China’s CXMT Begins Mass Production of Fifth-Generation DRAM Platform

China’s CXMT has begun mass production of its fifth-generation DRAM platform, according to Reuters.
The company says the new process reduces key memory-cell spacing to 11.95nm using quadruple patterning, allowing more memory to be packed onto each chip.
CXMT also unveiled two new 24-gigabit LPDDR5X chips aimed at smartphones and other portable devices.
Each offers roughly 50% more capacity than the company’s previous comparable products.
The manufacturing improvement is also significant.
CXMT says the fifth-generation platform can produce at least 50% more gross chip dies per wafer than its fourth-generation process, based on an 8-gigabit chip.
Importantly, that figure refers to the number of potential dies produced before defective chips are removed, not a 50% improvement in final manufacturing yield.
CXMT says critical parts of the process were developed through computer simulations and joint R&D with Chinese semiconductor-equipment manufacturers.
The development highlights China’s continued push to improve domestic memory production and reduce reliance on foreign semiconductor technology.