Tape out什麼意思

"Tape out" is a term used in the semiconductor industry, specifically in the context of integrated circuit (IC) design and manufacturing. It refers to the final stage of the IC design process where the design is sent to a semiconductor fabrication plant (fab) for mass production.

At this stage, the IC design is considered complete and has been verified through various simulations and tests. The design is then converted into a set of files that the fab can use to create masks, which are high-precision photographic plates used to transfer the circuit patterns onto the silicon wafers during the manufacturing process.

The term "tape out" comes from the older method of delivering the design to the fab on magnetic tape, which was the primary medium for data storage and transfer before the widespread use of digital files and the internet. Today, the process is typically done electronically, with the design files being transmitted via secure servers or networks.

Tape out is a critical milestone in the IC development process because it marks the point of no return. Once the tape out occurs, any further changes to the design will require a new set of masks to be made, which is a time-consuming and expensive process. Therefore, the design team must ensure that all necessary reviews and approvals have been obtained before proceeding with tape out.

In summary, "tape out" means the finalization and submission of an integrated circuit design for manufacturing, signaling the end of the design phase and the beginning of mass production.