Here are some links to current electronics industry trends worth to check out:
2021 ELECTRONIC DESIGN FORECASTS
Check out all the forecasts for this year from the editors and industry experts.
https://www.electronicdesign.com/magazine/50043?utm_source=EG+ED+IoT+for+Engineers&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS210129062&o_eid=7211D2691390C9R&rdx.ident%5Bpull%5D=omeda%7C7211D2691390C9R&oly_enc_id=7211D2691390C9R
If You Build It, Will They Come: The Butterfly Effect
As the pandemic rages on and with political tumult in the air, 2021 will present various challenges for new products and technologies.
https://www.electronicdesign.com/altembedded/article/21152061/electronic-design-if-you-build-it-will-they-come-the-butterfly-effect?utm_source=EG+ED+Analog+%26+Power+Source&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS210112082&o_eid=7211D2691390C9R&rdx.ident%5Bpull%5D=omeda%7C7211D2691390C9R&oly_enc_id=7211D2691390C9R
Technology Overkill
Whether it’s tough-to-install software or needlessly complex products replete with thick manuals, it’s high time that the “user-friendly” aspect is once again a key factor in today’s designs.
https://www.electronicdesign.com/communiqu/article/21153900/electronic-design-technology-overkill?utm_source=EG+ED+Analog+%26+Power+Source&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS210129048&o_eid=7211D2691390C9R&rdx.ident%5Bpull%5D=omeda%7C7211D2691390C9R&oly_enc_id=7211D2691390C9R
2021 Forecast for the Edge
Jason Shepherd, VP of Ecosystem at ZEDEDA, shares his predictions on what will be trending in edge computing in 2021.
https://www.electronicdesign.com/technologies/iot/article/21152901/zededa-2021-forecast-for-the-edge?utm_source=EG+ED+IoT+for+Engineers&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS210129062&o_eid=7211D2691390C9R&rdx.ident%5Bpull%5D=omeda%7C7211D2691390C9R&oly_enc_id=7211D2691390C9R
Analog Matters, Even in a Digital World
Why is machine learning in analog the key to smart devices with longer-lasting batteries?
https://www.electronicdesign.com/technologies/analog/article/21154259/aspinity-analog-matters-even-in-a-digital-world?utm_source=EG+ED+Analog+%26+Power+Source&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS210129051&o_eid=7211D2691390C9R&rdx.ident%5Bpull%5D=omeda%7C7211D2691390C9R&oly_enc_id=7211D2691390C9R
Taking the Pulse of Trends in Timing—the Heartbeat of Electronics
In this forecast article, Piyush Sevalia, EVP Marketing at SiTime, explores three significant trends impacting the timing market in 2021 and beyond.
https://www.electronicdesign.com/technologies/analog/article/21153309/sitime-taking-the-pulse-of-trends-in-timingthe-heartbeat-of-electronics?utm_source=EG+ED+Analog+%26+Power+Source&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS210120096&o_eid=7211D2691390C9R&rdx.ident%5Bpull%5D=omeda%7C7211D2691390C9R&oly_enc_id=7211D2691390C9R
US Chip Sector Continues to Grow as Global Sales Rebound in 2020
Overall sales by US-based companies came to $208 billion in 2020, or around 47% of the market, while chips shipped into the US for use in electronics production totaled $94.2 billion, up around 20% from 2019.
https://www.electronicdesign.com/technologies/embedded-revolution/article/21154323/electronic-design-us-chip-sector-continues-to-grow-as-global-sales-rebound-in-2020?utm_source=EG+ED+Analog+%26+Power+Source&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS210204079&o_eid=7211D2691390C9R&rdx.ident%5Bpull%5D=omeda%7C7211D2691390C9R&oly_enc_id=7211D2691390C9R
Three Possible 2021 Outcomes: Pick Only One
There are three ways that 2021 could evolve. This article details each of the three and explains how and why each will result in relatively predictable revenues, but it’s uncertain which of these three will develop.
https://www.mwrf.com/technologies/semiconductors/article/21154243/three-possible-2021-outcomes-pick-only-one?utm_source=RF+MWRF+Today&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS210204039&o_eid=7211D2691390C9R&rdx.ident%5Bpull%5D=omeda%7C7211D2691390C9R&oly_enc_id=7211D2691390C9R
Chip supply is so tight it is shutting down automotive production lines and could affect other industries as well.
