Trends & Challenges in Device Scaling & Circuit Design

This tutorial discusses the trends and challenges in device and circuit design. Technology scaling along with migratable design rules has been quite successful in allowing a predictable roadmap in devices and resulting chip designs. Major disruptors are being encountered to this scaling due to laws of physics, lithographic problems, larger variations, and power limits. Discussed will be the impacts of these effects on device definition, circuit designs, chip designs and the change in working relationships that will be needed in the future.

Dennis Cox is a Distinguished Engineer in Engineering & Technology Services and a member of the IBM Academy of Technology working in the area of technology delivery and circuit design. Dennis joined IBM in 1970 in Kingston, NY as a circuit design engineer where he designed SRAM's, dynamic logic processors, and PLA's. He transferred to circuit technology in Rochester, MN in 1976. He led in the development of ASIC design systems. Subsequently as a part of Server Group he worked on a number of different Power PC microprocessors. With the advent of E&TS he has been working with a number of companies in different design and consulting contracts as well as leading various IBM Academy studies. Dennis received his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin in 1970 and a Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Syracuse University in 1975.