Semiconductor Glossary - S
Strontium-90
Sulphur
1) Sampling and Analysis
2) Surveillance and Analysis
Stabilization/Solidification
1) Sales Associate
2) Schottky Array
3) Selective Availability A now obselete DoD program that controlled the accuracy of GPS pseudorange measure-ments, degrading the signal available to non-qualified receivers.
1) Sales And Debit Administration
A procedure to provide pricing flexibility to distributors.
2) Ship and Debit Authorization
1) Served Available Market
2) Serviceable Available Market
That part of the total market covered by the Company's product range (see also TAM: Total Available Market).
3)Scanning Acoustic Microscopy 4)Surface Acoustic Microscopy
Uses ultrasonic waves to non-destructively image the interior of packages.
Sulphur and Nitrogen Emissions
Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act
Sensitive AC Switch
Submerged Aquatic Vegetation
Surface Acoustic Wave
Silicon Bilateral Switch
Supplier Business Manager
Semicustom Business Unit
Steering Committee
Switched Capacitor Array
A technique of reducing the size of an existing integrated circuit die by selective shrinking of the X and/or Y dimensions.
- Scanning Electron Microscope
A specific electronic microscope that uses an electron beam to scan a (SEM) specimen, under vacuum, providing a very high magnification of the surface. This magnification is generally in the range of lOx 100,OOOX.
- Scanning Projection Aligner
An optical system that uses a slit of light to transfer the mask image to the photoresist-coated wafer. The slit of light is scanned across the mask and is projected onto the wafer.
Self Contained Breathing Apparatus
Serial Communication Controller
Standard Cubic Feet Per Minute
A form of TTL logic in which Schottky diodes are used to clamp the transistors out of saturation, effectively eliminating the storage of charge within the transistor - allowing increased switching speeds.
Serial Communications Interface
Serial Clock
Supply Chain Management
An integrative approach for planning and controlling the flow of goods, cash and information through a distribution channel from suppliers to end users.
- Independent firms are involved in the activities from designing, manufacturing a product to placing it in the hands of the end users.
- The network through which these firms pass goods and simultaneous information, can be re-ferred to as a supply chain or network.
- Supply chain members can include customers, suppliers, carriers, vendors, distribution centers, and other third parties.
- SCP
Supply Chain Planner
The tools for planning the integrated production flow
Silicon Controlled Rectifier
A decision statement that a product that does not comply with the legal, statutory, contractual, technical requirement etc.., cannot be used or recovered after reworking and must be destroyed.
The operation of cutting a wafer into dice with a diamond saw.
The separation between adjacent die on the wafer. This path is used as the cutting area in sawing a wafer into the individual die.
A device that uses a liquid spray to remove aerosol and gaseous pollutants from an air stream. The gases are removed either by absorption or chemical reaction. Solid and liquid particulates are removed through contact with spray.
Silicon Controller Switch
Small Computer System(s) Interface
Trademark
Serial Communication Unit
Secondary DC-DC Conversion
Standardize, Do, Check, Act
Schottky-Diode Field-effect transistor Logic
Synchronous Digital Hierarchy
Strategic Defense Initiative
Shrink Dual In Line
Package
Synchronous Data-Link Control
Software Data Protect
System Design Review
A review conducted to evaluate an engineering process and associated technical requirements, in order to plan subsequent phases.
Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory
Safe Drinking Water Act
Site Environmental Champion
Sequential Couleur a Memoire
French standard coding system for color TV broadcasting, similar to the German PAL system. SECAM is used in France and countries of the former Soviet Union.
Socioeconomic Impact Analysis
Selective Etching
Etching that is done so that certain material is dissolved, but other materials are not affected by the etchant.
Scanning Electron Microscope
Equipment used to analyze defects.
SEmiconductor MAnufacturing TECHnology
A non-profit technology development consortium of US semiconductor manufacturers formed in 1987. Its development programs include:
- Advanced Technology;
- Advanced Tool Development Facility and Facilities Design
- Front-End Processes
-Interconnect
International SEMATECH is a subsidiary formed in 1998 to include the participation of non-U.S. companies. Its research programs include:
- 300 mm integration and standards
- Environment, Safety and Health (ESH)
- Lithography
- Manufacturing Methods
SEMATECH and International SEMATECH are unique endeavors of 14 semiconductor manufacturing companies from seven countries. Located in Austin, Texas, USA, the consortia strive to be the most effective, global consortia influencing semiconductor manufacturing technology. SEMATECH and International SEMATECH work with members, equipment and materials suppliers, research organizations, academia, and other consortia to accelerate the development of advanced precompetitive semiconductor manufacturing processes, materials, and equipment for their member companies.
