Technology

3D ESD verification: Tackling new challenges in advanced IC design

Source

SemiWiki

Published

Dec 17, 2025

TL;DR

AI Generated

ESD verification for 3D IC designs presents new challenges due to the complexity of stacked-die architectures. Differentiating between external and internal IOs is crucial for efficient ESD protection, leading to optimized schemes and cost savings. Automation tools like Calibre 3DPERC are essential for meeting evolving ESD verification needs in heterogeneous 3D designs. ESD protection in 3D ICs requires evaluating protection at the system level, considering different technology nodes, and handling interfaces from multiple vendors. Adopting automated ESD verification methodologies is crucial for ensuring accurate and consistent protection in 3D designs, ultimately enhancing product reliability and longevity.

Read Full Article

Dr. L.C. Lu on TSMC Advanced Technology Design Solutions

Dr. L.C. Lu, a key figure at TSMC, focuses on design-technology co-optimization, packaging innovations, and AI-driven methodologies for next-gen semiconductor systems. TSMC emphasizes DTCO and DDCL innovations for scaling from N5 to A14 nodes, with NanoFlex and NanoFlex Pro architectures offering efficiency gains. N2P and N2U nodes incorporate advanced DTCO and power delivery optimizations, with hybrid dual-rail architectures achieving significant energy savings. TSMC collaborates with EDA partners for AI integration, enhancing productivity and design quality. Advanced packaging technologies like CoWoS and SoIC play a crucial role in enabling AI scaling, with memory bandwidth and interconnect performance scaling aggressively. TSMC addresses power delivery and thermal management challenges in AI systems through advanced solutions. TSMC's advancements in design methodologies and AI-driven automation promise improved productivity and scalability in chip-package co-design.

SemiWiki•

3 hours ago

Intel details 18A-P process node, touts higher performance, lower power, and better thermals — 9% more performance, thermal conductivity improved by 50%

Intel is progressing with its 18A-P process node technology, boasting higher performance, lower power consumption, and improved thermals compared to its baseline 18A technology. The 18A-P process introduces new transistors, tighter process variability control, and enhanced thermals, potentially attracting interest from companies like Apple. This enhanced technology offers a 9% performance boost or an 18% power reduction compared to the base 18A process. Additionally, improvements in skew corner tightening, threshold voltage options, and metal stack resistance and capacitance contribute to better performance efficiency and yield. The 18A-P process also focuses on enhancing thermals, reliability, and voltage behavior critical for both client and data center applications.

Tom's Hardware•

5 hours ago

Elder Scrolls Online created to rival World of Warcraft, original ZeniMax Online founder says

The Elder Scrolls Online was created as a response to the success of World of Warcraft, with Bethesda drawing inspiration from Blizzard's popular MMORPG. Former ZeniMax Online Studios founder Matt Firor revealed that ESO was developed to transform the Elder Scrolls franchise into a multiplayer experience. Firor was recruited by Bethesda due to his experience with online games like Dark Age of Camelot. Despite ESO's evolution and success across platforms, Bethesda has not shown further interest in expanding into the online market, as seen with the cancellation of the ZeniMax Online Studios game Blackbird leading to Firor's resignation.

TweakTown•

15 hours ago

MIT Technology Review

Exclusive eBook: Inside the stealthy startup that pitched brainless human clones

The exclusive eBook delves into R3 Bio, a startup proposing brainless human clones as backup bodies for longevity. The startup's ethically charged vision raises concerns about cloning ethics. The eBook, available only to subscribers, explores the controversial pursuit of human longevity through cloning. Antonio Regalado's work sheds light on the startup's startling concept and its potential implications.

MIT Technology Review•

22 hours ago