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Redefining the Semiconductor Foundry Model: Abu Dhabi versus Taiwan

Redefining the Semiconductor Foundry Model: Abu Dhabi versus Taiwan
by Daniel Nenni on 04-11-2010 at 2:53 pm

It was a pleasure to see the GlobalFoundries (GFI) corporate pitch at the Mentor Graphics U2U Conference last week. Wally Rhines is a tough act to follow but Mojy Chian, Senior Vice President of Design Enablement at GlobalFoundries, presented a compelling argument for a refined foundry business model. The GFI people were also … Read More


Redefining the Foundry Model: TSMC versus GlobalFoundries

Redefining the Foundry Model: TSMC versus GlobalFoundries
by Daniel Nenni on 04-10-2010 at 2:08 am

The 17[SUP]th[/SUP] annual TSMC Technical Symposium finished its North American tour in Boston, a day before the Boston Marathon. I would like to be clever and say the foundry business is also a marathon but it clearly is not. If you watch TSMC, the foundry business is both a sprint AND a marathon!

In contrast to the previous blog onRead More


TSMC 2011 Forecast and 28nm Update!

TSMC 2011 Forecast and 28nm Update!
by Daniel Nenni on 03-31-2010 at 10:05 pm

My visit to Taiwan last week was very encouraging. No earthquake, no typhoon, and both TSMC and UMC again posted record financial results, giving a peek into what 2011 has in store for us semiconductor professionals around the world.

A transcript from the TSMC earnings call can be foundhere, the UMC transcript is here. The TSMC transcript… Read More


TSMC versus SAMSUNG

TSMC versus SAMSUNG
by Daniel Nenni on 03-07-2010 at 8:49 pm

According to the EETimes“The leading-edge foundry market is up for grabs, as several vendors have stumbled or been victims of the shakeout “. According to people who actually work with the foundries, like myself, the leading edge foundry market will continue to be dominated by TSMC and GlobalFoundries is the “dark horse”. SamsungRead More


TSMC vs GlobalFoundries vs IBM

TSMC vs GlobalFoundries vs IBM
by Daniel Nenni on 02-28-2010 at 10:22 pm

Last week TSMC hosted the2010 Executive Forum on Leading Edge Semiconductor Technology in Yokohama, Japan. The Senior Vice President of R&D at TSMC lectured on process development and the individual technologies for the 45/40nm, 32/28nm and 22/20nm nodes and explained the current status.

Dr. Shang-Yi Chiang joined TSMC… Read More


GlobalFoundries and the Mobile World Congress

GlobalFoundries and the Mobile World Congress
by Daniel Nenni on 02-22-2010 at 12:30 am

One may ask why in the semiconductor world would GlobalFoundries(GFI) exhibit at the Mobile World Congress last week, the world’s largest exhibition for the mobile industry. And not just exhibit, GFI turned out at en force with meeting rooms and bright orange signage declaring a mobile revolution. Why? Here is your first clue:… Read More


The GlobalFoundries Enigma

The GlobalFoundries Enigma
by Daniel Nenni on 02-09-2010 at 9:31 pm

When AMD sought to shed its costly manufacturing unit Ibrahim Ajami saw an interesting opportunity, one that will eventually bring semiconductor manufacturing to Abu Dhabi. Let’s start with the recent interview published with Ajami, the 34 year old Chief Executive Officer of Advanced Technology Investment Company (ATIC),… Read More


TSMC 28nm Design Advisory

TSMC 28nm Design Advisory
by Daniel Nenni on 01-31-2010 at 11:49 pm

Transistors may be shrinking but atoms are not. Transistors are now just a handful of atoms so it matters even more when a couple of those atoms are out of place. Process variations, whether they are statistical, proximity, or otherwise, have got to be thoughtfully accounted for if we are to achieve the low-power, high-performance,… Read More


TSMC versus Global Foundries Part II

TSMC versus Global Foundries Part II
by Daniel Nenni on 01-17-2010 at 11:52 am

The foundry business is a tough one. The golden age of semiconductors is clearly over and what remains is a highly competitive marketplace. This blog follows up my original TSMC vs Global Foundries which is the single most viewed page on my site.

Case in point #1: Founded in 2000, SMIC Semiconductor Manufacturing International … Read More


TSMC Yields @ 28nm!

TSMC Yields @ 28nm!
by Daniel Nenni on 12-31-2009 at 8:00 pm


It was an interesting week in Taiwan for sure. Typhoon Fanapi, lightning storms, the first 28nm production silicon, foundry re-orgs, and most importantly Moon Cake pastries! Wednesday was the Chinese Moon (Zhongqiu)Festival, in Taiwan it is a National holiday commonly celebrated by people barbecuing various meats outdoors.… Read More