tag: DFT

Testing For Thermal Issues Becomes More Difficult
By Gregory Haley - 10 Dec, 2024 - Comments: 0

Increasingly complex and heterogeneous architectures, coupled with the adoption of high-performance materials, are making it much more difficult to identify and test for thermal issues in advanced packages. For a single SoC, compressing higher functionality into a smaller area concentrates the processing and makes thermal effects more predictable. But that processing can happen anywhere in a... » read more

Strain Engineering in 2D FETs (UCSB)
By Technical Paper Link - 07 Oct, 2024 - Comments: 0

A new technical paper titled "Strain engineering in 2D FETs: Physics, status, and prospects" was published by researchers at UC Santa Barbara. "In this work, we explore the physics and evaluate the merits of strain engineering in two-dimensional van der Waals semiconductor-based FETs (field-effect-transistors) using DFT (density functional theory) to determine the modulation of the channel m... » read more

Standardizing Defect Coverage In Analog/Mixed Signal Test
By Gregory Haley - 10 Sep, 2024 - Comments: 0

A newly drafted IEEE standard will bring more consistency to defect metrics in analog/mixed (AMS) designs, a long-overdue step that has become too difficult to ignore in the costly heterogeneous assemblies being deployed inside of data centers and mobile devices. Standardizing analog is no simple feat due to the legacy approach to AMS design, and this is not the first attempt at improving te... » read more

Challenges And Outlook Of ATE Testing For 2nm SoCs
By Sriharsha Vinjamury - 08 Aug, 2024 - Comments: 0

The transition to the 2nm technology node introduces unprecedented challenges in Automated Test Equipment (ATE) bring-up and manufacturability. As semiconductor devices scale down, the complexity of testing and ensuring manufacturability increases exponentially. 3nm silicon is a mastered art now, with yields hitting pretty high for even complex packaged silicon, while the transition from 3nm to... » read more

Ensuring Multi-Die Package Quality And Reliability
By Faisal Goriawalla - 08 Aug, 2024 - Comments: 0

Multi-die designs are gaining broader adoption in a wide variety of end applications, including high-performance computing, artificial intelligence (AI), automotive, and mobile. Despite clear advantages, there are new challenges that need to be addressed for successful multi-die realization. This article gives a high-level overview of the multi-die test challenges that go beyond the design p... » read more

Functional Compaction for Functional Test Sequences (Purdue University, I. Pomeranz)
By Technical Paper Link - 17 Jul, 2024 - Comments: 0

A new technical paper titled "Functional Compaction for Functional Test Sequences" was published by IEEE Fellow Irith Pomeranz at Purdue University. Abstract: "The occurrence of silent data corruption because of hardware defects in large scale data centers points to the advantages of applying functional test sequences to detect hardware defects that escape scan-based tests. When using funct... » read more

Overview of Test Strategies for 3DICs
By Technical Paper Link - 26 Jun, 2024 - Comments: 0

A new technical paper titled "Design-for-Test Solutions for 3D Integrated Circuits" was published by researchers at Duke University, Arizona State University, and NVIDIA. Abstract: "As Moore's Law approaches its limits, 3D integrated circuits (ICs) have emerged as promising alternatives to conventional scaling methodologies. However, the benefits of 3D integration in terms of lower power co... » read more

Understanding Scandump: A Key Silicon Debugging Technique
By Vincent Yang - 13 Jun, 2024 - Comments: 0

Scandump is an advanced silicon debugging technique that ingeniously repurposes DFT (Design For Testability) scan chains for functional debugging. This method allows for the extraction of states from registers or latches that are stitched into the scan chains, providing critical diagnostic insights. Scandump is particularly invaluable when the CPU is deadlocked or when the system hardware bec... » read more

Hidden Costs And Tradeoffs In IC Quality
By Gregory Haley - 08 Feb, 2024 - Comments: 0

Balancing reliability against cost is becoming more difficult for semiconductor test, as chip complexity increases and devices become more domain-specific. Tests need to be efficient and effective without breaking the bank, while also ensuring chips are of sufficient quality for their specific application. The problem is that every new IC device adds its own set of challenges, from smaller f... » read more

Closing The Test And Metrology Gap In 3D-IC Packages
By Gregory Haley - 12 Dec, 2023 - Comments: 0

The industry is investing in more precise and productive inspection and testing to enable advanced packages and eventually, 3D ICs. The next generations of aerospace, automotive, smartphone, and wearable tech most likely will be powered by multiple layers of intricately connected silicon, a stark departure from the planar landscapes of traditional integrated circuits. These 3D-ICs, compos... » read more

← Older posts

  • Sponsors

About

Navigation

Connect With Us

Copyright ©2013-2024 SMG   |  Terms of Service  |  Privacy Policy