The routes
These routes describe how engagements are planned to work once the line is running. Capacity is agreed per engagement.
Shared run
For proving a design in real silicon before you commit to a mask set.
- Shared mask set, multi-project wafer
- Lot record and wafer maps
- Mature process only
Dedicated lots
For a team taking first silicon through qualification.
- Every process, through frontier
- Production qualification
- Full packaging and test
Reserved bay
For products that have to ship every quarter without a gap.
- Priority dispatch
- Reserved bay and tool time
- Shared yield programme
Line by line
What changes between them.
| Feature | Shuttle | Pilot | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|
| Process | Mature | Through frontier | Through frontier |
| Dispatch | Standard | Standard | Priority |
| Mask set | Shared, multi-project | Dedicated | Dedicated |
| Feature | Shuttle | Pilot | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recipe and tool history | Recorded | Recorded | Recorded |
| Inline metrology | Recorded | Recorded | Recorded |
| Wafer maps | Included | Included | Included |
| Per-die genealogy | Not included | Included | Included |
| Excursion reports | Summary | Full report | Full report |
| Feature | Shuttle | Pilot | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qualification | Engineering samples | Production | Production |
| Line access | Shared run | Dedicated lots | Reserved bay |
| Packaging and test | Wafer probe only | Full back end | Full back end |
| Yield programme | Not included | Per lot review | Shared, continuous |
| Custom process module | Not included | By agreement | By agreement |
Engagement questions
Before you pick one.
That is the plan. Moving from shuttle to pilot, or pilot to volume, will keep the same tools and recipes, so the data you already have still counts. Moving down will keep the lots already in the line running to completion.
Pilot and volume engagements will be able to run over their agreed capacity when the line has room, with the overage agreed before the lots start. A shuttle seat is fixed for that run.
Per engagement, not from a rate card. Price depends on the process, the mask count, packaging and the volume commitment, so we quote once we have seen the design.
A shuttle seat is one run. Pilot and volume engagements are planned to be agreed in quarters, because holding tool time for you means not holding it for someone else.
Synthesys is building its first line now, so no lots are running yet. Once it is up, shuttle runs will leave on a published schedule and dedicated lots will start once the mask set is in and the flow is released. We will give you a start date before you commit.