Development results are validated in SEMATECH's Advanced Tool Development Facility, which simulates manufacturing production lines. Consortia participants benefit from early access to leading-edge tools and manufacturing processes, as well as improved equipment productivity.
Semiconductor Equipment and Materials Institute
The type of material such as silicon whose electrical conductivity is between that of a conductor and that of an insulator -in being nearly as great as that of a metal at high temperatures and nearly absent at low temperatures. These unusual properties are exploited to produce transistors and electronic devices.
Serializer/Deserializer
Pertaining to data or instructions that are processed in sequence, one bit at a time, rather than in parallel (several bits at a time).
A networked computer that provides information to other computers in the network. Servers are commonly used to give many people access to the same files.
A channel that carries waste water and stormwater run-off from the source to a treatment plant or receiving stream.
Spectral Flame Analyzers
polyStyrene Film Capacitor
Signal Frequency Network
Shippable Frame Order
Signal Frequency Network
Semifinished Variation
Signal Ground
Sales General Agreement
Standard Generalized Markup Language
St Genis Pouilly
Small village in southeast France, close to Geneva. Location of ST Corporate headquarters.
Società Generale Semiconduttori
Italian precursor company of ST. Founded in Milan in 1957. Moved to newly built Agrate plant in 1958.
Sample and Hold
Signal to Noise(ratio)
The Mission, Vision, Strategic Guidelines & Guiding Principles that define the Company's purpose and provide guidance for strategies and behavior for all personnel.
Sheet resistance is a characteristic of material that is formed in such a way so that its resistivity is not a function of its cross-sectional structure. Sheet resistance is expressed as RS in terms of ohms per square, where the square refers to surface area but has no absolute dimensions.
A catalog produced annually containing condensed information about ST products.
Seasonal High Water Level
Silicon
The group IV element used for fabricating diodes, transistors and integrated circuits.
Semiconductor Industry Association
Standard Industrial Classification
(Or ESICOM)
Software used to manage the customer orders, from order entry to shipments.
S-Interface Device
- Side-brazed Ceramic Package
A multilayer ceramic dual in-line package (DIP) with external leads brazed on the sides of the package.
Silicon-Germanium
Semiconductor IV-IV alloy used as thin layer to improve device performances.
The reaction of a metal with silicon, forming a metal-silicon compound, i.e., PtSi (platinum silicide).
The basic element used in most semiconductor devices; i.e.; diodes, transistors, and integrated circuits.
The compound of silicon and oxygen used for insulation (isolation), passivation, or a masking layer in semiconductors.
A semiconductor manufacturing company or division that produces circuits designed by other companies. Silicon foundries are used by "fabless" companies, by equipment makers with their own IC design capability and by semiconductor companies that need more capacity.
MOS devices with a polycrystalline silicon layer deposited to form the gate elements.
The compound of silicon and nitrogen used as a masking layer during processing and as a final passivation layer at the end of the process sequence.
Subscriber Identification Module
The card or module which contains a memory where details about a GSM cellular telephone subscriber are stored. GSM telephones are "programmed" by inserting this card, so that a telephone can be used by anyone having a card. In addition to the user identification number and phone number, the SIM also holds the personal number memory and preference information.
Single Inline Memory Module
Secondary Ion Mass Sectroscopy
A device that enables the operator to reproduce or represent under test conditions phenomena likely to occur in actual performance.
The development of new designs through cross-functional teams. Also called Concurrent Engineering.
City in south-east Asia where there are two ST plants - Ang Mo Kio and Toa Payoh.
A piece of material having a continuous, regular crystalline lattice structure and having no internal grain boundaries.
Serial Input/Output
Single In-line Package
With a single row of pins (in picket-fence style). Package is usually mounted in the vertical plane.
Serial In Parallel Out
Surface Insulation Resistance
Typically a moisture test to determine the surface leakage of a package or chip.
Superfund Innovative Technology Evaluation program
Procedure used to save time in testing high yield integrated circuits. Sample of dice on wafer is probed and if yield is above certain threshold all of the dice are assembled. Any bad dice that pass the wafer test are eliminated at the final test.
Stock Keeping Unit
Single Layer Ceramic
Subscriber Line Interface Circuit
Serial Line Internet Protocol
Another term for
wafer.
