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Achieving a Predictable SignOff in 7nm

Achieving a Predictable SignOff in 7nm
by Alex Tan on 05-14-2019 at 12:00 pm

Designing with advanced-nodes FinFETs such as 7nm node involves a more complex process than prior nodes. As secondary physical effects are no longer negligible, the traditional margin-based approach applied at various design abstraction levels is considered ineffective. Coupled with the increase of device counts, failing… Read More


Trade war shifts electronics production

Trade war shifts electronics production
by Bill Jewell on 05-14-2019 at 7:00 am

The U.S. is showing steady growth in electronics production. Three-month-average change versus a year ago (3/12) in March 2019 was 6.2%, the 12[SUP]th[/SUP] consecutive month of growth above 5%. China electronics production is decelerating, with March 2019 3/12 growth of 8.2%, similar to 8.3% in February. This marks the first… Read More


Re Energizing Silicon Innovation

Re Energizing Silicon Innovation
by Bernard Murphy on 05-13-2019 at 12:00 pm

Hardware is roaring back into prominence in technology innovation, from advanced cars to robots, smart homes and smart cities, 5G communication and the burgeoning electronification of industry, medicine and utilities. While software continues to play a role, all of these capabilities depend fundamentally on advances in … Read More


The Evolution of the Extension Implant Part V

The Evolution of the Extension Implant Part V
by Daniel Nenni on 05-13-2019 at 7:00 am

Part 4 of this series discussed how a transistor Extension could be fabricated in a planar device without using an implant operation, and is instead formed using a preferential etch followed by a selective epitaxial deposition. This final installment of the series will present the formation of an Extension in a FinFET transistor… Read More


Uber’s Sandcastle

Uber’s Sandcastle
by Roger C. Lanctot on 05-13-2019 at 7:00 am

As Uber’s initial public offering arrives this is a good moment to consider what kind of employment model for the future we all, as employees and employers, would prefer to adopt: Amazon or Uber?

One of my sons has interviewed with Amazon. The other has his Amazon moment today. My across-the-street neighbor works for Amazon Web Services.… Read More


Chip Equip Trade War Collateral Damage

Chip Equip Trade War Collateral Damage
by Robert Maire on 05-13-2019 at 7:00 am

We have been very vocal and perhaps the first to warn of the risks to the semiconductor and semiconductor equipment industry from the China trade war with the US. It seems that the war is now fully upon us with the imposition of 25% tariffs by the US and promised retribution by China. The semiconductor industry is at the leading edge … Read More


The SiFive Tech Symposiums are Heading to Six Cities in Europe in May!

The SiFive Tech Symposiums are Heading to Six Cities in Europe in May!
by Daniel Nenni on 05-12-2019 at 4:00 pm

Hello Cambridge, Grenoble, Stockholm, Moscow, Munich and Amsterdam
Our 2019 global symposiums and workshops have been hugely successful in promoting the RISC-V ISA and fostering expansive collaboration within the open-source community. It’s invigorating to see how the worldwide semiconductor ecosystem is energized and… Read More


The Evolution of the Extension Implant Part IV

The Evolution of the Extension Implant Part IV
by Daniel Nenni on 05-10-2019 at 2:00 pm

Perhaps the most innovative and effective Extension implant does not involve an implant at all, but is instead an etch followed by a selective epitaxial deposition.

In this Extension fabrication methodology the Source/Drains regions in a planar device are etched away in the normal fashion to accommodate the replacement Source/Drain… Read More


Three Reasons Why You Should NOT Miss 56thDAC

Three Reasons Why You Should NOT Miss 56thDAC
by Daniel Nenni on 05-10-2019 at 7:00 am

Reason number ONE:The next five DACs will be in San Francisco and this will probably be the last one held in Las Vegas so you absolutely do NOT want to miss it. One of my most memorable DACs was in Las Vegas in 1985. My wife came with me for our second honeymoon and, by definition, it was just that, a honeymoon. This year we will probably spend… Read More


ESD Alliance CEO Outlook Features Powerhouse Lineup

ESD Alliance CEO Outlook Features Powerhouse Lineup
by Bob Smith on 05-09-2019 at 2:00 pm

Just two more weeks before the 2019 CEO Outlook Thursday, May 23, at SEMI. If you haven’t registered yet, do so today. We’re expecting a full house as a result of our powerhouse lineup and networking opportunities.

That lineup includes Ed Sperling, editor in chief of Semiconductor Engineering, who will serve as moderator. Panelists… Read More