Galaxy Semiconductor and Ippon Innovation: Pioneering Preventative Maintenance in the Semiconductor Industry

Galaxy Semiconductor, a renowned player in the semiconductor industry, has a rich history dating back to its establishment in 1998. Initially, the company carved its niche as the leading provider of test data analysis, IC yield management, and quality enhancement solutions for the semiconductor industry. However, recent developments have opened up new opportunities for innovation, including a partnership with and subsequent acquisition of Ippon Innovation, enabling a foray into the preventative maintenance space.

Ippon Innovation, founded by Dr. François Bergeret, brings a wealth of statistics and Machine Learning expertise to Galaxy Semiconductor. Dr. Bergeret, a distinguished figure in the field, holds a Ph.D. in statistics and previously worked at Motorola as a statistician and head of zero defects. His background in teaching and industry experience uniquely positions him to tackle the challenges faced by the semiconductor industry.

The acquisition of Ippon Innovation by Galaxy Semiconductor has resulted in a powerful collaboration between the two entities. The integration of Ippon Innovation’s expertise in statistical solutions for equipment and process control and high reliability has expanded Galaxy’s capabilities in preventative maintenance.

In the semiconductor industry, François encountered the pressing need for statistical solutions to tackle zero defects initiatives. François was among the early pioneers of the Parts Average Testing (PAT) technique — an essential statistical screening approach. Building on this foundation, François and his team continue to refine and enhance PAT with advanced multivariate algorithms, including the innovative PAT-Man, in collaboration with Galaxy Semiconductor.

PAT has been a crucial methodology in the semiconductor industry for more than a decade. Its purpose is to address the stringent requirements of sectors such as automotive electronics, medical devices, and space applications. PAT significantly reduces quality and reliability issues by proactively identifying outliers and removing defective dies, ultimately enhancing customer satisfaction.

While the concept of yield loss may raise concerns, the long-term benefits of improved quality & reliability outweigh the short-term trade-offs. Through the application of statistical screening techniques like PAT, companies can identify and address the root causes of failures, leading to enhanced yield and overall product quality. PAT-Man, a comprehensive solution offered by Galaxy Semiconductor, streamlines the entire Defects per Million (DPM) reduction process, ensuring efficient and cost-effective implementation.

Some may question the necessity of reducing yield for better quality. However, industry experts, including François Bergeret, assert that the cost of failure analysis and customer returns far outweigh the marginal yield loss resulting from PAT. High-quality companies that prioritize eliminating defective dies ultimately gain a competitive edge in the market.

François draws from his experience as a former product engineer at Motorola, where the cost and time involved in failure analysis proved substantial. By employing proactive defect detection methods, companies can prevent failures in the final product, saving significant resources and minimizing customer dissatisfaction.

As the semiconductor industry generates an increasing volume of data, efficient data analysis becomes paramount. François Bergeret highlights the significance of smart algorithms capable of extracting key information from vast amounts of time series data. Multivariate analysis techniques for time-series data are instrumental in reducing false alarms and improving overall operational efficiency.

François Bergeret’s extensive contributions to the field of industrial statistics and his expertise in the semiconductor industry are widely recognized. With over 50 publications and a book to his name, his insights have influenced the development of statistical solutions and shaped the industry’s understanding of data analysis.

Looking to the future, Galaxy Semiconductor, in collaboration with Dr. Bergeret and his team at Ippon Innovations, aims to explore advanced process control and predictive maintenance solutions. By leveraging their combined expertise, they seek to revolutionize the semiconductor industry further, enabling companies to achieve higher levels of efficiency, quality, and reliability.

In conclusion, the partnership between Galaxy Semiconductor and Ippon Innovation marks an exciting chapter in the semiconductor industry. Through their joint efforts, preventative maintenance solutions like PAT and the development of advanced process control techniques will drive the industry forward, empowering companies to overcome challenges and deliver cutting-edge semiconductor products. To learn more, visit galaxysemi.com