流片 (Liupian) - Chip Tapeout in China

01Understanding 流片

流片 (liúpiàn) literally means 'flow/stream the wafer' in Chinese, referring to the process of sending a chip design through the fabrication process. It encompasses tapeout, wafer fabrication, and chip delivery.

Chinese Semiconductor Ecosystem

China has rapidly developed domestic semiconductor capabilities. SMIC, Hua Hong, and others provide fabrication services for both domestic and international customers.

Government Support

Significant government investment supports semiconductor self-sufficiency. This drives capacity expansion and technology development at Chinese foundries.

Cost Competitiveness

Chinese foundries often offer competitive pricing, especially for mature nodes. This makes them attractive for cost-sensitive projects.

02Chinese Foundry Options

Key semiconductor foundries operating in China.

• •
  SMIC (中芯国际)

  China's largest foundry. Offers 14nm-180nm processes. Headquarters in Shanghai with fabs across China. Primary choice for domestic designs.

• •
  Hua Hong (华虹)

  Strong in specialty processes: BCD, embedded memory, power devices. Good option for analog and power management ICs.

• •
  HLMC (华力微电子)

  Joint venture focused on advanced logic. Offers competitive 28nm and above processes.

• •
  Nexchip (合肥晶合)

  Specializes in display driver ICs and image sensors. Growing capacity in Hefei.

• •
  TSMC China

  TSMC operates fabs in Nanjing and Shanghai. Limited to mature nodes (16nm+) due to export restrictions.

• •
  UMC China

  UMC has significant capacity in Xiamen. Offers mature processes with good quality.

03流片 Process Steps

Typical workflow for chip fabrication with Chinese foundries.

1. 01
   Foundry Selection

   Choose foundry based on process node, specialty requirements, and capacity. Consider both technical fit and business relationship.
2. 02
   PDK Access & NDA

   Sign confidentiality agreements and obtain Process Design Kit. Chinese foundries typically require local entity or agent.
3. 03
   Design & Verification

   Complete your design using foundry PDK. Ensure full DRC/LVS compliance with their specific rules.
4. 04
   Tapeout Submission

   Submit GDSII through foundry portal or agent. Confirm design acceptance and slot allocation.
5. 05
   Fabrication

   Wafer processing typically 8-14 weeks depending on node and foundry queue.
6. 06
   Delivery

   Receive dies or packaged chips. Chinese foundries offer various packaging partnerships.

04Important Considerations

Key factors when planning 流片 in China.

05流片 FAQ

Common questions about chip fabrication in China.

What does 流片 mean?

流片 (liúpiàn) is Chinese for chip tapeout/fabrication. It literally means 'flow the wafer' and refers to sending a design through the semiconductor manufacturing process.

Can foreign companies use Chinese foundries?

Yes, Chinese foundries serve international customers. You may need a local agent or entity for business operations. Export control compliance is your responsibility.

How does SMIC compare to TSMC?

SMIC offers competitive pricing at mature nodes (28nm+). Technology capability lags TSMC by several generations. Quality and yield have improved significantly. Good choice for cost-sensitive applications.

What process nodes are available in China?

Chinese foundries offer 14nm-180nm processes. Most advanced domestic production is 14nm (SMIC). 7nm and below are not available due to EUV equipment restrictions.

Is IP safe with Chinese foundries?

Major foundries like SMIC have IP protection programs. Use standard protections: NDAs, design partitioning, trusted relationships. Work with established foundries.

How do I get started with 流片?

Contact foundries directly or work with an agent like VLSIShuttle. We help navigate Chinese foundry relationships and simplify the process for international customers.

Start Your 流片 Project

VLSIShuttle helps you navigate Chinese foundries with bilingual support and established relationships.

1. [1]
   SMIC - Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation

   SMIC
2. [2]
   Hua Hong Semiconductor

   Hua Hong Semiconductor Limited
3. [3]
   China Semiconductor Industry Association

   CSIA
4. [4]
   China's Semiconductor Industry Development

   Semiconductor Industry Association