Episodes

  • Why Every 3D IC Needs a Test Vehicle Before It Hits Production

    Why Every 3D IC Needs a Test Vehicle Before It Hits Production
    Sep 4 2025
    How do you ensure that cutting-edge 3D IC designs can actually be manufactured before investing millions in production? What you’ll learn… What test vehicles are and why they’re indispensable for validating manufacturability How daisy chain structures pinpoint weaknesses in bumps, balls, and die connections Who builds test vehicles: OSATs, foundries, or customers, and why it matters How test vehicles strengthen collaboration between OEMs and OSATs The hidden value of test vehicles in reliability, regulatory compliance, and risk mitigation Where you’ll find it…. (02:00) What a test vehicle is when it’s needed (03:20) Real-world example: testing embedded chips before mass production (06:00) Who’s responsible for creating test vehicles? (07:20) How do test vehicles factor into the relationship between the OSATs and the OEMs? (09:25) The link between test vehicles and PCB design practices (11:12) Beyond connectivity: heaters, capacitive structures, and stacked vias (15:25) Automotive and regulatory requirements for reliability testing (17:15) Why engineers shouldn’t design daisy chains by hand More about this episode… In this episode of the Siemens 3D IC Podcast, host John McMillan talks with Kendall Hiles, Senior 3D IC Product Specialist at Siemens EDA, about the critical role of test vehicles and daisy chain design tests in semiconductor innovation. Unlike a final product, a test vehicle isn’t built to sell, it’s built to learn. Kendall Hiles explains how test vehicles act as manufacturing “test beds,” enabling engineers to validate new processes and technologies before scaling up to costly production runs. The conversation dives into daisy chain design tests, a clever way of stringing together bumps and balls to measure connectivity and identify failure points with precision. Kendall also highlights when OSATs, foundries, or customers should take ownership of creating test vehicles, and how they factor into collaboration between OEMs and manufacturers. Listeners will also hear why test vehicles are especially vital for automotive reliability and regulatory compliance, and why manual spreadsheet-driven daisy chain design is a risky practice in today’s complex 3D IC world. For anyone working in semiconductor packaging, 3D IC design, or advanced manufacturing, this episode offers practical insight into improving yield, reducing risk, and accelerating innovation. Connect with John McMillan LinkedIn Website Connect with Kendall Hiles LinkedIn Website
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    18 mins
  • Breaking Down 50 Million Pins: A Smarter Way to Design 3D IC Packages

    Breaking Down 50 Million Pins: A Smarter Way to Design 3D IC Packages
    Aug 21 2025
    How do you design and verify a package with tens of millions of pins — without losing months to manual rework? What you’ll learn… Why chiplet-based architectures demand new approaches to IC packaging How hierarchical device planning reduces overwhelming complexity The risks of spreadsheet-based workflows and why they’re no longer viable How early, multi-domain analysis helps avoid costly late-stage redesigns What Siemens’ Innovator 3D IC Portfolio offers for synchronized, error-proof design Where you’ll find it…. (01:50) Current changes in IC Packaging and the impact on the whole ecosystem (03:00) How to manage complexity scaling (03:35) What hierarchical device planning is and why it matters (05:00) How traditional methods fall short for high-pin-count designs (06:20) The risks and consequences of package assembly errors (07:00) What next-gen tools must deliver for designers (09:10) Siemens’ Innovator 3D IC Portfolio overview More about this episode… In this episode of the Siemens 3D IC Podcast, host John McMillan speaks with Per Viklund, Director of IC Packaging and RF Product Lines at Siemens EDA, about the growing challenge of managing chiplet and interposer complexity in advanced 3D IC designs. Per explains how hierarchical device planning enables designers to work at the right level of abstraction, streamlining the creation, optimization, and verification of massive, high-pin-count packages. The discussion covers why spreadsheet-based methods no longer cut it, the risks of unsynchronized workflows, and how early, multi-domain analysis can prevent costly late-stage redesigns. The episode also introduces Siemens’ Innovator 3D IC Portfolio — a unified, AI-infused solution designed to support the entire packaging workflow, from early planning through final layout, with built-in data management to eliminate version errors. Ideal for IC packaging engineers, 3D IC architects, chiplet designers, substrate fabricators, and verification professionals working on high-complexity designs. Connect with John McMillan LinkedIn Website Connect with Per Viklund LinkedIn Website
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    10 mins
  • Why SI/PI is Mission-Critical for 3D IC Success

