SoC design - AshokBhat/notes GitHub Wiki

SoC design phases

Implementation

Design itself is created using the micro-architectural specification as the starting point.
Involves low-level definition and partitioning, writing code, entering schematics and verification.
Ends with a design reaching tape-out.

Bring up

After a design is created, taped-out and manufactured, actual hardware, 'first silicon', is received which is taken into the lab where it goes through bringup.

Bringup is the process of powering, testing and characterizing the design in the lab. Numerous tests are performed starting from very simple tests such as ensuring that the device will power on to much more complicated tests which try to stress the part in various ways.

The result of the bringup phase is documentation of characterization data (how well the part performs to spec) and errata (unexpected behavior).

Productization

Productization is the task of taking a design from engineering into mass production manufacturing. Although a design may have successfully met the specifications of the product in the lab during the bringup phase there are many challenges that product engineers face when trying to mass-produce those designs. The IC must be ramped up to production volumes with an acceptable yield. The goal of the productization phase is to reach mass production volumes at an acceptable cost.

Sustaining

Once a design is mature and has reached mass production it must be sustained. The process must be continually monitored and problems dealt with quickly to avoid a significant impact on production volumes. The goal of sustaining is to maintain production volumes and continually reduce costs until the product reaches end of life.