Transformation of VLSI technologies, systems and applications the rise of foundry and its ecosystem

This paper describes the transformation of VLSI industry in past few decades including the rise of foundry and its ecosystem. The industry has disintegrated from IDM (Integrated Device Manufacturer) to foundry/fabless allowing each focus on its strength. However, scaling to sub-20nm intensifies interactions between design and technology, bringing in new challenges. Meanwhile, killer applications in smart phones and tablets have recently opened opportunities for SoC (System on Chip) implementation. How do we face the new opportunities and challenges? What would be the next transformation of the industry? The author discusses the future transformation of “virtual IDM” as a way to collaborate and prevail.