UMC Wins Qualcomm 28nm Second Source Contract!

UMC Wins Qualcomm 28nm Second Source Contract!
by Daniel Nenni on 04-22-2012 at 7:00 pm

This is common knowledge in Taiwan but apparently the guys over at SemiAccurate.com did not get the memo. I hear a name change is in the works: www.RarelyAccurate.com. Remember, these are the same clairvoyants who said TSMC shut down 28nm which as we now know is absolutely false. The QCOM elite stay at the Hsinchu Royal Hotel which… Read More


ARM vs Intel? Just look at ARM Top Customer in 2010!

ARM vs Intel? Just look at ARM Top Customer in 2010!
by Eric Esteve on 01-16-2012 at 3:47 am

Looking at the ARM Top Ten customers list (for 2010) brings useful information about the volumes production generated by the chip makers involved in the wireless handset segment. Revenue for an ARM licensee comes from upfront license and royalties. Upfront license are in the few $ million range (max), when the below listed contribution… Read More


IC capacity utilization declined in 3Q 2011

IC capacity utilization declined in 3Q 2011
by Bill Jewell on 12-14-2011 at 11:54 pm

SICAS (Semiconductor Industry Capacity Statistics) has released its 3Q 2011 data, available through the SIA at: SICAS data . Beginning with 2Q 2011 the SICAS membership list no longer includes the Taiwanese companies Nanya Technology, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. (TSMC) or United Microelectronics Corporation… Read More


GlobalFoundries’ Expansion on Hold! Trouble in Abu Dhabi?

GlobalFoundries’ Expansion on Hold! Trouble in Abu Dhabi?
by Daniel Nenni on 11-20-2011 at 7:00 pm

When AMD sought to shed its costly manufacturing operations, Ibrahim Ajami saw an interesting opportunity, one that promised to bring semiconductor manufacturing to Abu Dhabi. Let’s start with the January 2010 interview with Ajami, the 35 year old Chief Executive Officer of Advanced Technology Investment Company (ATIC), … Read More


SICAS capacity data loses TSMC and UMC

SICAS capacity data loses TSMC and UMC
by Bill Jewell on 10-19-2011 at 10:26 am

SICAS (Semiconductor Industry Capacity Statistics) has released its 2Q 2011 data with significant changes in membership. The data is available through the SIA at: SICASdata The SICAS membership list no longer includes the Taiwanese companies Nanya Technology, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. (TSMC) or UnitedRead More


Global Semiconductor Alliance Ecosystem Summit Trip Report!

Global Semiconductor Alliance Ecosystem Summit Trip Report!
by Daniel Nenni on 10-10-2011 at 7:06 pm

Being an internationally recognized industry blogger (IRIB) does have its benefits, one of which is free invites to all of the cool industry conferences! The presentations are canned for the most part but you can learn a lot at the breaks and exhibits if you know the right questions to ask, which I certainly do.

The GSA Semiconductor
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Semiconductor Industry Damage Assessment (Disaster in Japan)

Semiconductor Industry Damage Assessment (Disaster in Japan)
by admin on 03-19-2011 at 5:19 am

The earthquake and subsequent tsunami that devastated Japan on March 11[SUP]th[/SUP], 2011 will have far reaching ramifications around the world for years to come. People have asked me how this disaster will affect the semiconductor industry so I will try and summarize it in this blog.

First the foundries:

According to TSMC: 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


2010 Semiconductor Foundry Update: Consolidation!

2010 Semiconductor Foundry Update: Consolidation!
by Daniel Nenni on 05-16-2010 at 6:46 pm

It has been an interesting month in the semiconductor business. Record revenues, profits, aggressive expansion plans, something we have not seen before and may not see again. Let’s start in Taiwan then move to Silicon Valley, Upstate New York, China, and Korea, with a look at: financials, capacity, and consolidation.

TSMC and… Read More


UMC vs GLOBALFOUNDRIES

UMC vs GLOBALFOUNDRIES
by Daniel Nenni on 11-11-2009 at 11:31 pm

TSMC Versus Global Foundries and TSMC versus SMIC clearly indicate that TSMC is the number one foundry in the world and it will be that way for the foreseeable future. The question now is who will be number two? Who will seriously challenge TSMC?

UMC has 10 fabs, 8 in Taiwan, 1 in Japan, and 1 in Singapore. Global Foundries will have Chartered’s… Read More