Access to State-of-the-Art (SOTA) Microelectronics - Development
Abstract
Foundry Access: This activity implements multiple foundries process design kit (PDK) environments ensuring the government is not dependent on one single source for critical components. Demonstrate hardware through dedicated and multi-project wafer runs at multiple foundries. Commercial foundries generate enormous amounts of data on their processes as a best practice for quality assurance to improve reliability and increase yield. The Foundry program collects and utilizes this data to generate and allow quantitative comparison of performance and security metrics in the design and test stage of the microelectronics lifecycle, thereby mitigating risk. Rapid Access to Microelectronic Prototypes (RAMP): This activity includes verifying the ability to fabricate classified and/or export-controlled designs in on-shore commercial foundries. Funding will establish multiple strategic partnerships with existing commercial domestic microelectronics design vendors and foundries to develop a data-driven, risk-based approach to supply chain protection and demonstrate the assured manufacture of advanced electronic components. This project demonstrates the technical means for protecting IP and obfuscating the final user function from the supply chain will be realized using personalization, programmability and software, following application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) manufacturing. Efforts are on-going to update International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR) policy in this area. Funding supports activities to enhance the export control regime so that it maintains or strengthens current protections while enabling access to commercial capabilities, products, and IP. Rapid Access to Microelectronic Prototypes – Commercial (RAMP-C): This project enables the DoD and the defense industrial base to collaborate with the commercial microelectronics industry to increase prototype development, demonstration, and address the war fighter’s need to maintain and modernize weapon systems as the threat landscape shifts. This project enables T&AM program to demonstrate, by FY 2025, full access to U.S. commercial SOTA design, foundry, and advanced packaging capability and meet DoD’s unique needs within two to three years for modernization, including for RH and photonics applications. The capability will reduce the time needed to replace microelectronics components that are generations behind the commercial sector, move away from off-shore sources for SOTA commercial integrated circuits, and accelerate the demonstration and adoption of quantifiable assurance methods throughout the microelectronics lifecycle and supply chain. Reducing the timeline by up to two years not only benefits export control and classified system protection, but also the requirements of Section 224 in FY 2020 National Defense Authorization Act for the DoD to implement commercial standards for the acquisition of assured microelectronics products.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Accomplishment
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2024
- Source ID
- 5796a693af6814840cebfc3f1744f70e