The CHIPS and Science Act, Cybersecurity, and Semiconductor Manufacturing

The CHIPS and Science Act, Cybersecurity, and Semiconductor Manufacturing
by Simon Butler on 10-13-2022 at 10:00 am

CHIPS Act Logo

This year is proving to be a momentous one for U.S. semiconductor manufacturing. During a global chip shortage and record inflation, President Biden signed into effect the CHIPS and Science Act – which so far is the greatest boon to U.S. semiconductor manufacturing in history, with $52 billion in subsidies for chip manufacturers… Read More


Podcast EP109: The State of Semiconductors and the Supply Chain with PWC

Podcast EP109: The State of Semiconductors and the Supply Chain with PWC
by Daniel Nenni on 09-30-2022 at 10:00 am

Dan is joined by Scott Almassy, a Partner in PwC’s Trust Solutions business, as well as PwC’s Semiconductor and Infrastructure Lead. In his almost 20 years in the professional services industry, Scott has provided audit and advisory services to semiconductor companies across the industry ranging from the largest… Read More


Why China hates CHIPS

Why China hates CHIPS
by Craig Addison on 09-05-2022 at 6:00 am

Joe Bidden CHIPS Act 2022

The CHIPS and Science Act has its fair share of critics, with detractors calling it corporate welfare for “losers” like Intel, or lacking guardrails to prevent companies making legacy chips in China.

One of the most vocal opponents of the act has been China’s communist-ruled government.

CHIPS – an acronym for Creating Helpful … Read More


The Semiconductor Cycle Snowballs Down the Food Chain – Gravitational Cognizance

The Semiconductor Cycle Snowballs Down the Food Chain – Gravitational Cognizance
by Robert Maire on 09-02-2022 at 6:00 am

Wiley Coyote Semiconductor Crash 2022

-Where are we in the chip cycle? Why is it different this time?
-No one rings a bell to indicate the top or bottom of a cycle
-Could the lack of self-awareness lead to a worse downturn?
-Who will weather the cycle better & come out on top

Gravitational Cognizance
“A cartoon character will not fall until they realize they should

Read More

An EDA AI Master Class by Synopsys CEO Aart de Geus

An EDA AI Master Class by Synopsys CEO Aart de Geus
by Daniel Nenni on 08-19-2022 at 8:00 am

Aart de Geus White House

I consider Dr. Aart de Geus one of the founding fathers of EDA and one of the most interesting people in the semiconductor industry. So it is not a surprise that Aart was chosen to attend the CHIPs Act signing at the White House.

Here is his current corporate bio:

Since co-founding Synopsys in 1986, Dr. Aart de Geus has expanded Synopsys… Read More


Podcast EP100: A Look Back and a Look Ahead with Dan and Mike

Podcast EP100: A Look Back and a Look Ahead with Dan and Mike
by Daniel Nenni on 08-12-2022 at 10:00 am

Dan and Mike get together to reflect on the past and the future in this 100th Semiconductor Insiders podcast episode. The chip shortage, foundry landscape, Moore’s law, CHIPS Act and industry revenue trends are some of the topics discussed.

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in these podcasts belong solely to … Read More


Intel & Chips Act Passage Juxtaposition

Intel & Chips Act Passage Juxtaposition
by Robert Maire on 07-31-2022 at 6:00 am

Chips Act Corporate Welfare

-Need more/less spend & more/fewer chips
-The irony of chips act passage & Intel stumble on same day
-Due to excess supply of chips, Intel cuts spending
-Due to shortage of chips, the government increases spending
-How did this happen on the same day? Cosmic Coincidence?

Timing is everything

The irony of intel cutting spending… Read More


SEMICON West the Calm Before Storm? CHIPS Act Hail Mary? Old China Embargo New Again?

SEMICON West the Calm Before Storm? CHIPS Act Hail Mary? Old China Embargo New Again?
by Robert Maire on 07-17-2022 at 6:00 am

SEMICON West 2022

-SEMICON good conference -No news but perceptibly nervous
-Memory chip warnings & memories of cycles past haunt us
-Can we turn the clock back 20+ years on China Chip Policy?
-Last ditch efforts on Chips for America before government vacation

SEMICON West Conference

Attendance at the show was good, better than last Decembers… Read More


ASML- US Seeks to Halt DUV China Sales

ASML- US Seeks to Halt DUV China Sales
by Robert Maire on 07-10-2022 at 6:00 am

China Semiocnductor Ban DUV EUV

-If you can’t beat them, embargo them
-It has been reported US wants ASML to halt China DUV tools
-US obviously wants to kill, not just wound China chip biz
-Is this embargo the alternative to failed CHIPS act?
-Hard to say “do as I say, not as I do”- but US does anyway

First EUV ban now DUV ban? Are process & yieldRead More


Micron kicks off the down cycle – Chops 2023 capex – Holding inventory off street

Micron kicks off the down cycle – Chops 2023 capex – Holding inventory off street
by Robert Maire on 07-02-2022 at 10:00 am

Stock Crash 2022

-Micron reports weak outlook for fiscal Q4
-2023 capex to be down versus 2022 capex of $12B & Q3’s $2B
-Company keeping inventory off street to support pricing
-Memory is usually the first shoe to drop in a down cycle

Sharp drop in demand at end of Q3…..

Micron reported a sharp drop in demand at the end of its fiscal Q3,… Read More