Semiconductor Packaging History and Primer

Semiconductor Packaging History and Primer
by Doug O'Laughlin on 03-09-2022 at 10:00 am

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From DIP to Advanced, semiconductor packaging has become strategic

For ease of reading – I am going to be splitting this primer into two parts. First is the technical overview of everything. Next will be the company-specific writeups that follow over time – specifically Teradyne, Formfactor, Advantest, and Camtek

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Semiconductor Capital Equipment Series: Introduction

Semiconductor Capital Equipment Series: Introduction
by Doug O'Laughlin on 03-06-2022 at 10:00 am

Semiconductor Capital Equipment Series 1

Semicap is in some ways the unsung hero of American global dominance in semiconductors. The US punches above its weight in terms of market share compared to demand, but specifically in three categories. EDA, IP, and Equipment.

I hope to write about everything there can be said about semiconductors, and EDA is a place I understand… Read More


Intel’s Investor Day – Nothing New

Intel’s Investor Day – Nothing New
by Doug O'Laughlin on 02-27-2022 at 6:00 am

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Intel’s big investor day was anything but big. The stock reacted poorly, down 5% on a day that was a widespread sell-off anyways.

I want to briefly summarize what matters for the stock. There was very little incremental news to the technology roadmap, and the financial outlook was underwhelming, to say the least.

The revenue guide… Read More


Semiconductor Earnings Roundup

Semiconductor Earnings Roundup
by Doug O'Laughlin on 02-20-2022 at 10:00 am

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ON, ACLS, RMBS, AOSL, CAMT, ICHR, ONTO, SUMCO, and more!

SUMCO was the best call I read this quarter. There were many great bits of information but I want to start with the stat that really shocked me.

First of all, with regard to the LTAs out to 2026 and whether we did make progress in the last 3 months, that is correct. In the last 3 months,

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Tower Semi Buyout Tips Intel’s Hand

Tower Semi Buyout Tips Intel’s Hand
by Doug O'Laughlin on 02-17-2022 at 2:00 pm

Tower Semiconductor Fabs 2022

The rationale behind the Tower Semi acquisition and things to watch out for at Intel’s investor day.

Intel bids for Tower Semi
First I have to quote myself because Tower was an error of omission. In November in a piece that was likely too long for its own good, I mentioned that trailing edge fabs are in a huge position of strength… Read More


The Rising Tide of Semiconductor Cost

The Rising Tide of Semiconductor Cost
by Doug O'Laughlin on 02-13-2022 at 6:00 am

Moores Law Slowing Down

It Isn’t Transistory

There’s a quiet upheaval happening in the semiconductor industry. The rules that have always governed the industry are fraying, undoing assumptions that we took for granted, that was pounded into us in school. The irreproachable Moore’s Law, that exponential progress will make things cheaper, better,… Read More


How France’s Largest Semiconductor Company Got Stolen in Plain Sight

How France’s Largest Semiconductor Company Got Stolen in Plain Sight
by Doug O'Laughlin on 01-23-2022 at 10:00 am

SOITEC Stock Price

Originally published on Fabricated Knowledge

Soitec is a semiconductor materials company known for its smart cut and Silicon on Insulator (SOI) technologies, which are critical in 5G, Silicon Photonics, and Silicon Carbide (EV) end-markets.

Yesterday, they announced that current CEO Paul Boudre will retire and be replaced… Read More


TSMC Earnings – The Handoff from Mobile to HPC

TSMC Earnings – The Handoff from Mobile to HPC
by Doug O'Laughlin on 01-20-2022 at 10:00 am

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Hello! The most important semiconductor company in the world reported earnings last night. It’s been something of a tradition to post Taiwan Semiconductor Company (TSMC) earnings posts not behind my paywall, and I think that I’m going to continue that to kickoff each earnings season.

There are so many threads in the TSMC call that… Read More