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December 24, 2012

News for and about the microelectronics industry

Today's Tech Buzz

Samsung dominates mobile-memory market with 57% share
Samsung Electronics sold 731.5 million mobile DRAMs during the third quarter, giving it a worldwide unit market share of more than 57% for the period, according to IHS iSuppli. For the first nine months of 2012, Samsung sold about 2.1 billion mobile DRAMs. The Korea Herald (Seoul) (12/23)

ICs, Memory & More

Micron's purchase of Elpida wins approval of Japanese commission
Micron Technology may proceed with its proposed acquisition of Elpida Memory, the Japan Fair Trade Commission has ruled. Regulators in the Czech Republic, South Korea and the U.S. have also approved the deal, which Micron expects to close during the first six months of the new year. DigiTimes (12/22)

Going Green

ARM-based 14nm test chip with FinFETs is taped out
ARM Holdings and Cadence Design Systems reported taping out a test chip with 14-nanometer dimensions employing FinFET technology. The design is based on ARM's Cortex-A7 processor core. The test chips will be fabricated by Samsung Electronics, which also used Synopsys design software for the effort. EE Times India (free registration) (12/24), Electronics Weekly (U.K.) (12/24)

Semiconductors in Action

Atmel to acquire Ozmo, supplier of low-power Wi-Fi chips
Atmel has agreed to purchase Ozmo, a supplier of low-power ICs with Wi-Fi connectivity; financial terms weren't disclosed. "This acquisition accelerates Atmel's strategy to provide complete solutions for products that will make possible the Internet of Things," Atmel CEO Steven Laub said in a statement. EE Times (12/21)

Asus exec: Intel won't eliminate processors in LGA packages
Intel will likely continue to offer processors in land grid array packages, providing ball grid array packages as an option, according to Joe Hsieh of Asus. Making its processors interchangeable on computer mainboards is a profitable business for Intel, he notes. XBitLabs.com (12/21)

Testing & Standards

MIT demonstrates new form of magnetic behavior
Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have demonstrated quantum spin liquid magnetism, a state that was previously theorized, using a solid crystal. "There is no static order to the magnetic orientations, known as magnetic moments, within the material. But there is a strong interaction between them, and due to quantum effects, they don't lock in place," MIT physics professor Young Lee said. XBitLabs.com (12/21)

JEDEC News

Space is going fast: register now for the JEDEC DDR4 Workshop
Save $25 off onsite rates when you register for JEDEC's 2-day DDR4 Workshop on Feb. 6 and 7 in Santa Clara, Calif. This event will offer an in-depth technical review of DDR4, as taught by industry experts involved in the creation of the standard. Participants will gain insight into DDR4's wide range of innovative features and device operation, as well as current and planned technological enablements to facilitate adoption of DDR4. See the agenda and register today.

EDN's "Hot 100 Products of 2012" recognizes over 25 JEDEC member companies
JEDEC congratulates its many member companies -- too numerous to list here -- whose products were selected for EDN';s list of the hot 100 products of 2012. Several members received multiple mentions. Award categories include ICs, test instruments, analog and many more; see the complete list of honorees.

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Editor's Note

SmartBrief will not publish Tuesday
In observance of Christmas, SmartBrief will not publish Tuesday. Publication will resume Wednesday. Enjoy the holiday!

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British poet and painter

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