The Semiconductor Debug Cost

Silicon debug is necessary, but it is not free. It adds real cost, measured in engineering time, tool usage, silicon turns, and schedule delays. In an industry where margins are narrow, and timelines define competitiveness, understanding the sources and scale of debug cost is essential.

This edition breaks down the actual cost of semiconductor debugging, from pre-silicon validation to field failure investigations, and how teams can manage it without compromising quality or product maturity.