KOL

Unit Level Traceability

The semiconductor industry supply chain needs more than ever the tools required for Unit Level Traceability of semiconductors.

This is needed when a semiconductor fails in the field. Mission-critical devices require an investigation.

The Root Cause Anaylis is most effective when the semiconductor X & Y position on the wafer is available. Saving time, guesswork and sometimes limiting siginifically a recall.

Supply Chain Complexity

The semiconductor industry supply chain is extremely complex as many stakeholders have a specific and specialized role from the fabrication, to the final assembly of a
device.

In addition, Fabless (design house) are developing new semiconductor design which they sometimes delegate the execution of the semiconductor to an aggregator. In other situation, one design of semiconductor ends up with multiple competing devices.

The process of making semiconductor is designed around the principal that all parts are identical as they uses lithographic processes designed to optimise throughput and quality.

Semiconductor Design

The complexity of design of semiconductors is bringing new challenges
for the industry.

With chiplets, the removal of the black packaging brings in additional issues with labelling. In addition, the design of chip on a chip or 2D design was usually produced in one FAB in a fully integrated design. Today, the components of a chiplets are sourced from multiple FABs and the traceability of each components is becoming even more difficult.

Mission-Critical Applications

Life Saving and life sustaining devices are examples of Mission Critical devices.

The .semiconductors in those devices, and especially sensors (MEMS) have a key role in the operation of the device and today's solution do not allow Unit Level Traceability.

The lack of ULT or label is a growing issues as mass recalls are required

Regulation & Standards Evolution

The Regulation and Standards applicable to semiconductors are evolving due to the ubiquitousness of devices using them, the growing demands, and there Mission Critical role.

The regulation in the medical industry for level 3 devices requires labelling each component. In automotive, the Semi.org organization preventively set up a standard for the sector requiring Unit Level Traceability for each semiconductor to be integrated into Level 5 autonomous vehicles.

Secreacy & NDA in the Semiconductor Supply Chain

It is a competitive advantage for stakeholders to determine where a semiconductor is made.

To manage this situation, the industry oversees semiconductor development in the supply chain with maximum secrecy by using NDA or not revealing where and when a semiconductor was being fabricated.

This creates additional issues when a semiconductor investigation is cascaded to each stakeholder. It takes time and resources for each of them to determine when and who supplied a semiconductor.

ponents is becoming even more difficult.

Mission-Critical Applications

Life Saving and life sustaining devices are examples of Mission Critical devices.

The .semiconductors in those devices, and especially sensors (MEMS) have a key role in the operation of the device and today's solution do not allow Unit Level Traceability.

The lack of ULT or label is a growing issues as mass recalls are required