What is a semiconductor, semiconductor has several major schools

A semiconductor is a product made of materials such as silicon, whose conductivity is somewhere between that of an insulator and a pure conductor. Its conductiv...

Nov 13,2023 | Christy

A semiconductor is a product made of materials such as silicon, whose conductivity is somewhere between that of an insulator and a pure conductor. Its conductivity and properties are altered by introducing impurities to meet the specific needs of an electronic component.semiconductor system Semiconductors, also known as chips, are used in a wide range of applications such as computers, smartphones, electronic devices, gaming hardware and medical devices.

There are four basic types of semiconductors in the semiconductor industry: memory, microprocessors, commodity integrated circuits, and complex SOCs.Memory chips serve as temporary storage for data, transferring information between computer devices. Microprocessors are the basic logic units that perform tasks, and Intel dominates the field. Commodity integrated circuits are mass-produced for routine processing and are dominated by large Asian chipmakers. Complex SOCs, which are integrated circuit chips that integrate the functions of an entire system, are in growing demand.

The success of the semiconductor industry depends on making smaller, faster and cheaper products.semiconductor test system The advantage of being small is that more functions can be placed on the same chip, and the increased number of transistors increases the speed of operation. This has led to intense competition, and new technologies have lowered the cost of production, making it possible for the price of a new chip to drop by as much as 50 percent in a short period of time.

Moore's Law states that the number of transistors in dense integrated circuits doubles approximately every two years. This observation is named after Gordon Moore, co-founder of Fairchild Semiconductor and Intel. However, the doubling period is now usually quoted as 18 months. As a result, semiconductor companies need to maintain large R&D budgets to remain competitive.

Traditionally, semiconductor companies have controlled the entire production process from design to manufacturing.semiconductor solutions However, many chipmakers are now delegating more and more of their production to other companies in the industry. Foundry companies offer attractive outsourcing options, and increasingly specialized designers and chip testers are emerging. Chip companies are becoming leaner and more efficient.

In the 1980s, the survival rate for chipmakers was only 10 to 30 percent. But to be competitive today, chipmakers must maintain yields of 80 to 90 percent. This requires very expensive manufacturing processes. As a result, many semiconductor companies have chosen to outsource some or all of their manufacturing to fabless chipmakers, which have tremendous growth potential because they are not burdened with the overhead costs associated with manufacturing.

The classic dilemma facing semiconductor companies is whether technology drives the market or the market drives technology. Investors should recognize that both are valid for the semiconductor industry.

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