OEM - Foundry Direct model??
Slowing growth in semiconductors will drive new rounds of consolidation and partnerships as chipmakers seek creative strategies, according to Bryan Lewis from Gartner. As reported in an article in EE Times, he talked about some systems makers experimenting with direct links to foundries, cutting traditional chipmakers out of the picture.
While the couple of examples cited in the article are by no means a sure indicator for this possible trend, there does seem to be a few signs leading to this path:
- Growing importance of DFM, and thus links between design & foundry
- TSMC’s growing role in developing IPs