ISA WINWire July 2 - 9 2010

Lead times for some chips at 20 weeks, says iSuppli

Source: Dylan McGrath, EETimes, July 2 2010
http://www.eetimes.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=225702262

Critically short supply of some analog, logic, memory and power management ICs is resulting in rising prices and delivery delays of "worrying lengths," according to market research firm iSuppli Corp. "When lead times enter the 20-week range, they indicate a major schism between component supply and demand," said Rick Pierson, senior analyst for semiconductors and component price tracking at iSuppli (El Segundo, Calif.).

Automotive chip market set to grow 23.5% in 2010, says Gartner

Source: Peter Clarke, EETimes, July 5 2010
http://www.eetimes.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=225702320

The automotive semiconductor market will grow 23.5 percent in 2010 to $19.334 billion, after declining 21.7 percent in 2009 to $15.661 billion, according to market research company Gartner. After a poor 1Q09 automotive semiconductor revenue has demonstrated four consecutive quarters of growth. Inventories have remained stable in 1Q10, after the depletion that started at the end of 2008, Gartner said.

Global chip sales beat expectations - again

Source: Peter Clarke, EETimes, July 5 2010
http://www.eetimes.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=225702309

The three-month average of global sales of semiconductors for May was $24.65 billion, up 4.5 percent compared with the previous month and up 47.6 percent compared with the same month a year before, according to the European Semiconductor Industry Association (ESIA). The averaged figure has come in ahead of analysts' expectations and was a record high value for the third month running.

Global chip sales up 4.5 pc in May vs April: SIA

Source: The Economic Times, July 6 2010
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/infotech/hardware/Global-chip-sales-up-45-pc-in-May-vs-April-SIA/articleshow/6135285.cms

Worldwide semiconductor sales rose 4.5 percent in May from April to $24.7 billion, helped by strong sales of personal computers, cell phones, corporate information technology, industrial applications and autos, the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) said. SIA expects unit sales of personal computers to grow by 20 percent and sales of cell phones to grow by 10 percent to 12 percent this year.

Singapore aims to boost high-tech presence

Source: Dylan McGrath, EE Times, July 7 2010
http://www.eetasia.com/ART_8800611681_480200_NT_ee6b99e2.HTMclick_from=8800053695,8938164566,2010-07-07,EEOL,ARTICLE_ALERT

When Abu Dhabi's Advanced Technology Investment Co. took over Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd, Singapore's biggest chip foundry, and folded it into GlobalFoundries Inc., some saw it as a blow to Singapore's microelectronics industry. But not Damian Chan, director of electronics for Singapore's Economic Development Board (EDB). In a recent interview with EE Times, Chan said it doesn't matter to the EDB whether Singapore's wafer fabs are locally owned or under the control of companies headquartered in other countries, as long as they are building chips on the island nation.

Tata Power to set up 3 MW solar photo voltaic unit

Source: The Hindu Business Line, July 7 2010
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2010/07/08/stories/2010070851620300.htm

Tata Power said it is developing a 3 MW, Photo Voltaic (PV) based, grid connected solar plant at Mulshi, which would be the largest grid connected plant in Maharashtra. The unit, which will be the largest PV-based plant, will be commissioned by this year end.

Comment: Andy Grove, startups and job creation

Source: George Leopold, EETimes, July 8 2010
http://www.eetimes.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=225702681

Andrew Grove, the co-founder of Intel Corp., doesn't buy the again-fashionable argument that startups, preferably technology startups, are the best way to create new American jobs. The push for more startups, particularly in areas like green technology, has gained momentum as a jobs creator at a time when policy makers are struggling to find a new engine for economic growth. Venture capitalists like John Doerr are betting billions on emerging industries like solar energy and storage technologies like advanced batteries.