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Technology Stocks : Intel Corporation (INTC)
INTC 38.16+2.5%Nov 7 9:30 AM EST
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To: andy kelly who wrote (83795)6/18/1999 12:42:00 PM
From: Paul Engel  Read Replies (5) of 186894
 
Andy - Re: "Is the problem in the 0.18 process or in the CuMine design?"

Inherently, the problem is in the Coppermine design, but the Fab guys (actually, Technology Development) are bearing a lot of the brunt - and are now chartered to make some improvements in the front-end (transistor gates) of the process.

Meanwhile, the design group is going over their simulations and attempting to find discrepancies - as to why the simulations don't match the actual results - and make appropriate design changes.

As per Intel custom, a Task Force encompassing both groups has been convened in Oregon and has been fairly active for almost a month.

Re: "When they say a two month delay, does that imply that the problem has already been identified and they know how to fix it? If not, how could they know so precisely how long the delay will be?"

Incremental improvements to several process modules have been identified with "Mhz" gains estimated for each module. If these are all implemented as planned and achieve their targets, the Coppermine speed will be improved to meet the initial goals - just with process tweaks. November would give Intel enough time to implement the process changes, fine tune them, and get "first" samples out to customers.

100% Burn-in can be employed to cover reliability issues while the modified process is requalified.

Re: "How could they start ramping FOUR fabs without knowing for sure that everything was working? I thought Intel would have tested to the extreme before committing to that extent."

Intel has used SRAM test vehicles to debug the process and these have run at 900+ MHz with no problems. The actual Coppermine results have been a show-stopper for Intel and they haven't figured out yet why the part is not meeting performance specifications and targets.

Re: "Could this be an indication that some new feature was added to the design at the "last minute"?"

No - Intel RARELY adds features at the last minute. Designs are frozen WELL BEFORE the parts are committed to layout .

Paul
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