Unveil! Semiconductor global production base and application fields
Author: ComeFrom: Date:2024/11/8 15:08:15 Hits:107

To this day, there is still a lot of little known knowledge in the semiconductor world. As the core of modern technology, chips can be said to be the hidden force behind the development of technology, but few people have witnessed how these advanced devices are carefully manufactured in factories. In order to gain a deeper understanding of the semiconductor industry and its application fields, this article will delve into chip production factories and their territories, and explore their main application areas.




Where are semiconductors manufactured?


Factories operated by different companies are responsible for handling different aspects of the semiconductor manufacturing process. Despite the wide variety of these factories, the following are the three most common types at each stage of the manufacturing process:


wafer maker :SK siltron, Sumco, Shin Etsu Chemical, and other companies are responsible for producing silicon wafers as semiconductor component substrates and basic materials. The key processes of wafer production are completed in the facilities operated by these factories, including purifying raw silicon, cutting purified silicon into thin wafers, and polishing. Before being supplied to semiconductor manufacturing plants, these wafers need to undergo further processes such as doping 1 to achieve the desired characteristics and structure.

Doping: A process of intentionally adding specific impurities to alter the electrical properties of silicon.


Manufacturing Plant (Fab):A manufacturing plant is a factory with professional and high safety facilities, focusing on the manufacturing of semiconductor components such as integrated circuits. In other words, the manufacturing plant is mainly responsible for the semiconductor front-end manufacturing process, therefore, it must be equipped with advanced equipment for key processes such as oxidation, photolithography, etching, and deposition.

Integrated circuit: Assemble components such as transistors, resistors, and capacitors on the same semiconductor material board.


Assembly and testing factory:These factories are responsible for backend manufacturing processes, mainly including packaging and testing. Encapsulation aims to protect chips from damage and establish mechanical and electrical connections; And testing is to ensure the quality and reliability of the product. These factories are typically operated by outsourced semiconductor assembly and testing (OSAT) companies, who receive processed wafers from customers and manufacture them into finished semiconductor products.

Outsourced semiconductor assembly and testing (OSAT): A supplier that provides third-party semiconductor assembly, testing, and packaging (ATP) services.




Where are the designs and manufacturing of various semiconductors distributed?


The global semiconductor supply chain covers various regions, with each region specifically responsible for one or more stages of the design and manufacturing process. Therefore, semiconductor chips are usually not manufactured in the same location or country, but need to be shipped to various parts of the world to complete the entire manufacturing process.


The design level involves product specifications and the physical layout of individual circuits, and the United States is in a leading position in this area, especially in advanced logic chips. Meanwhile, the later manufacturing processes are mainly led by East Asian countries. Due to different countries specializing in the production of specific types of chips, we can refer to a report by the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) 4 in the United States to understand the distribution of production locations for three common semiconductor types.

4 Source: This section of data statistics is based on wafer production capacity and is sourced from the report "Emerging Resilience in the Semiconductor Supply Chain" released by the American Semiconductor Institute in May 2024. The report used data from the US Department of Commerce, Semiconductor Industry Institute (SEMI), and Boston Consulting Group (BCG Analysis).


storage:South Korea has leading semiconductor memory companies, including SK Hynix, and is in a leading position in terms of production capacity in the memory field. In terms of DRAM production capacity, South Korea also dominates and far surpasses its closest competitors. In addition, South Korea and Japan are both major producers of NAND flash memory 5, with Japanese companies such as Kioxia being important participants in this field.

5NAND flash memory: a non-volatile storage chip that can store data without the need for power supply.


Logic chip:Taiwan, China, China, has an indisputable leading position in the global logic semiconductor 6 production field, which is mainly due to the global semiconductor manufacturing giant TSMC. In terms of logic chip production capacity of 10nm and below, Taiwan, China's market share is up to 69%; In terms of logic chip production capacity in the range of 10 nanometers to 22 nanometers, it is also at the forefront of the industry. In the field of logic chip production at 28 nanometers and above, the market share in mainland China is more prominent.

Logic semiconductor: a semiconductor chip regarded as the "brain" of electronic devices, capable of processing information, performing calculations, and executing various tasks.


Discrete, Analog, and Other Chips (DAO):This type of chip is suitable for various fields, therefore, its production is spread all over the world. Although Japan and China produce the largest number of DAO chips, each occupying 25% of the market share. But globally, European countries and the United States have also made significant contributions to the production of semiconductor devices for such diversified applications.


What are the application fields of semiconductor memory?


Semiconductor memory plays an important role in people's daily lives. These advanced storage solutions are the foundation of modern technology and can be seen everywhere in daily life. Here are some examples:


Smart home appliances

Whether browsing social media, playing games, or performing any mobile operations, semiconductor memory is essential for storing data and ensuring smooth operation. Laptops and smart TVs at home also require internal storage space to store and retrieve data, as well as learn usage patterns. With the technological advancement of On Device AI storage chips, many household appliances now have customized features that enhance security, speed up processing, and reduce power consumption.


Automobiles and public transportation

While driving to work, people can enjoy the convenience brought by advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) driven by memory, such as lane departure warning and advanced information entertainment technology. When waiting in front of the traffic signal, the signal control system will use memory to manage traffic flow to ensure the safety of the intersection. When choosing public transportation, both the subway and train control systems require memory to maintain accurate schedules and manage train operations on time. Meanwhile, the bus tracking and management system also relies on memory to monitor buses and their arrival times.


medical care

During the annual physical examination, people will find that medical imaging equipment in hospitals, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scanners, use memory to store the images required for diagnosis. The patient monitoring system that records heart rate and blood pressure data, as well as the electronic health record system that stores the patient's medical history, test results, and doctor's diagnosis, also rely on memory.


education

The AI revolution has also had a profound impact on the field of education, with both teachers and students benefiting from a range of AI tools supported by semiconductor memory. For teachers, AI applications can help improve their work efficiency in course planning, grading, and other aspects; And students can use these tools for research, writing assistance, and other personalized support.





Source: Global Semiconductor Watch