Innovation in Design Rules Verification Keeps Scaling on Track

By _GLOBALFOUNDRIES Foundry Files Blog

August 29, 2012

There is an interesting dynamic that occurs in the semiconductor industry when we talk about process evolution, roadmaps and generally attempt to peer into the future. First, we routinely scare ourselves by declaring that scaling can’t continue and that Moore’s Law is dead (a declaration that has happened more often than the famously exaggerated rumors of Mark Twain’s death). Then, we unfailingly impress ourselves by coming up with solutions and workarounds to the show-stopping challenge of the day. Indeed, there has been a remarkable and consistent track record of innovation to keep things on track, even when it appears the end is surely upon us.

But this time we are really serious – at 20nm, the end is near! Ok, maybe not THE end, but for sure there are some obvious things that need to change if we are to keep our record of continuous technical conquest intact. And, as with most things in this era, collaboration is the key.

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