Infineon
Canvas Category OEM : Semiconductor
Barely visible, semiconductors have become an indispensable part of everyday life. Ranked one of the global top 10 semiconductor companies, we play a key role in shaping a better future – with microelectronics that link the real and the digital world. Our semiconductors enable efficient energy management, smart mobility, as well as secure, seamless communications in an increasingly connected world.
Assembly Line
Infineon, POLYN to Collaborate on Advanced Tire Monitoring Products
POLYN Technology, a fabless semiconductor company supplying application-specific Neuromorphic Analog Signal Processing (NASP) technology and products, and Infineon Technologies AG (FSE: IFX), the global leader in automotive semiconductors, today announced a collaboration in next-generation tire monitoring products.
POLYN is a market leader in neuromorphic analog signal processing and offers Neuromorphic Front-End (NFE) chips for innovative IoT products utilizing on-sensor data processing. As a result of the two companies’ collaboration, Infineon will provide new generation TPMS sensors with tire vibration signal detection, leveraging POLYN’s NFE for vibration data pre-processing at the sensor.
Yield Is Top Issue For MicroLEDs
Early test results indicate yield issues at chip transfer, array-to-driver bonding, and other relatively new processes. High cost for this immature technology is keeping microLED displays from making the prototype-to-production leap. And because probers are not well suited to testing thousands of microLED pixels in densely packed arrays, DFT with self-testing is employed, which enables lifecycle testing — at ATE, post-assembly test, and in the field.
For instance, Dialog Semiconductor, a Renesas Company, developed a testing scheme for a white adaptive headlight module containing a 20,000-microLED array with 40µm pitch. “It’s a very good example of how a DFT circuit is not just overhead and cost to buy quality,” said Hans Martin von Staudt, director of Design-for-Test at Renesas. “Instead, it serves a valuable function over the lifetime of the chip. So we needed a DFT scheme with high-diagnostic coverage of the assembly process for pinpointing process weaknesses while enabling in-field monitoring.”
Inspection and testing methods are improving in their ability to identify and segregate out-of-spec product. Mass transfer methods that remove microLED die from wafers or film carriers and position them on IC drivers (for small AR/VR, watch and headlights) or TFT PCBs (for TVs), must easily separate known good die (KGD) from failures and underperforming die.
Yield targets for most microLED display apps are high (see figure 1) because the human eye can quickly spot missing pixels. To put yield targets in perspective, an 8K TV contains 99 million microLED chips. So if the defectivity rate is 0.5%, 520,000 devices must be removed and replaced. Top Engineering estimates this process would take 144 hours, making it cost-prohibitive until repair cost (removal and replacement of individual microLEDs) can be accelerated.
MicroAI x Infineon | Predictive Maintenance Demo
Infineon acquires startup Industrial Analytics and strengthens its offering in AI-powered analysis of machinery and industrial equipment
Infineon Technologies AG (FSE: IFX / OTCQX: IFNNY) has acquired the Berlin-based startup Industrial Analytics. Infineon is thus strengthening its software and services business in artificial intelligence for predictive analysis relating to machinery and industrial equipment. Infineon is acquiring 100% of the company’s shares. Both parties have agreed not to disclose the amount of the transaction. “Industrial Analytics has outstanding expertise in the area of predictive analysis for industrial machinery and equipment using artificial intelligence,” said Peter Wawer, President of Infineon’s Industrial Power Control division. “We intend to jointly expand Industrial Analytics’ business and to offer Infineon’s industrial customers new AI solutions that complement our semiconductor portfolio.” “Together with Infineon, we can accelerate our growth path of the past years,” said Anja Vedder, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Industrial Analytics. “With Infineon, we not only gain a strong partner, we also receive access to Infineon’s system knowledge as a leading semiconductor company. We will benefit enormously from this.” Industrial Analytics develops artificial intelligence solutions which for example monitor plants for early detection of critical developments, based on analysis and evaluation of vibrations. The AI solutions from Industrial Analytics not only evaluate data for predictive maintenance, but also provide recommendations for action (prescriptive maintenance).
Manufacturing Shifts To AI Of Things
Preventive maintenance is an important part of smart manufacturing, but this is just the beginning. AIoT can be deployed in many different areas in a factory to further increase productivity. For example, it can be used for incoming inspection. Traditionally, the quality control department performs sample inspection. Instead of inspecting 100% of the components used to build a device, only a sample — say 10% — will be audited. With the installation of a 3D HD camera, AIoT can inspect 100% of the components and screen out defective parts at an early stage. Additionally, a robotic arm can pick out defective components or those of different colors and/or shapes, further reducing reject rates.
AIoT also can be used to improve worker safety, resulting in lower worker compensation payments. For example, a warehouse can be equipped with AIoT cameras to ensure only authorized workers wearing appropriate safety equipment can enter the warehouse.
Europe’s new €1.6bn chip plant needs only 10 workers on factory floor
A 60,000 square meter facility built specializing in power semiconductors seeks ease bottlenecks for major automotive clients. The increase in automation solutions has made localized European production of semiconductors possible. By reducing comparable personnel needed to run the facility from 150 to 10 makes the factory cost competitive with factories in Asia.
Missing Chips Snarl Car Production at Factories Worldwide
Semiconductor shortages may persist throughout the first half as chipmakers adjust their operations, researcher IHS Market predicted on Dec. 23. Automakers will start to see component supply gradually ease in the next two to three months, China Passenger Car Association, which groups the country’s largest carmakers, said Monday.
Chipmakers favor consumer-electronics customers because their orders are larger than those of automakers – the annual smartphone market alone is more than 1 billion devices, compared with fewer than 100 million cars. Automaking is also a lower-margin business, leaving manufacturers unwilling to bid up chip prices as they avoid risking their profitability.