Launching Ebook: Semiconductor Manufacturing
How are Semiconductor chips manufactured? In this ebook I give a simplified overview.
In 1989, long before China and Taiwan entered the Chip wars, an Indian public-sector company, Semiconductors Complex Ltd, demonstrated 800-nanometer Semiconductor fabrication capability. It was just two years behind the cutting-edge designs. Then, a mysterious fire gutted the entire facility!
Today, India is about 12 years behind the cutting-edge in semiconductor manufacturing. The sector is dominated by a few companies with deep expertise. The barrier to entry is a knowledge-skill combination that almost borders artisanal mastery.
India has launched another attempt at semiconductor manufacturing.
At RightVIEWS, we believe India should aim for Semiconductor excellence. And I aim to simplify the complexity at the heart of this mind-blowing technology. This book is the first step in that direction.
In this first edition, we will restrict ourselves to the Silicon chip manufacturing process and the technologies involved. We want to simplify this complex industry so our young entrepreneurs can break new ground and leapfrog in this critical skill.
The Next steps
There are incredibly pertinent technologies, insights, and innovations to be achieved in this space.
The processor architecture and design are changing. SoC designs are gaining prominence, and RISC-V is a newer development.
Transistor technology is changing. We have Gate-All-Around Transistors, back-side power delivery, and many exciting developments that will keep Moore’s law still in play.
We are also experimenting with newer materials like Graphene for making chips.
In terms of processor design, we can now stack chips, which allows some interesting chip configurations to emerge.
From an application standpoint, we have neural processors, machine learning processors, and graphics processors making improvements in leaps and bounds.
At the same time, new risks have emerged as to deliberate manipulations of chip design at the silicon level. This has opened new avenues of risks and hacks.
There are lots of future technologies and opportunities to explore.
But I also need to simplify the basics further.
Semiconductor and chip design is close to my heart. I have always believed that we need to think of technology and computing on a first-principles basis. There is a lot more to explain in that area as well.
I will expand this book over time.
Clearly, the challenge is huge. However, I promise to update and improve this book, adding more sections. A lot remains to be done. I will get to it soon.
Until then, download, read, share, and discuss this book. I hope you like it.