Semiconductors
The semiconductor industry comprises technologies involved in the design and fabrication of semiconductor devices. It formed around 1960, once the fabrication of semiconductors became a viable business. This industry features a number of distinct characteristics that position it uniquely in the economy and in the global competitive arena. These include: 1) The role of the industry as technology enabler. 2) Continuous growth but in a cyclical pattern with high volatility. 3) The need for high degrees of flexibility and innovation in order to constantly adjust to the rapid pace of change in the market. Many products embedding semiconductor devices often have a very short life cycle. At the same time, the rate of constant price-performance improvement in the semiconductor industry is staggering. As a consequence, changes in the semiconductor market not only occur extremely rapidly but also anticipate changes in industries evolving at a slower pace. Yet another consequence of this rapid pace is that established market strongholds can be displaced all too quickly.
Moore's Law: The productivity miracle that has kept the number of transistors on a chip doubling every two years or so. Gordon Moore, a co-founder of Intel, predicted that this trend would continue for the foreseeable future. The challenge now faced by semiconductor research and development (R&D) teams is to push the performance envelope and keep pace with the law.
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