White House working to address semiconductor shortage hitting auto production
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-autos-semiconducts-biden-idUSKBN2AB2AU
US senators urge action on shortage of auto chips
CALL FOR FUNDING: A global shortage of chips used in auto production threatens the US’ post-pandemic economic recovery, a bipartisan group of senators wrote
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2021/02/04/2003751722
CEOs Urge President Biden to Fund Chips, Executive Order Expected
https://www.eetimes.com/ceos-urge-president-biden-to-fund-chips-executive-order-expected/
Car chip shortages a sign of wider demand crunch: ASML executive
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-asml-semiconductors-idINKBN2AB28Z
Carmakers have been hit hard by a global chip shortage — here’s why
https://www.cnbc.com/2021/02/08/carmakers-have-been-hit-hard-by-a-global-chip-shortage-heres-why-.html
Auto Industry Chip Shortages Reflect Wider Shortfall
https://www.eetimes.com/auto-industry-chip-shortages-reflect-wider-shortfall/
How Covid led to a $60 billion global chip shortage for the auto industry
https://www.cnbc.com/2021/02/11/how-covid-led-to-a-60-billion-global-chip-shortage-for-automakers.html
TSMC to Start Dedicating New Capacity to Auto Chips First
https://www.tomshardware.com/news/TSMC-to-prioritize-auto-chips-when-adding-capacity
515 Comments
Tomi Engdahl says:
Texas blacks out, freezes, and even stops sending juice to semiconductor plants. During a global silicon shortage
https://www.theregister.com/2021/02/17/texas_blackouts_semiconductor_fabs/
Do y’all think Samsung might rethink plans to spend $$$ down there?
Tomi Engdahl says:
Chip Shortage Poses a Risk to the Global Economic Recovery
https://www.bloombergquint.com/onweb/chip-shortage-poses-a-risk-to-the-global-economic-recovery-map
Mounting concern about a global chip shortage flags the possibility that industry faces a supply-chain crunch. While getting a handle on what that means for the overall economy is hard to do, Bloomberg Economics used the OECD’s input-output tables to identify which economies have the largest share of gross domestic product coming from sectors that have a high dependence on electronics inputs. With automakers particularly at risk, countries like Germany and Mexico stand out as most exposed among major economies.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Is Samsung tempted to enter the auto chip business?
https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2021/02/16/business/industry/Samsung-Electronics-chip-shortage-auto-chips/20210216185300348.html
Tomi Engdahl says:
Chipmakers Halt Production in Texas After Power Outages
Samsung, NXP and Infineon have stopped operations at chip fabs in Texas after a surprise cold wave caused power outages in the US state that is a major energy supplier.
https://www.eetimes.com/chipmakers-halt-production-in-texas-after-power-outages/
Samsung, NXP and Infineon have stopped operations at chip fabs in Texas after a surprise cold wave caused power outages in the US state that is a major energy supplier.
The chipmakers halted production in the city of Austin around Feb. 16 after notification of power cuts by Austin Energy. There’s no word from the companies on when production will resume or how big the impact will be on output.
Austin power providers are prioritizing service to residential areas and for critical health, safety and human services, NXP said in a press statement. As a result, power has been suspended to Austin chipmakers, including NXP at its two Austin facilities, the company added. “With prior notice, appropriate measures have safely been taken for the facilities and wafers in production,” the Austin American-Statesman newspaper cited Samsung spokeswoman Michele Glaze as saying.
