Constant innovations in tech have led to newer and more efficient ways to go about everyday life, from tasks as simple as turning on the lights to revolutionary developments in the medical field that make surgery and the production of life-saving medication more precise. But when it comes down to the bedrock of these innovations — the very components that make our technology possible — it’s the semiconductor industry we have to thank.
From the production of processors and ICs to sensors and displays, semiconductor technology and silicon engineering are an enormous part of what has turned Silicon Valley into the tech beacon that it is today. When tracing tech developments back to their origins, these Silicon Valley semiconductor companies are the ones you should know.
Semiconductor Companies in Silicon Valley
- Alien Technology
- Applied Materials
- GCT Semiconductor
- Intel
- Rambus
- SiFive
- SiTime
Founded: 1994
Location: San Jose
What they do: Alien Technology creates essential RFID devices that allow for proper tracking and control over inventory in the retail, transportation, life sciences and additional industries. UHF Passive EPCglobal Gen2 and ISO/IEC 18000-6c compliant RFID chips from Alien Technology allow for high performance in challenging environments, with robust readers, antennas, tags and labels available as well.
Founded: 1967
Location: Santa Clara
What they do: Applied Materials is an expert at modifying materials at atomic levels on an industrial scale, with solutions used to produce an enormous volume of the world’s chips and advanced displays. The company’s solutions have led to huge developments in solar, automation, display and additional semiconductor technologies, and Applied Materials also provides consulting services to support companies' manufacturing and supply chains.
Founded: 2004
Location: Santa Clara
What they do: Crocus Technology develops and supplies magnetic sensors and embedded memory solutions used in developing technology for industrial applications, consumer electronics and the Internet of Things. Magnetic sensor products from Crocus utilize the company’s patented Magnetic Logic Unit technology to exhibit enhanced sensitivity and programming capabilities with a smaller footprint, lower power consumption and thermal isolation.
Founded: 1998
Location: San Jose
What they do: GCT Semiconductor’s system-on-chip solutions integrate radio frequency, baseband modem and digital signal processing functions to offer 4G solutions with small form factors and lower power consumption. Designed to further capabilities in router, CPE, mobile hotspot, smartphone and IoT technology, products from GCT Semiconductors can be found in smart cars and smart cities alike.
Founded: 1968
Location: Santa Clara
What they do: Intel develops and manufactures massive amounts of computer hardware products for use on a global scale, from chipsets and processor units to memory solutions, storage and power solutions. The company’s lines of processor units, including the Core, Xeon, Pentium and Celeron series, have become standard-issue in PCs from a variety of manufacturers while Intel continues to innovate in the fields of AI and computer vision.
Founded: 1990
Location: Sunnyvale
What they do: Rambus is a manufacturer of IPs that deliver high speeds, enhanced security and best-in-class memory capabilities. With solutions for markets including data centers, IoT devices, machine learning, edge computing and more, Rambus powers devices with the necessary technology to compete in a world bolstered by increased 5G and AI capabilities.
Founded: 2015
Location: San Mateo
What they do: SiFive offers a radically different approach when it comes to designing CPUs and IPs for use in any situation, offering customizable units that can be designed in as little as one hour. The company’s platform offers a simple, step-by-step approach to creating the best core and chip designs for all use cases, with additional IP and board products available from SiFive as well.
Founded: 2005
Location: Santa Clara
What they do: SiTime designs and manufactures MEMS timing solutions — crucial components to the operation of our most commonly used devices. Oscillators and resonators from SiTime use silicon as opposed to quartz, leading to smaller component sizes, lower power consumption and better overall performance when applied to infrastructural, automotive, industrial, IoT, mobile, aerospace and consumer devices.
Founded: 2000
Location: Fremont
What they do: Solaria is a leader in creating reliable solar panel technology designed with efficiency, reliability and quality in mind. The company utilizes automation when designing its technology and devotes large amounts of the panel’s front surface to generating power, leading to solar panels that are more efficient with a smaller footprint.
