SILICAN takes ‘first Steps’ on semi path

The global semiconductor industry is undergoing a transformation and Canada has the opportunity to assert its presence and play a significant role in this sector. To achieve this ambition, SILICAN, an Ottawa-based alliance of chip industry and post-secondary associations, has unveiled “First Steps for Canada,” a strategic overview that outlines the path forward for Canada’s semiconductor industry. This forward-thinking approach aims to leverage existing strengths, foster innovation and secure the nation’s position on the global semiconductor map.

The semiconductor industry is a cornerstone of modern technology, impacting everything from consumer electronics to national security and emerging technologies like AI, electric vehicles, and quantum computing. SILICAN’s vision is clear: to ensure Canada not only remains competitive but also thrives in this industry. By emphasizing innovation, talent development, and strategic investments, the group’s mission has set the stage for a robust national semiconductor policy.

SILICAN recognizes that Canada’s existing strengths lie in specific niches within the semiconductor industry, including compound semiconductor s, advanced assembly, packaging and testing , and sensor technologies. By focusing on these areas, we can create a unique value proposition that sets us apart in the global marketplace.

One of the key objectives outlined in “First Steps” is the expansion of the National Research Council’s Canadian Photonics Fabrication Centre

(CPFC). This facility could play a pivotal role in the Northeast Microelectronics Corridor, contributing to the growth and innovation of Canada’s semiconductor industry. With the r ight investments and a governance model oriented towards commercial success, the CPFC could become an invaluable asset, helping to drive sustainable g rowth in the sector.

Scaling up Canadian companies is another critical objective. To become global players in the semiconductor industry, Canadian firms need targeted investments to address capital gaps and deepen capital pools. Collaboration with industry experts and government partners can help formulate specific approaches, ensuring these domestic companies can compete on a global scale. The need for such a strategy has never been more apparent in today’s rapidly evolving market realities.

Strong talent pool

Furthermore, building the talent pool is of paramount importance. By funding talent development programs, creating scholarships, co-ops, and internships, and supporting research in semiconductor fields, Canada can secure the skilled workforce it needs to thrive in this industry. With a focus on forecasting demand and talent requirements, institutions can be better prepared to supply the necessary expertise.

SILICAN emphasizes the importance of government-industry collaboration in this endeavor. To achieve success in the semiconductor industry, government programs and agencies must under stand the unique dynamics of the field and streamline existing programs to meet the rapidly evolving market realities. A harmonious partnership between government and industry is crucial to drive innovation and g rowth.

Benjamin Bergen, president of the Council of Canadian Innovators, highlights the significance of supporting competitive, successful Canadian companies and giving them the tools to scale up and compete globally. The Canadian government should prioritize the semiconductor industry, ensuring that working in this sector is an attractive option for individuals at every stage of the talent spectrum. Government cooperation with industry to forecast future needs and fund talent development will be key in achieving these goals.

SILICAN acknowledges the importance of leveraging innovation-driven sectors like photonics and major facilities such as CPFC and C2MI. Strategically building upon past investments positions Canada to lead in emerging industry niches, creating jobs and long-term prosper ity. It’s crucial to act decisively, especially in-lightof the American CHIPS Act, which emphasizes the strategic importance of the semiconductor industry.

SILICAN has outlined a roadmap for success that emphasizes the pivotal role of highly qualified talent in driving growth. Canada’s leading research-intensive universities, in combination with an ecosystem of over 300 semiconductor companies, are already producing worldclass personnel. By expanding this ecosystem, Canada can lead in next-generation technologies, shaping the global economy for years to come.

STEPHEN LAW Editor slaw@ept.ca

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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023

Volume 45, Number 8

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Distribution

AVNET, ARDUINO SIGN GLOBAL DISTY DEAL

Avnet and Arduino have entered into a global distribution agreement to strengthen the emerging trend of OEM customers leveraging modular components to accelerate product development.

“Design engineers will be able to quickly move from initial prototype and preproduction to high volume designs through Arduino’s opensource software and open hardware design approach,” said Alex Iuorio, senior vice president, Avnet. “Not every customer has the time, resources, or capability to perform a chip-down design, which often is a manual, hands-on process to design, engineer, prototype, source and produce. Using Arduino’s PRO product line offer ings and Avnet’s support will greatly reduce time to market.”

“We see an engineering mega-trend moving away from chip-down design and a greater reliance on modules like the Arduino PRO boards,” added Arduino CEO Fabio Violante. “Our new global distribution agreement with Avnet will allow even more design engineers to be an early adopter of this trend.”

The Arduino PRO line of hard ware and software enables busi nesses to quickly and securely develop and deploy com mercial solutions within one familiar development platform, transferring the productivity that makers enjoyed with the Arduino for 15 years into refined tech transforming the business world.

SnapEDA recently introduced SnapMagic Copilot, an artificial intelligence design partner for engineers.

Snapeda Launches Ai Design Partner

Leading global electronics design search engine, SnapEDA has launched SnapMag ic Copilot, an artificial intelligence (AI) design partner that the firm’s CEO says “will change how every engineer designs electronics.

“AI is advancing incredibly quickly. We’ve seen copilot technologies provide enormous leverage to software eng ineers, and it’s time to bring that to hardware engineering. That’s what we’re doing with SnapMagic Copilot,” said company CEO and electrical engineer Natasha Baker. As part of this launch, SnapEDA has rebranded its name to SnapMagic and has raised a new round of funding from world-leading AI and developer tool investors.SnapMagic Copilot pairs state-of-the-art artificial intelligence with its massive proprietary dataset to automate some of the most time-consuming aspects of electronics design.

Unique in the market, SnapMagic’s proprietary dataset is critical for automating electronics design and has been honed through years of collaboration with top OEMs and component suppliers, according to Baker. Further, SnapMagic integrates — rather than replaces — existing pcb design tools.

“Every engineer can benefit from its productivity-boosting features, instantly,” Baker enthused.

Anniversary

Phoenix Contact Marks 40 Years In Canada

Global provider of electrical connection technology, automation solutions and networking solutions, Phoenix Contact marked its 40th anniversary in Canada with an open house celebration at the firm’s Canadian headquarters in Milton ON.

Since its establishment in 1983, when a small sales office was opened on Matheson Drive in Mississauga, Phoenix Contact has grown exponentially. As the company established its presence in the Canadian market, it opened its official Canadian headquarters in Milton, ON, equipped with training , proof of concept showroom and value-add centre. The firm soon after opened an Eastern Region Technology Center in Quebec, a Western Regional Technology Center in Calgary, and a sales office in B.C.