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Infineon Technologies AG announced that Infineon and Honda Motor Co., Ltd. have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to build a strategic collaboration. Honda selects Infineon as semiconductor partner to align future product and technology roadmaps.
The two companies also agreed to continue discussions on supply stability, as well as to encourage transferring mutual knowledge and collaborate on projects aimed at accelerating the time to market of technologies.
“Infineon’s system understanding, our broad product portfolio and outstanding quality have made us an appreciated partner to Japan’s automotive industry,” said Peter Schiefer, President of the Automotive Division at Infineon. “We are honored to be the semiconductor partner for a strategic collaboration with Honda. Intensifying a long-standing partnership even further is always a confirmation of the added value created and at the same time an expression of the trust in contributing to future successes.”
Infineon will support Honda with technologies to enable competitive and advanced vehicles. The technical support will focus on the area of power semiconductors, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), and E/E architectures, where both parties will collaborate on new architecture concepts.
Original – Infineon Technologies
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The true beauty of a car isn’t in the way that it looks, but in the way it makes you feel. With the growing demand for smarter vehicles, in-vehicle systems are evolving to provide more seamless experiences. More and more vehicles are incorporating in-vehicle infotainment systems to provide drivers and passengers a combination of entertainment and information to enhance their experiences.
The infotainment system enables radio, navigation, multimedia and Internet-based applications to be centrally controlled. Furthermore, a range of vehicle status messages can be displayed through the infotainment system.
The most popular communication mechanism in modern vehicles is the Controller Area Network (CAN) bus. CAN and other network protocol support: In order to facilitate interaction between microcontrollers and gadgets, the electrical hardware elements of infotainment systems are coupled via standardised communication protocols like CAN. It is a bi-directional serial communication bus that allows Infotainment system to communicate with ECU, without using any complex wiring. One of the wires is called the CAN_Low (CAN_L) and the other, CAN_High (CAN_H), with a data transfer rate of 1Mbit/s.
ESD protection can be achieved by placing Transient Voltage Suppression (TVS) diodes on a data line to protect the interface during the fast rise time transient events like ESD in less than a nanosecond. The Diotec NUP2105L-AQ protection diode is designed to protect high speed data lines from ESD.
Ultra−low capacitance 30pf and high level of ESD protection up to 30KV, 350 W Peak Power Dissipation per Line (8/20 sec Waveform) and very low reverse leakage current <100nA. This device provides bidirectional protection for each data line with a single compact SOT−23 package, it is available in AEC−Q101 Qualified and PPAP Capable.
Original – Diotec Semiconductor
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Wolfspeed, Inc. announced its results for the second quarter of fiscal 2024.
Quarterly Financial Highlights (Continuing operations only. All comparisons are to the second quarter of fiscal 2023):
- Consolidated revenue of $208.4 million, compared to $173.8 million
◦ Mohawk Valley Fab contributed $12 million in revenue, a 3x increase from the prior quarter - Power device design-ins of $2.1 billion
- Quarterly record design-wins of $2.9 billion – over 75% related to automotive applications
- GAAP gross margin of 13.3%, compared to 32.6%
- Non-GAAP gross margin of 16.4%, compared to 35.8%
◦ GAAP and non-GAAP gross margins for the second quarter of fiscal 2024 include the impact of $35.6 million of underutilization costs, representing approximately 1,700 basis points of gross margin - Completed sale of our RF Business to MACOM Technology Solutions Holdings, Inc. (MACOM) for $75 million in cash and 711,528 shares of MACOM common stock (the RF Business Divestiture)
“We’re proud of our results this quarter, which reflect robust execution of our strategy and fortify our vision for the future of Wolfspeed and silicon carbide,” said Wolfspeed CEO, Gregg Lowe. “We have made considerable progress at our Mohawk Valley facility, tripling revenue sequentially. Our successful scale-up of 200mm wafer production and continued qualification of high-quality EV products on 200mm substrates are critical steps in meeting the continued customer demand. This is demonstrated by a record $2.9 billion of design-wins, predominantly in the EV sector across multiple OEMs.”
Lowe continued, “Our steadfast commitment to our long-term goals is bolstered by the conversion of our design-ins into significant design-wins. This solidifies our confidence in the electrification trend, which increasingly depends on the widespread adoption of silicon carbide technology. We are pioneers in this transformative era, steering towards a more electrified and efficient future.”
Business Outlook:
For its third quarter of fiscal 2024, Wolfspeed targets revenue from continuing operations in a range of $185 million to $215 million. GAAP net loss from continuing operations is targeted at $134 million to $155 million, or $1.07 to $1.23 per diluted share. Non-GAAP net loss from continuing operations is targeted to be in a range of $71 million to $87 million, or $0.57 to $0.69 per diluted share.
Targeted non GAAP net loss from continuing operations excludes $63 million to $68 million of estimated expenses, net of tax, primarily related to stock-based compensation expense, amortization of discount and debt issuance costs, net of capitalized interest, project, transformation and transaction costs and loss on Wafer Supply Agreement. The GAAP and non-GAAP targets from continuing operations do not include any estimated change in the fair value of the shares of MACOM common stock that we acquired in connection with the RF Business Divestiture.
Original – Wolfspeed
- Consolidated revenue of $208.4 million, compared to $173.8 million
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Siltronic AG has achieved its annual targets for 2023 according to preliminary, unaudited figures. The company achieved preliminary sales of EUR 1,514 million, a decrease of approximately 16 percent compared to the record sales of EUR 1,805 million in 2022. The target for the year was a decline in sales of 15 to 17 percent.
