Online information source for semiconductor professionals

Days of inventory of semiconductors are at “worrisome levels given current conditions,” according to market research firm, Gartner. The expectation is that an inventory correction is due in late 2011. Gartner also noted that average selling prices (ASPs) were tracking below trend levels, with overcapacity in the foundry industry expected to prolong the pricing weakness. Read more >>

The IMAGINE program for maskless lithography, based on MAPPER’s lithography platform has received a boost with Synopsys joining the program and providing mask-based software solutions. CEA-Leti and MAPPER Lithography launched the program in July 2009. Read more >>

An Asian foundry has selected the Atlas XP+ optical critical dimension (OCD) metrology system from Nanometrics to be used for process control of advanced logic devices. According to Nanometrics the Atlas XP+ platform was selected over competitive solutions after a comprehensive head-to-head evaluation of technical performance on advanced devices. Read more >>

Although semiconductor equipment bookings have seen a rapid fall in the last few months, values remain considerably higher than two years ago. North America-based manufacturers of semiconductor equipment posted US$1.18 billion in orders in August 2011 (three-month average basis) and a book-to-bill ratio of 0.80, according to the August Book-to-Bill Report issued by SEMI. Uncharacteristically, SEMI was downbeat over a near-term recovery, citing demand issues and capex reductions. Read more >>

Two firms rarely in spotlight with TSMC this year are ABB and CAMECA. The metrology equipment supplier has however received a batch of equipment orders this year worth approximately US$17.15 million. TSMC has now placed a batch of facility and engineering equipment with ABB, worth approximately US$11.5 million. Read more >>

Excess inventory, manufacturing overcapacity and slowing demand are expected to hit semiconductor sales in 2011, according to market research firm, Gartner. Worldwide semiconductor revenue was said to have slowed and the market is set to decline by 0.1% on revenue of US$299 billion in Gartner’s revised 2011 forecast. Previously, Gartner had expected the industry to grow by 5.1% in 2011. Read more >>

A significant number of orders over a decent period were placed by TSMC for what is believed to be for wafer bonding equipment from EV Group. The batch of orders totalled approximately US$38.7 million.  Read more >>

Test chips from EDA vendors, Cadence Design Systems, Magma Design Automation, Mentor Graphics and Synopsys have been successfully taped out at Globalfoundries, signalling its readiness for customers to begin evaluating their 20nm designs. Read more >>

Mixed-signal IC fabrication specialist, Integrated Device Technology (IDT) is moving to the fabless business model with the sale of its Hillsboro, Oregon wafer fabrication facility. However, the fab is not to close but is being acquired by Alpha and Omega Semiconductor, which under a foundry service arrangement with IDT AOS has the option to acquire the wafer fabrication facility and related assets for US$26 million. Read more >>

Leading foundry, TSMC has recently placed a batch of accumulated purchase orders with two metrology tool specialists, KLA-Tencor and FEI. A regular recipient, KLA-Tencor received orders worth approximately US$30.9 million from mid-July through to mid-August. Read more >>