ams developed its well-recognized product development flow based on its experience of more than 30 years of designing analog and mixed signal circuits. This flow ensures highest predictability in schedule and cost.
#preproject
Pre-Project
2 to 10 weeks
Tasks
- Customer submits a request for quotation (RFQ)
- ams prepares a technical proposal and a commercial quotation
- The basis for engineering quote describes the technical solution.
Typically the basis for engineering (BFQ) quote includes: block diagram, key specifications, operating conditions, pin-out, proposed package type and many more - Discussions, clarifications and alignment on technical details, followed by an updated quote
- Customer issues a purchase order
ams initiates the project upon receipt of purchase order.
#design
Design
20 to 50 weeks
Tasks
- Cell design, layout and simulation
- Top level design and verification
- Top level layout and preparation for PG (pattern generation) tape-out
- Internal design challenge (internal design review with experts)
- Design reviews with the customer
- Test specification development
- Evaluation preparation (evaluation plan development)
Milestones
- Customer approves device specification
- Customer approves development after design review
- PG tape-out
#producttransfer
Product Transfer
8 to 16 weeks
Tasks
- Completion of production test development
- ESD and latch-up test
- Dedicated qualification tests as defined in the device specification (e.g. HTOL testing)
- C-sample temperature characterization
- C-sample preparation and shipment to the customer
- Customer verifies C-samples
Milestones
- C-sample shipment
- C-sample approval by the customer
With C-sample approval, the product is formally released for mass production. C-sample approval allows the customer to place first production orders.*
(* for Automotive parts this is only valid after PPAP)
#projectplanning
Project Planning
2 to 4 weeks
Tasks
- Joint development of device specification (ams & customer)
- ASIC system design including assessment for
- Production test
- ESD protection
- Manufacturability
- Qualification concept
- Packaging
- Detailed project planning and project set up (e.g. resourcing..)
Milestones
- Order entry (project start)
- Device specification approval by the customer
#designverification
Design verfication
4 to 8 weeks
Tasks:
- Mask and Wafer manufacturing and B-sample assembly
- Lab evaluation, preparation and B-sample evaluation at ams
- B-sample verification by the customer
- Production test development
- Correlation between lab results and preliminary production test results
Milestones:
- B-sample shipment
- B-sample approval by the customer
#productrampup
Product Ramp-up
approx. 6 months
Tasks
- First production lots are evaluated in detail
- Corner run manufacturing and characterization
- Test program optimization
- Test time and coverage are optimized
- Dynamic part average tests are defined (e.g. automotive)
Formal project transfer from the engineering to the operations department. Unlimited volume production.