Foundry

• GSA is updating its annual Foundry Resource Guide for distribution to fabless & IDM semiconductor companies. This report provides detailed profiles to help semiconductor companies identify the services provided by the industry's wafer foundries.

Wafer Fabrication & Back-End Pricing

• This survey is intended to create a quarterly benchmark for the fabless and IDM sectors, depicting average wafer, mask set, assembly, test and wafer bump prices by company type, region, etc. The data is collected confidentially and tabulated in aggregate by Grant Thornton LLP using a weighted industry average approach. In exchange for completing the Survey online, you will receive complimentary access to the Wafer Fabrication and Back-End Pricing Reports ($3,000 annual value), analyzing the average wafer, mask set, assembly, test and wafer bump costs for each quarter in which you participate.

GSA Interest Group Survey

• GSA's Interest Groups are driving industry solutions in EDA/Design, IP, Wafer Manufacturing, Packaging and Test. Help us by giving your feedback in these areas.

Outsourcing

• GSA publishes an annual Outsourcing Directory, which is a compilation of detailed corporate profiles of companies that outsource a percentage of their manufacturing operations. Fabless companies and IDMs that outsource are eligible to be profiled in this directory. Don’t miss this free opportunity to have your company listed in the directory, regardless of GSA membership. Included in the Fabless and IDM Surveys.

Semiconductor End Markets

• It is well known that the semiconductor industry changes rapidly; therefore, GSA surveys its database of companies regularly to ensure all information is updated and correct. This year, we are sending an abbreviated survey to capture your company’s detailed end market information. By completing the survey, it will guarantee your company is listed correctly in our database, which, in turn, will help us serve you better.

Global Semiconductor Funding, IPO and M&A Update

• To provide the industry with timely data on semiconductor investment activity in the private and public sector, GSA releases a monthly two-page update and a downloadable, sort-able Excel spreadsheet of all semiconductor funding, initial public offering (IPO), and merger and acquisition (M&A) activity.

Global Semiconductor Financial Tracker

• GSA's quarterly Global Semiconductor Financial Report is a comprehensive report, which includes detailed trend analysis, regional breakdowns, etc. on financial data. This report is complimentary to GSA members. Non-members may purchase it at the GSA Store.

IC Foundry Almanac

• The IC Foundry Almanac puts essential information at your fingertips, including foundry-segment analysis, five-year forecasts, wafer-pricing trends from outsourcing semiconductor suppliers and supplier-profile data. Use the Foundry Almanac to make corporate decisions, support the outsourcing business model in presentations and meetings, and gain a better understanding of the foundry market's status.

Wafer Fabrication & Back-End Pricing Report

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  Grant Thornton

  The Wafer Fabrication Pricing Report is designed to gauge the average prices paid per wafer for fabless semiconductor companies and integrated device manufacturers (IDMs). The data was collected confidentially and tabulated in aggregate by Grant Thornton LLP using a weighted industry average approach.

Understanding Fabless IC Technology

• Authors: Jeorge S. Hurtarte, Evert A. Wolsheimer, Lisa M. Tafoya

  Understanding Fabless IC Technology focuses on the differences between the IDM and fabless business model and provides the reader with an overview of how to conduct business in the outsourced semiconductor industry environment as well as discusses technical, cultural and global issues. It also discusses key business topics such as negotiating with outside fabrication companies, choosing the right electronic design tools, protection of intellectual property and business plans, and maintaining quality control.

India Semiconductor Market Research Reports

• The India Semiconductor Association (ISA) is the trade body representing the Indian semiconductor driven industry. ISA is committed to building global awareness for the Indian semiconductor-driven industry and supporting its growth through focused activities. ISA has played a prominent role in supporting the Government of India in the Semiconductor Policy.

Understanding the Needs & Perceptions of SOI Technology: Silicon-on-Insulator Survey Analysis

• Given the critical low-power and high-performance needs in the semiconductor industry today, Silicon-on-Insulator (SOI) technology may become an enabler to companies attempting to meet these requirements, especially at more advanced nodes. GSA hosted the survey to better understand the needs and perceptions of SOI from users within the industry.

Lead-Free Resources

• GSA provides you resources including presentations, reports and links to additional sites with helpful information such as defining RoHS, WEEE, lead facts, and more.

