Addressing High Precision Automated Optical Inspection Challenges With Unique 3D Technology Solution


Driven by the continued decrease in the size of electronics packaging, combined with the increase in density, there is a critical need for highly accurate 3D inspection for defect detection. Using multi-view 3D sensors and parallel projection, it is possible to capture more of the board at a faster rate as compared to serial image acquisition, which is more time consuming. Precise 3D image r... » read more

Fabs Drive Deeper Into Machine Learning


Advanced machine learning is beginning to make inroads into yield enhancement methodology as fabs and equipment makers seek to identify defectivity patterns in wafer images with greater accuracy and speed. Each month a wafer fabrication factory produces tens of millions of wafer-level images from inspection, metrology, and test. Engineers must analyze that data to improve yield and to reject... » read more

Making Test Transparent With Better Data


Data is critical for a variety of processes inside the fab. The challenge is getting enough consistent data from different equipment and then plugging it back into the design, manufacturing, and test flows to quickly improve the process and uncover hard-to-find defective die. Progress is being made. The inspection and test industry is on the cusp of having more dynamic ways to access the dat... » read more

Automotive: Innovations, Trends And The Intersection With Semiconductors


The semiconductor industry performed better than expected in 2020 despite the impact of COVID-19 on the global economy and is preparing for accelerated growth in 2021 and beyond. The global coronavirus pandemic significantly increased demand for communications electronics and fueled the growth in cloud computing to support remote work and learning. Semiconductor manufacturers, many running at p... » read more

Memory Technology: Innovations needed for continued technology scaling and enabling advanced computing systems


Abstract: "An increasing demand for data generation, storage, and intelligence generation from data is driving advances in memory technology and advanced computing applications. Memory performance is starting to define modern day computing in both mobile and server environments. There is an absolute need to continue the tremendous pace of memory technology improvements to deliver performanc... » read more

Dynamic Flash Memory with Dual Gate Surrounding Gate Transistor (SGT)


Abstract: "This paper proposes an ultra-scaled memory device, called `Dynamic Flash Memory (DFM)'. With a dual-gate Surrounding Gate Transistor (SGT), a capacitorless 4F2 cell can be achieved. Similar to DRAM [1], refresh is needed, but high speed block refresh can improve the duty ratio. Analogous to Flash [2], three fundamental operations of “0” Erase, “1” Program, and Read are nee... » read more

Convolutional Compaction-Based MRAM Fault Diagnosis


Abstract: "Spin-transfer torque magnetoresistive random-access memories (STT-MRAMs) are gradually superseding conventional SRAMs as last-level cache in System-on-Chip designs. Their manufacturing process includes trimming a reference resistance in STT-MRAM modules to reliably determine the logic values of 0 and 1 during read operations. Typically, an on-chip trimming routine consists of mult... » read more

MBIST-supported Trim Adjustment to Compensate Thermal Behavior of MRAM


Abstract: "Spin Transfer Torque Magnetic Random Access Memory (STT-MRAM) is one of the most promising candidates to replace conventional embedded memory such as Static RAM and Dynamic RAM. However, due to the small on/off ratio of MRAM cells, process variations may reduce the operating margin of a chip. Reference trimming was suggested as one of the ways to reduce variation impact to the chi... » read more

Intermittent Undefined State Fault in RRAMs


Abstract: " Industry is prototyping and commercializing Resistive Random Access Memories (RRAMs). Unfortunately, RRAM devices introduce new defects and faults. Hence, high-quality test solutions are urgently needed. Based on silicon measurements, this paper identifies a new RRAM unique fault, the Intermittent Undefined State Fault (IUSF); this fault causes the RRAM device to intermittently c... » read more

Week In Review: Manufacturing, Test


OEMs For some time, the automotive industry has suffered due to chip shortages in the market. And the chip shortages are spreading into other markets. In the latest news, GM plans to idle key truck plants amid chip shortages, according to a report from Bloomberg. “GM said eight of its 14 North American assembly plants will experience shutdowns this month because of chip shortages, includi... » read more

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