Earning calls sure are interesting! Below is an excerpt from the TSMC Q209 call (transcript from seekingalpha). The discussion revolves around the 40nm yield issues and TSMC's ramp to improving the yield.
Dr. Liu really hits on a key element of DFM - which is design/layout dependency. Simply put, rule-based techniques are insufficient. To maximize yield, you need to augment with model-based techniques to be able to predict and optimize any given design. Think of model-based techniques as a virtual fab where you can analyze your design and predict the silicon behavior - without actually going to silicon.
Given this, the recent DFM checking mandates, the increased focus on variability control in Reference Flow 10... projects need to consider Manufacturability and Variability in their flow and schedules
[Excerpt from Q209 Earnings Call]
Christopher Muse - Barclays Capital
Okay,
great. And then I guess last question for Mark Liu, I appreciate your
comments on the 40-nanometer yield challenges. I was wondering if you
could elaborate on your defect reduction methodology, where the
problems lie and how you are resolving them, and what gives you the
confidence you can get the yields that you are targeting in September?
Dr. Mark Liu
Okay,
in this generation, what we find, what’s important is the design,
layout styles because in our products, we do see the design has a --
because a different product has a different yield showing and it ranged
quite widely and we find that for those products, the yield is low is
mainly because of the design, layout dependence. What we call design
for manufacturing. That is in plain English is when the design cannot
be completely described by the design rule, we have additional
algorithm software to optimize the layout so that it gets the best
yield.
Wilbur Luo