Tomi Engdahl says:
EE Times Europe
Car makers Volkswagen, Ford, General Motors, Fiat Chrysler, Nissan, and Honda have had to slow down production at their plants due to semiconductor shortages in recent weeks. According to IHS Markit, the semiconductor supply chain for MCUs usually has 12 to 16 weeks lead time from order to delivery to OEM/Tier 1. The current problems in semiconductor production have, however, increased the normal lead time to at least 26 weeks. The situation is expected to hit bottom around the end of March, but the supply chain will remain constrained until Q3. “While we anticipate a million vehicles will be delayed from production in the first quarter, we expect the industry to recover later in the year, with little expected risk to the full year forecast of 84.6 million units at this time,” commented Mark Fulthorpe, executive director, Global Light Vehicle Production, IHS Markit.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Sensor-based designs, such as IoT systems, combine many design domains implemented on CMOS. These systems can be implemented on multiple dies and could employ multiple packages. To accommodate multiple sensor types, a traditional CMOS IC flow must be extended to include MEMS and photonics elements along with analog and digital elements. If the system communicates with the Cloud, an RF element is also necessary. Multi-domain design requires that analog, digital, RF, photonics, and MEMS elements are designed and work together within the system.
https://www.techonline.com/tech-papers/implementing-a-multi-domain-system/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=link&utm_medium=TechOnlinePapers-20210217
Tomi Engdahl says:
US Chip Industry Urges Biden to Boost Funding for Chip Manufacturing
https://www.electronicdesign.com/technologies/embedded-revolution/article/21154910/electronic-design-us-chip-industry-urges-biden-to-boost-funding-for-chip-manufacturing?utm_source=EG+ED+Analog+%26+Power+Source&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPS210209084&o_eid=7211D2691390C9R&rdx.ident%5Bpull%5D=omeda%7C7211D2691390C9R&oly_enc_id=7211D2691390C9R
More than 20 top executives from the US chip industry pressed President Biden to boost funding for domestic chip manufacturing and research, in an effort to lure more advanced factories to the US.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Shortages, Challenges Engulf Packaging Supply Chain
Innovative business models emerge, but so does possibility of consolidation.
https://semiengineering.com/shortages-challenges-engulf-packaging-supply-chain/
A surge in demand for chips is impacting the IC packaging supply chain, causing shortages of select manufacturing capacity, various package types, key components, and equipment.
Spot shortages in packaging surfaced in late 2020 and have since spread to other sectors. There are now a variety of choke points in the supply chain. Wirebond and flip-chip capacity will remain tight throughout 2021, along with a number of different package types. In addition, critical components used in IC packages, namely leadframes and substrates, are in short supply. Recent fires at a packaging substrate factory in Taiwan has made the problems worse. On top of that, wirebonders and other equipment are seeing extended delivery lead times.
Generally, the dynamics in packaging reflect the overall demand picture in the semiconductor business. Starting in mid-2020, the server and notebook markets gained steam, creating huge demand for different chips and packages for those markets. In addition, a sudden rebound in the automotive sector has turned the market upside down, causing widespread shortages for chips and foundry capacity.
Shortages in the semiconductor and packaging markets aren’t new and occur during demand-driven cycles in the IC industry.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Breaking The 2nm Barrier
New interconnects and processes will be required to reach the next process nodes.
https://semiengineering.com/breaking-the-2nm-barrier/
Chipmakers continue to make advancements with transistor technologies at the latest process nodes, but the interconnects within these structures are struggling to keep pace.
The chip industry is working on several technologies to solve the interconnect bottleneck, but many of those solutions are still in R&D and may not appear for some time — possibly not until 2nm, which is expected to roll out sometime in 2023/2024. Moreover, the solutions require new and expensive processes with different materials.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Teardown: Samsung’s D1z DRAM with EUV Lithography
https://www.eetimes.com/teardown-samsungs-d1z-dram-with-euv-lithography/
Finally! After months of waiting, we have seen Samsung Electronics’ applied extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography technology for D1z DRAM in mass production! Early last year, Samsung Electronics announced the world’s first development of both ArF-i based D1z DRAM and separately its EUV lithography (EUVL) applied D1z DRAM.
