, and we are proud to work with Intel Foundry to enable Synopsys’ leading EDA and IP solutions for their leading-edge process.”
These core Intel 18A technologies, RibbonFET and PowerVia, enable greater processor scale and efficiency, which is required to drive forward AI computing. RibbonFET allows for tight control over the electrical current in the transistor channel, enabling further miniaturization of chip components while reducing power leakage, a critical factor as chips become increasingly dense. PowerVia optimizes signal routing by separating power delivery from the front side of the wafer, thus reducing resistance and improving power efficiency. Together, these technologies demonstrate a powerful combination that could lead to substantial gains in computing performance and battery life in future electronic devices. Intel’s first-to-market position with both technologies is a win for foundry customers worldwide.
