Advanced R&D for prepositioning strategies: the economics of platform shift in high technological velocity environments

International audienceThis paper addresses the design of platform, and more precisely the economics of platform shift in industries with high technological velocity. A platform consists in fixing some design dimensions (such as basic components, modules or processes) to get better performance on some other dimensions (flexibility of alternative development, enhanced variety, lower costs). Platform design consists in using a stock of design rules to find the right balance between fixed parameters and to be defined parameters for a certain time period. In high technological velocity (HTV) environment this time period can become very short so that platform renewal becomes critical. Moreover in this HTV environment, the stock of design rules becomes obsolete so that platform renewal can take several forms: this can range from "adaptation" (development activity makes the optimal use of existing stock) to "anticipation" (research activity produces new design rules to prepare the development of the next platform). In this paper we propose an economic model of platform renewal to compare these strategies, depending on the technological velocity. We show where anticipation and adaptation are relevant and what is the optimal level of research compared to development. Moreover we show that an alternate strategy, called "prepositioning", based on advanced R&D (ARD) and consisting in renewing the stock of design rules for several generations, would be interesting in case of HTV. We then illustrate its insights through a case study in a typical HTV industry, semiconductor industry. This enables us to propose an explanation of complex platform renewal strategies. The article closes with managerial implications and directions for further research in platform renewal

Quantum Random Number Generation Using a Quanta Image Sensor

A new quantum random number generation method is proposed. The method is based on the randomness of the photon emission process and the single photon counting capability of the Quanta Image Sensor (QIS). It has the potential to generate high-quality random numbers with remarkable data output rate. In this paper, the principle of photon statistics and theory of entropy are discussed. Sample data were collected with QIS jot device, and its randomness quality was analyzed. The randomness assessment method and results are discussed

Évaluation et pilotage des activités de recherche dans la R&D centrale de STMicroelectronics : nouveaux principes de management de la recherche industrielle pour l'innovation de rupture

The semiconductor industry is a science-based sector, and an area where there is clearly a drive for intensive innovation and R&D. Its industrial dynamics are based on competence, skill acquisition and rapid product renewal in order to keep up (and reinforce) the strategic coordination activity described as Moore's law. In addition, these industrial dynamics relate to elaborating this strategic game to include more elements, known as "More than Moore", and to explore what this new coordinated design field could be. More specifically, the context of More than Moore is characterized by disruptive innovation and roadmaps are developed to structure these repeated (mostly planned) technological breakthroughs. The above context is visible in one of the world leaders in the semiconductor industry, STMicroelectronics, and the fast pace and new situation of More than Moore, requires that research evaluation and monitoring should involve original management tools. The activities reported in this thesis, are structured along three research lines: (1) research and absorptive capacity, (2) research and platform renewal and (3) research and industrial property. I suggest that classical research evaluation tools should be extended and discussed. 1-Research has often been considered as a way to improve "absorptive capacity". The design reasoning study in several research projects led us to distinguish Epistemic Absorptive Capacity from a Conceptual Absorptive Capacity. Highly innovative research activities consist in augmenting the latter capacity. 2-Research is often considered as a means to prepare future product generations. Modeling platform renewal logics led us to emphasize an advanced research role: design rule asset renewal. 3-Research is often considered as a way to enhance industrial property. The use of a method derived from C-K Theory (which is called C-K Invent), allowed the development of a new patent design capability.La microélectronique est une industrie 'science-based', intensive en recherche. La dynamique industrielle passe par un renouvellement régulier des compétences et des produits (qui suivent la loi de Moore et explorent ce que pourrait être "More than Moore"). Plus précisément, cette situation d'innovation intensive est caractérisée par une logique de "rupture technologique répétée". STMicroelectronics a fait l'hypothèse qu'un tel contexte appelait des formes originales de pilotage et d'évaluation des activités de recherche avancée. Le travail de thèse a consisté à étudier trois facettes de cette question: recherche et " capacité d'absorption ", recherche et renouvellement des plateformes, recherche et propriété industrielle. Le travail montre que le contexte de rupture invite à réviser et étendre ces notions. 1- La recherche est considérée comme une façon d'améliorer la "capacité d'absorption" de l'entreprise. Grâce à l'étude des raisonnements de conception sur plusieurs activités de recherche nous distinguons une forme "épistémique" de cette capacité d'une forme "conceptuelle", la seconde caractérisant les projets de conception innovante. 2- La recherche est considérée comme un moyen de préparer les futures générations de produits. La modélisation économique du renouvellement de plateformes, souligne son rôle spécifique vis-à-vis du capital de règle (peu pris en compte dans les calculs de rentabilité). La contribution de cette recherche pour la rupture consiste à identifier des concepts originaux et génériques. 3- La recherche est enfin considérée comme un moyen de renouveler la propriété industrielle, les brevets protégeant des efforts de R&D réalisés. Or pour la recherche de rupture, il s'agit de concevoir des brevets sans développer entièrement des technologies. Nous proposons la méthode 'C-K Invent' dérivée de la théorie C-K qui a permis de développer de nouvelles capacités de conception de brevets dans le cadre de technologies 3D

Innovative field exploration and Associated patent portfolio design models

Patents play an ever-increasing role in the modern economies and are often used as a measure of technology innovativeness. This paper deals with the innovative field exploration where companies are constantly under pressure to generate high quality patents that will ensure future firms growth, their survival and protect their inventions. This work builds on the existing methods of patent modeling that appear to be adapted for disruptive innovation. By drawing on the patentability criteria, their interpretation in the patent model driven by the design theory frameworks like Concept-Knowledge theory, the paper examines the means of applicability of these methods within the high-velocity industries like semiconductors or nanotechnologies. As a result, two processes of patent design are exhibited: 1) technology design that brings to define patent proposals or 2) patent proposals design that add new innovative attributes prior to technology creation. The insights are given on which approach companies have to pursue regarding their problematic