Sony Reshuffling Cell R&D

[Acert93]

Calling on Carl. Some clarity would be nice.

http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/news/sony-giving-up-on-cell-chip-rd/18498/

Now, however, the word from the Nikkei Business Daily in Japan (via Solid State Technology) is not only is Sony selling its Cell production facilities, but the electronics company is also planning to withdraw from its R&D project with IBM and Toshiba, which sought to reduce the Cell chip to 32nm and below. IBM and Toshiba are expected to carry on the project, though.

In addition, Sony intends to cancel all capital investments in production of 45nm and later Cell chips. The current Cell chips being made for PS3 are using a 65nm process, SCE head Kaz Hirai confirmed. Rather than pursue Cell development, Sony is planning to strengthen its work in CCD and CMOS image sensors.

Does this mean they will be using whatever chips Toshiba/IBM make on the lower process nodes... or will migrate the PS3 Cell themselves to TSMC, Charter, etc and do shrinks there? Surely they plan to get the PS3 Cell below 65nm.

He added, "About 100 employees who worked on designing the Cell and other advanced microprocessors have already been reassigned to divisions where manufacturing technologies for image sensors and analog IC chips are being developed."

Any headcount on how much Sony has currently invested in "next-generation" Cell designs? How much are they a part of future Cell development?

So, do others want to clarify on the reporting? Obviously Sony has moves some of its fabs over to Toshiba. Where does this leave Cell?

 

[AlNom]

You may want to add it to this thread, though I think they're already discussing it somewhat.

http://forum.beyond3d.com/showthread.php?t=44858

 

[Acert93]

Thanks. Same info in that thread, some questions I had. So you can close this