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Chip Types and Classifications
Chips can be classified by function:
Analog, Power, RF, Processors, Memories, Commodity: logic, discretes,
FPGA and CPLD, SoC/ASIC, Other high volume (disk drive, LCD, ... ).
Manufacturers can be classified as well:
- Major chip makers such as IBM and Intel that design, manufacture and sell their chips
(Integrated Device Manufacturers / IDM).
- Fabless manufacturers such as NVIDIA and Xilinx that design and sell chips but outsource manufacturing to foundry comp
anies.
- Foundry companies (such as TSMC and UMC) that manufacture chips designed and sold by their customers.
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The world's major foundries are SMC and
TSMC: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited