Rebirth on the Border: communications companies fuel San Diego's high-tech boom

Article Abstract:

San Diego, California experienced an 11% jump in high-technology employment during the 1995 to 1997 period due primarily to the influx of wireless communications companies. Industry leaders such as Qualcomm, Sony Electronics and NextLevel Systems led the area in employment expansion, but other industries such as the medical devices, computer, and consumer electronics also grew. Wireless communications firms are attracted to the area for its relatively inexpensive real estate, temperate climate and proximity to the Mexican border where companies such as Panasonic, Sanyo and Sony maintain research and design centers on the U.S. side and establish manufacturing across the border. But rapid expansion has also increased the pressure for finding resources such as office space and experienced labor particularly engineering professionals. Larger firms such as Qualcomm who hired 4,000 workers in 1996 are driving salaries upward making it difficult for smaller firms to find talent.

Telegraph & other communications, Specialized Telecom Services, Wired Telecommunications Carriers, Telecommunications services industry, Telecommunications industry, Internet services, Employment, Industry hiring, San Diego, California

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Still unable to keep up with orders

Article Abstract:

The main concern of suppliers of semiconductor production equipment in 1996 will be to find enough manufacturing space and enough personnel to diminish the backlog and leadtimes which are presently more than a year in some cases. Lam Research notes that there are at least 213 semiconductor fabrication plants worldwide with plans for expansion or new construction between 1996 and 1999. Demand for semiconductor equipment is attributable to the wafer fabrication plant building boom and the rising complexity and increase in layers of interconnected metal on integrated circuits. The added layers of metal require additional manufacturing equipment. The semiconductor equipment market expanded approximately 50% in 1995. Industry observers anticipate worldwide growth of approximately 30% in 1996. Equipment sales in the Asian market, excluding Japan, was $3.2 billion in 1995, slightly more than North America and trailing close behind Japan.

Special industry machinery, not elsewhere classified, Preview of coming year, Technological forecasting, Semiconductor production equipment

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Chipmakers ride buses to new markets

Article Abstract:

New bus and interface technologies, including the Universal Serial Bus (USB), are providing new opportunities for semiconductor manufacturers. The USB standard allows over 100 peripherals to be connected to a PC, providing convenient and cost-effective peripheral additions. PC makers will eventually be able to eliminate superfluous PCI slots. USB-compatible peripherals are a growing new market for electronics makers, and makers of logic chip sets. In addition, the IEEE 1394 specification for a digital system interface is gaining momentum, especially with makers of video, videoconferencing, and DVD products. 1394 specification interfaces can provide connection speeds up to 400 Mbps, with gigabit speeds in development. USB, by comparison, offers top speeds of 12 Mbps. Sun Microsystems and Silicon Graphics include support for 1394 on their workstations; Compaq and Apple also support 1394.

Computer peripheral equipment, not elsewhere classified, Innovations, Standard, Standardization, Computer peripherals industry, Buses (Computers), USB, USB (Universal serial bus), Peripheral controllers, Market Trend/Market Analysis

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