Aging, Complexity, And AI In Analog Design


Experts at the Table: Semiconductor Engineering sat down to discuss abstraction in analog vs. digital, how analog circuits age, the growing role of AI, and why there is so much margin in analog designs, with Mo Faisal, president and CEO of Movellus; Hany Elhak, executive director of product management at Synopsys; Cedric Pujol, product manager at Keysight; and Pradeep Thiagarajan, principal pro... » read more

Signals In The Noise: Tackling High-Frequency IC Test


The need for high-frequency semiconductor devices is surging, fueled by growing demand for advanced telecommunications, faster sensors, and increasingly autonomous vehicles. The advent of millimeter-wave communication in 5G and 6G is pushing manufacturers to develop chips capable of handling frequencies that were once considered out of reach. However, while these technologies promise faster ... » read more

Intel Vs. Samsung Vs. TSMC


The three leading-edge foundries — Intel, Samsung, and TSMC — have started filling in some key pieces in their roadmaps, adding aggressive delivery dates for future generations of chip technology and setting the stage for significant improvements in performance with faster delivery time for custom designs. Unlike in the past, when a single industry roadmap dictated how to get to the next... » read more

CMOS Noise Margin Values


One of the most important parameters describing digital systems operating at high speed is noise margin. In a general sense, noise margins define an acceptable level of noise that can be present on an I/O pin or in an interface. In terms of digital electronics, noise margin characterizes the level of noise that can appear on an I/O pin without creating an error in a received logic state. This i... » read more

Powering CFETs From The Backside


The first CMOS circuits to incorporate backside power connections are likely to be based on stacked nanosheet transistors, but further down the road, planners envision complementary transistors (CFETs) that vertically integrate stacked NFET and PFET devices. With at least twice the thickness of a nanosheet transistor, connecting CFETs to each other and to the rest of the circuit is likely to... » read more

3D-IC Intensifies Demand For Multi-Physics Simulation


The introduction of full 3D-ICs will require a simultaneous analysis of various physical effects under different workloads, a step-function change that will add complexity at every step of the design flow, expand and alter job responsibilities, and bring together the analog and digital design worlds in unprecedented ways. 3D-ICs will be the highest-performance advanced packaging option, in s... » read more

Quantum Computing: Top 5 Questions Answered


At one time, quantum computing was a theoretical conversation restricted to the halls of academia and the imaginations of science fiction visionaries. As breakthroughs in this emerging technology space accelerate, attention and investment are gaining momentum from commercial, governmental, and industrial sectors. The emerging quantum computing use cases are generating substantial buzz—and q... » read more

Dealing With Noise In Image Sensors


The expanding use and importance of image sensors in safety-critical applications such as automotive and medical devices has transformed noise from an annoyance into a life-threatening problem that requires a real-time solution. In consumer cameras, noise typically results in grainy images, often associated with poor lighting, the speed at which an image is captured, or a faulty sensor. Typi... » read more

Understanding Noise And Sensitivity In Spectrum Analyzers


Using a spectrum analyzer to measure noise signals requires several additional factors, such as sensitivity or how well the instrument can measure small signals. The analyzer’s noise floor specifies the average noise level (DANL) in dB, which is the amount of internally generated noise. Analyzers apply noise floor extension using an algorithm applied to subtract the analyzer’s noise contrib... » read more

IoT Building Block: Touch Interface HMI


Many IoT devices have started to include touch screen interfaces as part of their UI to make the devices more intuitive and easier to use. A great interface can make customers really love and want to use your IoT product, but a poor HMI interface makes the device unusable damaging the brand value. Given this impact a touch interface can have on your IoT device, it made me wonder what are the... » read more

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