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Optimization for pFET Nanosheet Devices

Optimization for pFET Nanosheet Devices
by Tom Dillinger on 01-04-2021 at 6:00 am

Intel flow TEM

The next transition from current FinFET devices at advanced process nodes is the “nanosheet” device, as depicted in the figure below. [1]

The FinFET provides improved gate-to-channel electrostatic control compared to a planar device, where the gate traverses three sides of the fin.  The “gate-all-around” characteristics… Read More


Podcast EP1: Why are Semiconductors so Sexy?

Podcast EP1: Why are Semiconductors so Sexy?
by Daniel Nenni on 01-01-2021 at 10:00 am

The goal of this Podcast Series is to bring semiconductor experts together to get to the truth about the matter at hand. We’ll get right to the point and not exceed 30 minutes of your time. If you have a topic you would like us to cover please post it on SemiWiki.com and we will get right to it.

After introductions from Daniel Nenni and his… Read More


SemiWiki in 2021!

SemiWiki in 2021!
by Daniel Nenni on 01-01-2021 at 6:00 am

Happy New Year 2021 SemiWiki 5

Today is SemiWiki’s 10th anniversary so an extra special Happy New Year to all! It has been an exciting 10 year adventure for sure and I hope it can continue for another 10 years, absolutely.

2020 brought in a record amount of content, readers and members. Our readership grew 70% YoY in 2020 according to Google Analytics which is a big… Read More


Analysis of Curvilinear FPDs

Analysis of Curvilinear FPDs
by Daniel Payne on 12-31-2020 at 6:00 am

FPD voltage distribution analysis min

This area of automating the design of Flat Panel Displays (FPD) is so broad that it has taken me three blogs to cover all of the details, so in brief review the first two blogs were:

My final blog covers five areas:

  • DRC/LVS for curvilinear layout
  • Circuit
Read More

Managing custom silicon projects with trans national, multi company, and cross functional teams

Managing custom silicon projects with trans national, multi company, and cross functional teams
by Raul Perez on 12-30-2020 at 10:00 am

iStock 1169660398

Probably the least appreciated and most critical thing I spend my time on when driving custom silicon projects is setting up the entire framework to get everyone talking and in rhythm with each other. Only supplier selection is more critical to the project’s success than this.

All system custom silicon projects where theRead More


ESL Expertise when You Need It. Spinning Up Faster

ESL Expertise when You Need It. Spinning Up Faster
by Bernard Murphy on 12-30-2020 at 6:00 am

CircuitSutra min

System-level expertise, once the domain a few architecture specialists, is now shouldering its way everywhere into chip design and verification. In virtual modeling together with OS and application software certainly. That now couples into mixed-level system-verification, using different levels of abstraction for different… Read More


S2C Raises the Bar for High Capacity, High-Performance FPGA Prototyping

S2C Raises the Bar for High Capacity, High-Performance FPGA Prototyping
by Daniel Nenni on 12-29-2020 at 10:00 am

Logic Matrix

It should come as no surprise that S2C would step out in front with a high-density FPGA prototyping hardware platform for users who would like to scale to large numbers of FPGAs and high performance.  That’s exactly what they have done with their new Prodigy Logic Matrix family of FPGA prototyping products that S2C announced in December. … Read More


SmartDV Expands Its Design IP Portfolio with an Acquisition

SmartDV Expands Its Design IP Portfolio with an Acquisition
by Mike Gianfagna on 12-29-2020 at 6:00 am

SmartDV Expands Its Design IP Portfolio with an Acquisition

Back in April, I posted a blog about SmartDV, The Quiet Giant in Verification IP and More. This is a story about the “more” part of that statement. Acquisition activity in the semiconductor sector has been quite brisk this year. A bright spot in what could otherwise be a sometimes-overwhelming series of bad news. Acquisition has … Read More


Quantum Teleportation: Facts and Myths

Quantum Teleportation: Facts and Myths
by Ahmed Banafa on 12-28-2020 at 10:00 am

Quantum Teleportation Facts and Myths

Quantum teleportation is a technique for transferring quantum information from a sender at one location to a receiver some distance away. While teleportation is portrayed in science fiction as a means to transfer physical objects from one location to the next, quantum teleportation only transfers quantum information. [1]… Read More


What Might the “1nm Node” Look Like?

What Might the “1nm Node” Look Like?
by Tom Dillinger on 12-28-2020 at 6:00 am

transistor density

The device roadmap for the next few advanced process nodes seems relatively clear.  The FinFET topology will subsequently be displaced by a “gate-all-around” device, typically using multiple stacked channels with a metal gate completely surrounding the “nanosheets”.  Whereas the fin demonstrates improved gate-to-channel… Read More