New EUV patent hints Huawei could progress in chip field despite US ban

A new EUV patent hints that Huawei and Chinese chipmakers might soon see progress in the chip sector despite U.S. restrictions. Perhaps China isn’t far away from making advanced processors that could boost its economic and digital growth.

SMEE (Shanghai Micro Electronics Equipment) filed a new EUV patent. It is entitled “extreme ultraviolet [EUV] radiation generators and lithography equipment”.

The patent was issued in March 2023 and is now being examined by the Chinese Intellectual Property Administration. However, it may soon receive approval.

EUV or the Extreme UltraViolet Lithography machines help to make high-end processors with the use of light. This ray has a wavelength of 13.5nm which is 14 times less than DUV (193nm). EUV is required to build chips smaller than 7nm.

SMEE Company:

Among several Chinese companies, SMEE also comes in U.S. blacklisted firms. The company was unable to use foreign goods or chipmaking tools following the sanctions. However, the new patent has appeared as a ray of hope amid the chip war.

The patent details are currently unknown. But it indicates that SMEE is slowly taking steps towards new chipmaking tools. China is dependent on DUV (Deep UltraViolet) lithography machines for making its devices and smart product processors.

However, it seems SMEE is progressing in the EUV lithography after years of effort and dedication and will be able to produce processors at the 28nm level or below.

New EUV patent hints Huawei could progress in chip field despite US ban (Image Credits: Huawei)

It’s good news since the U.S. has restricted many foreign suppliers from shipping their advanced chipset-making tools to China. One of them is ASML which still accounts for a big share of the Chinese market for lithography machines.

But now the Netherlands is planning to hold back ASML from supplying its chipmaking tools in China (read the complete report HERE). At such a stage, the new EUV patent news has appeared as a boon in the Chinese chipmaking progress.

U.S. may block ASML to supply chipmaking tools in China (Image Credits: Reuters)

How it will impact Huawei?

The new patent will help Huawei to progress in the chip-making processes. Currently, the firm builds its Kirin chips in the SMIC foundry using the stocked DUV equipment. It is also seeking ways to improve its 7nm chip before proceeding with new techs.

With advanced chip-making equipment, Huawei devices may get access to high-end chips and AI processors. We have to wait for more details on this matter for a clear view.

[Source – SCMP]