    Why SI/PI is Mission-Critical for 3D IC Success
    Aug 7 2025
    How do you ensure clean, stable power and reliable signal transmission in a dense 3D IC stack without introducing late-stage surprises? What you’ll learn… What SI/PI means and why it’s essential for 3D IC reliability How 3D design shifts traditional SI/PI workflows and stakeholder roles What progressive verification looks like in practice—from architectural feasibility to detailed modeling How new standards like UCIe and AIB add flexibility—and ambiguity—to the design process The real-world challenges Siemens overcame with Chiplets, a smart substrate startup Where you’ll find it…. What is SI/PI and why does it matter in 3D IC? (1:40) How does the SI/PI flow differ from traditional monolithic designs? (3:20) What is progressive verification, and how does it help? (5:55) Who are the key stakeholders—and why is collaboration essential? (9:20) The story behind Siemens’ partnership with Chiplets (11:35) Final thoughts on the future of 3D IC and SI/PI’s role (14:05) In this episode of the Siemens 3D IC Podcast, host John McMillan sits down with John Caka, Principal SI/PI Engineer at Siemens EDA, to explore why signal and power integrity (SI/PI) analysis is more vital than ever in 3D IC workflows—and why progressive verification is key to managing complexity at every stage of design. Together, they unpack the evolving demands of SI/PI in 3D IC architecture, from early planning to vendor-specific IP verification. You'll learn how multidisciplinary teams—spanning layout, thermal, mechanical, electrical, and packaging—must align in parallel to make next-gen designs successful. This episode also shares behind-the-scenes insight into Siemens’ recent collaboration with Chiplets, highlighting the EDA tool flexibility and scalability needed for today’s massive pin-count designs. Ideal for SI/PI engineers, 3D IC architects, packaging teams, die designers, layout specialists, and system-level verification professionals. Connect with John McMillan LinkedIn Website Connect with John Caka LinkedIn Website
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    16 mins
  • From Chiplets to Systems: Overcoming the Hidden Pitfalls of 3D IC Design

    From Chiplets to Systems: Overcoming the Hidden Pitfalls of 3D IC Design
    Jul 24 2025
    What does “multiphysics” really mean in 3D IC design—and why is it more important than ever to start early? What you’ll discover: Learn how early predictive multiphysics analysis can help prevent thermal, stress, and electrical failures later in the design cycle Understand the collaboration challenges across die, interposer, packaging, and RTL teams—and how to unify them Hear real-world insights on how system-level ownership and EDA platforms reduce risk in complex 3D IC projects Get up to speed on emerging standards like 3D Blocks and 3D PDKs that are shaping the future of chiplet integration Discover how simulation and digital twin strategies enable more accurate system-level behavior modeling In this episode of the Siemens 3D IC Podcast, host John McMillan is joined by returning guest John Ferguson, Senior Director of Product Management for Calibre 3D IC Solutions at Siemens EDA, and first-time guest Tarek Ramadhan, Application Engineering Manager for 3D IC Technical Solutions. Together, they explore why traditional SoC methodologies fall short in the 3D world, how early predictive analysis can save teams from costly late-stage surprises, and why effective collaboration across domains (and companies) is essential. From thermal and stress concerns to data format mismatches and emerging standards like 3D Blocks, this episode delivers powerful insight into future-ready 3D IC design. 👉 Ideal for IC designers, system architects, packaging engineers, RTL and ESD teams, and anyone involved in the transition from 2D to 3D IC workflows. Find what you’re looking for: How is the design process shifting from 2D and 2.5D to 3D IC (2:25) What is multi-physics, and how does it impact 3D IC design? (5:00) The hidden collaboration pitfalls between die, interposer, and packaging teams (7:30) How is it impacting collaboration between companies or within companies and between teams? (10:45) The role of new standards like 3D Blocks and 3D IC PDKs (13:10) How emerging standards like 3D Blocks and 3D IC PDKs are streamlining design workflows (14:30) Final thoughts (16:00) Connect with John McMillan LinkedIn Website Connect with Tarek Ramadan LinkedIn Website Connect with John Ferguson LinkedIn Website
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    18 mins
  • Why 3D ICs Need a Mindset Shift—and How to Make It Happen

