Definition
Silicon Lifecycle Management (SLM) is a relatively new process associated with the monitoring, analysis and optimization of semiconductor devices as they are designed, manufactured, tested and deployed in end user systems. Increasing chip and system complexities, coupled with growing performance and reliability requirements drive the need for on-going maintenance and optimization of semiconductor devices throughout their life.
SLM is based on two underlying principles:
- Gathering as much useful data as possible for each chip throughout its entire lifecycle
- Analyzing this evolving set of data throughout the lifecycle to gain actionable insights to improve chip and system related operations
The first principle is achieved by expanding upon the data already available from test and product engineering with deep visibility into each chip’s operation through monitors and sensors that are embedded throughout each chip and measure targeted activities across a wide set of contexts and conditions. Targeted analytics on this chip data enable optimizations at each stage of the semiconductor lifecycle, starting with design implementation, and progressing through manufacturing, production test, bring-up and culminating with in-field operation.