A general term used to designate a thick suspension of waste products having the consistency of paste or soft mud, such as the particulate waste collected during the treatment of waste waters. Sludge high in organic matter is produced by municipal sewage treatment plants, food processors, refineries, and paper mills. Sludge high in inorganic matter is produced by the treatment of the wastewater generated by many types of industrial processes.
Senior Management
Surface Mount
A plan should be S (specific), M (measurable), A (achievable), R (relevant), T (time related).
Smartcards are plastic cards the size of a credit card, which interface to network terminal de-vices. They are used for a variety of purposes including banking and personal identification applications. Smartcards have an embedded IC, which usually includes programmable mem-ory and/or a microprocessor. Security is the most important issue in the use of smartcards and data encryption features protect the card from invalid use.
The SmartFinger™, is a miniature biometric module, combining fingerprint recognition and on-screen navigation features for mobile Internet applications.
Satellite Master Antenna TeleVision
Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level
Surface Mount Device
Solder Mask Defined
Ball pads on BGA that are larger than its solder mask opening.
Switched Multimegabit Data Service
Secured Multipurpose Internet Mail Extension SMTP Simple Mail Transfer Protocol
Statistical Methods to Improve Performance
Solder Mask Over Bare Copper
A general term used to describe any condition in which visibility is reduced because of air pollution. The word is a combination of smoke and fog and was first used in Great Britain when particular atmospheric conditions kept smoke low to the ground in and around London. This kind of smog disappeared when strict rules were introduced on the burning of smokeless fuels in the 1950's. The term is now most commonly used in the context of photochemical smog.
1) SwitchMode Power Supply
2) Surface Mount Power Schottky
1) Sales Marketing Representative 2) Surface Mount Resistance
Test to determine how robust a package is during surface mount soldering.
1) Self-Managing Team
A Self-Managing Team is a work group that operates with a defined degree of autonomy and without a visible manager.
A group of employees who are responsible for a "whole" work process or segment that delivers a product or service to an internal or external customer.
2) Surface Mount Technology
Shippers number/serial number
Secondary National Ambient Air Quality Standard
Suggested No Adverse Response Level
- SNAPHAT
- Term for packaging for ZEROPOWER and TIMEKEEPER products, ST trademark.
- SNG
Synthetic Natural Gas
Simple Network Management Protocol
Service National de la Qualité
Signal to Noise Ratio
Small Outline
Sulphur dioxide
Safe Operating Area
1) System-on-chip
2) Synthetic Organic Chemicals
Sediment Oxygen Demand
A heat treatment used after the photoresist is applied to the silicon wafer to remove the solvents from the layer.
The programs and instructions for a computer.
Silicon On Insulator
Similar to SOS, but with oxide or another insulting film isolating individual transistors.
Small Outline Integrated Circuit
Small Outline, J bend
An SOIC package with i-bend leads.
SOLenoid Valve
SOund NAvigation and Ranging
Synchronous Optical Network
1) Standard Operating Procedure
2) Small Outline Package
Typical lead pitch of 50 mils, pin counts from 8 to 32, body width of 150, 200, 300, 330 and 400.
Silicon-On-Sapphire.
A fast MOS technology in which silicon is epitaxially grown on a sapphire wafer, and etched away between transistors. Each device is thus isolated by air or oxide from other devices.
Small Outline Transistor
The working-current terminal of an FET that is a source for holes (P-channel) or free electrons (N-channel) flowing in the channel. Corresponds to emitter of bipolar transistors.
Statement of Work
The statement of work is a document listing the work and services that must be accomplished in order to reach the objectives of a program.
Sulphur oxides
1) Signal Processor
2) Stack Pointer
Scalable Processor Architecture
Statistical Process Control
The conversion of data to information using statistical techniques to document, correct, and improve process performance (use of statistical techniques, such as control charts, to control a process). A process is said to be in state of Statistical Control if the variations among the sampling results can be attributed to a constant system of common causes.
Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure Plan
Serial Presence Detect
Smart Power Development System
Application development tool developed by ST for smart power integrated circuits. Consists of PC hardware and software.
Single Pole Double Throw (switch)
Secondary Particulate Emissions
Specification
A document which should include, for a given manufacturing process:
- A description of the process (product, raw materials, equipment, conditions of use)
- All necessary indications for performing the operation.
It is also a customer specification.
A factor contributing to the variation in quality that is possible to detect and identify. Also referred to as Unnatural Variation.
