I.B.M.'s robotic army of computer-chip soldiers
Article Abstract:
IBM announces that Thomson Consumer Electronics will be the first to buy substantial numbers of IBM's new microcontrollers to embed in some 300 television set-top boxes. IBM, which began producing microcontrollers in Sep 1994, is a latecomer to a market that has generated sales of $146 billion in 1995 and is forecast to grow 79% to $261 billion in 1998. IBM's entry into the microcontroller market is designed to turn its semiconductor manufacturing business from an business expense that supplies the company internally to a profit-maker that serves external markets. Most IBM semiconductors are memory chips, but the company hopes to broaden its product range in an effort to protect itself from the cyclical nature of the memory-chip market. The IBM semiconductor division made revenues of $325 million in 1992, increased profits to $1.75 billion in 1994 and is forecast to earn $2.5 billion in revenue in 1995.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1995
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I.B.M. to make smaller and faster chips; second breakthrough in a week has wide uses
Article Abstract:
IBM will announce a breakthrough in developing smaller and faster semiconductor chips that are as much as 40% more powerful than the commercial market's most advanced chips. Manufacturing of the chips, which also will cost 20% to 30% less than the current method, will begin in early 1998. This follows Intel's Sep 1997 announcement of doubling the storage capacity of flash memory chips. IBM's development may hold more significance, because the improvement will quicken the process of an all semiconductors. Among the types of semiconductors are microprocessors, memory chips and special-purpose chips that power products ranging from automobiles to high-speed networks. IBM says a 10-year research project found a way to protect copper wiring, which is a more effective conductor of electricity than the now-used aluminum, from directly touching silicon.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1997
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Suit by Digital says Intel stole Pentium design
Article Abstract:
DEC has filed a law suit against Intel, claiming that the company stole copies of its Pentium chip designs. The court was asked by DEC to prohibit Intel from using DEC technology in its products. DEC also requested that it be payed tripple damages to recoup from Intel's infringing on 10 DEC patents. The dollar amount in damages that DEC is asking for has not been specified, but Intel earned $5.2 billion in 1996, a large portion of which came from its Pentium chips sales. Should Intel be forced to redesign its Pentium chips, they may not be as powerful, which would provide DEC's Alpha microprocessor an edge. DEC's chairman Robert E. Palmer has said he waited to file the suit until he was certain all the facts had been thoroughly and rigorously examined.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1997
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