Electronics Supply Chain News & Analysis

Samsung, SK Hynix Both Claim First LPDDR4 DRAM

Race begins to provide mobile DRAMs for next generation of smartphones and tablet computers

EDA 'David' Files Suit Against TSMC

Silicon Valley EDA company Tela Innovations has reportedly filed a lawsuit with the International Trade Commission to try and block the importation into the United States of chips made by foundry TSMC.

ARM Server Pioneer Calxeda Closes

Startup that was a pioneer for ARM-based servers has said it is restructuring after apparently running out of money.

Active Cloaking Device Widens Light Scattering Coverage Range

University researchers have proposed an active “invisibility cloak” that can drastically reduce the scattering over a wide frequency range in the microwave regime, orders of magnitude broader than any available passive cloaking technology.

Startup Preps Tools for ARM Software Development

A two-year old startup claims to have automation technology that can reduce code size and thereby save energy in embedded systems. The company is creating development tools to apply it to designs based on Cortex-A and Cortex-M cores from ARM.

TowerJazz Forms Chip-Making JV with Panasonic

Specialty semiconductor foundry TowerJazz to create joint venture to manufacture chips for Japanese consumer electronics vendor Panasonic using Panasonic's three chip fabs in Japan.

Avago to Acquire LSI Via Debt-backed Deal

Communications technology firm Avago is buying networking and storage chip vendor LSI to put together a diverse company with annual revenues of $5 billion.

Intel 64-bit Mobile Processors Hit Market

Intel is shipping its 'Bay Trail' Atom 64-bit mobile application processors, made on a 22-nm FinFET manufacturing process, giving Intel a technical lead in the mobile application processor market.

ST Joins Open-Source ARM Mbed Project

STMicroelectronics has joined NXP and Freescale in supporting the mbed open-source community organized by ARM around microcontroller development.

ARM Buys Lighting Software Firm to Improve Graphics

Processor IP licensor buys games software firm to help it bring improved graphics to mobile applications.

Intel to Acquire Mindspeed's Wireless Chip Unit

Intel has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the assets of Mindspeed Technologies' wireless infrastructure business unit for roughly $12 million.

Qualcomm Aims 64-bit Processor at Low-End

Qualcomm has made a surprising move by aiming its first 64-bit application processor at the entry to mid-level smartphone.

Panasonic Ships Chip Patents out to IP Licensor

Panasonic is assigning 900 patent families to a subsidiary of an Ottawa IP licensing house as it seeks to monetize its past R&D. The moves are thought to be part of a raft of measures as the company exits semiconductors.

Startup Seeks Funds to Realize 'Belt' Processor

A California startup is proposing the Mill, a novel form of processor architecture that dispenses with registers and, it is claimed, can bring DSP-like power efficiency to general-purpose computing.

Researchers Develop TFET for High Speed/Low Power CMOS Replacement

Researchers from Pennsylvania State University have developed a tunnel field effect transistor that uses the quantum mechanical tunneling of electrons through an ultrathin energy barrier to provide high current at low voltage.

Chip Plant Closure Demanded After Toxic Discharge

Taiwanese chip packager and tester ASE has been fined for polluting the Houjin River and may have to close a plant responsible for 10 percent of the company's revenue, according to local reports.

Micron, Rambus Sign Long-term Memory Deal

Under CEO Ron Black Rambus is reinventing itself as technology collaborator and licensor. Micron seven-year memory deal ends all litigation between the companies.

November Sales Dip Steeply at TSMC

Sales at TSMC dipped sequentially for the second month running in November seemingly fulfilling a previous prediction of a fourth quarter inventory correction. Smaller rival UMC fared better in November in terms of percentage growth.

Smartphone Slowdown Hurts Loss-making Imagination

The dilution of Imagination's focus through its acquisition of MIPS and a slowdown in the smartphone business conspired to hurt Imagination's position as it announced half-year financial results.