Failure Analysis Of Electronic Devices Using Scanning Acoustic Microscopy


Scanning acoustic microscopy, or SAM, is a non-destructive technique used in failure analysis of complex devices. SAM can provide a resolution down to sub-micron thicknesses. SAM is an efficient tool for analysis of adhesion between layers and presence of possible flaws in each layer. This can be used e.g. for investigations of sealing, coating, flip-chip underfills, BGA, QFN, wafer to wafer ... » read more

Using ML For Post-Silicon Validation


Ira Leventhal, vice president of Advantest’s new concept product initiative, talks about how to use machine learning to ferret out hidden relationships in a complex design and to utilize that data to improve chips. » read more

5G Drives New Test Approaches


Test/validation providers are claiming steady progress in the race to deliver 5G network components that support millimeter-wave as well as lower-frequency networks. Going from a state of no existing off-the-shelf test equipment suitable for 5G standalone new radio (NR), test companies are introducing equipment that can handle mmWave component testing on a limited scale. 5G is a next-generat... » read more

Clean Focus, Dose And CD Metrology For CD Uniformity Improvement


Authors: Honggoo Leea, Sangjun Hana, Minhyung Honga, Seungyong Kima, Jieun Leea, DongYoung Leea, Eungryong Oha, Ahlin Choia, Nakyoon Kimb, John C. Robinsonc, Markus Mengelc, Pablo Rovirac, Sungchul Yooc, Raphael Getinc, Dongsub Choib, Sanghuck Jeonb aSK Hynix, 2091, Gyeongchung-daero, Bubal-eub, Icheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, 467-701, Korea bKLA-Tencor Korea, Starplaza bldg., 53 Metapolis-ro, Hwasung... » read more

Hacking SoC IP Under Pressure


Hack@DAC certainly shows that some teams can find bugs faster than others. The hackfest, now in its third year, is a bug-finding contest for teams of university students joined by a smattering of industry members whose task is to find a bugs implanted in SoC IP.  The teams follow the practices of real-world security teams. “[The teams'] objective is to identify the security vulnerabilitie... » read more

Manufacturing Bits: June 10


Predicting warpage in packages At the recent IEEE Electronic Components and Technology Conference (ECTC) in Las Vegas, there were several papers on ways to predict variation and warpage in IC packages. Advanced packages are prone to unwanted warpage during the process flow. The warpage challenges escalate as the packages become thinner. Warpage in turn can impact yields in IC packages. ... » read more

ECTC Packaging Trends


At the recent IEEE Electronic Components and Technology Conference (ECTC) in Las Vegas, a number of packaging houses, R&D organizations and universities presented a slew of papers on the latest IC packaging technologies. The event provided a glimpse of the future of packaging, which is becoming more important in the industry. At one time, IC packaging took a backseat in the semiconductor... » read more

System Bits: June 10


SlothBot swings through the trees, slowly A robot that doesn’t often move, spending its days, weeks, months, in the forest canopy, monitoring the local environment – that’s SlothBot, from the Georgia Institute of Technology. The robot has two photovoltaic solar panels for its power source. It is designed to stay in the trees for months at a time. It’s gone through trials on the Geor... » read more

Power/Performance Bits: June 10


Quantum dots plus perovskites Researchers at the University of Toronto and KAUST created a hybrid material for solar cells that utilizes both perovskites and quantum dots. Both quantum dots and perovskites suffer from instability: perovskites degrade quickly and certain types become incapable of fully absorbing solar radiation at room temperature, while quantum dots must be covered with a p... » read more

Disregard Safety And Security At Your Own Peril


Semiconductor Engineering sat down to discuss industry attitudes towards safety and security with Dave Kelf, chief marketing officer for Breker Verification; Jacob Wiltgen, solutions architect for functional safety at Mentor, a Siemens Business; David Landoll, solutions architect for OneSpin Solutions; Dennis Ciplickas, vice president of characterization solutions at PDF Solutions; Andrew Dauma... » read more

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