TSMC versus Intel at 20nm!

TSMC versus Intel at 20nm!
by Daniel Nenni on 04-24-2012 at 7:00 pm

The biggest news out of the TSMC Symposium last week was the 20nm update. Lots of debate and speculation, just why is TSMC releasing one version of 20nm (20nm SoC) versus multiple versions like in 40nm (LP, G, LPG) and 28nm (HP, HPM, HPL, LP)? Here are my thoughts, I would also be interested in your feedback in the comment section. This… Read More


Introduction to FinFET technology Part I

Introduction to FinFET technology Part I
by Tom Dillinger on 04-18-2012 at 6:00 pm

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


Synopsys Users Group 2012 Keynote: Dr Chenming Hu and Transistors in the Third Dimension!

Synopsys Users Group 2012 Keynote: Dr Chenming Hu and Transistors in the Third Dimension!
by Daniel Nenni on 04-08-2012 at 7:00 pm

It was an honor to see DR. Chenming Huspeak and to learn more about FinFets, a technology he has championed since 1999. Chenming is considered an expert on the subject and is currently a TSMC Distinguished Professor of Microelectronics at University of California, Berkeley. Prior to that he was the Chief Technology Officer of TSMC.… Read More


Intel will NOT build ARM chips!

Intel will NOT build ARM chips!
by Daniel Nenni on 04-01-2012 at 6:00 pm

As I mentioned in my previous blog “NVIDIA Claims TSMC 20nm will not Scale?” Jen-Hsun Huang is a very entertaining guy. I always listen to the NVIDIA conference calls because you never know what he will say next. Clearly he is a smart guy so you have to ask yourself why all the rhetoric?

In the Forbes article NVIDIA: Intel should let usRead More


TSMC 28nm Yield Explained!

TSMC 28nm Yield Explained!
by Daniel Nenni on 03-04-2012 at 4:00 pm


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