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Semicon watch: IMEC adds a core partner, so let's compare roster with Sematech's |
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Jul 12, 2006 at 09:42 AM |
Micron joined Belgian research outfit IMEC as the ninth core partner in its (sub) 32 nm CMOS research platform.
The Boise, ID-based chipmaker also will participate in IMEC's advanced flash program.
The announcement prompted me to do a little back-of-the-envelope comparisons between the chipmaker rosters at IMEC and its U.S. rival/collaborator, Sematech. With 13 companies signed on to the main organization or its ISMI subsidiary, Sematech claims its members represent more than 50% of global chipmaking capacity. Seven of the nine IMEC core partners--Infineon, Intel, Matsushita/Panasonic, Philips, Samsung, Texas Instruments, and TSMC--are also Sematech members. Only newly minted Micron and STMicroelectronics are exclusive to the IMEC core partner program. Among Sematech members, AMD, H-P, Freescale, IBM, Renesas, and Spansion have not signed on with IMEC in this program. Of course, IMEC has other programs such as its industrial affiliates activities that include many more companies, but its core partner work is among its most important and prestigious.
Nothing earth-shattering here, but the comparisons are interesting nonetheless. Also worth noting is which companies are not present on either list.
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