3. Development of Neuromorphic Chips
Researchers from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) University in Australia have achieved significant breakthroughs in the development of neuromorphic chips.
Written by
BIS Research | Jul 4, 2023 8:23:45 AM
The global
semiconductor industry plays a pivotal role in powering modern technology, ranging from smartphones and computers to automobiles and advanced medical devices.
However, recent disruptions and challenges in the semiconductor supply chain have highlighted vulnerabilities in the global electronics ecosystem. In response, global economies are intensifying their efforts to innovate and strengthen semiconductor manufacturing technologies, aiming to counter supply chain challenges and ensure a reliable and resilient electronics industry.
This article explores the recent global initiatives boosting semiconductor manufacturing and supply chain resilience.
1. Successful Implementation of IoT in Chip Manufacturing
Semiconductor manufacturers are actively addressing the unique requirements of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, such as smaller sizes, diverse connectivity options, and lower power consumption. They are focusing on the development of sensors and integrated circuits to meet these demands. Flexible multifunctional chipsets are being developed that incorporate more circuits. These chipsets combine microcontrollers and analytics, enhancing the resilience of IoT devices and bringing computing closer to the source. The implementation of IoT in chip manufacturing brings financial benefits through continuous process and asset monitoring and also improves visibility into production operations.
For instance, Taiwanese startup IMOSTAR offers multi-band IoT chips that integrate multiple low-power IoT radios into a single chip, resulting in space and cost savings. These chips feature compact and versatile monolithic antennas, expanding the application range of IoT devices and simplifying their manufacturing process. Similarly, Chinese startup Nano-Core Chip specializes in artificial intelligence of things (AIoT) chips. Their chips leverage event-driven architecture, dynamic charge domain signal chains, closed-loop circuit topology, and memory-computing fusion simulation. These features enable high energy efficiency and a small chip area, supporting AI computations with low latency and high storage density.
2. Integration of AI in Manufacturing Workflows
Semiconductor companies are integrating AI into manufacturing workflows to optimize operations and enhance product quality.
For instance, South Korean startup Rebellions specializes in domain-specific AI processors that bridge silicon architectures and deep learning algorithms. By modifying processor architecture using silicon kernels, they accelerate machine learning computations, improve performance, and reduce deployment costs. Meanwhile, US-based startup Gauss Labs offers AI-based solutions for semiconductor manufacturing. Its solutions utilize machine sensor measurements and metrology data to predict factory anomalies and provide guidance to engineers, enabling AI-driven precision manufacturing and minimizing disruptions in the process.
3. Development of Neuromorphic Chips
Researchers from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) University in Australia have achieved significant breakthroughs in the development of neuromorphic chips. They developed a single-chip device using doped indium oxide. This device mimics human vision and memory, capturing, processing, and storing visual information akin to the human eye, optic nerve, and memory system.
The neuromorphic chip enables ultra-fast decision-making, eliminates the need for energy-intensive computation, and facilitates real-time processing. Through longer memory retention without frequent electrical signals, this advancement reduces energy consumption while enhancing performance. This chip can find applications in bionic vision, autonomous operations, food shelf-life assessment, and advanced forensics.
4. International Collaborations and Partnerships Countering Supply Chain Challenges
The complexity and global nature of the industry require close cooperation among nations, companies, and research institutions. Through strategic alliances and information sharing, countries can pool resources, expertise, and technology to address issues such as raw material shortages, production bottlenecks, and logistics disruptions.
For instance, in March 2023, India and the U.S. joined forces through the India-U.S. initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) to reshape global semiconductor supply chains. The iCET focuses on collaboration in areas such as AI, quantum computing, semiconductors, telecommunications, defense, and space, aiming to address regulatory and supply chain barriers as well as export control issues.
Conclusion
The future of the semiconductor industry holds great promise as advancements in technology address current vulnerabilities, paving the way for transformative breakthroughs and driving economic growth.
The advent of artificial intelligence, 5G, the Internet of Things, and autonomous vehicles will drive increased demand for semiconductors. Emerging areas such as quantum computing and neuromorphic engineering promise to revolutionize the industry further, shaping a world of limitless possibilities.
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