What is the cost of fabs and R&D at 22-nm?

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.

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