Tomi Engdahl says:
New Transistor Structures At 3nm/2nm
Gate-all-around FETs will replace finFETs, but the transition will be costly and difficult.
https://semiengineering.com/new-transistor-structures-at-3nm-2nm/
Several foundries continue to develop new processes based on next-generation gate-all-around transistors, including more advanced high-mobility versions, but bringing these technologies into production is going to be difficult and expensive.
Intel, Samsung, TSMC and others are laying the groundwork for the transition from today’s finFET transistors to new gate-all-around field-effect transistors (GAA FETs) at the 3nm and 2nm nodes, starting either next year or in 2023. GAA FETs hold the promise of better performance, lower power, and lower leakage, and they will be required below 3nm, when finFETs run out of steam. But even though these newfangled transistors are considered an evolutionary step from finFETs, and they have been in R&D for years, any new transistor type or material is a huge undertaking for the chip industry. Chipmakers have been postponing the move as long as possible, but to continue shrinking, GAA FETs are required.
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.tomshardware.com/news/samsungs-chip-fabs-in-texas-ordered-to-shut-down-due-to-power-shortage
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3122430/chinas-robotics-revolution-falls-behind-target-technology#comments
Tomi Engdahl says:
The global chip shortage is hurting businesses and could be a national security issue. Here are 9 quotes that help explain what that means for the market.
https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/global-chip-shortage-quotes-explain-means-stocks-semiconductors-national-security-2021-2-1030051469
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://semiengineering.com/new-transistor-structures-at-3nm-2nm/
Tomi Engdahl says:
No, you’re not imagining the tech drought: Lenovo PC stocks one third of normal amid pandemic demand
‘From US to Europe to China to Asia-Pacific, our channel inventory has never been so low’
https://www.theregister.com/2021/02/03/lenovo_on_pcs/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Worldwide chip shortage expected to last into next year, and that’s good news for semiconductor stocks
Last Updated: Feb. 22, 2021 at 2:37 p.m. ET
First Published: Feb. 22, 2021 at 1:55 p.m. ET
By Wallace Witkowski
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/worldwide-chip-shortage-expected-to-last-into-next-year-and-thats-good-news-for-semiconductor-stocks-11614020156
Chip stocks are trading at record highs amid demand spike due to pandemic and other factors, but analysts say continuing short supply of semis are likely to send them higher despite memories of 2018 shortage that led to oversupply glut
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.edn.com/sip-for-tracking-devices-takes-position-in-the-middle-of-standard-modules/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Why Intel’s chip production troubles should concern us all
https://news.yahoo.com/why-intels-chip-production-troubles-103033807.html
Tomi Engdahl says:
Biden rushes to address global computer chip shortage with his latest executive order
https://www.cnbc.com/2021/02/24/biden-rushes-to-address-global-computer-chip-shortage-with-his-latest-executive-order.html
President Joe Biden will sign an executive order aimed at addressing a global semiconductor chip shortage, administration officials said.
The executive order is aimed at addressing a global semiconductor chip shortage that has forced U.S. automakers and other manufacturers to cut production.
The administration will launch a 100-day review of supply chains for four products: semiconductor chips, large-capacity batteries for electric vehicles, rare earth minerals and pharmaceuticals.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Troubled Chinese semiconductor plant has ‘no plans’ to resume operations, 240 lose their jobs
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3123429/troubled-chinese-semiconductor-plant-has-no-plans-resume-operations-240
Employees at Wuhan Hongxin Semiconductor Manufacturing Co ‘asked to resign’ via WeChat message, media report says
No explanation given, no compensation offered, they say
Hundreds of people are set to lose their jobs at a semiconductor manufacturing plant in Wuhan that was once touted as part of the country’s plans to become a self-sufficient chip maker, according to Chinese media reports.
Employees at Wuhan Hongxin Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (HSMC) – intended as a US$20 billion state-of-the-art facility – were “asked to resign” by the end of play on Monday via a WeChat message, Caixin Media reported on Saturday.
