Even Engineers Doodle -- on the ICs they design

  • Thread starter Thread starter Tom.G
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Ic Microscope
AI Thread Summary
Engineers often leave small doodles or symbols on the surfaces of integrated circuits (ICs), which can be discovered when the chips are decapped for analysis. These hidden designs sometimes include team member names or logos, adding a personal touch to the technology. The practice of searching for these doodles has sparked renewed interest among engineers in examining older chips. This playful aspect of engineering highlights the creativity involved in chip design, even at a microscopic level. Such discoveries serve as a reminder of the human element behind technological advancements.
Engineering news on Phys.org
Yeah, whenever we used to de-cap another manufacturer's IC to figure out what went wrong, we would always look around the IC surface to see if they'd left any logos or similar. Every once in a while you might find the project team member names or some interesting symbol... :smile:
 
  • Like
Likes davenn and sophiecentaur
If you ever see similar doodles inside some random prototype ASIC, you now know where they came from.
1713986305777.png

1713986323165.png
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Likes Delta Prime, sophiecentaur and berkeman
Ok, that’s pretty cool. Kudos to the people behind them.
 
  • Like
Likes sophiecentaur
berkeman said:
Yeah, whenever we used to de-cap another manufacturer's IC to figure out what went wrong, we would always look around the IC surface to see if they'd left any logos or similar. Every once in a while you might find the project team member names or some interesting symbol... :smile:

for sure
gosh, it's been years since i last did that
i have been reinspired tp decap a few more chips :smile::smile:
 
Thread 'Weird near-field phenomenon I get in my EM simulation'
I recently made a basic simulation of wire antennas and I am not sure if the near field in my simulation is modeled correctly. One of the things that worry me is the fact that sometimes I see in my simulation "movements" in the near field that seems to be faster than the speed of wave propagation I defined (the speed of light in the simulation). Specifically I see "nodes" of low amplitude in the E field that are quickly "emitted" from the antenna and then slow down as they approach the far...
Hello dear reader, a brief introduction: Some 4 years ago someone started developing health related issues, apparently due to exposure to RF & ELF related frequencies and/or fields (Magnetic). This is currently becoming known as EHS. (Electromagnetic hypersensitivity is a claimed sensitivity to electromagnetic fields, to which adverse symptoms are attributed.) She experiences a deep burning sensation throughout her entire body, leaving her in pain and exhausted after a pulse has occurred...
Back
Top