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Application-Specific Lithography: 5nm Node Gate Patterning

Application-Specific Lithography: 5nm Node Gate Patterning
by Fred Chen on 09-08-2022 at 6:00 am

Blur Limitations for EUV Exposure

It has recently been revealed that the N5 node from TSMC has a minimum gate pitch of 51 nm [1,2] with a channel length as small as 6 nm [2]. Such a tight channel length entails tight CD control in the patterning process, well under 0.5 nm. What are the possible lithography scenarios?

Blur Limitations for EUV Exposure

A state-of-the-art

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Does SMIC have 7nm and if so, what does it mean

Does SMIC have 7nm and if so, what does it mean
by Scotten Jones on 09-07-2022 at 10:00 am

SMIC 7nm

Recently TechInsights analyzed a Bitcoin Miner chip fabbed at SMIC and declared SMIC has a 7nm process. There has been some debate as to whether the SMIC process is really 7nm and what it means if it is 7nm. I wanted to discuss the case for and against the process being 7nm, and what I think it means.

First off, I want to say I am not going … Read More


Samtec is Fueling the AI Revolution

Samtec is Fueling the AI Revolution
by Mike Gianfagna on 09-07-2022 at 6:00 am

Samtec is Fueling the AI Revolution

It’s all around us. The pervasive use of AI is changing our world. From planetary analysis of weather patterns to monitoring your vital statistics to assess health, it seems as though smart everything is everywhere. Much has been written about the profound impact AI is having on our lives and society. Everyone seems to agree that… Read More


Webinar: Semifore Offers Three Perspectives on System Design Challenges

Webinar: Semifore Offers Three Perspectives on System Design Challenges
by Mike Gianfagna on 09-06-2022 at 10:00 am

Semifore RTL Designer Flow

The exponential increase in design complexity is a popular topic these days. In fact, it’s been a topic of discussion for a very long time. The explosion of chip and system design complexity over the past ten years has become legendary and haunts many of us daily. A lot of the complexity we face has to do with coordinating across an ever-increasing… Read More


Today’s SoC Design Verification and Validation Require Three Types of Hardware-Assisted Engines

Today’s SoC Design Verification and Validation Require Three Types of Hardware-Assisted Engines
by Daniel Nenni on 09-06-2022 at 6:00 am

IC Chip Low angle light emitting 600x600

Lauro Rizzatti offers Semiwiki readers a two-part series on why three kinds of hardware-assisted verification engines are now a must have for semiconductor designs continues today. His interview below with Juergen Jaeger, Prototyping Product Strategy Director in the Scalable Verification Solution division at Siemens EDA,… Read More


Why China hates CHIPS

Why China hates CHIPS
by Craig Addison on 09-05-2022 at 6:00 am

Joe Bidden CHIPS Act 2022

The CHIPS and Science Act has its fair share of critics, with detractors calling it corporate welfare for “losers” like Intel, or lacking guardrails to prevent companies making legacy chips in China.

One of the most vocal opponents of the act has been China’s communist-ruled government.

CHIPS – an acronym for Creating Helpful … Read More


MAB: The Future of Radio is Here

MAB: The Future of Radio is Here
by Roger C. Lanctot on 09-04-2022 at 6:00 am

MAB The Future of Radio is Here 1

Good story telling is what helps drive change, engage consumers, and define progress. Steve Newberry, CEO of Quu, is a master of the craft.

He told two stories, in particular, at the Michigan Association of Broadcasters event last week in Traverse City, Mich. The first story was to simply note for the broadcasters in attendance

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Podcast EP105: Cadence STA Strategy and Capabilities, Today and Tomorrow with Brandon Bautz

Podcast EP105: Cadence STA Strategy and Capabilities, Today and Tomorrow with Brandon Bautz
by Daniel Nenni on 09-02-2022 at 10:00 am

Dan is joined by Brandon Bautz, senior group director of product management responsible for silicon signoff and verification product lines in the Cadence Digital & Signoff Group. Brandon has more than 20 years of experience in chip design and the EDA industry and has been at Cadence for over 10 years.

Dan explores the current… Read More


The Semiconductor Cycle Snowballs Down the Food Chain – Gravitational Cognizance

The Semiconductor Cycle Snowballs Down the Food Chain – Gravitational Cognizance
by Robert Maire on 09-02-2022 at 6:00 am

Wiley Coyote Semiconductor Crash 2022

-Where are we in the chip cycle? Why is it different this time?
-No one rings a bell to indicate the top or bottom of a cycle
-Could the lack of self-awareness lead to a worse downturn?
-Who will weather the cycle better & come out on top

Gravitational Cognizance
“A cartoon character will not fall until they realize they should

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Resilient Supply Chains a Must for Electronic Systems

Resilient Supply Chains a Must for Electronic Systems
by Dave Bursky on 09-01-2022 at 10:00 am

three phase approach to supply chain resilence

The last few years have seen multiple disruptions in the supply chain in many industries. One of the key technologies that many fingers have pointed to is the semiconductor technology.  As products in all industries become more electronics based, semiconductors play a key role since no end system could function today without … Read More