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The Essential Guide to Semiconductors

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The Essential Guide to Semiconductors

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1. Real-time

Real-time operating system. A computer operating system that programs a computer to respond to events in real time (cf.). Microsoft Windows, MacOS, UNIX, and Linux are not real-time operating systems; those computers handle tasks as they see fit, in no particular order. A real-time operating system schedules tasks in a predictable and reliable manner, and guarantees that certain time-critical tasks (e.g., stopping a moving subway train at the station platform) will not be postponed.A dynamically reconfigurable chip could act as a kind of universal logic chip, performing whatever task is required. One moment it's a microprocessor, the next moment it's a network chip, and after that it's a graphics accelerator. The companies making these chips have names like Chameleon and Quicksilver that emphasize their mutability. At the extreme, products could be designed with nothing but one big chip in the middle. Dynamically reconfigurable chips could be cheaper than almost every other kind of chip because one dynamic chip could replace dozens of different old-fashioned, fixed-function chips.Charge-coupled device image sensorA type of computer or computer program that responds to events in the real, physical world of humans. For instance, a computer that controls the elevators in a tall office building is a real-time computer, but a computer printing checks in a bank is not. Real-time systems must respond quickly to events as they happen; they cannot postpone processing to a more convenient (for the computer) moment. They must be aware of 'real' time to avoid annoying or harming humans.

2. CCD

A dynamically reconfigurable chip could act as a kind of universal logic chip, performing whatever task is required. One moment it's a microprocessor, the next moment it's a network chip, and after that it's a graphics accelerator. The companies making these chips have names like Chameleon and Quicksilver that emphasize their mutability. At the extreme, products could be designed with nothing but one big chip in the middle. Dynamically reconfigurable chips could be cheaper than almost every other kind of chip because one dynamic chip could replace dozens of different old-fashioned, fixed-function chips.Real-time operating system. A computer operating system that programs a computer to respond to events in real time (cf.). Microsoft Windows, MacOS, UNIX, and Linux are not real-time operating systems; those computers handle tasks as they see fit, in no particular order. A real-time operating system schedules tasks in a predictable and reliable manner, and guarantees that certain time-critical tasks (e.g., stopping a moving subway train at the station platform) will not be postponed.A type of computer or computer program that responds to events in the real, physical world of humans. For instance, a computer that controls the elevators in a tall office building is a real-time computer, but a computer printing checks in a bank is not. Real-time systems must respond quickly to events as they happen; they cannot postpone processing to a more convenient (for the computer) moment. They must be aware of 'real' time to avoid annoying or harming humans.Charge-coupled device image sensor

3. RTOS

A type of computer or computer program that responds to events in the real, physical world of humans. For instance, a computer that controls the elevators in a tall office building is a real-time computer, but a computer printing checks in a bank is not. Real-time systems must respond quickly to events as they happen; they cannot postpone processing to a more convenient (for the computer) moment. They must be aware of 'real' time to avoid annoying or harming humans.Real-time operating system. A computer operating system that programs a computer to respond to events in real time (cf.). Microsoft Windows, MacOS, UNIX, and Linux are not real-time operating systems; those computers handle tasks as they see fit, in no particular order. A real-time operating system schedules tasks in a predictable and reliable manner, and guarantees that certain time-critical tasks (e.g., stopping a moving subway train at the station platform) will not be postponed.Charge-coupled device image sensorA dynamically reconfigurable chip could act as a kind of universal logic chip, performing whatever task is required. One moment it's a microprocessor, the next moment it's a network chip, and after that it's a graphics accelerator. The companies making these chips have names like Chameleon and Quicksilver that emphasize their mutability. At the extreme, products could be designed with nothing but one big chip in the middle. Dynamically reconfigurable chips could be cheaper than almost every other kind of chip because one dynamic chip could replace dozens of different old-fashioned, fixed-function chips.

4. Dynamically reconfigurable chip

5. SIP

Real-time operating system. A computer operating system that programs a computer to respond to events in real time (cf.). Microsoft Windows, MacOS, UNIX, and Linux are not real-time operating systems; those computers handle tasks as they see fit, in no particular order. A real-time operating system schedules tasks in a predictable and reliable manner, and guarantees that certain time-critical tasks (e.g., stopping a moving subway train at the station platform) will not be postponed.A type of computer or computer program that responds to events in the real, physical world of humans. For instance, a computer that controls the elevators in a tall office building is a real-time computer, but a computer printing checks in a bank is not. Real-time systems must respond quickly to events as they happen; they cannot postpone processing to a more convenient (for the computer) moment. They must be aware of 'real' time to avoid annoying or harming humans.Charge-coupled device image sensorSingle in-line package. Similar to a DIP package but with only a single row of metal pins. SIPs are used for very small or simple chips that don't need more than a few pins. SIPs can stand upright on a printed circuit board, making them very space-efficient.

