Aptina to Use Micron's 12-inch Fab

Up to now Aptina has used 8-inch Micron fabs. Generally, 8-inch wafer tools do not support processes beyond 90nm. According to Farshid Sabet, VP and GM of Mobile Division at Aptina, the company plans to produce its next-generation BSI sensors on Micron's 12-inch fab (Digitimes). Earlier, there were indirect indications that Aptina is going to use 12-inch TSMC process.

Other points from Farshid Sabet interview to Digitimes:

• The mobile imaging market is trending toward emphasizing on image processing capability
• This emerging trend will bring more opportunities for Aptina
• The move by smartphone brands including Apple and HTC to reduce their reliance on component purchases from Samsung will also benefit Aptina
• Aptina has been the only non-Japan-based CIS vendor that has managed to enter the supply chain of camera makers in Japan