The Evolution of the Extension Implant Part III

The Evolution of the Extension Implant Part III
by Daniel Nenni on 05-06-2019 at 7:00 am

The problem of traditional FinFET Extension Implant doping concerns the awkward 3-dimensional structure of the fin. Because the Extension Implant defines the conductive electrical pathway between the Source/Drains and the undoped channel portion of the fin, it is essential that the fin be uniformly doped all three of its surfaces… Read More


Semiconductor Market Downturn in 2019

Semiconductor Market Downturn in 2019
by Bill Jewell on 03-23-2019 at 5:00 am

The global semiconductor market grew 13.7% in 2018, according to World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS). Each year, we at Semiconductor Intelligence review semiconductor forecasts and compare them to the final WSTS data. We used projections which were publicly released from late 2017 through early 2018, prior to the … Read More


Surviving in the Age of Digitalization

Surviving in the Age of Digitalization
by Daniel Nenni on 03-18-2019 at 7:00 am

There was an interesting keynote at DVCon last month. It was titled “Thriving in the Age of Digitalization” which introduced the concept of digital twins for design and production. It was presented by Fram Akiki who is a relative newcomer to EDA but has an interesting history so I will start there.

Fram and I got started in the semiconductor… Read More


Three things you should know about designHUB!

Three things you should know about designHUB!
by Daniel Nenni on 03-13-2019 at 7:00 am

One of the key growth areas for the semiconductor ecosystem is IP which of course includes IP related EDA software. In May of 2017 design management/collaboration expert (one of my personal favorite EDA companies) ClioSoft announced designHUB[SUP]®[/SUP] for IP management and re-use. Using designHUB, semiconductor companies… Read More


Interview with Bob Smith, Executive Director of the ESD Alliance

Interview with Bob Smith, Executive Director of the ESD Alliance
by Daniel Nenni on 02-26-2019 at 7:00 am

Bob Smith is executive director of the ESD (for electronic system design) Alliance that many Semiwiki readers will remember as the EDA Consortium. As Bob explains, the semiconductor industry is changing and evolving, and the electronic system design ecosystem with it. I encourage you to take a break from what you’re doing and … Read More


Physical Design for Secure Split Manufacturing of ICs

Physical Design for Secure Split Manufacturing of ICs
by Daniel Nenni on 02-19-2019 at 12:00 pm

Semiconductors are not only critical to modern life, semiconductors are critical to National Security. Now that leading edge semiconductor foundries have left the United States one of the more pressing challenges is secure semiconductor manufacturing. This applies to all countries of course so let’s take a look at the International… Read More


Doesn’t sound like a recovery anytime in 2019

Doesn’t sound like a recovery anytime in 2019
by Robert Maire on 02-18-2019 at 7:00 am

AMAT reported a more or less in line quarter with revenues of $3.75B and Non-GAAP EPS of $0.81 versus street expectation of $0.79 and revenues of $3.71B. Guidance came in well below the street with revenues expected between $3.33B to $3.63B and Non-GAAP EPS from $0.62 to $0.70 versus expectations of $3.66B and $0.77. The company … Read More


TSMC and Apple Aftermath

TSMC and Apple Aftermath
by Robert Maire on 01-21-2019 at 7:00 am

TSMC reported an in line quarter, as expected and also reported down Q1 guidance, also as expected. The only thing some investors may have been caught off guard about is the magnitude of the expected drop, 14%, from $9.4B to $7.35B. This is the largest quarter over quarter drop for TSMC in a very long time. Importantly for TSMC, 7NM … Read More


Samsung pre-announces miss on weak memory and phones

Samsung pre-announces miss on weak memory and phones
by Robert Maire on 01-09-2019 at 7:00 am

It should come as no big surprise that Samsung will miss its Q4 numbers. The company pre announced that profits will be 10.8T KWON (about $9.7B ) versus the 13.2T KWON analysts had predicted, close to a 20% miss. This number is also down about 39% sequentially. Revenue at 59T KWON instead of expected 62.8T KWON and down about 10%. The… Read More


CES 2019: Dashboard Dreams

CES 2019: Dashboard Dreams
by Roger C. Lanctot on 01-06-2019 at 8:00 am

The annual trek to Las Vegas arrives this year with visions of sinusitis, chapped lips, flat feet and new concepts for automotive cockpit systems. It is no coincidence that the plaza in front of the Las Vegas Convention Center is dominated by automotive exhibits – along with multiple automated driving demonstrations across the… Read More