interconnecttop In This Issue: Licensing Campaign | Competitive Intelligence | FTR | Conferences | New Reports | Silicon Art assertion A patent asset owner has various options for realizing value from their asset. This article, however, will focus on patent asset use in an assertion-based exploitation model. This model has been successfully used by a large and growing number of companies and other parties. The starting point for such a process is to invest the necessary resources to evaluate the contents of the patent portfolio in order to determine which patents are the best candidates for having commercial value. Such review processes may be undertaken using internal technical and legal resources, or through external RE companies such as Chipworks. Whatever channel is used, the reviews must provide an honest assessment of the commercial value at the level of individual patents. The general assertion-based patent exploitation model involves the broad steps of homework, assertion, negotiation and contract completion. The homework step requires completion of a number of company-specific items, such as competitive intelligence, assertion strategy, reverse engineering (RE) and proof package. The assertion step involves use of the homework through presentation and dialogue with the other party. When done effectively, a successful patent licensing negotiation and contract execution with the other party will follow. Table 1 identifies the key process steps and functional mapping taken by many companies. This is not the only approach possible, but it is one that has worked very well in many instances. con't... Table 1 - Company-Specific Steps Needed for Assertion-Based Exploitation Process Click for larger image Just received - Micron ® Quad Data Rate(tm) (QDR(tm)) SRAM The Micron ® Quad Data Rate(tm) (QDR(tm)) SRAM is a high-speed, low-latency, maximum-bandwidth, separate I/O, synchronous memory. It integrates simple control logic and clocking schemes with programmable impedance, a well-placed pinout, and an inexpensive small-footprint package. The QDR features advanced 6 transistor SRAM cell CMOS process. Click for more info on this analysis project. Before we start our investigation, what type of analysis would you like to see on this device? * Circuit Analysis * Structural Analysis To ensure that our reverse engineering project meets your requirements contact us immediately. Competitive_Intelligence The semiconductor industry at present seems to be in the doldrums - drifting, waiting for the economic winds of fortune to pick up and indicate a direction. One of the tools to find a direction is competitive intelligence (CI) -the systematic process of monitoring the competitive environment. The CI process can be broken into phases: * Planning - identifying intelligence needs, and designing the data collection process * Data collection and analysis (including interpretation) * Creating recommendations for action * Dissemination of findings and recommendations * Feedback into the next planning phase A key goal of CI is to present timely intelligence that allows decision makers to use the information for competitive advantage. Consequently the CI process must be able to collect data efficiently, distill it quickly, and present swiftly and clearly. If the process becomes an end in itself, then it becomes a waste of time and expense. con't Agere Orinoco BG-200 Broadband Gateway Printed Circuit Board Click for larger image. FTR Chipworks ' Focused Technology Reviews (FTRs) compare how a process feature or a circuit block has been implemented across many different semiconductor chips or manufacturers. The FTR is an exceptional value, providing access to many reports often at a lower cost than purchasing a single complete device report. For example, the On-Die Interconnect Focused Technology Review takes a look at nineteen of today's leading copper and aluminum interconnect (wiring) structures from eleven different logic device manufacturers. Purchasing the individual full device reports could easily cost in excess of $100K, whereas the FTR compilation is priced at only $5K. Other process related FTRs survey Shallow Trench Isolation Techniques and embedded memory implementations across a number of manufacturers - SRAM and DRAM,. Recently released circuit-related FTRs look at Phased Lock Loop and Analog to Digital Converter circuit implementations and include