6. Soft-core IP

Charge-coupled device image sensorAn IP core that's offered in synthesizable RTL (Verilog, VHDL) and thus can be modified.Real-time operating system. A computer operating system that programs a computer to respond to events in real time (cf.). Microsoft Windows, MacOS, UNIX, and Linux are not real-time operating systems; those computers handle tasks as they see fit, in no particular order. A real-time operating system schedules tasks in a predictable and reliable manner, and guarantees that certain time-critical tasks (e.g., stopping a moving subway train at the station platform) will not be postponed.A type of computer or computer program that responds to events in the real, physical world of humans. For instance, a computer that controls the elevators in a tall office building is a real-time computer, but a computer printing checks in a bank is not. Real-time systems must respond quickly to events as they happen; they cannot postpone processing to a more convenient (for the computer) moment. They must be aware of 'real' time to avoid annoying or harming humans.

7. CPLD

A complex programmable logic device (CPLD) is a programmable logic device with complexity between that of PALs and FPGAs, and architectural features of both. The technical differences between CPLDs and FPGAs are shown on the image.Real-time operating system. A computer operating system that programs a computer to respond to events in real time (cf.). Microsoft Windows, MacOS, UNIX, and Linux are not real-time operating systems; those computers handle tasks as they see fit, in no particular order. A real-time operating system schedules tasks in a predictable and reliable manner, and guarantees that certain time-critical tasks (e.g., stopping a moving subway train at the station platform) will not be postponed.

8. Field-programmable

Charge-coupled device image sensorA type of computer or computer program that responds to events in the real, physical world of humans. For instance, a computer that controls the elevators in a tall office building is a real-time computer, but a computer printing checks in a bank is not. Real-time systems must respond quickly to events as they happen; they cannot postpone processing to a more convenient (for the computer) moment. They must be aware of 'real' time to avoid annoying or harming humans.Real-time operating system. A computer operating system that programs a computer to respond to events in real time (cf.). Microsoft Windows, MacOS, UNIX, and Linux are not real-time operating systems; those computers handle tasks as they see fit, in no particular order. A real-time operating system schedules tasks in a predictable and reliable manner, and guarantees that certain time-critical tasks (e.g., stopping a moving subway train at the station platform) will not be postponed.An electronic device or embedded system is said to be field-programmable or in-place programmable if its firmware (stored in non-volatile memory, such as ROM) can be modified 'in the field,' without disassembling the device or returning it to its manufacturer.

9. EUV

Charge-coupled device image sensorA type of computer or computer program that responds to events in the real, physical world of humans. For instance, a computer that controls the elevators in a tall office building is a real-time computer, but a computer printing checks in a bank is not. Real-time systems must respond quickly to events as they happen; they cannot postpone processing to a more convenient (for the computer) moment. They must be aware of 'real' time to avoid annoying or harming humans.Extreme Ultraviolet LithographyReal-time operating system. A computer operating system that programs a computer to respond to events in real time (cf.). Microsoft Windows, MacOS, UNIX, and Linux are not real-time operating systems; those computers handle tasks as they see fit, in no particular order. A real-time operating system schedules tasks in a predictable and reliable manner, and guarantees that certain time-critical tasks (e.g., stopping a moving subway train at the station platform) will not be postponed.

10. What are MEMS usually used for?

Charge-coupled device image sensorReal-time operating system. A computer operating system that programs a computer to respond to events in real time (cf.). Microsoft Windows, MacOS, UNIX, and Linux are not real-time operating systems; those computers handle tasks as they see fit, in no particular order. A real-time operating system schedules tasks in a predictable and reliable manner, and guarantees that certain time-critical tasks (e.g., stopping a moving subway train at the station platform) will not be postponed.A type of computer or computer program that responds to events in the real, physical world of humans. For instance, a computer that controls the elevators in a tall office building is a real-time computer, but a computer printing checks in a bank is not. Real-time systems must respond quickly to events as they happen; they cannot postpone processing to a more convenient (for the computer) moment. They must be aware of 'real' time to avoid annoying or harming humans.Sensors - such as accelerometers in airbags

