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Semiconductor Reliability

Invitation Code: RFP-15-97

Summary

As semiconductor technology evolves, new and existing reliability mechanisms must be characterized and mitigated to maintain the reliability and availability of our systems

Cisco Systems uses many different semiconductors. We design large complex, high power ASICs and purchase many different FPGAs, microprocessors, network processors, memories, PHY’s, clocks, FETs, etc. to be used in our systems. System reliability and availability is critical to our customers. To drive the industry forward, Cisco is asking for proposals to improve the hardware in our systems.

Proposals should address:

The reliability of semiconductors such as silicon, compound semiconductors, and graphene/carbon nanotubes
Existing and novel technologies (these can include new memory technologies, logic design, and technology or any other digital/analog circuits)
Characterization, modeling, and mitigation of mechanisms such as radiation induced soft errors, wear out mechanisms, extrinsic or defect mechanisms

Proposal Submission:

After a preliminary review, we may ask you to revise and resubmit your proposal. RFPs maybe be withdrawn as research proposals are funded, or interest in the specific topic is satisfied. Researchers should plan to submit their proposals as soon as possible.

General Requirements for Consideration, Proposal Details, FAQs

You can find the information by scrolling down to the bottom of the webpage: Research Gifts. If your questions are not answered in the FAQs, please contact research@cisco.com.

Constraints and other information

IPR will stay with the university. Cisco expects customary scholarly dissemination of results and hopes that promising results would be made available to the community without limiting licenses, royalties, or other encumbrances.