actual schematics of the circuit blocks and technical discussions on their differences. Device manufacturers can benchmark what the other leading edge manufacturers are doing in production today. They can compare the available design options, such as the tradeoffs between memory cell size and manufacturing complexity and how this relates to cost. Fabless designers can assess the availability of a given type of technology and make better informed decisions as to what should be incorporated into their designs. Get the information and understanding that you need, regarding the technical issues that are key to your companies success, with Chipworks ' Focused Technology Reviews. newreports New Structural Analysis Reports Advanced Micro Devices Mobile Athlon 4 1.6GHz Microprocessor Structural Analysis Elpida EDD5104ABTA-7A 512M SDRAM Structural Analysis Elpida EDS2508APTA-7A 256M SDRAM Structural Analysis Infineon Technologies SAFTC11IB64D96E TriCore 32-bit Microcontroller Structural Analysis Intel BX80532PC2400D 2.4GHz Copper Pentium 4 Microprocessor Structural Analysis Motorola PRF5S21090S RF Power Field Transistor Structural Analysis Upcoming Reports Samsung K4H560838C 256M DDR SDRAM Full Circuit Analysis Sony CXD2949GB Graphics Synthesizer Structural Analysis IBM 25PPC750 Microprocessor Structural Analysis Nanya NT5DS32M8AT-7K 256M DDR SDRAM Full Circuit Analysis New Circuit Analysis Reports Conexant CX74017-13P Direct Conversion RF Transceiver Partial Circuit Analysis Conexant CX77131-12P GaAs HBT Power Amplifier Chip Full Circuit Analysis Maxim MAX4000EUA 2.5GHz 45dB RF Detecting Controller Circuit Analysis Micron MT54V512H18E 9Mb Quad Data Rate SRAM Full Circuit Analysis Vite Technology VCC1 FIB3 106M25 Crystal Oscillator Circuit Analysis Focused Technology Reviews Analog to Digital Converter (ADC) Focused Technology Review Embedded DRAM Focused Technology Review Embedded SRAM Focused Technology Review On-Die Interconnect Focused Technology Review Phase Lock Loop (PLL) Focused Technology Review Shallow Trench Isolation Focused Technology Review conference_news FSA Suppliers Expo October 3, 2002 Santa Clara Convention Center, Santa Clara, CA, USA The Fabless Semiconductor Association's (FSA) 2002 Suppliers Expo is holding its annual premier event dedicated to bringing together suppliers, fabless companies, IDM's and other organizations that play a vital role in the semiconductor industry of which Chipworks is proud to be part of. The goal of the Expo is to encourage partnerships with suppliers/vendors and illustrate what partnerships can accomplish within the industry. This year's Expo features more than 125 exhibitors/suppliers, allowing over 1,200 attendees, including many CEOs, presidents, purchasing managers, supply chain managers and engineers. This is your opportunity to pursue the latest services, products, and state-of-the-art technology available. Visit Chipworks at booth 112 and find out what's new inside technology. SEMICON Japan 2002 December 4- 6 Makuhari Messe, Chiba, Japan SEMICON Japan 2002 is celebrating its 26th year and promises to deliver its usual exciting experience for attendees. This annual global event will be your opportunity to see the latest products and technology in the world. Special interest will focus on the launching of national projects (ASUKA, MIRAI and HALCA), the extensive study of MEMS, composition of system LSI, and e-manufacturing. Chipworks is a proud participant of SEMICON Japan 2002. Please contact Jennifer Kearns by e-mail at info@chipworks.com , phone +1 613.829.0414 or fax +1 613.829.0515 for more details on Standard Report release dates and prices, or visit us at www.chipworks.com for a list of all available reports. In North America Chipworks 3685 Richmond Road, Suite 500 Ottawa, On K2H 5B7 Canada Tel: +1 613.829.0414 Fax: +1 613.829.0515 info@chipworks.com In Japan Chipworks Corporation - Japan OS Building 5F 4-6-9 Kudan-minami Chyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0074 Japan Tel: +81.3.3511.7750 Fax: +81.3.3511.7751 Web: www.chipworks.co.jp mueki@chipworks.com In Taiwan Maggie Hong Professional Publications Agency 103 Fenaliao St. 6F-3 Neihu Dist Taipei 114, Taiwan R.O.C. Phone: 886.2.2799.3110 ext 230 Fax: 886.2.2799.5560 maggie_hong@ppa.com.tw In Europe Andy Longford PandA Europe Oakbury House, Mill Lane LAMBOURN, Berks. 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