Semiconductors are material products typically composed of silicon, which has a higher electrical conductivity than insulators such as glass, but a lower conductivity than pure conductors such as copper or aluminum. Their conductivity and other properties can be altered by introducing impurities, called doping, to meet the specific needs of the electronic component in which they reside.
Semiconductors, also known as semiconductors or chips, can be found in thousands of products, such as computers, smartphones, devices, gaming hardware and medical equipment.
Semiconductors are categorized into four main product groups:
Memory: Memory chips act as a temporary repository for data and carry information back and forth to the brains of computer devices. Consolidation in the memory market continues, pushing memory prices to such low levels that only a few giants like Toshiba, Samsung and NEC can afford them.
Microprocessors: these are the central processing units that contain the basic logic to perform tasks. Intel's domination of the microprocessor space has forced almost all other competitors (except Super Micro) out of the mainstream market and into smaller segments or completely different areas.
Commodity integrated circuits: Sometimes called "standard chips," they are mass-produced for routine processing. This segment is dominated by the large Asian chipmakers, whose margins are so slim that only the largest semiconductor companies can compete.
Complex SOCs: "System-on-Chips" are essentially the creation of integrated circuit chips that have the functionality of an entire system. The market revolves around the growing demand for consumer products with new features and lower prices. With the doors to the memory, microprocessor, and commodity IC markets closed, the SOC segment is certainly the only one with enough opportunity to attract many companies.