Chip makers combine to fight suits

Article Abstract:

Eight Silicon Valley semiconductor companies join forces to fight against patent-infringement claims brought by larger rivals. The eight companies are Cypress Semiconductor, Integrated Device Technology, LSI Logic, VLSI Technology, Altera, Sierra Semiconductor, Linear Technology and Seeq Technology. The group does not have a name or a formal structure, but its existence testifies to frustration over some companies' tendency to use patent and copyright litigation as a revenue-generating tool. Small companies, faced with predatory lawsuits, often have no choice but to pay royalties. Four companies - Cypress, Integrated, LSI and VLSI - together with Analog Devices, were recently sued by Texas Instruments (TI) for infringing on a patent for technology used to package chips in plastic casings. TI has been especially aggressive in seeking royalties for patents.

Computer industry, Copyrights, Intellectual property, Patents, Patent/Copyright Issue, Legal Issues, Semiconductor Industry, Court Cases, Patent

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When analog meets digital on a single chip: for real-world delivery, like sound, computers need to adapt

Article Abstract:

Mixed-signal integrated circuits (ICs) combine digital and analog functions on the same microchip. Because of technological advances and new high-volume applications, mixed-signal ICs are moving out of military and industrial niche markets and into mainstream computer, communications, automotive and consumer markets. Consequently, the market is rapidly expanding. Sales of mixed-signal ICs could be $10 billion annually by 1994, twice what the figure is today. A new technology that combines bipolar technology with complementary metal oxide semiconductors (CMOSs), called BiCMOS, has rendered many new applications possible. An overall trend toward miniaturization also favors mixed-signal ICs. And electronic design automation companies, such as Cadence Design Systems and Mentor Graphics, are developing previously unavailable design tools.

Analysis, Usage, Integrated circuits, Electronic design automation, Circuit design, Design and construction, Industry Analysis, Outlook, Future Technologies, BiCMOS, Mixed-Signal Integrated Circuits

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