Aftermarket Sensors Boost Yield In Wafer Fabs


Third-party sensors are being added into fab equipment to help boost yield and to extend the life of expensive tools, supplementing the sensors that come with equipment used in fabs. The data gleaned from those sensors has broad uses within the fab. It can measure process module performance, identify defect sources, and alert fabs of impending equipment failure. And when coupled with machine... » read more

Are You Ready For HBM4? A Silicon Lifecycle Management (SLM) Perspective


Many factors are driving system-on-chip (SoC) developers to adopt multi-die technology, in which multiple dies are stacked in a three-dimensional (3D) configuration. Multi-die systems may make power and thermal issues more complex, and they have required major innovations in electronic design automation (EDA) implementation and test tools. These challenges are more than offset by the advantages... » read more

Effective Monitoring, Test, and Repair of Multi-Die Designs


Despite clear advantages, there are numerous new challenges that need to be addressed for successful multi-die realization. The multi-die test challenges include: Bare chiplet level (pre-bond) Probe, dedicated/functional pads for test Test, diagnosis, and repair Interconnects (mid/post-bond) Die-to-die test access Lane test, diagnosis, and repair Multi-die ... » read more

Real-Time Safety Monitoring for Predictive and Prescriptive Maintenance in Advanced Automotive Electronics


Software Defined, Electric, and Autonomous vehicles are driving new roadmaps for advanced electronics. Centralized architectures have introduced cutting-edge ECUs and SOCs. Coupled with stringent standardization, automotive manufacturers and OEMs are tasked with achieving functional safety in an ever-developing landscape. Maintaining safety standards without compromising performance and cos... » read more

Precise Control Needed For Copper Plating And CMP


Chipmakers are relying on machine learning for electroplating and wafer cleaning at leading-edge process nodes, augmenting traditional fault detection/classification and statistical process control in order to extend the usefulness of copper interconnects. Copper is well understood and easy to work with, but it is running out of steam. At 5nm and below, copper plating tools are struggling to... » read more

Using Predictive Maintenance To Boost IC Manufacturing Efficiency


Predicting exactly how and when a process tool is going to fail is a complex task, but it's getting a tad easier with the rollout of smart sensors, standard interfaces, and advanced data analytics. The potential benefits of predictive maintenance are enormous. Higher tool uptime correlates with greater fab efficiency and lower operating costs, so engineers are pursuing multiple routes to boo... » read more

From Data To Safety On-The-Road Hardware Health Monitoring


The automotive industry is currently experiencing a transformation driven by electrification, connectivity, and autonomous driving. Vehicles require extensive computational capabilities and generate massive amounts of data. Future cars will embrace new architectures, becoming software-defined "computers on wheels" capable of hosting advanced applications, machine learning algorithms, and contin... » read more

Companies That Embrace Digital Transformation Have More Resilient Design And Supply Chains


Digital transformation has evolved quickly from a conceptual phase to a semiconductor industry change agent. The rapid take up of AI-enhanced product development is only accelerating this transformation and is further influenced by two connected trends: The movement of Moore’s Law from transistor scaling to system-level scaling, and the relatively recent redistribution of the global electroni... » read more

AI-Driven Innovation For Manufacturing Automation


By Calvin Shiao, AshtonWS Huang, and Alfos Hsu Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the world and improving our lives in many ways. The semiconductor industry is a key part of the AI revolution, as it provides powerful computing chips for AI applications and leverages AI to optimize business operations and management, customer service, office workflows, as well as the intricate realms of... » read more

Mission Profile Analytics For The Automotive Industry


The automotive industry is undergoing a major transformation with the rise of electrification, connectivity, and autonomous driving capabilities fueling the need for a greater number of more advanced semiconductors. The associated regulatory expectations are also creating challenging safety and reliability requirements for automotive-grade silicon that need to be understood and managed over a w... » read more

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