The most significant waste, in terms of quantities, which back-end sites currently produce. The waste is generated in the molding processes, being the excess resin left in the molds after molding. Since these resins are thermosetting plastic, they cannot be melted and re-used as can often be done with the excess plastics generated in molding processes. Currently, these wastes are all being sent to landfill. Finding some other use for these spent resins is one of the back-ends' major technical challenges to meet the Decalogue's commitment. Various projects are in hand, notably to evaluate if the spent resins can be used in road-beds as a substitute for the materials currently used.
Subsystem Products Group
ST organization responsible for subsystem products such as power supply modules. It was created in April 1994 when Subsystem and RF activities of the former Subsystems & Radio Frequency (SRF) group were separated.
1) Serial Peripheral Interface
2) Serial to Parallel Interface
Simulation Program with Integrated Circuit Emphasis
A method of connecting an integrated circuit die to its package leads. A leadframe is placed over the chip and all connections are made by just one operation of a bonding machine. Tape automated bonding (TAB) uses this approach to interconnection.
Any unplanned discharge or release of hazardous waste onto or into the land, air, or water.
The process used to apply the photoresist to the wafer
Sound Pressure Level
A term used in the Semiconductor Productivity Network system (SPN), meaning to break up or divide a batch.
Semiconductor Productivity Network.
A Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) system used in several of ST Back-End production sites.
Singapore
A technical evaluation used to measure the dopant profile of a p-n junction.
Single Pole Single Throw
A method of depositing a film of material on an IC wafer. A target of the desired material is bombarded with excited ions that knock atoms from the target, which are then deposited on the wafer
Statistical Quality Control
Statistical methods and procedures used to document and assure compliance with requirements.
Shrink Quad Flat Pack
Small Quantity Generator
Structured Query Language
Shift Register
Static Random Access Memory
A volatile memory, which uses little energy and retains its memory without the need for refreshing, as long as power is applied.
Solvent-Refined Coal
Subsystems and Radio Frequency
Former ST organization that was responsible for all subsystem products (such as power supply modules) and radio frequency components. Previously it was also called SERF (in Italian "E" means "and"). In April 1994 the RF part was transferred to Discrete & Standard circuits Group (DSG) and the subsystems part became the Subsystem Products Group (SPG).
Standard Reference Method
SurRound Sound
Simultaneous Read/Write
Suspended Solids
1)
Sales Service Assistant
2)
Sole Source Aquifer
Single Side Bank
Silicon System Design
Independent IC design house based in Dublin, Ireland.
1) Small Scale Integration
ICs containing fewer than 30 transistors.
2) Synchronous Serial Interface
Secured Socket Layer
Supplier Sales Manager
Shrink Small Outline Package
Synchronous Serial Port
1) Super Speed Power Motor
2) Scalar System Memory
Solid State Rectifier
Sales Support Specialist
Slow Scan TV
STMicroelectronics
The domain name for ST on the Internet. The address "/stonline/index.htm" is ST's home page on the world wide web.
In ST jargon a manager's staff are the first level of people reporting to our CEO. A staff-level position means that the holder is considered part of the manager's staff even if they report to another person. A staff function is one not directly concerned with the operations of the Company, for example Public Relations, Human Resources and so on.
All those constituencies who have a legitimate concern for the performance of the company - i.e. shareholders, customers, employees, suppliers and local communities.
Predefined logic elements that may be selected and arranged to create a custom IC more easily than through original (custom) design.
A measure of the dispersion of a set of values within a distribution. It is usually designated by the Greek letter sigma (standard deviation of a whole population) or by Sx (standard deviation of a sample of observations from a population).
Profit remaining after deducting from sales the cost of products at WWS (WorldWide Standard costs).
ST Application Programming Interface
STMicroelectronics Advanced Risc division
ST Audio and Radio Converters
A type of semiconductor memory in which a pair of flip-flops are cross-coupled to hold a binary state as long as power is applied.
Set top box
Short Term Debt
Standard
Steam Oxide
The use of high-temperature water vapor to grow silicon dioxide. The source of water vapor can be from D.I. water or the pyrogenic reaction of hydrogen (H2) and oxygen(02)
Short Term Exposure Limit
Scanning Transmission Electronic Microscope
An optical system that reduces an enlarged reticle image to 1X on a master plate.
After each exposure, the master plate is stepped to a new position and the exposure process is repeated.
The thickness of a thin film over topological changes relative to the thickness on the top surface.
An optical system that projects (usually 5X or 1OX) reticle images on a portion of the photoresist-coated wafer. After exposure, the wafer is stepped to a new position and the exposure process is repeated.
Thin film of plastic coated with adhesive. When a silicon wafer is cut into dice it is placed on a sticky foil to hold the separate dice together until they are attached to the leadframe.
