Quantum chips will replace silicon chips anyways

Physicists at McGill University in the US now have a system where they can measure the energy involved in adding electrons to semiconductor nanocrystals, which are known as quantum dots.

The research team has built a 'cantilever force sensor' that can remove individual electrons that have been added to a quantum dot. The energy of this interaction can be measured. This is anticipated to be important in replacing the silicon chip. Currently computers work using processors containing transistors that are in either an on or off position - conducting versus nonconducting. With quantum computing, processors can work with many different states, which can both increase their speed and reduce their size. As scientists begin to understand these nanoscale systems, they can better predict and understand their electronic properties. "We are determining optical and electronic transport properties," said Dr. Peter Grütter, McGill's associate dean of research. This is essential for the development of components that might replace silicon chips in current computers," he added. This research can also determine the chemical properties of nanosystems, which could lead to 'greener' technology. McGill University cited as an example using nanoparticles to improve the energy efficiency of lighting systems.

Cambridge Wireless is Unlocking New Semiconductor Opportunities in Connectivity 20th May 2010, Cambridge, UK

Cambridge Wireless has announced the second meeting of the popular semiconductor Special Interest Group meeting taking place on 20th May in Cambridge where it is hosted by the Bluetooth giant company, CSR. For more information, please visit www.cambridgewireless.co.uk/events

This discussion will examine current and future developments in semiconductors that will provide the data throughput required for new applications, and also the semiconductor devices that will support these applications on battery-powered mobile devices.
Peter Claydon of Silicon Southwest, who is a champion of this SIG comments, “for this event we’ve gathered together an impressive set of speakers from many of the world’s most forward-thinking chip companies. I’m looking forward to some lively and informed debate on developments that will shape all our futures over the next ten years”.

The ability of networks to deliver high data throughput to users is in part governed by the development of more sophisticated modulation techniques and algorithms, but the ability to deploy these in the real world is wholly dependent on developments in the semiconductor arena that enable the implementation of these algorithms for an acceptable cost and power consumption. This applies both to terminal devices, which may be handsets, data cards, powerline adaptors or increasingly embedded in other devices, such as the Amazon Kindle, and to network devices that enable smaller and cheaper base stations, including femtocells and backhaul solutions.

It is a truism that the development of applications follows the availability of the underlying networks that support the required data throughput. For example, YouTube and Spotify would not be possible without widespread availability of wired broadband. So what are the applications that are driving the need for higher data throughputs and what semiconductor devices are being developed that will support these applications?

Attendees will hear from and debate with the following industry specialists:
• Raj Gawera, Vice President of HBU Marketing at CSR
• Mike Muller, CTO at ARM
• Gordon Lindsay, Associate Director at Broadcom Europe
• Ben Timmons, Senior Director of Business Development at Qualcomm
• Tim Fowler, Commercial Director at Cambridge Consultants

“This event highlights the ever changing demands faced by the semiconductor industry being driven by the need for efficient movement of higher and higher levels of data within acceptable levels of power consumption,” explained Eric Schorn, VP of Marketing, Processor Division, ARM. “ARM is investing to address these challenges and is a great supporter of innovation in this field which will enable us to help deliver the wired and handheld devices of tomorrow.”

This SIG is championed by Eric Schorn of ARM, Peter Claydon of Silicon Southwest and Carson Bradbury of Cre8Ventures.

How to run a semiconductor company?

Anybody in this industry would agree that there are 3 things that are critical for its success.

1. Quick adaptation of Technology - Can impact chip cost, time to market and customer/market reputation! Even transfer of new technology from Engineering to production.
2. Being ahead of the competition - Bad marketing decisions and late changes in the design can adversely affect this motive. Smart decisions can avoid a critical delay. Definition of responsibilities upfront can save the project and money.
3. Making Engineers work with pride - Not just defining statement of work and schedules.Give them opportunities to interact with with other levels of management and production. Make them confident.

How many companies follow these three tenets? How many have ignored? How many have been successful? How many have failed?

Please comment with your views and experiences and lets figure of out the root cause of failure and success togather.

"Semiconductors are like a new hit song, composed on an old classical theme", writes the legendary former CEO of Toshiba Semiconductors Tsuyoshi Kawanishi in his book 'Chip Management, "What I mean by this is that the applications for semiconductors are nearly infinite, but the basic technology itself is classic".

Layoff Watch!

Announced Worldwide Layoffs As of 30th January 2009

Infineon - 3000
Qimonda - 3000 (Bankrupt: 23 Jan 09)
Renesas - 150
ST - 4500 (Updated)
TI - 3500
Corning - 4900(New)
NXP - 4000
Philips - 6000
ST+NXP(Wireless) - 500
Toshiba - 500
FreeScale - 400
Brooks - 10%+350 (New: Exact # not known)
AMD - 500
Broadcom - 300
Xilinx - 200
LsiLogic - 500
Trident - 9%
Entergis - 200
Cadence - 625
IBM - 200
NOVA M - 250
Anadigic - 100
Intersil - 9%
Nortel - 5000
Sun Microsystems - 6000
Sandisk - 3000


Disclaimer: This information has been compiled from various news sources and the authenticity cannot be fully verified. This information shall only be used primarily to get a feel of the overall job outlook and any analysis beyond this is shall be the whole responsibility of the person who is embarking on this research.