Keynote: A new Silicon Age 4.0: Generating semiconductor-intelligence paradigm with a Virtual Moore's Law Economics and Heterogeneous technologies

Abstract

The future of the silicon-based economy will not be as pessimistic as some commentators have argued, given their predictions of the end of Moore's Law Economy (ME) by the early 2020s. On the contrary, a Virtual Moore's Law Economy (VME) will develop and thrive, advancing innovation by a new Silicon Way of producing various application-driven Heterogeneous Integrated (HI) Nano-systems by optimization of physics, materials, devices, circuits/chips, software and systems to enable exciting applications for business growth. The semiconductor industry will enjoy sufficient financial returns from new application and system-product sales, even considering more expensive silicon investment. Such a technological approach based on a (Function × Value)-Scaling Down-Plus-Up Methodology, in addition to Linear-Scaling, Area-Scaling and Volumetric-Scaling Methodologies, can fundamentally change the way of thinking and execution toward optimizing coherently both technology definition and final system design with an holistic HIDAS (HI Design/Architecture/System) method. This will drive IC scaling to an effective 1-Nanometer Realm, stimulating a thriving silicon industry which can have at least 30 more years of growth toward a 1 trillion-dollar size.