Mentor Graphics @ SEMICON West 2014

Mentor Graphics @ SEMICON West 2014
by Daniel Nenni on 07-04-2014 at 10:00 pm

Mentor is again the most represented EDA company at SEMICON West this year. I strongly advise Cadence and Synopsys to get more involved because EDA may be where electronics begins but semiconductor manufacturing makes all of our hard work come true, absolutely. Paul McLellan, Beth Martin, and I will be blogging live, I hope to see… Read More


Intel is Speaking @ SEMICON West 2014!

Intel is Speaking @ SEMICON West 2014!
by Daniel Nenni on 07-03-2014 at 8:00 am

The SEMICON West website has a nice “speakers” option where you can search by company and see who is talking about what. I’m always interested in what Intel has to say (they are still the leading semiconductor company) so here is the line-up for next week:

Intel Sanchali Bhattacharjee Subcomponent Supply Chain for 10nm and BeyondRead More


In Case You Missed #51DAC

In Case You Missed #51DAC
by Daniel Nenni on 07-02-2014 at 9:50 am

This will probably end up being the most memorable DAC for us since Paul and I signed hundreds of copies of our book “Fabless: The Transformation of the Semiconductor Industry”. I’m not sure how we are going to top that next year but I’m confident we will think of something. If you want to catch up on the live blogs from the last three conferences… Read More


The Intel Resurgence?

The Intel Resurgence?
by Daniel Nenni on 06-30-2014 at 8:00 am

There is an interesting article on Seeking Alpha about Intel. Interesting because it is written by someone with both fabless semiconductor experience and a talent for strategic thinking. It’s a good read and like most Seeking Aplha semiconductor articles the comments are hilarious. Give the guy a penny and click over HERE, he … Read More


What can you do when your fab closes down?

What can you do when your fab closes down?
by Daniel Nenni on 06-29-2014 at 4:00 pm

A recent report from IC Insights described 72 wafer fabs that have closed in the past five years. Eight more plants have gone in 2014, showing the trend is continuing.

This leaves their customers with a problem: what can they do when the fab shuts down? Some may recognise that their own technology has reached the end of its life and work… Read More


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

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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
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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