We have seen that the interface IP category is seeing incredibly high growth rate over the last two decades and we expect this category to generate an ongoing high source of IP revenues for at least another decade. But if we dig into the various successful protocols like PCI Express, Ethernet or USB, we can detect a common function … Read More
Semiconductors up 6.5% in 2020, >10% in 2021?
Semiconductor sales in 2020 were $439.0 billion, up 6.5% from $412.3 billion in 2019, according to World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS).
We at Semiconductor Intelligence have been tracking the accuracy of semiconductor market forecasts from various sources for several years. We look at publicly available projections… Read More
Podcast EP7: Signal Integrity and Killer Robots
Dan and Mike are joined by Matt Burns, technical marketing manager at Samtec. Matt discusses the signal integrity challenges faced by system designers. The materials and protocols used for channels on a board, between boards on a rack and even between racks are discussed. Matt also touches on the work Samtec is doing with BattleBots.… Read More
“For Want of a Chip, the Auto Industry was Lost”
Semiconductor production can’t be turned on and off like a switch
Semiconductor fabs have to run 24/7 to make money. They have to be running full all the time to fully utilize the high running costs and in the case of new fabs, high capital costs.
Unlike a brake pad factory hat can hire and fire people at will and source readily … Read More
Trust, but verify. How to catch peanut butter engineering before it spreads into your system — Part 2: Verification.
This article about verification is part 2 of a two article series. Please see part 1 on validation HERE.
Verification is a field that has emerged as its own discipline. It’s no longer being relegated to an activity led by the design team to which time is allocated as long as it doesn’t get in the way of designing. Chip companies… Read More
Will EUV take a Breather in 2021?
-KLAC- Solid QTR & Guide but flat 2021 outlook
-Display down & more memory mix
-KLAC has very solid Dec Qtr & guide but 2021 looks flattish
-Mix shift to memory doesn’t help- Display weakness
-Despite flat still looking at double digit growth
-EUV driven business may see some slowing from digestion
As always, … Read More
ESD Alliance and IEEE CEDA Announce a New Recognition Program – the Phil Kaufman Hall of Fame
Anyone even remotely associated the EDA industry will know about the Phil Kaufman award. Every industry has its ultimate recognition – the Academy Awards and the Grammys are familiar ones in pop culture. The Nobel Prize gets a bit geekier and the Morris Chang award from the GSA is geekier still. If you’re an EDA geek, the Phil Kaufman… Read More
Trust, but verify. How to catch peanut butter engineering before it spreads into your system — Part 1: Validation.
I will address this topic with two blog posts: validation (i.e. post silicon) — Part 1, and verification (pre-silicon) — Part 2 (coming soon!). In this blog post, I will focus on validation.
One of the upsides of using catalog chips that have been in the market for a long time and have ramped in substantial volumes is that… Read More
New Intel CEO Commits to Remaining an IDM
-Intel good results had a little extra help to be great
-New CEO commits to remaining an IDM versus fabless
-Claims of strong progress on 7NM fuel optimism inside
-Outsourcing to TSMC will not go away but will increase
A good quarter but with some silicon enhancements from ICAP
Intel reported Revenues of $20B and EPS of $1.52, which… Read More
ASML – Strong DUV Throwback While EUV Slows- Logic Dominates Memory
– ASML has good quarter driven by DUV & Logic (@72%)
– SMIC & other major customer slow EUV plans
– Logic (read that as TSMC) remains key demand led driver
– We are happy memory remains muted given cyclical potential
A very solid quarter with a continued road to growth
The quarter came in at Euro4,254B… Read More


Intel to Compete with Broadcom and Marvell in the Lucrative ASIC Business