Building a Better Supply Chain: Successful Collaboration in the Fabless Semiconductor Industry

• Industry Directions and GSA

  A collaborative effort between industry analyst firm Industry Directions, Inc. and GSA, the study demonstrates that while fabless companies are adept at operating in the outsourced model and recognize the importance of the supply chain and how it helps drive competitive advantage, there is significant opportunity for improvement.

GSA Semiconductor Market Report: An Essential Data Resource for Outsourcing Companies

• The Semiconductor Market Report, last updated in May 2007, is an essential historical data resource that encompasses the entire fabless ecosystem. There is no single source or publication of this caliber with the more than 550 pages of easy-to-read charts, graphs and written analysis.

Foundry Process Qualifications Guidelines

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  The guideline was a joint effort of GSA and the JEDEC. It went through numerous reviews and two formal JEDEC ballots. In 2002, FSA, now GSA, and JEDEC announced the release of the Foundry Process Qualification Guideline, which is used by numerous foundries and fabless companies today.

To DFM (Design for Manufacture) or not DFM?

• Wes Hansford
  MOSIS

  This article discusses whether design for manufacture and optimizing yield should be the most important criteria in designing ICs.

  PDF, 763.586 MB

Can MIPI and MDDI Really Co-Exist?

• Ashraf K. Takla, Mixel & Timothy Saxe, QuickLogic

  Since MIPI and MDDI standards both target interfaces to cameras and displays on mobile devices, are two separate standards really needed?

  PDF, 4.55 MB

Current Economic Downturn Monitor

• Throughout the current economic downturn, GSA is providing the industry with the latest data, resources and analysis supporting the GSA Hypothesis. We encourage you to download the articles and presentations for the most comprehensive analysis.

Moving Beyond IEEE 1149.1

• Steve Scheiber, Contributing Technical Editor
  Test & Measurement World

  PDF, 170 KB

Lithography for dummies (well, us EDA guys)

• EDN

  PDF

Gain Freedom Through a Value Chain Producer

• Kalar Rajendiran
  eSilicon Corporation

  PDF, 173.915 MB

IP Conference Taiwan
Hsinchu, Taiwan
May 7, 2009

• Strategizing for a healthy IP ecosystem
  Strategies for Managing Development Costs & Risks at Advanced Technology Nodes
  Brani Buric, Executive Vice President
  Virage Logic Corporation

  PDF, 2.002 MB

• Strategizing for a healthy IP ecosystem
  Future Prospective of Programmable Logic Non-Volatile Memory
  Charles Hsu, President
  eMemory Technology Inc.

  PDF, 1.016 MB

ITAC and GSA Conference
Waterloo, Ontario, CANADA
April 15, 2009

• Solar Power: Not Free but Affordable & Renewable
  Dr. Johanna Schmidtke, Analyst
  Lux Research

  Solar power promises affordable clean energy, helped by technological innovations and government subsidies. However, it is not yet cost-competitive, and concerns about continued growth have mounted in the difficult economy. Semiconductor manufacturing and design techniques have provided a valuable start, but can they adapt to overcome solar’s financial challenges?

  PDF, 1.471 MB

• Semiconductor Industry Will Innovate its Way Out of the Downturn
  Lisa Tafoya, Vice President of Global Research
  Global Semiconductor Alliance

  The semiconductor industry has a rich tradition of managing through dramatic and unforgiving cycles, ranging from years of extraordinary growth, to steep declines. After several unprecedented years of contiguous growth, the industry is now facing a downturn stunning even industry veterans. Semiconductor companies will not go unscathed in this current environment. Start-ups needing additional rounds of funding and do not yet have a product and are not cash-flow positive are the most vulnerable. However, in general, the industry is in a much stronger position to weather this downturn than it was in 2001. The presentation will provide data and analysis supporting the hypothesis that the semiconductor industry will innovate its way out of the downturn, and how great companies will be prepared for next-generation opportunities.

  PDF, 4.35 MB

• IDC Semiconductor Update: Semiconductor Industry Downturn Prolonged by Economic Reality
  Flint Pulskamp, Program Manager Wireless Semiconductors
  IDC

  At what point can we expect to reach the bottom of this current downturn? How does this downturn compare to 1996, 1998 and 2001?

