A semiconductor foundry is a company that produces semiconductors for other businesses and is also known as “fab.” This industry plays a crucial role in the world of technology by manufacturing chips for hundreds of “fabless” businesses that develop innovative products but do not have production capabilities.
Major players in the technology industry such as Apple, NVIDIA, and Qualcomm depend on semiconductor foundries to produce chips for their devices. These foundries have the required expertise and advanced infrastructure to produce chips at a large scale while maintaining high quality.
Sometimes, a large corporation that designs and manufactures its own chips may also offer extra manufacturing capacity to other businesses and function as a foundry. They do this to help smaller businesses that cannot afford to build their own foundries, gain access to cutting-edge technology and produce innovative products.
FAQs
What is a semiconductor?
A semiconductor is a material that conducts electricity under certain conditions and acts as a basis for creating electronic devices such as transistors, diodes, and integrated circuits.
How important are semiconductor foundries?
Semiconductor foundries play a crucial role in the world of technology by providing access to cutting-edge technology and advanced infrastructure that allows other businesses to produce innovative products and gadgets.
Who are some of the largest semiconductor foundry companies?
Some of the most significant semiconductor foundries include TSMC, Globalfoundries, and Samsung.
Final thoughts
Without semiconductor foundries, many smaller businesses would not be able to produce innovative products that we use in our daily lives. These foundries have become an essential cog in the wheel of technological progress.