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Emerging Trends in SOI Technology (Technical Insights)
Frost & Sullivan, Sep 2006
This Frost & Sullivan research service titled Emerging Trends in SOI Technology provides analyses of complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS)-SOI, novel SOI devices, SOI-MEMS, capacitorless memory, micro-opto-electro-mechanical-system (MOEMS), III-V compound materials-on-insulator and others. It also includes key drivers, challenges, restraints, analysis and forecasts of the technologies may shape the of future semiconductor testing industry. In this study, Frost & Sullivan's expert analysts thoroughly examine the following markets: semiconductor devices and semiconductor manufacturing.
Market Sectors
Expert Frost & Sullivan analysts thoroughly examine the following market sectors in this research:
- Semiconductors
- Electronics
- Nanotechnologies
- Nanoelectronics
- Semiconductor Memories
Technologies
The following technologies are covered in this research:
- Semiconductor device
- Semiconductor manufacturing
- FinFet
- TTRAM
- Z-Ram
- SmartCut
- SIMOX
- MEMS
- MOEMS
- DRAM
- SRAM
- FLASH
Technology Overview
Advances in Technology Popularize SOI in Commercial Markets
Recently, silicon-on-insulator (SOI) technology has gained importance for many revolutionary developments. More and more applications are using SOI to overcome high leakage and power issues. SOI is also attractive for new and unconventional applications such as fabricating nanostructures, capacitor-less memory devices, and improving performance of micro-electro-mechanical-system (MEMS), according to the analyst of the study. Driven by the challenges in shrinking the devices, the technology that was only a laboratory interest more than 30 years ago has now shifted to the mainstream for high-performance microprocessors and other applications.
Recent success stories from leading semiconductor companies such as International Business Machine (IBM) and Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (AMD) have encouraged more companies to adopt SOI in their design. Microprocessors built on SOI technology by IBM have been commercially available since 1998. On the other hand, SOI technology has, in a way, helped AMD to strengthen its product features and boosted its share in the highly competitive microprocessor market.
Focus on SOI Benefits to Aid Commercialization
Currently, SOI technology can be found in many digital integrated circuit designs. Specifically, Sony, Nintendo, and Microsoft have adopted the technology to produce their next-generation video game consoles. Excluding Sony’s Playstation, IBM has been involved in manufacturing most SOI-based processors in the market. IBM has also collaborated with Sony, AMD, and Chartered Semiconductor to develop different SOI-based technologies. IBM, the Sony group, and Toshiba have adopted this technology for cell processors.
The world’s third largest foundry, Chartered Semiconductor has recently established a profitable niche market by partnering with IBM in developing SOI technology. Its SOI business has reported respectable earnings since the end of 2005. Currently, it is believed that the foundry has engaged four or more clients for its SOI process. The future looks promising for SOI technology, explains the analyst. However, in order to become a standard starting material in semiconductor manufacturing, current issues of high SOI wafer cost, reliability of SOI wafer supply, floating body effects, and other challenges need to be addressed and resolved.
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