This is How We Get One Million Design Starts!

This is How We Get One Million Design Starts!
by Daniel Nenni on 06-28-2014 at 10:00 am

One of the most interesting demos at #51DAC was the eSilicon GDS II online quote system for TSMC. Probably because eSilicon was one of the most interesting companies exhibiting this year. While writing the book “Fabless: The Transformation of the Semiconductor Industry” we took a close look at the history of fabless semiconductor… Read More


What Seeking Alpha is Telling us about Intel

What Seeking Alpha is Telling us about Intel
by Daniel Nenni on 06-25-2014 at 9:00 am

New Media is a double edged sword for sure. The good news is that you get to read articles by people who actually work in the semiconductor industry. The bad news is that hidden agendas and disinformation abound so let the reader beware, especially if that reader is risking their retirement money!

As I mentioned before, “Understand… Read More


Internet of Things (IoT) Startup Showcase @ SEMICON West!

Internet of Things (IoT) Startup Showcase @ SEMICON West!
by Daniel Nenni on 06-24-2014 at 3:00 pm

Innopartners accelerator%20logo

It’s hard to believe that SEMICON West is upon us once again at the Moscone Center in San Francisco. This is the premier semiconductor conference for cutting-edge equipment, processes, and materials, to solutions to today’s design and manufacturing challenges. Remember, it’s not what you know (because … Read More


Intel Invests in the Fabless Ecosystem!

Intel Invests in the Fabless Ecosystem!
by Daniel Nenni on 06-22-2014 at 11:00 am

During my illustrious career one of the most useful axioms that I use just about everyday day is: “Understand what people say but also understand why they are saying it.” This certainly applies to press releases so let’s take a look at what Intel unleashed during #51DAC (in alphabetical order):

ANSYS And Intel Collaborate
Read More


Enabling Technologies that Will Shape the next Wearables

Enabling Technologies that Will Shape the next Wearables
by Daniel Nenni on 06-21-2014 at 10:00 am

One of the benefits of spending the last 30 years working in Silicon Valley and publishing a fabless semiconductor book is that I get invitations to speak at events I would normally be attending. Being on the other side of the podium is truly a unique experience and one worth pursuing, absolutely. This month I spoke at #51DAC about … Read More


TSMC (TSM) is Having Another SoC Year!

TSMC (TSM) is Having Another SoC Year!
by Daniel Nenni on 06-18-2014 at 9:00 am

TSMC’s stock has more than doubled in the last five years. Coincidentally that is when I started blogging about TSMC. QCOM stock has experienced a similar doubling during this time as have other TSMC customers. The question is: What is next for TSMC? As I have mentioned before, you would be better off taking stock tips from your dog… Read More


SemiWiki is an Open Forum for Semiconductor Professionals!

SemiWiki is an Open Forum for Semiconductor Professionals!
by Daniel Nenni on 06-15-2014 at 10:05 am

Why should you be a part of SemiWiki? Two reasons: One, SemiWiki is an excellent semiconductor networking tool. Quite often “who you know” comes into play in your professional life so network-network-network. Two, SemiWiki is all about personal branding. Establish yourself as a person of interest in your chosen field and opportunities… Read More


SEMICON West 2014 Event Calendar

SEMICON West 2014 Event Calendar
by Daniel Nenni on 06-13-2014 at 8:00 am

SEMICON West is the flagship annual event for the global microelectronics industry. It is the premier event for the display of new products and technologies for microelectronics design and manufacturing, featuring technologies from across the microelectronics supply chain, from electronic design automation, to device … Read More


ATopTech’s Legal Woes Continue!

ATopTech’s Legal Woes Continue!
by Daniel Nenni on 06-11-2014 at 8:00 pm

It was a bad sign when an EDA company solicited John Cooley’s help in their legal challenge: See Did Atoptech Just Astroturf Synopsys? Gabe Moretti also did an article: John Cooley Barrister Chastises Synopsys | Gabe on EDA. An even worse sign is when your legal team gets disqualified, especially when that legal team is the top EDA… Read More


TSMC vs Intel vs Samsung FinFETs

TSMC vs Intel vs Samsung FinFETs
by Daniel Nenni on 06-08-2014 at 10:50 am

By definition the pure-play foundry business model separates the design and manufacturing of a semiconductor device. TSMC was the first dedicated (pure-play) foundry which enabled the incredible fabless semiconductor ecosystem we have today. If not for the fabless business model we would not have the supercomputer class … Read More