Key words: the Internet of things, semiconductor, wafer

Since semiconductor industry germination process miniature has been driving the development of industry growth and application of the main kinetic energy. But in the Internet age, the importance of various special process will rise sharply, once relegated to supporting 8 inch fabs, will once again become a major semiconductor industry layout is an integral part of the future strategy.

From Intel (Intel co-founder Gordon Moore in 1975 Moore's Law (Moore 's Law), the process in miniature in the past 40 years, has been the semiconductor industry as the golden rule. However, as the technology difficulty and investment threshold is higher and higher, to keep up with Moore's law steps in the semiconductor industry has less and less. How to find new direction outside the orbit of Moore's law, become a semiconductor the topic of concern to people in the industry.

TSMC special camp harvest long-term preparation - semiconductor industry average

TSMC recently held in San Jose (San Jose) annual technology BBS, revealing a very thoughtful set of figures. In the whole chip foundry only 4.4% growth in 2015 (table 1), the company's special camp to close up 21%, and looking forward to 2016, forecast system of special mechanical services will remain the same growth. Under the condition of the revenue of fast growth, if TSMC for special Cheng Jing round capacity to invest heavily in, should be no surprise.

TSMC defined by a special process consists of CMOS image sensor, micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS), chemical sensor process, biological sensor process, high N40HV processes, Bipolar, CMOS DMOS (BCD) process. Application field of these process although very different, but there are a common feature: the line width is generally above 90 nanometers, and even 0.13 micron, belongs to the relatively mature process, is suitable for on 8 inch wafer production.

TSMC results reveal the figures show that more than 90 nanometers system mechanical services revenue growth rate is better than the company's overall revenue growth (figure 1). Thus it is not difficult to see the process is no longer a miniature TSMC future only choice of road, nor is the only way to the semiconductor industry development.

The Internet of things with the east wind 8 inch wafer demand add warmth

International semiconductor equipment materials industry association (SEMI) recently released report echoes the trend. SEMI forecast, 8 inch wafer production capacity by 2018, the world will grow to 5.43 million pieces per month, back is equivalent to 2006 levels, and foundries will have 43% of the world's 8 inch wafer capacity, compared with a 14% increase in 2006 (figure 2).

SEMI, points out that the Internet of things is to get 8 inch wafer is the key to a new lease on life, because the Internet of things will bring lots of sensor needs, and a lot of crystal will use process to produce more than 90 nanometers. Since 2016, from around the world will be more than 8 inches of fabs, new existing 8 "factory, there are many factories will be expansion plans.

Another research institutions Semico forecasts for 2016 years the global demand for analog wafer will grow more than 10%, separate components (Discrete '), sensor wafer demand will grow by 8%. From application requirements in the field of Internet of things, such as wearable devices, automation, automotive electronics, etc., is the main driving force of the sensor element demand growth. 2016 8 inch wafer global demand is expected to ride this wave, in more than 5% annual growth rate.

The Internet of things become opportunities across Moore's law

Although Intel, Samsung (Samsung), semiconductor manufacturing giants such as TSMC remains competitive in the field of advanced process, but now looking around the semiconductor industry, can afford the most advanced process of IC industry has been less and less.

The investment amount is inversely proportional to the number of cases, with customers as early as possible across the painting of Moore's law framework, obviously is the tao of in time of peace prepare for war. Iot brings up all kinds of sensor needs, for the opportunity for a breakthrough in the semiconductor industry lead out a new road, to grasp the direction of a moment, can will be on the Internet of things off key.