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Effects of Inception

Effects of Inception
by glforte on 10-14-2010 at 10:00 am

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I finally got to watch the critically acclaimed sci-fi movie “Inception” last weekend and life has not been the same since. Without giving away too much detail for the benefit of those who have not watched it yet, the main plot involves dreams within dreams within dreams – three levels to be precise—to “incept” an idea into … Read More


Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation 2010

Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation 2010
by Daniel Nenni on 10-13-2010 at 11:01 pm

In celebrating the 10th anniversary of SMIC, CEO David Wang ushers in a new era of China semiconductor manufacturing with triumphs versus promises. By triumphs David means profits, which SMIC saw for the first time in Q2 2010. The future looks even brighter for SMIC as the China semiconductor demand versus supply gap is an estimated… Read More


TSMC OIP Conference 2010 Critique!

TSMC OIP Conference 2010 Critique!
by Daniel Nenni on 10-10-2010 at 10:18 pm

Okay, this is more of a, “What I would do if I was TSMC” than a critique, but I needed a one word descriptor for the title. This was the third TSMC OIP Conference and I would guess about 250 people attended. This was the first time I have seen TSMC in “reactive” mode versus “proactive” leadership mode, so I was a bit disappointed. TSMC is … Read More


Critical Area Analysis and Memory Redundancy

Critical Area Analysis and Memory Redundancy
by SStalnaker on 10-08-2010 at 8:08 pm

Simon Favre, one of our Calibre Technical Marketing Engineers, presented a paper on Critical Area Analysis and Memory Redundancy at the 2010 IEEE North Atlantic Test Workshop in Hopewell Junction, NY, just up the road from Fishkill. As Simon says…

Fishkill, New York. IBM is in Fishkill. IBM invented Critical Area Analysis in what,… Read More


Semiconductor Forecast 2010-2011 Update!

Semiconductor Forecast 2010-2011 Update!
by Daniel Nenni on 10-03-2010 at 10:35 pm

It’s that time of the quarter again, where the semiconductor analysts revise forecasts, passing off glorified guesstimates as valid financial planning data. They aren’t forecasts! They are observations! I blame these hacks for the 12.5% Silicon Valley unemployment rate! I blame these hacks for the dwindling available capitol… Read More


TSMC GigaFab Tour!

TSMC GigaFab Tour!
by Daniel Nenni on 10-01-2010 at 9:44 am

During my most recent Taiwan trip I was not only afforded a meeting with Dr Mark Liu, Sr VP of TSMC, a guided tour of GigaFab #12 was also included. Even more impressive, I’m now considered “Elite” by Eva Airlines so I automatically get the good seats, better food, and VIP service. My wife, however, is not impressed with my Elite status… Read More


Semiconductor Realization!

Semiconductor Realization!
by Daniel Nenni on 09-20-2010 at 1:15 pm

Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results (Albert Einstein). Given that statement, according to John Bruggeman (Cadence CMO and EDA360 Chief Anarchist) the semiconductor industry is INSANE!

This year the EDA Tech Forum and the Global Semiconductor Alliance Expo were not only on the … Read More


GlobalFoundries Exposed, Part II!

GlobalFoundries Exposed, Part II!
by Daniel Nenni on 09-12-2010 at 10:02 pm

EDA CEO panels are usually rather dull but this one definitely held my interest. It was standing room only and I was surrounded by familiar faces from not only EDA and IP company executives, but also representatives from the top semiconductor companies around the world! The theme of course was collaboration, promoting the GFI “IDM-Like”… Read More


GlobalFoundries Exposed!

GlobalFoundries Exposed!
by Daniel Nenni on 09-06-2010 at 9:45 pm


The GlobalFoundries Technical Conference last week was one of the best I’ve seen. The theme of the conference was “GlobalFoundries is bringing the collaborative IDM semiconductor design and manufacturing culture to the merchant foundry business!”

“We ramped volume production at the 45/40nm node well ahead of all foundriesRead More


Cloud Computing = Darknet! BEWARE!

Cloud Computing = Darknet! BEWARE!
by Daniel Nenni on 07-25-2010 at 5:47 pm

Cloud computing will be the tragic end to the digital world as we once knew it. As we become more and more dependent on mobile internet devices we become less and less independent in life itself. Consider how much of your critical personal and professional information (digital capital) is stored via the internet and none of it is safe.… Read More