Preventing the propagation of systematic defects in today’s semiconductor design-to-fabrication process requires many validation, analysis and optimization steps. Tools involved in this process can include design rule checking (DRC), optical proximity correction (OPC) verification, mask writing and wafer printing… Read More
Application-Specific Lithography: Sense Amplifier and Sub-Wordline Driver Metal Patterning in DRAM
On a DRAM chip, the patterning of features outside the cell array can be just as challenging as those within the array itself. While the array contains features which are the most densely packed, at least they are regularly arranged. On the other hand, outside the array, the regularity is lost, but the in the most difficult cases, … Read More
Preventing SOC Schedule Delays Using the Cloud
In my previous article, we touched on ways to pull in the schedule. This time I’d like to analyze how peak usage affects project timeline and cost. The above graph is based on real pattern taken from one development week in Annapurna Labs 5nm Graviton.
The Graph shows the number of variable servers per hour per day. There’s a baseline… Read More
Is Intel cornering the market in ASML High NA tools? Not repeating EUV mistake
- Reports suggest Intel will get 6 of 10 ASML High NA tools in 2024
- Would give Intel a huge head start over TSMC & Samsung
- A big gamble but a potentially huge pay off
- Does this mean $4B in High NA tool sales for ASML in 2024?
News suggests Intel will get 6 of first 10 High NA tools made by ASML in 2024
An industry news source, Trendforce, reports… Read More
Podcast EP199: How Rambus is Helping to Counter the Security Threats of Quantum Computing with Scott Best
Dan is joined by Scott Best, technical director at Rambus. His research areas are memory architectures, 3D packaging, and security processors. Scott joined Rambus in 1998 and has served in many and varied technical roles. He has become one of the most prolific inventors in the company’s history. Over the course of his career at … Read More
Giving Back – The Story of One Silicon Valley Veteran’s Journey
The concept of giving back is something many of us have contemplated. Giving back to the community or to support a particular cause. How to respond to those inquiries from our alma mater is another example. These conversations typically focus on giving money to provide needed support. As engineers, we are surrounded by a massive… Read More
Agile Analog Partners with sureCore for Quantum Computing
Quantum computing is the next big thing for the computing world. The semiconductor industry has been talking about it for years. It’s shiny, mysterious, and capable of some incredible things. Instead of using classical bits to represent information (which can be either a 0 or a 1), quantum computers use quantum bits or qubits… Read More
Seven Silicon Catalyst Companies to Exhibit at CES, the Most Powerful Tech Event in the World
According to its website, CES® Is the global stage for innovation, delivering the most powerful tech event in the world — the proving ground for breakthrough technologies and global innovators. Owned and produced by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA)®, it is the only trade show that showcases the entire tech landscape… Read More
ReRAM Integration in BCD Process Revolutionizes Power Management Semiconductor Design
Weebit Nano, a leading developer of advanced memory technologies, recently announced a significant collaboration with DB HiTek, one of the top ten foundries of the world. The collaboration is designed to enable integration of Weebit’s Resistive Random-Access Memory (ReRAM) into DB HiTek’s 130nm Bipolar-CMOS-DMOS… Read More
Reasoning and Planning as the Next Big Thing in AI
When I search for ‘what is the next big thing in AI?’ I find a variety of suggestions around refining and better productizing what we already know. Very understandable for any venture aiming to monetize innovation in the near term, but I am more interested in where AI can move outside the box, to solve problems well outside the purview… Read More
More Headwinds – CHIPS Act Chop? – Chip Equip Re-Shore? Orders Canceled & Fab Delay