Global PCB Connections: Understanding the General Fabrication Process—A Designer’s Hidden Advantage
Elementary, Mr. Watson: Why Your PCB Looks Like a Studio Apartment
The Shaughnessy Report: A Plan for Floor Planning
Course Review: IPC’s New Semiconductor Course Provides a Thorough Layman’s View
January 22, 2025 | Nyron Rouse, IPCEstimated reading time: 1 minute
Taking the course, A Technical Overview of the Semiconductor CHIP Industry by Cheah Soo Lan wasn’t just a professional box to check for me; it was an opportunity to understand the technical backbone of a field that directly influences the work I do at IPC. While I’m not immersed in the technical aspects of semiconductors day to day, learning about this landscape allows me to better align our funding pursuits with the strategic needs of the industry.
Before this course, I had a general sense of the semiconductor industry, especially its reliance on global supply chains and the role of countries like Taiwan and Korea in advanced chip manufacturing. But the course provided far more depth, particularly in showing how intricate and vast the ecosystem has become, and how reliant modern economies and industries are on these small yet essential components. This is information I was aware of but gained a deeper understanding of, especially in terms of how this complexity ties into government relations and economic strategy.
One of the highlights for me was learning about the technological innovations pushing the industry forward. For example, memory chips are no longer just flat but are being made denser by stacking them over 100 layers high. Additionally, electronic design automation (EDA) companies are incorporating artificial intelligence to automate certain parts of the chip design process, which speeds up time to market for increasingly complex chips. These were fascinating developments that I hadn't fully appreciated before, and they underline how innovation is happening at every step of the semiconductor manufacturing process, from design to production.
A particular takeaway for me was the importance of foundries, which are now critical players in the ecosystem. Historically, companies that designed chips also manufactured them in-house, a vertically integrated model known as integrated device manufacturing (IDM). Today, however, foundries that specialize purely in manufacturing, like TSMC and Samsung, have the advantage of economies of scale. The shift from the IDM model to relying on foundries, exemplified by companies like AMD and, more recently, Intel, highlights the ongoing evolution of the business side of semiconductors.
Read the rest of this review in the Winter 2025 issue of IPC Community.
Share on:
Testimonial
"In a year when every marketing dollar mattered, I chose to keep I-Connect007 in our 2025 plan. Their commitment to high-quality, insightful content aligns with Koh Young’s values and helps readers navigate a changing industry. "
Brent Fischthal - Koh YoungSuggested Items
August 2025 SMT007 Magazine: Supply Chain Strategies
08/04/2025 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamBelieve it or not, how you manage your supply chain has a noticeable impact on how your brand is perceived. In this issue of SMT007 Magazine, we explore the connection between supply chain practices and brand perception—and what you can do to strengthen it.
Dan’s Biz Bookshelf: ‘In Defense of a Liberal Education’
07/31/2025 | Dan Beaulieu -- Column: Dan's Biz BookshelfWhile Fareed Zakaria’s "In Defense of a Liberal Education" isn’t technically a business book, it’s nevertheless one that any business leader developing a workforce should read. A powerful, thought-provoking treatise on why the liberal arts are crucial, "Liberal Education" challenges the growing emphasis on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education at the expense of broader intellectual pursuits.
SMT Perspectives and Prospects: Warren Buffett’s Perpetual Wisdom, Part 1
07/29/2025 | Dr. Jennie Hwang -- Column: SMT Perspectives and ProspectsOver the years, I have cherished the lessons by Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger at the Berkshire Hathaway annual shareholders meeting in Omaha, Nebraska. This year, I was among the more than 40,000 who attended the May 3 meeting. Millions more from around the world, including from the UK, Germany, Japan, China, Panama, and Guatemala, tuned in remotely and via CNBC’s livestream.
Defense Speak Interpreted: JADC2—Why It’s More Relevant Than Ever in Drone Warfare
07/22/2025 | Dennis Fritz -- Column: Defense Speak InterpretedWhen I first published this column in 2020, the Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) was hot news in defense circles, but when was the last time you heard about it? You’re probably thinking, “There goes another defense program that fell by the wayside.” However, that’s not true. As JADC2 continues to develop, the need for rapid communication between soldiers, sensors, radars, computers, and weapon systems is greater than ever.
Marcy’s Musings: From Pitch to PO—The Sales Stack
07/21/2025 | Marcy LaRont -- Column: Marcy's MusingsIt is a foundational truth that a company lives and dies by its sales. Receiving that PO or contract starts the operational chain. It is the purest symbol of the machinations of the business process: You are paying me for something I am doing, making, or sourcing for you. Then, every single thing a business does in executing and fulfilling that sales agreement speaks directly to customer experience and whether more POs will follow. You won't keep customers if you don't make a quality product and provide strong customer service.