Joint Research Conference
June 24-26, 2014
The semiconductor industry can take pride in our ongoing legacy of seeking to apply the best available statistical modeling methods. In this speech, we will review some tried and true modeling methods and discuss opportunities for new methods. We see a bright hope for the future. The data structures in semiconductor manufacturing are usually hierarchical ones, often include some random effects and lend themselves to mixed model approaches. Our databases are big, often pushing storage technology to its limit. Joining data from different databases may be difficult. A variety of statistical softwares are used by our internal clients from the separate business levels or groups. We must be knowledgeable of many softwares and fluent in several. The semiconductor statistician must collaborate well with information technology engineers. Data science bridges these disciplines. Data is everywhere and will only increase as memory becomes more affordable and faster. Tools have advanced interfaces generating streams of data. In our industry, our clients who are engineers may assume a depth of knowledge of device physics on our part, but some may not be reciprocally deep in their knowledge of statistics and modeling. The democratization of statistics may lead to mistaken assumptions. Some statistical methods must remain secretive, like surrogate modeling of device structure simulators and methods for setting guard bands and specification limits. We must learn to deploy more effectively the statistical methods throughout the organization, consistent with recent trends in the literature: thinking statistically, statistical engineering, and big data. With the ever exploding wisdom available on the internet and on company intranets, the consulting statistician must have a marketing plan for her or his own brand name. Recent arising opportunities include: blogging, github participation, local meetups, and participation in professional societies like the American Statistical Association. Change continues to come at a faster and faster pace. Those who embrace change will reap the benefits that accompany change. Are you ready?