Understanding fabless IC technology - Hurtarte, Jeorge S. (Elsevier/Newnes, 2007)
Fabless (no fabrication) IC (integrated circuit) techniques are growing rapidly and promise to become the standard method of IC manufacturing in the near future, this book will provide readers with what will soon be required knowledge of the subject. Other books on IC fabrication deal with the strictly physical process aspects of the topic and assume all factors in IC fabrication are under the control of the IC designing company. By contrast, this title recognizing that fabless IC design is often as much about managing business relationships as it is about physical processes. Fabless ICs are those designed and marketed by one company but actually manufactured by another. *Written by board members of the Fabless Semiconductor Association, an industry consortium that include Xilinx, Intersil, Micro Linear, and many other members *Approriate for a wide range of integrated circuit (IC) designers and users who need to understand the fabless process and its advantages/limitations *Discusses important topics such as negotiating with outside fabrication companies, choosing the right electronic design tools, protection of intellectual property and business plans, and maintaining quality control
Includes bibliographical references and index
PART 1. Manufacturing Strategies: Understanding Fabless IC Technology -- Chapter 1: More than a Decade of Transition in the Semiconductor Industry -- Chapter 2: Fabless Semiconductor Manufacturing -- Chapter 3: Qualities of Successful Fabless Companies -- PART 2. An In-Depth Understanding of the Fabless Semiconductor Business Model -- Chapter 4: Semiconductor Manufacturing Basics -- Chapter 5: Fabless ASICs -- Chapter 6: Electronic Design Automation -- Chapter 7: Intellectual Property -- Chapter 8: e-Commerce -- Chapter 9: Quality and Reliability -- Chapter 10: Test Development -- PART 3. Becoming a Best-in-Class Fabless Company -- Chapter 11: Best Practices for Fabless Companies -- Chapter 12: Building the Right Partnerships -- Chapter 13: Building the Right Relationships with the Board and VCs -- PART 4. The Fabless Business Model: A Look into the Future -- Chapter 14: Perspectives into the Future of Fabless -- Appendix: Overall Semiconductor Revenues in 2006 (Public Companies)