11. Wafer probing

Real-time operating system. A computer operating system that programs a computer to respond to events in real time (cf.). Microsoft Windows, MacOS, UNIX, and Linux are not real-time operating systems; those computers handle tasks as they see fit, in no particular order. A real-time operating system schedules tasks in a predictable and reliable manner, and guarantees that certain time-critical tasks (e.g., stopping a moving subway train at the station platform) will not be postponed.The first process in the produced chip testing is called wafer probing. While all the chips are still together side-by-side on a single wafer, the entire wafer is put under a tester. Like a mechanical spider, the tester lowers several delicate wire legs and places them gently on the edges of a chip. It applies a voltage and tests the chip's reaction.Faulty, or even suspect, chips are quickly marked with a tiny dot of red paint. Later on they'll be cut away from their siblings and discarded.A type of computer or computer program that responds to events in the real, physical world of humans. For instance, a computer that controls the elevators in a tall office building is a real-time computer, but a computer printing checks in a bank is not. Real-time systems must respond quickly to events as they happen; they cannot postpone processing to a more convenient (for the computer) moment. They must be aware of 'real' time to avoid annoying or harming humans.Charge-coupled device image sensor

12. FPAA

Field-programmable analog array - an analog counterpart of the FPGAReal-time operating system. A computer operating system that programs a computer to respond to events in real time (cf.). Microsoft Windows, MacOS, UNIX, and Linux are not real-time operating systems; those computers handle tasks as they see fit, in no particular order. A real-time operating system schedules tasks in a predictable and reliable manner, and guarantees that certain time-critical tasks (e.g., stopping a moving subway train at the station platform) will not be postponed.Charge-coupled device image sensorA type of computer or computer program that responds to events in the real, physical world of humans. For instance, a computer that controls the elevators in a tall office building is a real-time computer, but a computer printing checks in a bank is not. Real-time systems must respond quickly to events as they happen; they cannot postpone processing to a more convenient (for the computer) moment. They must be aware of 'real' time to avoid annoying or harming humans.

13. Die

A bare chip (plural is dice); the small rectangular piece of silicon after it has had an electronic circuit etched onto it but before it is placed in a plastic or ceramic package. A die (the plural form is dice) is a fully functional electronic device, or chip. It needs only a protective package before it can be handled and sold. In certain cases, vendors might sell a bare die (called known-good die, or KGD) if the customer is equipped to handle unpackaged chips without contaminating them.Real-time operating system. A computer operating system that programs a computer to respond to events in real time (cf.). Microsoft Windows, MacOS, UNIX, and Linux are not real-time operating systems; those computers handle tasks as they see fit, in no particular order. A real-time operating system schedules tasks in a predictable and reliable manner, and guarantees that certain time-critical tasks (e.g., stopping a moving subway train at the station platform) will not be postponed.Charge-coupled device image sensorA type of computer or computer program that responds to events in the real, physical world of humans. For instance, a computer that controls the elevators in a tall office building is a real-time computer, but a computer printing checks in a bank is not. Real-time systems must respond quickly to events as they happen; they cannot postpone processing to a more convenient (for the computer) moment. They must be aware of 'real' time to avoid annoying or harming humans.

14. Hard-core IP

Charge-coupled device image sensorAn IP core that's offered as a low-level netlist and thus can NOT be modified.Real-time operating system. A computer operating system that programs a computer to respond to events in real time (cf.). Microsoft Windows, MacOS, UNIX, and Linux are not real-time operating systems; those computers handle tasks as they see fit, in no particular order. A real-time operating system schedules tasks in a predictable and reliable manner, and guarantees that certain time-critical tasks (e.g., stopping a moving subway train at the station platform) will not be postponed.A type of computer or computer program that responds to events in the real, physical world of humans. For instance, a computer that controls the elevators in a tall office building is a real-time computer, but a computer printing checks in a bank is not. Real-time systems must respond quickly to events as they happen; they cannot postpone processing to a more convenient (for the computer) moment. They must be aware of 'real' time to avoid annoying or harming humans.