The main reason for the year-on-year decline was significantly weaker demand from the semiconductor industry due to increased inventories in the value chain. Since Siltronic nevertheless succeeded to keep sales prices stable, a preliminary EBITDA of EUR 434 million was achieved in 2023, resulting in a continued solid EBITDA margin of 29 percent. This was also within the expected target range of 28 to 30 percent.
The EBITDA for the record year 2022 amounted to EUR 672 million, though it should be noted that this included a one-off compensation payment of EUR 50 million as a result of the failed tender offer by GlobalWafers. The adjusted comparative figure for the EBITDA margin in 2022 was therefore 34.4 percent.
“We achieved our 2023 targets in a challenging environment. In particular, the EBITDA margin of 29 percent is very solid given the sharp decline in sales. The year 2023 was also marked by the construction of our new 300 mm fab in Singapore, which is on schedule to start operations at the beginning of 2024. The new state-of-the-art fab will contribute to Siltronic’s significant profitable growth in the medium and long term,” commented Dr. Michael Heckmeier, CEO of Siltronic AG.
Compared to the previous year, cost of sales decreased at a slower rate than sales due to a reduction in fixed costs, higher depreciation and inflationary cost increases, particularly for raw materials, supplies and labor.
Preliminary earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) were also significantly lower than in the previous year at EUR 231 million (2022: EUR 496 million, adjusted: EUR 446 million). Accordingly, the preliminary EBIT margin was 15 percent compared to an adjusted 24.7 percent in 2022.
Solid financial situation despite record investments
In the reporting year, Siltronic made record investments in property, plant and equipment and intangible assets of preliminary EUR 1,316 million (2022: EUR 1,074 million). This was mainly due to the new 300 mm wafer fab in Singapore and the expansion of the crystal pulling hall in Freiberg.
Considering the high future investments mentioned above, the preliminary net cash flow of EUR -664 million in 2023 is in line with expectations (2022: EUR -395 million). The high cash payments for capex and the dividend payment of EUR 90 million resulted in net financial debt of EUR 356 million by December 31, 2023 (2022: net financial assets of EUR 374 million).
Business development in Q4 2023
As announced, preliminary sales of EUR 357 million in Q4 2023 were slightly above the level of Q3 2023 (EUR 349 million). As expected, at a preliminary EUR 91 million, the EBITDA for Q4 2023 did not reach the level of the previous quarter (EUR 99 million), mainly due to a lower foreign exchange result, which is included in the balance of other operating income and expenses.
The preliminary quarterly EBIT amounted to EUR 37 million (Q3 2023: EUR 46 million). The EBIT margin reached 10 percent (Q3 2023: 13.3 percent). Despite increased investments, the preliminary net cash flow for Q4 2023 improved significantly to EUR -32 million (Q3 2023: EUR -215 million). This was mainly due to investment grants received in Q4 2023 and positive working capital effects.
Upcoming events
The audited financial results and the Annual Report 2023 will be published on March 12, 2024. On this day, the Management Board of Siltronic AG will hold a conference call with analysts and investors (in English only) at 10:00 am (CET). This call will be streamed over the Internet. The audio webcast will be available live and on demand on Siltronic’s website.
- March 12, 2024 Publication of the Annual Report 2023
- May 2, 2024 Quarterly Statement Q1 2024
- May 13, 2024 Annual General Meeting
- July 25, 2024 Half Year Report 2024
- October 24, 2024 Quarterly Statement Q3 2024
Original – Siltronic
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Qorvo® announced financial results for the Company’s fiscal 2024 third quarter ended December 30, 2023.
Strategic Highlights
- Grew quarterly revenue 44% year-over-year and exceeded high-point of revenue guidance by $49 million
- Recognized by top four China-based Android 5G OEMs with 2023 awards for innovation, quality, supply, technology and strategic partnership
- Signed definitive agreement to acquire Anokiwave, a leading supplier of high-performance silicon integrated circuits for intelligent active array antennas for D&A, SATCOM and 5G applications
On a GAAP basis, revenue for Qorvo’s fiscal 2024 third quarter was $1.074 billion, gross margin was 36.1%, operating loss was $42 million, and loss per share was $1.31. On a non-GAAP basis, gross margin was 43.8%, operating income was $237 million, and diluted earnings per share was $2.10.
Bob Bruggeworth, president and chief executive officer of Qorvo, said, “Strong execution by the Qorvo team resulted in robust December quarterly financial performance. During the quarter we continued to bring channel inventories down, and Qorvo shipments are now more closely aligned to end market demand. We are seeing incremental improvement in end market demand in the Android ecosystem, and we expect to achieve year-over-year revenue growth in all of Qorvo’s operating segments in the March quarter.”
Financial Commentary and Outlook
Grant Brown, chief financial officer of Qorvo, said, “Qorvo exceeded the mid-point of December quarterly guidance for revenue, gross margin and EPS, reflecting strong content on customer programs and improving channel inventories. During the quarter, Qorvo generated record cash flow from operations of $493 million and free cash flow of $467 million. Looking forward, we are capitalizing on global macro trends and multiyear technology upgrade cycles, and we expect this to support durable long-term growth.”
Qorvo’s current outlook for the March 2024 quarter is:
- Quarterly revenue of approximately $925 million, plus or minus $25 million
- Non-GAAP gross margin of approximately 42%
- Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share of approximately $1.20 at the midpoint of revenue
Original – Qorvo