STMicroelectronics share as named in the New York Stock Exchange.
ST Network
The company's internal computer communications network. It is connected to Internet through security firewall computers.
Stratospheric Ozone Protection Advisory Committee (of the US. EPA)
Standard Temperature and Pressure
Sodium tripolyphosphate
ST Power Rectifiers
ST Power Schottky
The second layer of the atmosphere above the Earth. The air surrounding the Earth consists of distinct zones, distinguished by the temperature gradient within each layer. The stratosphere begins at about 11 kilometers of altitude and extends up to about 50 kilometers. The air temperature in this layer generally increases as altitude increases. The ozone layer of the atmosphere is located within the stratosphere.
Goals that are impossible to reach through small improvements. The entire solution concept has to be changed to be able to reach the goal.
Devices that utilize a single feature size process based on ST's patented strip layout technique that needs fewer process steps. Its only critical parameter is the width of the strip, which depends solely on the equipment resolution.
The process of completely removing a coating such as photoresist.
Ship-To-Stock
ST Turboswitch
ST-University
Created in 1994 with merger of research and training functions. Based at Rousset, in France, close to Aix en Provence.
ST Voice Integrated Network
The Company's private international telephone network previously in place before installing TINA.
See Buried Layer
Describes any integrated circuit process producing features smaller than one micron.
The most common ionic form of Sulphur oxides. In the atmosphere, sulphates can be present as small-diameter aerosols of solid sulfate salts (e.g., ammonium sulfate) or small droplets of sulphuric acid. Sulfates are an inhalation hazard and an important contributor to acid deposition. In the soil, sulphates serve as plant nutrients when present in appropriate concentrations. In salt marshes, sulphates can be a precursor for the microbial production of hydrogen sulfide. If sulphates are discharged in too great quantities in surface waters they can increase to unacceptable levels the amount of dissolved solids in the water (i.e., its "saltiness").
A compound of sulfur containing one sulfur atom and two oxygen atoms. This compound is emitted naturally during volcanic eruptions, and is naturally present in the atmosphere in very low concentrations. It is also a major air pollutant produced by the burning of sulphur-containing compounds, the most significant of which are coal and oil containing high levels of sulphur-containing organic compounds. Sulphur dioxide has a strong odor and is very irritant. An excess concentration of sulphur dioxide is a major cause of acid rain and other acid deposition. Sulphur dioxide is often included in the general term sulphur oxides, SOx, along with sulphur trioxide, SO3. Sulphur oxides are often cited as "SOX".
A strong, highly corrosive acid. It is a colorless, oily liquid that is a strong dehydrating and oxidizing agent. The acid is a widely used industrial chemical and is formed in the atmosphere from emissions of sulphur dioxide and sulphur trioxide. It is used to clean silicon wafers and remove photoresist.
Thin (1.2 mm) cavity down BGA from Anam. Trademarked name often (wrongly) used generically.
A family of RISC microprocessor cores produced by SuperH, Inc. an independant company founded by ST and Hitachi.
The systematic management of the suppliers through closer co-operation with key suppliers.
A published booklet describing our TQC program and commitment to our customers.
A term used to cover any body of water which is to be found at the Earth's surface, hence streams, torrents, rivers, canals, lakes, reservoirs, marshes, deltas, seas, oceans, etc.
Silicon Unilateral Switch
A plate on which semiconductor wafers are heated during thermal processes such as epitaxy and chemical vapor deposition (CVD).
A form of economic development which has been summed up in the following phrase: " Sustainable development satisfies present needs without compromising the possibility of future generations to satisfy their own needs".
The concept of sustainable development was formalized in 1987 by the United Nations World Commission on Environment and Development, often known as the Brundtland Commission after its Chairman Mrs. Gro Harlem Brundtland who prior to this chairmanship was Prime Minister of Norway.
The concept has become the basis of most international and national environmental policies since then, starting from the 1992 Unites Nations World Environment Conference (often known as the Earth Summit). In particular, the International Chamber of Commerce has created a Business Charter for Sustainable Development (which ST has signed).
Advanced semiconductor manufacturing techniques result in silicon chips with millions of transistors available, which makes it possible to put different types of functions on the same chip. So a complete system, including micro-processors, memory, analog and power, can be built to put the system on a single chip.
Semiconductor jargon meaning to mark a product with part number, logo and other information.
1) Software
2) Short Wave
1) Software WatchDog
2) SoftWare Device
Solid Waste Disposal Act
Standard Water Level Electromigration Accelerated Test
