From initial process technology development (TD) to high volume manufacturing (HVM) status for a new node, one of the key support functions to improve and maintain yield is the in-line wafer inspection technology. Actually, there are multiple inspection technologies commonly employed, with tradeoffs in pixel resolution,… Read More
0.55 High-NA Lithography Update
At the recent SPIE Advanced Lithography + Patterning Conference, Mark Phillips from Intel gave an insightful update on the status of the introduction of the 0.55 high numerical aperture extreme ultraviolet lithography technology. Mark went so far as to assert that the development progress toward high-NA EUV would support … Read More
Intel and the EUV Shortage
In my “The EUV Divide and Intel Foundry Services” article available here, I discussed the looming EUV shortage. Two days ago, Intel announced their first EUV tool installed at their new Fab 34 in Ireland is a tool they moved from Oregon. This is another indication of the scarcity of EUV tools.
I have been tracking EUV system production… Read More
Can Intel Catch TSMC in 2025?
At the ISS conference held from April 4th through 6th I presented on who I thought would have the leading logic technology in 2025. The following is a write up of that presentation.
ISS was a virtual conference in 2021 and I presented on who currently had logic leadership and declared TSMC the clear leader. Following that conference,… Read More
Intel Best Practices for Formal Verification
Dynamic event-based simulation of RTL models has traditionally been the workhorse verification methodology. A team of verification engineers interprets the architectural specification to write testbenches for various elements of the design hierarchy. Test environments at lower levels are typically exercised then … Read More
The EUV Divide and Intel Foundry Services
The EUV Divide
I was recently updating an analysis I did last year that looked at EUV system supply and demand, while doing this I started thinking about Intel and their Fab portfolio.
If you look at Intel’s history as a microprocessor manufacturer, they are typically ramping up their newest process node (n), in volume production… Read More
Intel Evolution of Transistor Innovation
Intel recently released an exceptional video providing an insightful chronology of MOS transistor technology. Evolution of Transistor Innovation is a five-minute audiovisual adventure, spanning 50 years of Moore’s Law. Some of the highlights are summarized below, with a few screen shot captures – the full video is definitely… Read More
Intel’s Investor Day – Nothing New
Intel’s big investor day was anything but big. The stock reacted poorly, down 5% on a day that was a widespread sell-off anyways.
I want to briefly summarize what matters for the stock. There was very little incremental news to the technology roadmap, and the financial outlook was underwhelming, to say the least.
The revenue guide… Read More
Intel 2022 Investor Meeting
Last Thursday Intel held their investors meeting, in this write up I wanted to focus on my areas of coverage/expertise, process technology and manufacturing.
Technology Development presented by Ann Kelleher
Last year Intel presented their Intel Accelerated plan and, in this meeting, we got a review of where Intel stands on that… Read More
The Intel Foundry Ecosystem Explained
Exciting times for the semiconductor industry! Last week Intel announced a billion dollar fund to build a foundry ecosystem and today Intel announced they are acquiring foundry Tower Semiconductor for $5.6 billion dollars, WOW! Some people doubted Intel’s commitment to the foundry market this time. I think we can now put that… Read More