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hbr.org/2021/02/why-were-in-the-midst-of-a-global-semiconductor-shortage
With the U.S. economy expected to gather steam this year as more and more Americans are vaccinated, one of the biggest cautions to consider is whether supply chains will be able to keep up with growing demand. Indeed, concerns about disruptions to supply chains and shortages that have occurred during the pandemic sparked the Biden administration to order a review of critical areas.
Tomi Engdahl says:
The large manufacturers in automotive and other sectors suffering from the chip shortage need to take a long look at their supply chain strategies and ask themselves: Where have they prioritized cost reduction at the expense of risk management? If they had monitored and mapped their supply chains, would that have alerted them sooner to the semiconductor shortages arising from the fire at a major lower-tier supplier in Japan? How can they tune up their supplier-relationship-management programs to be in a better position the next time a fire or a pandemic cuts off supplies of essential parts?
https://hbr.org/2021/02/why-were-in-the-midst-of-a-global-semiconductor-shortage
Tomi Engdahl says:
Chipmakers continue to make advancements with transistor technologies at the latest process nodes, but the interconnects within these structures are struggling to keep pace. The chip industry is working on several technologies to solve the interconnect bottleneck, but many of those solutions are still in R&D and may not appear for some time — possibly not until 2nm, which is expected …
Breaking The 2nm Barrier
New interconnects and processes will be required to reach the next process nodes.
https://semiengineering.com/breaking-the-2nm-barrier/
Chipmakers continue to make advancements with transistor technologies at the latest process nodes, but the interconnects within these structures are struggling to keep pace.
The chip industry is working on several technologies to solve the interconnect bottleneck, but many of those solutions are still in R&D and may not appear for some time — possibly not until 2nm, which is expected to roll out sometime in 2023/2024. Moreover, the solutions require new and expensive processes with different materials.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Teardown: Samsung’s D1z DRAM with EUV Lithography
https://www.eetimes.com/teardown-samsungs-d1z-dram-with-euv-lithography/
Finally! After months of waiting, we have seen Samsung Electronics’ applied extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography technology for D1z DRAM in mass production! Early last year, Samsung Electronics announced the world’s first development of both ArF-i based D1z DRAM and separately its EUV lithography (EUVL) applied D1z DRAM. TechInsights is excited that we have finally found Samsung’s new and advanced D1z DRAM devices and confirmed details of this technology.
Samsung Electronics has developed its D1z 8GB DDR4, D1z 12GB LPDDR5, and 16GB LPDDR5 DRAM devices as well with higher performance.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Foxconn chairman says expects ‘limited impact’ from chip shortage on clients
The chairman of Apple Inc supplier Foxconn said on he expects his company and its clients will face only “limited impact” from a chip shortage that has rattled the …
Reuters
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-chip-shortage-foxconn-idUSKBN2AK067
Tomi Engdahl says:
TSMC’s development of 3nm process ahead of schedule
The development of the advanced 3 nanometer process by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) is ahead of schedule, according to company chairman …
Focus Taiwan
TSMC’s development of 3nm process ahead of schedule: chairman
https://focustaiwan.tw/sci-tech/202102190021
Tomi Engdahl says:
Chip shortage shows need for new thinking
New things in this business go according to plan. The latest rogue wave to slam automakers and those who rely on them is a global microchip shortage that threatens …
Automotive News
https://www.autonews.com/editorial/chip-shortage-shows-need-new-thinking
Tomi Engdahl says:
Chip Shortages to Persist For at Least Another Year
The semiconductor industry is notoriously slow when it comes to reacting to sudden increases in demand. Some analysts believe that demand for chips now exceeds …
Tom’s Hardware
Chip Shortages to Persist For at Least Another Year: Analysts
https://www.tomshardware.com/news/chip-shortages-to-persist
Tomi Engdahl says:
Demand exceeds supply by 30%
https://www.tomshardware.com/news/chip-shortages-to-persist
The semiconductor industry is notoriously slow when it comes to reacting to sudden increases in demand. Some analysts believe that demand for chips now exceeds supply by about 30%, and it will take three or four quarters for the supply to catch up with the demand. Essentially, this means that chip shortages will persist well into 2022.
