Next Steps For Improving Yield


Chipmakers are ramping new tools and methodologies to achieve sufficient yield faster, despite smaller device dimensions, a growing number of systematic defects, immense data volumes, and massive competitive pressure. Whether a 3nm process is ramping, or a 28nm process is being tuned, the focus is on reducing defectivity. The challenge is to rapidly identify indicators that can improve yield... » read more

How To Improve Yield Ramp For New Designs And Technology Nodes


The complicated silicon defect types and defect distribution of new IC manufacturing technologies can result in very low yield for new designs and technology nodes. During technology qualification using test chips, scan chain failures account for most of the chip failures. Diagnosing those scan chain defects is a powerful way to uncover new and systematic defects. The chip maker’s goal is ... » read more

Week In Review: Design, Low Power


Earnings and Acquisitions Siemens will acquire Avery Design Systems, a simulation-independent verification IP supplier, in the first quarter of fiscal year 2023. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Siemens executives say the acquisition will “enhance Siemens’ offerings across mainstream verification IP segments, while further extending Siemens verification solutions into area... » read more

Week In Review: Semiconductor Manufacturing, Test


Nikkei Asia reports the U.S. is urging allies, including Japan, to restrict exports of advanced semiconductors and related technology to China. The U.S. holds 12% of the global semiconductor market, Japan has a 15% share, while Taiwan and South Korea each have about a 20% share. Some U.S. companies have called for other countries to adopt U.S.-style export curbs, arguing it is unfair for only A... » read more

Week In Review: Auto, Security, Pervasive Computing


Automotive, mobility Saudi Arabia has launched an electric vehicle (EV) company called Ceer. The company is a joint venture between the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudia Arabia and Foxconn (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co.). SiMa.ai, a four-year-old startup that designs edge machine learning SoCs used in vision applications, is getting into the automotive assisted driving market. The com... » read more

What You Need To Know About Qualifying Tools For DO-254 Programs


By Michelle Lange and Tammy Reeve, Patmos Engineering Services, and Jacob Wiltgen, Siemens EDA DO-254, which is required for airborne electronics development, is a design assurance standard. Design assurance requires multiple layers of review and verification within the development process to ensure safe operation of the design being produced. This means when an engineer is doing design work... » read more

How Do You Qualify Tools For DO-254 Programs?


This paper describes the terminology and requirements related to tool qualification specific to the safety-critical programs governed by DO-254 compliance. It also provides some practical examples of tool qualification processes and strategies for commonly used tools. Qualifying tools for DO-254 While the use of state-of-the art development tools has led to ever increasing design complexity... » read more

Blog Review: Nov. 2


Siemens EDA's Harry Foster examines how successful FPGA projects are in terms of verification effectiveness, finding that only 16% of all FPGA projects were able to achieve no non-trivial bug escapes into production, worse than IC/ASIC in terms of first silicon success. Synopsys' Jamie Boote and The Chertoff Group's David London break down best practice guidance and directives U.S. governmen... » read more

Chip Design Shifts As Fundamental Laws Run Out Of Steam


Dennard scaling is gone, Amdahl's Law is reaching its limit, and Moore's Law is becoming difficult and expensive to follow, particularly as power and performance benefits diminish. And while none of that has reduced opportunities for much faster, lower-power chips, it has significantly shifted the dynamics for their design and manufacturing. Rather than just different process nodes and half ... » read more

Week In Review: Semiconductor Manufacturing, Test


This week saw more fallout from U.S. export controls: SK hynix may consider selling its memory chip production facilities in China if recently imposed controls make it too difficult to continue operations there, according to Nikkei Asia. "As a contingency plan, we are considering selling the fab, selling the equipment or transferring the equipment to South Korea," said Kevin Noh, SK hynix ... » read more

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