This is the first of a multi-part series, to introduce FinFET technology to SemiWiki readers. These articles will highlight the technology’s key characteristics, and describe some of the advantages, disadvantages, and challenges associated with this transition. Topics in this series will include FinFET fabrication,… Read More
Intel Postgame Q1 2012 Earnings
Listening to the Intel earnings call yesterday and then reviewing the transcript last night, I came away with two thoughts that I think are key to understanding where the PC and mobile industry… Read More
Atrenta’s Spring Cleaning Deal
Atrenta is having a special offer to let you “spring clean” your IP for free. They are providing two weeks of free access to the Atrenta IP kit starting from today, April 16th, until the end of May. During this period, qualified design groups in the US will be able to use the kit for two consecutive weeks to “spring… Read More
Making your ARMs POP
Just in time for TSMC’s technology symposium (tomorrow) ARM have announced a whole portfolio of new Processor Optimization Packs (POPs) for TSMC 40nm and 28nm. For most people, me included, my first question was ‘What is a POP?’
A POP is three things:
- physical IP
- certified benchmarking
- implementation knowledge
The Truth of TSMC 28nm Yield!
As I write this I sit heavyhearted in the EVA executive lounge returning from my 69[SUP]th[/SUP] trip to Taiwan. I go every month or so, you do the math. This trip was very disappointing as I can now confirm that just about everything you have read about TSMC 28nm yield is absolutely MANURE!… Read More
Intel’s Fait Accompli Foundry Strategy
As many analysts have noted, it is difficult to imagine what Intel’s foundry business will look like one, two or even three years down the road because this is all new and what leading fabless player would place their well being in the hands of one who is totally new at the game. I would like to suggest there is a strategy in place that will… Read More
NVIDIA Claims TSMC 20nm will not Scale?
Interesting article from Joel Hruska on ExtremeTech: Nvidia deeply unhappy with TSMC, claims 22nm essentially worthless . The title is a bit dramatic (poetic license) but the charts are accurate to the degree that 20nm costs will be significantly higher from the start and will continue to be higher throughout production and maturity.… Read More
TSMC absolutely did NOT halt 28nm production!
Once again industry professionals get duped! Tabloid journalism runs amok inside the semiconductor ecosystem! As if our industry does not face enough challenges, why are we wasting time on drivel like this? This is a TSMC 28nm wafer by the way and thousands of them are being shipped around the world, believe it.
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Atrenta/TSMC Soft-IP Alliance: 10 companies make the grade
Last May, Atrenta and TSMC announced the Soft-IP Alliance Program which uses SpyGlass and a subset of its GuideWare reference methodology to implement TSMC’s IP quality assessment program. TSMC requires all soft-IP providers to reach a minimum level of completeness before their IP is listed on TSMC online. Since TSMC … Read More
TSMC 28nm Yield Explained!
Yield, no topic is more important to the semiconductor ecosystem. After spending a significant part of my career on Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Yield (DFY), I’m seriously offended when semiconductor professionals make false and misleading statements that negatively affects the industry that … Read More