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John Ferguson, Mentor Graphics, OR, USA

ABSTRACT
As designs grow more complex, process technologies become smaller and geometry counts increase, the work required to achieve acceptable yield becomes increasingly demanding and difficult. Underlying this issue is the need to maximize yield without increasing manufacturing costs. Because of uncertainty of yield, companies are reluctant to manufacture at smaller process technologies, such as 90 nm. Most are still manufacturing at 180 nm, where yield and cost is relatively predictable and controllable. As companies ramp up to 130 nm and smaller, the need for managing yield issues is greater than ever. It is essential to have enough yield issue information to make a business decision about what is a costeffective solution.