GlobalFoundries, a US-based chip manufacturer, has made a significant move in the tech industry by acquiring Advanced Micro Foundry (AMF), a Singapore-based chipmaker specializing in silicon photonics. This acquisition is a strategic move to enhance their position in the rapidly growing field of artificial intelligence data centers and quantum computing. The deal, while financially undisclosed, marks a pivotal moment in the development of silicon photonics technology, which is poised to revolutionize data transfer speeds and efficiency.
Silicon photonics, a cutting-edge technology, combines traditional computing chip technologies with optical networking, utilizing light pulses for data transmission. This innovation is attracting attention from major players like Nvidia, which is collaborating with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing to integrate optical connections into their networking chips. Additionally, well-funded startups such as Ayar Labs, Celestial AI, and Lightmatter are also exploring optical chip-to-chip connections, with some relying on GlobalFoundries for manufacturing.
GlobalFoundries is already a key player in silicon photonics, supporting startups like PsiQuantum in their quest to build quantum computers. With the acquisition of AMF, they aim to become the world's largest silicon photonics manufacturer. This move will enable them to establish a new research center in Singapore, in partnership with the Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR).
Tim Breen, CEO of GlobalFoundries, emphasized the importance of this acquisition, stating that it will enhance the ability to move data with greater speed, precision, and power efficiency, which is crucial for AI data centers and advanced telecom networks. The acquisition of AMF, which was spun off from A*STAR in 2017, will facilitate the scaling of silicon photonics innovations from Singapore to global markets, according to the agency.
ASTAR, in a statement, announced a master research collaboration agreement with GlobalFoundries to further advance silicon photonics technologies. This agreement solidifies the partnership and highlights GlobalFoundries' commitment to expanding its operations in Singapore. The CEO of ASTAR, Beh Kian Teik, expressed enthusiasm for pushing the boundaries of silicon photonics with GlobalFoundries, creating new economic opportunities for Singapore.
The CEO of AMF, Jagadish CV, shared a similar vision, emphasizing the importance of innovation and customer partnerships. With their complementary technology portfolios, AMF and GlobalFoundries aim to advance silicon photonics technology for a broader market reach, marking a significant step forward in the field.
