Texas Instruments Inc. (TI, Dallas, TX) disclosed plans to enter a strategic cooperation agreement with Semiconductor Manufacturing Int. Corp. (SMIC, China) to be completed by the end of 2002. TI expects the agreement to expand its production capacity for semiconductor products.
The first phase of the agreement is scheduled to be implemented in 2003. SMIC will take over the process of connecting transistors using advanced 130nm manufacturing technology. Other processes, such as packaging and testing technologies, will be completed outside of China.