The biggest challenge facing the IC industry is not the current downturn or a dearth of killer applications, but simple economics.
Mark LaPedus, EETimes
(10/01/2009 8:15 PM EDT)
SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- What’s the biggest challenge for the IC industry?
Perhaps it’s getting through the current IC downturn. Perhaps it’s managing the complex supply-chain. Or searching for ''killer applications.''
Wrong! ''Despite the technical challenges, the biggest hurdle to continued innovation (in the semiconductor industry) is economics,’’ warned GlobalFoundries CEO Doug Grose.
IC design, fab and R&D costs are all soaring out of control. ''Only a handful of providers’’ can afford the costs and keep up with Moore’s Law, Grose said during a presentation at the GSA Expo here.