15. Tapeout (tape-out)

In electronics design, tape-out or tapeout is the final result of the design process for integrated circuits or printed circuit boards before they are sent for manufacturing. The tapeout is specifically the point at which the graphic for the photomask of the circuit is sent to the fabrication facility.Charge-coupled device image sensorReal-time operating system. A computer operating system that programs a computer to respond to events in real time (cf.). Microsoft Windows, MacOS, UNIX, and Linux are not real-time operating systems; those computers handle tasks as they see fit, in no particular order. A real-time operating system schedules tasks in a predictable and reliable manner, and guarantees that certain time-critical tasks (e.g., stopping a moving subway train at the station platform) will not be postponed.A type of computer or computer program that responds to events in the real, physical world of humans. For instance, a computer that controls the elevators in a tall office building is a real-time computer, but a computer printing checks in a bank is not. Real-time systems must respond quickly to events as they happen; they cannot postpone processing to a more convenient (for the computer) moment. They must be aware of 'real' time to avoid annoying or harming humans.

16. KGD

A type of computer or computer program that responds to events in the real, physical world of humans. For instance, a computer that controls the elevators in a tall office building is a real-time computer, but a computer printing checks in a bank is not. Real-time systems must respond quickly to events as they happen; they cannot postpone processing to a more convenient (for the computer) moment. They must be aware of 'real' time to avoid annoying or harming humans.Charge-coupled device image sensorKnown-good die. Individual silicon chips (die) that have been tested and are guaranteed to be in good working order before being inserted into plastic or ceramic packages. Some large-volume companies prefer to buy KGD instead of normally packaged chips to save space and weight.Real-time operating system. A computer operating system that programs a computer to respond to events in real time (cf.). Microsoft Windows, MacOS, UNIX, and Linux are not real-time operating systems; those computers handle tasks as they see fit, in no particular order. A real-time operating system schedules tasks in a predictable and reliable manner, and guarantees that certain time-critical tasks (e.g., stopping a moving subway train at the station platform) will not be postponed.

17. Foundry

18. How are transistors distributed among the IC layers?

19. Execution unit

An execution unit (also called a functional unit) is a part of the central processing unit (CPU) that performs the operations and calculations as instructed by the computer program. It may have its own internal control sequence unit, which is not to be confused with the CPU's main control unit, some registers, and other internal units such as an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), address generation unit (AGU), floating-point unit (FPU), load-store unit (LSU), branch execution unit (BEU) or some smaller and more specific components. It is common for modern CPUs to have multiple parallel execution units, which is referred to as superscalar design. Modern CPUs' execution units are usually pipelined.A type of computer or computer program that responds to events in the real, physical world of humans. For instance, a computer that controls the elevators in a tall office building is a real-time computer, but a computer printing checks in a bank is not. Real-time systems must respond quickly to events as they happen; they cannot postpone processing to a more convenient (for the computer) moment. They must be aware of 'real' time to avoid annoying or harming humans.Real-time operating system. A computer operating system that programs a computer to respond to events in real time (cf.). Microsoft Windows, MacOS, UNIX, and Linux are not real-time operating systems; those computers handle tasks as they see fit, in no particular order. A real-time operating system schedules tasks in a predictable and reliable manner, and guarantees that certain time-critical tasks (e.g., stopping a moving subway train at the station platform) will not be postponed.Charge-coupled device image sensor

20. Benchmark

In computing, a benchmark is the act of running a computer program, a set of programs, or other operations, in order to assess the relative performance of an object, normally by running a number of standard tests and trials against it. The term benchmark is also commonly utilized for the purposes of elaborately designed benchmarking programs themselves.Charge-coupled device image sensorReal-time operating system. A computer operating system that programs a computer to respond to events in real time (cf.). Microsoft Windows, MacOS, UNIX, and Linux are not real-time operating systems; those computers handle tasks as they see fit, in no particular order. A real-time operating system schedules tasks in a predictable and reliable manner, and guarantees that certain time-critical tasks (e.g., stopping a moving subway train at the station platform) will not be postponed.A type of computer or computer program that responds to events in the real, physical world of humans. For instance, a computer that controls the elevators in a tall office building is a real-time computer, but a computer printing checks in a bank is not. Real-time systems must respond quickly to events as they happen; they cannot postpone processing to a more convenient (for the computer) moment. They must be aware of 'real' time to avoid annoying or harming humans.