    Why 3D ICs Need a Mindset Shift—and How to Make It Happen
    Jul 10 2025
    What does it take to turn 3D IC from a buzzword into a successful reality, and how early should you start thinking about system-level planning? Get practical insight into why system-level planning is essential from day one of your 3D IC project. You’ll learn how to avoid costly design iterations, streamline collaboration across domains, and accelerate time to market with co-design and early simulation strategies. In this episode of the Siemens 3D IC podcast, host John McMillan sits down with Tony Mastroianni, Advanced Packaging Solutions Director at Siemens EDA. With decades of experience in design, integration, and manufacturing, Tony shares why system-level planning is a critical first step, not an afterthought, when tackling 3D IC projects. They unpack the common pitfalls of treating package design as isolated from system goals and how the shift from chip-centric to system-centric thinking can redefine success in high-density, high-performance integration. Tony also discusses the value of co-design, early simulation, and cross-disciplinary collaboration to reduce iterations, control cost, and accelerate time to market. If you're involved in semiconductors, EDA tools, IC packaging, or advanced integration, this episode offers clear, actionable insight into the future of electronics design. Recommended for: System architects, IC designers, semiconductor packaging engineers, EDA tool users, design managers, and anyone working on or interested in 3D IC implementation. What You’ll Learn in this Episode: From a dozen transistors per chip to trillions: What 30 years in the industry can teach you. (1:32) How to realize that 3D IC workflows must change within a company. (5:50) What type of resistance can be expected when implementing design or workflow changes? (07:00) What internal changes are required better to address the cross-disciplinary demands of 3D IC system design? (9:30) Final thoughts (23:00) Connect with John McMillan LinkedIn Website Connect with Tony Mastroianni LinkedIn Website As mentioned during the show: Episode 1: An Introduction to 3D IC https://blogs.sw.siemens.com/podcasts/3d-ic/an-introduction-to-3d-ic-ep-1/
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    26 mins
  • The Hidden Heat Challenge of 3D ICs—and What Designers Need to Know

    The Hidden Heat Challenge of 3D ICs—and What Designers Need to Know
    Jun 26 2025
    Why is thermal analysis no longer an afterthought in 3D IC design—and what is Siemens doing to empower engineers across every step of the process? In this episode of the Siemens EDA Podcast Series on 3D IC chiplet ecosystems, host John McMillan welcomes András Vass-Varnai, 3DIC Solutions Engineer at Siemens Digital Industries, to spotlight one of the most critical (and often underestimated) challenges in modern chip design: thermal analysis. As power densities soar and chiplets stack closer together than ever before, effective thermal management is essential—not just for performance, but for reliability, lifespan, and product feasibility. András explores how Siemens is bridging the gap between design, packaging, and thermal engineering through integrated toolchains and a new generation of digital twins. Whether you're a silicon designer, package architect, or thermal analyst, this episode offers valuable insights into the future of collaborative thermal modeling, IP protection, and real-time simulation integration. What You’ll Learn in this Episode: Andrass Vass-Varnai’s background and current role at Siemens EDA (1:25) How is the shift to 3D IC packaging affecting thermal analysis? (2:35) What is the issue with the current approach to thermal analysis? (4:20) What is the significance of having thermal models for the customers? (6:50) Siemens' vision for the ideal future workflow (11:00) Conclusion and future outlook (17:00) Connect with John McMillan LinkedIn Website Connect with Andras Vass-Varnai LinkedIn Website
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    18 mins
  • Why Traditional PCB Methods Fall Short in 3D IC Design

