In the complex landscape of chip manufacturing, tape-out occupies a core position. As the final step in integrated circuit design, it is a critical process that transforms abstract circuit blueprints into actual chips. 1. The Connotation and Essence of Tape-Out Tape-out, expressed in English as “tape-out”, is a process that relies on a series of … Read more
Multiple failed tape-outs may lead to the collapse of a company. The chip industry is no stranger to tape-out. The so-called tape-out refers to the process of manufacturing chips through a series of steps, akin to an assembly line. This stage is crucial as it lies between chip design and mass production. In simple terms, … Read more
In daily life, tape may seem inconspicuous. However, it is not only widely used but also has a broad range of applications. The global market for packaging tape alone has reached over $600 million. In other industries, automotive tape is used for bonding seals and decorative parts due to its high-temperature resistance and aging resistance. … Read more
1. Current State of the Chip Design Industry: Opportunities and Challenges The global semiconductor market is expected to grow by 15% by 2025, with AI, high-performance computing (HPC), and automotive electronics being the main driving forces. However, industry competition is becoming increasingly fierce: 1. Expansion of Mature Process Capacity: The share of China’s mature process … Read more
Recently, the tariff war between the US and China has been intense, with both sides exchanging blows. Many people are likely more concerned about whether their stocks are crashing than the spectacle itself. I won’t delve into the timeline of the tariff war here; instead, I will focus on last Friday’s bombshell news—“the notice regarding … Read more
This project began around the same time last year, and after a year of “process flow”, we finally received the PDK and digital library 20 days before tape-out. One cannot help but marvel at the efficiency of the team. It took a week to familiarize myself with the process, and the tape-out design was completed … Read more
Click the blue text to follow us To prevent getting lost, please make sure to “star” us after following 🌟! Latest Major Release: Shelly Talks AI: Annual Outlook: In-depth Reflection on Key Events in AI and Social Development by 2025 (One article per year, over ten years) In the past two weeks, the global trade … Read more
On April 11, 2024, the China Semiconductor Industry Association issued an “Emergency Notice on Clarifying the Certification Rules for the Origin of Semiconductor Products” (Zhongbanxie [2024] No. 12) to the entire industry. This document addresses the current disputes over the traceability of the semiconductor supply chain in the context of international trade frictions and establishes … Read more
(This article is translated from Semiconductor Engineering) As the complexity of chips continues to increase, chip manufacturers are shifting from single-chip designs to multi-chip components, requiring more iterations, and the increasing level of customization makes design and verification work more time-consuming. Consequently, the first tape-out success rate of chips is sharply declining. Details from a … Read more