21. SIA

Real-time operating system. A computer operating system that programs a computer to respond to events in real time (cf.). Microsoft Windows, MacOS, UNIX, and Linux are not real-time operating systems; those computers handle tasks as they see fit, in no particular order. A real-time operating system schedules tasks in a predictable and reliable manner, and guarantees that certain time-critical tasks (e.g., stopping a moving subway train at the station platform) will not be postponed.The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) is a trade association and lobbying group founded in 1977 that represents the United States semiconductor industry.A type of computer or computer program that responds to events in the real, physical world of humans. For instance, a computer that controls the elevators in a tall office building is a real-time computer, but a computer printing checks in a bank is not. Real-time systems must respond quickly to events as they happen; they cannot postpone processing to a more convenient (for the computer) moment. They must be aware of 'real' time to avoid annoying or harming humans.Charge-coupled device image sensor

22. CVD

Abbreviation for chemical vapor deposition, a method of spraying dielectric material onto a silicon wafer before etching chips onto it.A type of computer or computer program that responds to events in the real, physical world of humans. For instance, a computer that controls the elevators in a tall office building is a real-time computer, but a computer printing checks in a bank is not. Real-time systems must respond quickly to events as they happen; they cannot postpone processing to a more convenient (for the computer) moment. They must be aware of 'real' time to avoid annoying or harming humans.Charge-coupled device image sensorReal-time operating system. A computer operating system that programs a computer to respond to events in real time (cf.). Microsoft Windows, MacOS, UNIX, and Linux are not real-time operating systems; those computers handle tasks as they see fit, in no particular order. A real-time operating system schedules tasks in a predictable and reliable manner, and guarantees that certain time-critical tasks (e.g., stopping a moving subway train at the station platform) will not be postponed.

23. CQFP

Charge-coupled device image sensorA type of computer or computer program that responds to events in the real, physical world of humans. For instance, a computer that controls the elevators in a tall office building is a real-time computer, but a computer printing checks in a bank is not. Real-time systems must respond quickly to events as they happen; they cannot postpone processing to a more convenient (for the computer) moment. They must be aware of 'real' time to avoid annoying or harming humans.Ceramic quad flat pack. One of several types of physical packaging for finished chips. CQFP packages are similar to PLCC packages, but with a body of high-temperature ceramic material instead of plastic. CQFP packages are therefore more expensive than PLCCs of equivalent size and are reserved for high-energy chips that would melt a plastic package.Real-time operating system. A computer operating system that programs a computer to respond to events in real time (cf.). Microsoft Windows, MacOS, UNIX, and Linux are not real-time operating systems; those computers handle tasks as they see fit, in no particular order. A real-time operating system schedules tasks in a predictable and reliable manner, and guarantees that certain time-critical tasks (e.g., stopping a moving subway train at the station platform) will not be postponed.

24. Floor-planning

Real-time operating system. A computer operating system that programs a computer to respond to events in real time (cf.). Microsoft Windows, MacOS, UNIX, and Linux are not real-time operating systems; those computers handle tasks as they see fit, in no particular order. A real-time operating system schedules tasks in a predictable and reliable manner, and guarantees that certain time-critical tasks (e.g., stopping a moving subway train at the station platform) will not be postponed.A floor-planning program takes the netlist, counts the number of electronic functions and features that are in it, tallies up the wires needed to connect it all, and estimates how much silicon real estate the chip will cover. Note that it differs from Place and Route.A type of computer or computer program that responds to events in the real, physical world of humans. For instance, a computer that controls the elevators in a tall office building is a real-time computer, but a computer printing checks in a bank is not. Real-time systems must respond quickly to events as they happen; they cannot postpone processing to a more convenient (for the computer) moment. They must be aware of 'real' time to avoid annoying or harming humans.Charge-coupled device image sensor

25. Stepper

The photolithography machine. A stepper is called stepper because it repeats using the same mask for all the chips on one wafer.A type of computer or computer program that responds to events in the real, physical world of humans. For instance, a computer that controls the elevators in a tall office building is a real-time computer, but a computer printing checks in a bank is not. Real-time systems must respond quickly to events as they happen; they cannot postpone processing to a more convenient (for the computer) moment. They must be aware of 'real' time to avoid annoying or harming humans.Charge-coupled device image sensorReal-time operating system. A computer operating system that programs a computer to respond to events in real time (cf.). Microsoft Windows, MacOS, UNIX, and Linux are not real-time operating systems; those computers handle tasks as they see fit, in no particular order. A real-time operating system schedules tasks in a predictable and reliable manner, and guarantees that certain time-critical tasks (e.g., stopping a moving subway train at the station platform) will not be postponed.

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❤ If you liked Fatskills, consider supporting us by checking out The Life Manuals You Never Got.

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