HKUST Opens First Semiconductor Analysis Center in Hong Kong

For release

12 December 2001

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A new semiconductor product analysis center that will sharpen the competitive edge of the local

semiconductor industry was inaugurated today (12 December) at the Hong Kong University of

Science and Technology (HKUST).

The opening of the Semiconductor Product Analysis and Design Enhancement (SPADE) Center

(www.ust.hk/spade) was officiated by Francis S W Ho, Commissioner for Innovation & Technology, and

Prof Otto Lin, HKUST’s Vice-President for Research and Development.

The first of its kind in Hong Kong, the SPADE Center is equipped with over HK$15 million

worth of cutting-edge failure analysis and testing equipment. It was established with the generous

support of HK$14.9 million by the Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF), and a matching

sponsorship of HK$2.4 million by more than 20 local semiconductor companies.

Semiconductor companies in Hong Kong are mostly integrated circuit (IC) design and

manufacturing houses, user companies or “fabless” design houses. With the establishment of the

SPADE Center, small- and medium-sized semiconductor companies no longer have to go to Taiwan or

Singapore for product analysis, design enhancement and failure analysis. Their IC samples will be

analyzed, debugged, modified and optimized right in Hong Kong. This will shorten production time

significantly while lowering manufacturing costs, resulting in the development of high value-added

semiconductor products.

Since commencing operation in May, the SPADE Center has provided product analysis service

for more than 30 local semiconductor companies, including ON Semiconductor and SOLOMON

Systech Ltd, two of its major sponsors.

Nurturing local professionals is another key mission of the SPADE Center, which provides

failure analysis and product development training for staff of these companies. The Center’s advanced

laboratory infrastructure is also designed to attract more international semiconductor companies to

open their IC design houses and development offices in Hong Kong.

“The world semiconductor market is expanding rapidly and the demand for design talents is

huge. The Chinese Mainland is investing heavily in its semiconductor industry with the establishment

of a number of fabrication lines recently. If Hong Kong is to grab the momentum and develop its own

semiconductor design industry, substantial government support in the training of local talents is

essential,” said Prof Johnny Sin, Director of the SPADE Center and HKUST Professor of Electrical and

Electronic Engineering.

“Taiwan, one of our close neighbors, is investing hundreds of millions of dollars to train

thousands of circuit designers in the next few years. We must seize the opportunity or we’ll be lagging

far behind,” he said.

For media enquiries only:

Jacky Tsang

Tel: 2358-6306

email: patsang@ust.hk