    Why Traditional PCB Methods Fall Short in 3D IC Design
    Jun 12 2025
    Why are companies rapidly adopting fan-out wafer-level packaging (FO-WLP)—and how does this shift impact the traditional chip design process? In this episode of the Siemens 3D IC Podcast Series, host John McMillan is joined by Chris Cone, IC Packaging Product Marketing Manager at Siemens EDA, to explore how fan-out wafer-level packaging is transforming advanced semiconductor packaging workflows. Chris shares his journey from analog design engineer to packaging and automation expert, and breaks down the growing need for intelligent, automated workflows that support the increasing complexity and size of modern designs. They discuss how new IC packaging techniques demand more automation, design iteration, and cross-functional collaboration than ever before—and why building a replayable, flexible automation language is the key to faster, scalable design success. Whether you're a layout engineer, SI/PI analyst, or replay coordinator, this episode will show you how to streamline your process using a common design framework and why human-readable automation is the next big leap in fan-out design. What You’ll Learn in this Episode: Chris Cone’s journey from analog IC designer to Siemens EDA packaging lead (1:10) What is fan-out wafer-level packaging, and why is it gaining traction? (1:50) How FOWLP is different than a traditional BGA design process (2:30) The four major phases in a fan-out packaging workflow, from tech setup to final verification (3:45) What is the impact on different roles, such as a package designer, layout designer, engineer, signal integrity, power, and integrity analysis? (8:00) The three essential traits of successful design automation (10:00) Key takeaways from real-world projects using Siemens’ automated packaging flows (11:45) Connect with John McMillan LinkedIn Website Connect with Chris Cone Website
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    13 mins
  • 3D IC is Here—But Is Your Architecture Ready for It?

    3D IC is Here—But Is Your Architecture Ready for It?
    May 29 2025
    As 3DIC adoption ramps up, it’s becoming clear: microarchitecture needs a rethink. So how do you design hardware that can survive and thrive in the new era of stacked silicon? In this episode of the Siemens 3D IC Podcast, host John McMillan speaks with Pratyush Kamal, Director of R&D for 3D IC Solutions Engineering at Siemens Digital Industries. With decades of experience spanning Qualcomm and Google, Pratyush brings deep insight into the evolution of IC design—and how 3D integration is transforming every layer of the design stack. From redefining how and when microarchitecture decisions are made to overcoming the thermal, testing, and failure analysis challenges that come with 3D stacking, this episode dives into the critical topics design teams need to understand today. You’ll also hear how AI, automation, and cross-disciplinary expertise are reshaping team roles—and why software-defined silicon is redefining the design process itself. This episode is essential listening for IC architects, system designers, and packaging engineers navigating the transition to advanced 3D IC platforms. What You’ll Learn in this Episode: What is microarchitecture in IC design? (2:30) What does microarchitecture mean in 3D IC design? (3:20) How early do we need to consider microarchitecture in 3D IC design? (4:45) The main issues system designers face concerning the increasing complexity of microarchitecture (5:50) How are roles changing to enable a more holistic outlook on 3D IC microarchitecture? (9:15) What would enable non-silo design practice? (11:00) Closing thoughts (11:55) Connect with John McMillan LinkedIn Website Connect with Pratyush Kamal LinkedIn Website Explore More on 3D IC Innovation & Research: Deepen your understanding of 3D IC design with these valuable resources: Home | UCIe Consortium Die Stacking (3D) Microarchitecture | IEEE Conference Publication | IEEE Xplore Fine grain 3D integration for microarchitecture design through cube packing exploration | IEEE Conference Publication | IEEE Xplore Opportunities, Challenges and Mitigations in 3DIC Design, Test, and Analyses | IEEE Conference Publication | IEEE Xplore Design-Aware Partitioning-Based 3-D IC Design Flow With 2-D Commercial Tools | IEEE Journals & Magazine | IEEE Xplore
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    16 mins