Mark,
For some context. Data from SIA (http://www.semichips.org):
"Revenues for microprocessors, the brains of personal computers, grew by 29.9 percent in 1995 and 29.8 percent in 1996. This year, the WSTS projects that microprocessor sales will leap by 32.9 percent to $24.6 billion. MPU sales should then increase 26 percent in 1998 to $31.0 billion, 21.2 percent in 1999 to $37.6 billion, and 19.4 percent in 2000 to $44.9 billion.
Today, MPUs account for 17.8 percent of all semiconductor sales. That percentage should rise to 18.3 percent by the year 2000, the WSTS predicts.
In 1997, for the first time, microprocessor sales will exceed DRAM revenues.
Here are other highlights of the 1997-2000 forecast:
...
The MOS Micro market, which includes microprocessors and digital signal processors, remains the strongest semiconductor product line. After growing 19.3 percent in 1996, the MOS Micro market should increase 23.3 percent this year, 23.1 percent in 1998, and 21.5 percent in 1999 and 2000. Total sales should reach $49.1 billion in 1997, $60.5 billion in 1998, $73.4 billion in 1999 and $89.3 billion in 2000."
How much of this is even a potential market in which to sell the efp products? Even if one eliminates the PC and workstation markets where high end processors have FP units there is a very large market and one that is growing quickly, as indicated earlier by the designation of the "third wave" of computing.
I called the company yesterday and talked to Pat Vitucci, and later called and talked to Dr. Shanks for almost an hour. When some time permits I will report on our conversation.
Mark Nispel
Embedded Software Engineer
Not yet a share holder
Not affiliated with the company in any way |
