Fundamentals of Power Amplifier Testing


The power amplifier (PA) – as either a discrete component or part of an integrated front end module (FEM) – is one of the most integral RF integrated circuits (RFICs) in the modern radio. In this application note, you will learn the basics of testing RF PAs and FEMs through an interactive application note with multiple how-to videos. When characterizing the performance of an RF PA, engin... » read more

Reducing Risk In The Semiconductor Supply Chain


Companies that were hit with chip shortages during the pandemic are changing their strategies to prevent future problems, deploying a combination of supply chain mapping, second sourcing, and digital transformation. Those shortages caused a $200 billion loss for automotive manufacturers, and the disruptions were far more widespread, in many cases lasting for years. Companies of all sorts wer... » read more

Can Models Created With AI Be Trusted?


EDA models that are created using AI need to pass more stringent quality and cost benefit analysis compared to many AI applications in the broader industry. Money is hanging on the line if AI gets it wrong, and all the associated costs must be factored into the equation. Models are some of the most expensive things a development team can create, and it is important to understand the value th... » read more

AI/ML Challenges In Test and Metrology


The integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) into semiconductor test and metrology is redefining the landscape for chip fabrication, which will be essential at advanced nodes and in increasingly dense advanced packages. Fabs today are inundated by vast amounts of data collected across multiple manufacturing processes, and AI/ML solutions are viewed as essential for... » read more

Strategies For Detecting Sources Of Silent Data Corruption


Engineering teams are wrestling with how to identify the root causes of silent data corruption (SDC) in a timely and cost-effective way, but the solutions are turning out to be broader and more complex than simply fixing a single defect. This is particularly vexing for data center reliability, accessibility and serviceability (RAS) engineering teams, because even the best tools and methodolo... » read more

Chip Industry Silos Are Crimping Advances


Change is never easy, but it is more difficult when it involves organizational restructuring. The pace of such restructuring has been increasing over the past decade, and often it is more difficult to incorporate than technological advancements. This is due to the siloed nature of the semiconductor industry, both within the industry itself, and its relationship to surrounding industries. Inc... » read more

Pressure Builds On Failure Analysis Labs


Failure analysis labs are becoming more fab-like, offering higher accuracy in locating failures and accelerating time-to-market of new devices. These labs historically have been used for deconstructing devices that failed during field use, known as return material authorizations (RMAs), but their role is expanding. They now are becoming instrumental in achieving first silicon and ramping yie... » read more

Application-Oriented Testing Of SiC Power Semiconductors


SiC (silicon carbide) has established itself as an important material in the semiconductor market because it has many outstanding properties. In comparison with silicon, SiC offers a higher electrical breakdown voltage, resulting in improved component performance and efficiency. It also allows for operation at higher temperatures, which makes heat dissipation easier and enables improved perform... » read more

Testing ICs Faster, Sooner, And Better


The infrastructure around semiconductor testing is changing as companies build systems capable of managing big data, utilizing real-time data streams and analysis to reduce escape rates on complex IC devices. At the heart of these tooling and operational changes is the need to solve infant mortality issues faster, and to catch latent failures before they become reliability problems in the fi... » read more

System State Challenges Widen


Knowing the state of a system is essential for many analysis and debug tasks, but it's becoming more difficult in heterogeneous systems that are crammed with an increasing array of features. There is a limit as to how many things engineers can keep track of, and the complexity of today's systems extends far beyond that. Hierarchy and abstraction are used to help focus on the important aspect... » read more

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