Semiconductor R&D spending at record high
Spending on semiconductor R&D reached record levels last year, new research shows.
The increase is expected to lift R&D spending by chip companies to 16.2% of total semiconductor sales in 2012, which are now forecast to rise 3% to $329.8billion from revenues of $321.4bn in 2011.
Unsurprisingly, number one ranked Intel accounted for 32% of the top 10 spending and about 17% of total R&D expenses.
Fifth ranked Qualcomm, the industry's largest fabless semiconductor supplier, increased its R&D spending by 25%, while silicon foundry giant TSMC raised its amount by 23%.
