Metamaterials Show Promise in Providing Solutions to the SoC Market
June 12, 2017 | Semico ResearchEstimated reading time: 1 minute
The SoC market has become the largest segment of the worldwide semiconductor market and is expected to reach $169.8B by 2021, a 7.7% CAGR. The adoption of the SoC design methodology has allowed the creation of very complex silicon solutions with rich feature sets and functionality. However, the predicted end of 'Moore's Law' is looming over the industry as improvements, once taken for granted through process geometry gains, start to become much harder to achieve at each new process node.
One possible solution that holds much promise is the emergence of 'Metamaterials' in the silicon design and manufacturing flow. A new research report from Semico, System(s)-on-a-Chip: SoC Market Analysis and Forecast, discusses this new class of materials and also has an in-depth analysis of the SoC market. This report forecasts that the CAGR for SoC revenues will reach 7.7% by 2021, continuing to outpace the larger semiconductor market growth rate.
"One of the very interesting facets of the emergence of 'Metamaterials' is the breadth of the research activity around the world in universities, research labs and semiconductor companies. There are new announcements every day of new compounds being discovered that can impact the design and manufacture of semiconductors of every type," says Rich Wawrzyniak, Principal Analyst. "Specific to the semiconductor industry, Metamaterials will not replace silicon in the manufacturing process; the industry simply has too much money invested in current plants and equipment. Instead, Metamaterials will enhance the silicon we already use to solve some of the looming problems the industry faces and to imbue entirely new capabilities to the silicon we already use," said Wawrzyniak.
Key findings of this new research include:
- The Americas market will experience strong growth over the forecast period to reach $32B by 2021.
- Total SoC market revenue will experience 7.7% CAGR from 2016 - 2021
- Basic SoCs have the highest CAGR at 11.2% by 2021, strongly driven by IoT applications
- The Chinese market will show the highest unit volume CAGR of 11.9% through 2021
- The total world market for SoCs reached $117.2B in 2016, a 5.1% growth over 2015
Suggested Items
Three Industry Leaders Receive IPC President’s Award
04/17/2024 | IPCIn recognition of their leadership and significant contributions of time and talent to IPC and the electronics industry, three IPC volunteers were presented with the IPC President’s Award at IPC APEX EXPO in Anaheim, Calif., on April 9, 2024.
Real Time with... IPC APEX EXPO 2024: IPC Government Relations Holds Lawmakers Accountable
04/16/2024 | Real Time with...IPC APEX EXPOThe IPC Government Relations team is constantly educating Congress and the executive branch about the importance of a robust domestic electronics manufacturing industry. As Richard Cappetto explains, the GR team is focused on proactive strategies, workforce policies, and sustainability, as well as the significance of apprenticeship programs, President Biden's executive order, and employer incentives. Also discussed is the PCB Act, its investment program, tax incentive, and DoD's understanding of supply chain risk.
Catching Up With Chasom Electronics
04/16/2024 | Dan Beaulieu, D.B. Management GroupI recently met with Chasom Electronics’ founding director Anil Kumar. Chasom offers a unique menu of services for companies looking to extend their technology capabilities on a short- or long-term basis. Read on to learn about this very unique service company.
Microchip Technology Acquires Neuronix AI Labs
04/16/2024 | Microchip Technology Inc.Innovative technology enhances AI-enabled intelligent edge solutions and increases neural networking capabilities.
Marcy's Musings: The Growing Industry
04/16/2024 | Marcy LaRont -- Column: Marcy's MusingsAfter decades of steady decline in the U.S. and Europe, the PCB industry is finally growing, especially in China Plus One countries. The U.S. for example, which seemed to have abdicated its title as the world leader in innovating high-technology cutting-edge manufacturing processes, is now in a race to regain what it lost and then some. The PCB fabrication industry is growing in the West, thanks to DoD funding, the CHIPS and Science Act, and hopefully, the passing of HR 3249, the Printed Circuit Board and Substrates Act.