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Could FD-SOI be Cheaper too?

Could FD-SOI be Cheaper too?
by Eric Esteve on 12-08-2013 at 11:00 am

We agree now that FD-SOI technology is Faster, Cooler, Simpler. But can it also be a cheaper technology? Let start with an overview of the current estimation of the development cost for complex SoC on advanced technology nodes. The following data are extracted from International Business Strategies, Inc 2013 report. The first… Read More


Is FD-SOI Really Faster, Cooler, Simpler?

Is FD-SOI Really Faster, Cooler, Simpler?
by Eric Esteve on 11-12-2013 at 5:17 am

I love the slogan associated with FD-SOI: the technology is supposed to be Faster, Cooler, Simpler. Does this slogan reflect the reality? Let’s start with Simpler. We (the semiconductor industry) have the perception that Silicon On Insulator (SOI) technology is something complex and exotic. Why? Because SOI has been used to … Read More


The Alternative to FinFET: FD-SOI

The Alternative to FinFET: FD-SOI
by Paul McLellan on 10-30-2013 at 11:00 am

Everywhere you turn these days you find FinFETs. Intel has had them since 22nm (they use the word Tri-gate but it is the same as what the world calls FinFET) and TSMC will have them at 16nm. So why FinFET? And is there an alternative?

The reason that regular bulk planar transistors have run out of steam is that the channel area underneath… Read More


Can “Less than Moore” FDSOI provides better ROI for Mobile IC?

Can “Less than Moore” FDSOI provides better ROI for Mobile IC?
by Eric Esteve on 03-15-2013 at 10:00 am

In this previous article, I was suggesting that certain chip makers may take a serious look at a disruptive way to look at Moore’s law, as they may get better ROI, profit and even better revenue. The idea is to select technology node and packaging technique in order to optimize the Price, Performance, Power triptych and manage chip… Read More


FD-SOI is Worth More Than Two Cores

FD-SOI is Worth More Than Two Cores
by Paul McLellan on 01-20-2013 at 10:00 pm

This is the second blog entry about an ST Ericsson white-paper on multiprocessors in mobile. The first part was here.

The first part of the white-paper basically shows that for mobile the optimal number of cores is two. It is much better to use process technology (and good EDA) to run the processor at higher frequency rather than add… Read More


ST Microelectronics: Strategic Options

ST Microelectronics: Strategic Options
by Paul McLellan on 12-01-2012 at 5:11 pm

ST Microelectronics announced yesterday that it would have a conference call on December 10th to announce its strategy going forward. ST has been struggling the last couple of years, with revenues down year to year. From 2010-2012 (the last an estimate of course) it did $10.3B, $9.6B and $8.4B so it has shrunk nearly 20% in 3 years.… Read More