  PDF, 908 KB

• Small World Large Impact: A WIN Perspective on the Potential of Nanotechnology
  Dr. Arthur Carty, Executive Director
  Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology

  The science and engineering of materials, devices and systems with size features in the range of atoms and molecules (0.1-100 nm) has seen spectacular growth, with global funding reaching $US 18.2 B in 2008, up 15% from 07. Using the unique properties of nanoscale materials- high surface atom/bulk atom ratios and the emergence of quantum effects- together with access to new tools and methods for seeing, manipulating and creating new forms of matter and devices, research is accelerating in the areas of: Nanomaterials for energy storage and conversion, OLEDS for flexible, transparent display technologies, Nano-fluidics, MEMS, NEMS, Lab-on-a-chip devices for biodiagnosis, Nanosystems for targeted drug delivery and Quantum nanophotonics. But what applications are likely to impact our day-to-day lives?

  PDF, 6.168 MB

GSA Suppliers Expo & Conference
Santa Slara, CA
October 2, 2008

• GSA Annual Briefing LOGIN GSA

  PDF, 1.6 MB

IET & GSA International Semiconductor Forum
London, United Kingdom
May 14, 2008

• Panel Discussion
  Process Choices For Analogue and RF Circuits in Mixed Signal Systems LOGIN
  Moderator: Peter Frith, Chief Technical Officer, Wolfson Microelectronics plc
  Wolfson Microelectronics plc

  PDF

Integrated MEMS/CMOS Devices

• Raafat R. Mansour
  University of Waterloo

  This presentation will delve into the motivation for Integrating RF MEMS with CMOS, existing Post-CMOS MEMS Post-processing Techniques, describe the proposed post-CMOS MEMS fabrication process, provide examples of RF MEMS Devices Integrated in CMOS Chips like Varactors, Tunable Filters and Impedance Tuners and review the Integrated MEMS/CMOS Nano Instrumentations.

  PDF, 2.174 MB

FSA Suppliers Expo & Conference
Santa Clara, California, US
September 12, 2007

• Panel Discussion: Building A Better Supply Chain... Successful Collaboration in an Outsourced Industry LOGIN
  Moderator: Bill Brandel, Principal, Industry Directions Inc.
  Industry Directions Inc.

  The 2007 Suppliers Expo aftrenoon panel highlighted the collaboration between FSA and Industry Directions (IDI) on a study of the impact of outsourced operations in design, manufacturing, logistics and other related operations in the outsourced industry.

  PDF, 185 KB

• Panel Discussion: Divination and Wizarding Skills for Consumer Electronics Suppliers LOGIN
  Moderator: Brian Markwalter, Vice President, Technology & Standards, Consumer Electronics Association
  Consumer Electronics Association

  The 2007 Suppliers Expo morning panel discussion focused on how consumer electronics are driving the entire supply chain from consumer to OEM to semiconductor. The panel identified the challenges faced by fabless and OEM companies given the intensity of the consumer electronics market. They also explored how the demands of consumers have a profound effect and impact on all parts of the supply chain.

  PDF, 2.5 MB

• FSA Annual Briefing LOGIN
  Jodi Shelton, Executive Director, FSA
  FSA

  PDF, 2 MB

IET & FSA International Semiconductor Forum
Paris, France
May 15, 2007

• Business Theme: Supply Chain Management
  Panel Discussion: What Executives Can Do to Improve Time-To-Money LOGIN
  Moderated by: Robert Jelski, Global Sector Head Electronics, Semiconductor & Advanced Technologies, 3i
  3i

  PDF

FSA International Collaboration Series: Low-Power Design
March 31, 2007

• Low Power Design from Design Foundry Perspective LOGIN
  Nianfeng Li, Corporate Vice President, Design Methodology, Verisilicon Inc.
  Verisilicon Inc.

  PDF

The Last Mile: Outsourcing Semiconductor Manufacturing Operations

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  Jim Lindstrom, CFO & Kalar Rajendiran, Senior Director of Marketing
  eSilicon Corporation

  This article will discuss and explain the reasons why semiconductor companies should outsource chip physical design and manufacturing operations.

  PDF

The Emergence of Intelligent Operations Management (IOM)

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  Bob Parker

  Manufacturing organizations in the electronics value chain are seeking to harvest value from the information they have and to harmonize processes and utilize the expertise of their trading partners. The information technology required to support these efforts demands a new kind of application with a modern architecture. For value chain management, this will be the IOM platform.

  PDF, 339 KB

Offshoring in the Semiconductor Industry: A Historical Perspective

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  Clair Brown and Greg Linden
  UC Berkeley

  PDF, 244 KB

EMC on Chip-Level - A New Challenge?

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  Bernd Deutschmann
  austriamicrosystems AG

  PDF, 370 KB