Congratulations Dr. Walden C. Rhines!

Congratulations Dr. Walden C. Rhines!
by Daniel Nenni on 09-08-2015 at 1:00 pm

A funny thing happened at the Design Automation Conference last June in San Francisco. I was browsing the Kaufman award winner mug shots in the EDAC booth and noticed that Wally Rhines was NOT a winner. You can see them HERE. Immediately in disbelief I said to myself: Self, how can this be? Joe Costello, Aart de Geus, and some other guys… Read More


Is Silicon Valley Gridlock a Good Sign for Semiconductors?

Is Silicon Valley Gridlock a Good Sign for Semiconductors?
by Daniel Nenni on 09-04-2015 at 4:00 pm

Let’s face it, the semiconductor world has always revolved around Silicon Valley and it always will. After commuting to Silicon Valley from the East Bay (45 miles each way) for the past 30+ years I’m acutely aware of the traffic patterns and how they relate to the economy. With the advent of smartphones I can work or be entertained … Read More


SoC and Foundry Update 2H 2015!

SoC and Foundry Update 2H 2015!
by Daniel Nenni on 09-01-2015 at 10:00 pm

Rarely do I fly first class but I did on my recent trip to Asia. It was one of the new planes with pod-like seats that transforms into a bed. The flight left SFO at 1 A.M. so I fell asleep almost immediately missing the first gourmet meal. About half way through the flight I found myself barely awake staring straight up and what do I see? STARS!… Read More


IoT and OTP are Like Peanut Butter and Jelly!

IoT and OTP are Like Peanut Butter and Jelly!
by Daniel Nenni on 08-29-2015 at 7:00 am

Have you ever had a peanut butter and bacon sandwich? Everything goes better with bacon! Which brings me to one of my favorite sayings: “(insert two complimentary things) go together like peanut butter and jelly”. How about this: “low power and IoT”, “IoT and OTP”, and “Low Power OTP and Sidense go together like peanut butter and … Read More


My Top Ten Regrets if I were Dying?

My Top Ten Regrets if I were Dying?
by Daniel Nenni on 08-17-2015 at 4:00 pm

As birthday #55 rapidly approaches I say to myself: Self, if I were dying what would be my regrets? The first thing I did was ask The Google because I’m not coming up with anything really interesting myself. Also, it really isn’t a pressing problem for me as my life expectancy has increased quite a bit over the last 30 years, or so I’m told.… Read More


The Intel Apple Deal is a Nothingburger!

The Intel Apple Deal is a Nothingburger!
by Daniel Nenni on 08-15-2015 at 12:00 am

The latest Intel rumor that the pro Intel media are flogging is that Intel modems will be in some of the new iPhones. The deal is estimated at around $1B. An “estimated” value of a “rumor” deal is quite funny in itself but let’s take a deeper look at what we are gossiping about here.

Intel got into the 3G/LTE business after acquiring the… Read More


Why Qualcomm Lost Samsung and Will Get Them Back!

Why Qualcomm Lost Samsung and Will Get Them Back!
by Daniel Nenni on 08-12-2015 at 12:00 pm

2016 will be a banner year for the System on Chip (SoC) industry. For the first time we will have leading edge SoCs (Apple, Qualcomm, Samsung) on the same manufacturing process enabling a true Apples to Apples comparison. Unfortunately, how we got there is being misrepresented by the media and analysts but that is Situation Normal… Read More


Make American Semiconductor Great Again!

Make American Semiconductor Great Again!
by Daniel Nenni on 08-10-2015 at 4:00 pm

As I watched the GOP debate between the top 10 candidates last week I asked myself which one of those men would I pick to help the United States stay competitive in the semiconductor industry. I’m saddened to say that the only candidate even remotely qualified for that conversation in my opinion is Donald Trump. Of course I backed Ross… Read More


Is 7nm Coming to the TSMC OIP Ecosystem Forum?

Is 7nm Coming to the TSMC OIP Ecosystem Forum?
by Daniel Nenni on 08-07-2015 at 4:00 pm

This is the 5[SUP]th[/SUP] TSMC Open Innovation Platform Ecosystem Forum and it is not to be missed. Please note that the location has moved from the San Jose Convention Center to the Santa Clara Convention Center which is literally right across the street from the new Levi’s Stadium. If you haven’t been to the new stadium you really… Read More


CEVA in More than 6 Billion Chips!

CEVA in More than 6 Billion Chips!
by Daniel Nenni on 08-05-2015 at 8:00 pm

One of the IP companies that I track is CEVA, the largest licensor of DSP cores. CEVA is the fifth largest IP company behind ARM, Synopsys, Imagination Technologies, and Cadence (Lattice acquired Silicon Image). CEVA is actually a combination of companies which started with the DSP Group and Parthus Technologies in 2002 and RiveriasWaves… Read More