Tomi Engdahl says:
AMD, TSMC & Imec Show Their Chiplet Playbooks at ISSCC
The common theme coming out of the chiplet forum at ISSCC was the need for a 3D interconnect density roadmap.
https://www.eetimes.com/amd-tsmc-imec-show-their-chiplet-playbooks-at-isscc/
Tomi Engdahl says:
TSMC’s development of 3nm process ahead of schedule: chairman
https://focustaiwan.tw/sci-tech/202102190021
Tomi Engdahl says:
KPMG: 79% of chip industry expects profits to grow in 2021 amid shortage
https://venturebeat.com/2021/03/01/kpmg-79-of-chip-industry-expects-profits-to-grow-in-2021-amid-shortage/
Tomi Engdahl says:
China’s most important chipmaker SMIC could be a big winner from the global semiconductor shortage
https://www.cnbc.com/2021/03/02/china-semiconductor-maker-smic-could-be-a-winner-from-global-chip-shortage.html
SMIC is China’s largest contract semiconductor manufacturer. But its technology is far behind rivals such as Taiwan’s TSMC and South Korea’s Samsung.
Currently, many companies such as those in the automobile industry, are facing a global shortage of chip supply.
But many of these industries don’t require the most cutting-edge chips. SMIC, which is working with older technology, could step in to fill the demand.
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.eetimes.com/the-politics-of-rare-earth-metals/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Race Is On for Used Chipmaking Equipment
image
It’s an old expression — one man’s junk, is another man’s treasure. You might say that’s the case with China’s semiconductor makers, who are snapping up used chipmaking machines as fast as they can buy them. The surprising thing is where they’re getting them from — Japan. According to a report in Nikkei Asia, the rush to produce homegrown products in China amid US-Sino trade tensions …
Race is on for used chipmaking equipment
Dealers in Japan have seen their prices rise 20% since last year as Chinese firms snap up machines
https://asiatimes.com/2021/03/the-race-is-on-for-used-chipmaking-equipment/
Tomi Engdahl says:
The Substrate Crisis Deepens
Despite the pandemic lock-down, demand for electronic products and services remains strong. Work-from-home, video conferencing, and remote learning are driving …
SEMI
The Substrate Crisis Deepens
https://www.semi.org/en/blogs/business-markets/the-substrate-crisis-deepens
Tomi Engdahl says:
Global Semiconductor Sales Increase 13.2% year-to-year in January
The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) announced global semiconductor industry sales were $40.0 billion for the month of January 2021, an increase of 13.2% …
Semiconductor Industry Association
Global Semiconductor Sales Increase 13.2% year-to-year in January
https://www.semiconductors.org/global-semiconductor-sales-increase-13-2-year-to-year-in-january/
Tomi Engdahl says:
15 Semiconductor Electronic Innovations for 2021
https://www.designnews.com/electronics/15-semiconductor-electronic-innovations-2021?ADTRK=InformaMarkets&elq_mid=15409&elq_cid=876648
Tomi Engdahl says:
COVID’s Impact on AI, IoT, Edge Computing, and Analytics
https://www.designnews.com/automation/covids-impact-ai-iot-edge-computing-and-analytics?ADTRK=InformaMarkets&elq_mid=15729&elq_cid=876648
The big surprise during the pandemic was how quickly manufacturers moved to implement industrial technology.
2020 may have passed, but its effects on industrial technology will likely go on for years. We saw an unprecedented change in nearly all sectors, upending the previous year’s plans and expectations for growth. We saw manufacturers move impressively to adopt digital technology despite the challenges caused by the global pandemic – sometimes because of those challenges. We saw particular growth in emerging technologies such as AI, IoT, edge computing, and analytics.
