Hidden Impacts Of Software Updates


Over-the-air updates can reduce obsolescence over longer chip and system lifetimes, but those updates also can impact reliability, performance, and affect how various resources such as memory and various processing elements are used. The connected world is very familiar with over-the-air (OTA) updates in smart phones and computers, where the software stack — firmware, operating systems, dr... » read more

Photomask Shortages Grow At Mature Nodes


A surge in demand for chips at mature nodes, coupled with aging photomask-making equipment at those geometries, are causing significant concern across the supply chain. These issues began to surface only recently, but they are particularly worrisome for photomasks, which are critical for chip production. Manufacturing capacity is especially tight for photomasks at 28nm and above, driving up ... » read more

Strategies For Faster Yield Ramps On 5nm Chips


Leading chipmakers TSMC and Samsung are producing 5nm devices in high volume production and TSMC is forging ahead with plans for first 3nm silicon by year end. But to meet such aggressive targets, engineers must identify defects and ramp yield faster than before. Getting a handle on EUV stochastic defects — non-repeating patterning defects such as microbridges, broken lines, or missing con... » read more

Extracting Intrinsic Mechanical Properties Of Thin Low-Dielectric Constant Materials With iTF Analysis


This white paper focuses on the optimization and use of Bruker’s iTF software package for the extraction of intrinsic (substrate independent) mechanical properties, particularly for thin, low-k materials. These considerations are split into two main parts: Measurement procedure (Section II) and iTF execution (Section III). The former outlines important aspects of acquiring proper experimental... » read more

Week In Review: Auto, Security, Pervasive Computing


Automotive, mobility Qualcomm completed its acquisition of Arriver Business from SSW Partners. Arriver’s Driver Assistance, Computer Vision, and Drive Policy assets will become part of the Snapdragon Ride Platform. SSW Partners, a New York-based investment partnership, has acquired all shares in Veoneer, retaining its Tier-1 supplier and integrator businesses. Hyundai Motor Group gave Inf... » read more

Week In Review: Manufacturing, Test


Worldwide fab equipment spending for front-end manufacturing is expected to hit $107 billion this year, an 18% year-over-year increase, according to SEMI’s latest World Fab Forecast report. “Crossing the $100 billion mark in spending on global fab equipment for the first time is a historic milestone for the semiconductor industry,” said Ajit Manocha, president and CEO of SEMI. Investme... » read more

Fundamental Shifts In IC Manufacturing Processes


High chip value and 3D packaging are changing where and how tests are performed, tightening design-for-reliability and accelerating the shift of tools from lab to fab. Heterogeneous integration and more domain-specific designs are causing a string of disruptions for chip manufacturers, up-ending proven fab processes and methodologies, extending the time it takes to manufacture a chip, and ul... » read more

HBM, Nanosheet FETs Drive X-ray Fab Use


Paul Ryan, vice president and general manager of Bruker’s X-ray Business, sat down with Semiconductor Engineering to discuss the movement of x-ray metrology into manufacturing to better control nanosheet film stacks and solder bump quality. SE: Where are you seeing the greatest growth right now, and what are the critical drivers for your technology from the application side? Ryan: One b... » read more

Week In Review: Manufacturing, Test


Chipmakers Intel has announced a definitive agreement to acquire Tower, a specialty foundry vendor, for approximately $5.4 billion. With the acquisition of Tower, Intel expands its efforts in the foundry business, and put its rivals on notice. With Tower, Intel gains access to mature processes as well as specialty technologies, such as analog, CMOS image sensor, MEMS, power management and RF. ... » read more

A Guide To FT‑NIR Spectroscopy In The Chemical Lab


Quality control in the chemical and petrochemical industry is a complex task. Often the many different parameters need to be analyzed using a wide variety of instruments and complex workflows. Timing is also very important — the production team needs results within minutes, not hours. FT-NIR can help you simplify analysis routines in the lab. Often, many different parameters can be analyzed w... » read more

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