Chip Sense / Methodology

Estimator methodology

Formulas and default provenance for the estimate tools. Full write-up with equations: ESTIMATORS.md.

Estimates only. These tools are illustrative what-if calculators for teaching and writing — not forecasts, quotes, fab plans, or legal/compliance advice. Defaults are curated teaching values; replace them with your own inputs.

How estimates stay estimates

Open the tools: /tools · yield · export-controls · fab-capacity · packaging-cost · ai-cluster-demand

Yield estimator

Open tool →

Formulas

  • Poisson: Y = e^(−A·D)
  • Murphy: Y = (1 − e^(−A·D)) / (A·D)
  • DPW ≈ π(R − E)² / A
  • Good dies/wafer ≈ DPW × Y

Defaults: Die area 8 cm², D0 0.15 /cm², 300 mm wafer, 3 mm edge exclusion — teaching estimates.

Export control simulator

Open tool →

Formulas

  • Stressed companies = union of active rule targets
  • Severity score = sum of active rule weights (teaching scale)

Defaults: Public-policy themes (EUV + DUV + service on by default to match map scenario) — theme references, not legal text.

Fab capacity planner

Open tool →

Formulas

  • Good dies/month ≈ WSPM × utilization × DPW × yield

Defaults: WSPM starts at 0 (you must enter it). DPW/yield/utilization ship as teaching estimates.

Packaging cost model

Open tool →

Formulas

  • C_unit = substrate + assembly + test
  • C_yield-adj = C_unit / Y_pkg
  • C_batch = N × C_yield-adj

Defaults: Illustrative CoWoS-class cost split; sanity band ~$500–$2000 / AI GPU package (trade-press range).

AI cluster demand model

Open tool →

Formulas

  • GPUs = clusters × GPUs/cluster
  • HBM stacks = GPUs × stacks/GPU
  • Packages ≈ GPUs / Y_pkg
  • Logic wafers ≈ GPUs / (DPW × Y_die)

Defaults: 8-GPU cluster shape, illustrative HBM stacks/GB — replace with your SKU.