Tomi Engdahl says:
TECH
China’s most important chipmaker SMIC could be a big winner from the global semiconductor shortage
https://www.cnbc.com/2021/03/02/china-semiconductor-maker-smic-could-be-a-winner-from-global-chip-shortage.html
SMIC is China’s largest contract semiconductor manufacturer. But its technology is far behind rivals such as Taiwan’s TSMC and South Korea’s Samsung.
Currently, many companies such as those in the automobile industry, are facing a global shortage of chip supply.
But many of these industries don’t require the most cutting-edge chips. SMIC, which is working with older technology, could step in to fill the demand.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Texan chipmakers face slow recovery from power crisis as shortage looms
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-texas-chipmakers-idUKKCN2AU2JI
Chipmakers like Samsung Electronics Co Ltd will need a couple of weeks to resume production in Texas after shutdowns caused by severe weather, and customers could face knock-on effects in several months’ time, a representative of a trade body said.
Samsung, NXP Semiconductors NV and Infineon Technologies AG were ordered to shut factories in Texas last month after a winter storm killed at least 21 people and left millions of Texans without power.
The shutdown threatens chip supplies as the industry is scrambling to meet demand, which is rising especially from the auto sector, but also for laptops and other products as economies recover from the impact of the pandemic.
Chipmakers now have the power, water and gas they need to operate, but they need time to restart tools and clean the factories, Edward Latson, CEO of the Austin Regional Manufacturers Association, said.
He said the process was slow and “very expensive”.
Samsung said on Tuesday it “may require more time to reach normal levels as we inspect and reconfigure the facility.”
The plant suspension would have an impact on automakers five months later because that is the time needed to make chips, Latson told Reuters.
There is also an impact now, Risto Puhakka, president of VLSIresearch, said.
“The impact is almost immediate, as the chip inventories are low and customers need them as soon as possible,” he said. “We are now looking at about one month of lost production.”
Tomi Engdahl says:
China’s ambitions threatened by US equipment ban
Sanctions block China’s access to latest generation of manufacturing equipment
By DAVID P. GOLDMAN
https://asiatimes.com/2021/03/chinas-ambitions-threatened-by-us-equipment-ban/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Chiplets For The Masses
Chiplets are technically and commercially viable, but not yet accessible to the majority of the market. How does the ecosystem get established?
https://semiengineering.com/chiplets-for-the-masses/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Eben Upton Hints at the Next Raspberry Pi Silicon Chip: Lightweight, TinyML Edge AI Accelerators
https://www.hackster.io/news/eben-upton-hints-at-the-next-raspberry-pi-silicon-chip-lightweight-tinyml-edge-ai-accelerators-3dd0d2bf09c1
The next part from Raspberry Pi’s in-house ASIC team may concentrate on lightweight tinyML accelerators capable of 4-8MACs/clock.
Eben Upton has hinted at a possible second in-house silicon design to come from the Raspberry Pi application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) team, as a follow-up to its barnstormingly successful RP2040 microcontroller: Lightweight, low-power accelerators for edge AI and tinyML.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Is Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSM) Stock Outpacing Its Computer and Technology Peers This Year?
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/taiwan-semiconductor-manufacturing-company-tsm-163004339.html
Tomi Engdahl says:
What the weeks-long shutdown of Samsung, NXP semiconductor fabs mean for those companies
Plants went dark in mid-February during winter storms
https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/2021/03/05/samsung-nxp-still-shut-down.html
Consequences of the power outages caused by last month’s storms continue to mount for these major employers, raising the pressure on governments to respond to the power grid failures.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Samsung’s 3-nm Tech Shows Nanosheet Transistor Advantage
https://spectrum.ieee.org/nanoclast/semiconductors/memory/samsungs-3nm-tech-shows-nanosheet-transistor-advantage
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://spectrum.ieee.org/nanoclast/semiconductors/memory/samsungs-3nm-tech-shows-nanosheet-transistor-advantage
Tomi Engdahl says:
Semiconductor giant TSMC seeks 9,000 new employees in Taiwan
Company will hold recruitment events at 10 universities in March and April
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4142988