semicon west overview
Moving forward collaboratively The rising cost of the technological challenges in the industry have forced a collaborative approach to technology that was unexpected a few years ago. Shekhar Y. Borkar, Intel Fellow and director of extreme-scale technologies at Intel Corporation grace the first key note speech and focused on energy demands of computing today and the rapid increase expected in energy needs. Borkar stated that the industry requires a new approach to energy consumption pointing out that once again the industry will need to work together to ensure this does not become a brick wall to innovation.
few there are more emerging opportunities within the industry than most give credit to. Nearly all the innovation that has been introduced into the semiconductor industry has come from small ventures. Those focused on providing a solution to a particular industry challenge. There are many companies out there with potential solutions right along the value chain. Many of them are realising they need to be able to get to potential customers and educate them on the possibilities. Explain how new ideas can be introduced with minimal disruption but provide improvements in product or cost.
Twelve years ago all companies wanted to ride the wave of success that led to the billion dollar companies we have today but the ride has changed and although the gradient not as steep the roller coaster nature of the industry provides entry points for new comers with new ideas. The companies I meet that seem to have the solidest approach are those who are looking at maintaining profitable companies and are not over extending themselves at the whim of share holders. A number of larger OEMs are losing their shine as the focus is on shareholder quarterly returns with no sense of longer term technology goals.
The technical and financial challenges of continued scaling are changing the industry landscape to such an extent that companies can no longer rest on their laurels. Companies who believe they will maintain or improve their large market share in the next technology node may be in for a shock. I would expect changes in the top companies over the next 18 months that may not be obvious now.
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www.siliconsemiconductor.net Issue III 2012
While manufacturers are looking at different transistor architecture to tackle the growing problem of energy usage such as Intel’s tri gate approach but the improvements are available throughout the value chain. It could be a materials solution or a new IC design. Form factor continues to be a major issue as interconnections and packaging are required for ever smaller devices. System on a chip and an array of other options all have contributions to make to the future technology and the opportunities exist along the entire manufacturing chain from design to final text.
The industry will also witness the continued consolidation of companies and technologies that has been occurring the last ten years. The LAM Novellus merger/takeover is the highest profile consolidation of late and despite the excellent synergies of technologies one can only hope that LAM executes the merger better than the recent SEZ acquisition. The early indications are that the company learnt from the speed of the Austrian takeover and are taking their time to meet integration targets this time. If done well, the new venture will be a serious contender for Applied Material’s market share in the next technology node.
The semiconductor industry is its most fascinating when facing technical challenges. I don’t mean the ones they face daily but those moments when people feel they are facing a brick wall. Sometimes even perceived physical limitations. Each times they find a way forward and I would expect the same of this innovative industry despite the overwhelming challenges facing them. I have covered the industry long enough to know that the solutions will come from unexpected quarters and the eventual winning companies may not appear to be in such a position. This industry proves that number one today means very little tomorrow.
© 2012 Angel Business Communications. Permission required.
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