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Define "learn semiconductors industry"... I mean, you might say "I want to learn medicine" and people would take that many ways. I studied EECE (electrical an

Define "learn semiconductors industry"... I mean, you might say "I want to learn medicine" and people would take that many ways. I studied EECE (electrical and computer engineering) in my BS, then Physics, and my Ph.D. is in Computer Engineering, minor in CS, but very specifically on VLSI and chip-making in the graduate school. I am saying this just to note: When you say "semiconductors industry" my immediate thought is you want to learn VLSI. So, do you want to learn VLSI? Half the VLSI population will direct you to Westes book: https://www.pearson.com/us/higher-education/program/Weste-CMOS-VLSI-Design-A-Circuits-and-Systems-Perspective-4th-Edition/PGM289886.html https://www.pearson.com/us/higher-education/program/Weste-CM... and the other half will direct you to Jan Rabaeys book: http://bwrcs.eecs.berkeley.edu/Classes/IcBook/ http://bwrcs.eecs.berkeley.edu/Classes/IcBook/ I read both. Rabaey is a great writer and I prefer his book quite a bit. Do you want to learn the Architecture of CPUs? The bible is Hennessey and Patterson: https://www.elsevier.com/books/computer-architecture/hennessy/978-0-12-811905-1 https://www.elsevier.com/books/computer-architecture/henness... However, there are several versions (not editions) so be aware of RISC vs ARM and also one is HUGE and one is a subset of the main one (for example, this book: Computer Organization and Design, David A. Patterson, and John L. Hennessy is a subset of the "A quantitative approach" I linked to at elsiver). I would first figure out or define if you want to learn semiconductors by themselves (the first two books I referenced, which will also teach you CMOS design and high speed digital circuits) or end to end architecture of CPUs (Hennessy and Patterson), or something else (e.g. there is also the manufacturing of chips, which Weste and Rabaey cover to some degree, but there are even more serious books on, for example Rabeays book on 3D ICs).

allie1 5y ago
Much appreciated! I dont quite know yet which routes to take. I need to understand the ecosystem, manufacturing, different semicodnuctor uses, architecture, manufacturing. Planning on spending the next two years getting up to speed so I can navigate the field from an investment standpoint
- readingnews 5y ago
  Ahh, well, Rabay and Weste have a short chapter on manufacturing. The Hennessy and Patterson book does as well, albeit shorter. Architecture of semiconductors is going to be Rabay and Weste. Architecture of CPU is going to be H&P book. The ecosystem of it all (packaging, die layout, etc, is going to be in more specific books). Do not forget that although H&P will cover architecture, today architecture is done from the behavioral level down, e.g. they design what they want the chip to do, synthesize that in some Hardware Description Language (HDL, like Verilog or VHDL) and then they have a huge team of engineers who will optimize parts of that, as the synthesis is not totally optimized. Then on top of that, another team of engineers will optimize each component or module for speed by sizing the transistors appropriately. I am going to admit, I know from a hand-waving level end to end manufacturing, so I could not point you at a very good resource for understanding the actual "boots on the ground" process of today's lithography. Again, in Rabaeys 3D IC book there are great sections on the processing of 3D ICs which would give you some insight into the process today. Hope that helps some.
- deepnotderp 5y ago
  If you're interested in an investment standpoint check out Asianometry on youtube
amelius 5y ago
Yeah, semiconductor industry could also mean: material sciences, quantum physics, chemistry, EDA tools, or even management.
- blaser-waffle 5y ago
  Shoot, even international relations, e.g. doing business with Taiwan & China, cars and chip shortages, etc.
wbl 5y ago
The classic Carver Mead book deserves a mention.
fragmede 5y ago
Don't forget the historical aspects either! VLSI is hugely important, but how did we get here? Who were the Traitorous Eight and how did they get that name? The high level is available on Wikipedia but for the real story you need up dig up an actual history book. What does the semiconductor landscape look like right now? Who is TSMC, who is ARM? Learning VLSI isn't going to teach you the ins and outs of the industry either.

allie1 5y ago

Much appreciated! I dont quite know yet which routes to take. I need to understand the ecosystem, manufacturing, different semicodnuctor uses, architecture, manufacturing. Planning on spending the next two years getting up to speed so I can navigate the field from an investment standpoint

readingnews 5y ago
Ahh, well, Rabay and Weste have a short chapter on manufacturing. The Hennessy and Patterson book does as well, albeit shorter. Architecture of semiconductors is going to be Rabay and Weste. Architecture of CPU is going to be H&P book. The ecosystem of it all (packaging, die layout, etc, is going to be in more specific books). Do not forget that although H&P will cover architecture, today architecture is done from the behavioral level down, e.g. they design what they want the chip to do, synthesize that in some Hardware Description Language (HDL, like Verilog or VHDL) and then they have a huge team of engineers who will optimize parts of that, as the synthesis is not totally optimized. Then on top of that, another team of engineers will optimize each component or module for speed by sizing the transistors appropriately. I am going to admit, I know from a hand-waving level end to end manufacturing, so I could not point you at a very good resource for understanding the actual "boots on the ground" process of today's lithography. Again, in Rabaeys 3D IC book there are great sections on the processing of 3D ICs which would give you some insight into the process today. Hope that helps some.
deepnotderp 5y ago
If you're interested in an investment standpoint check out Asianometry on youtube

amelius 5y ago

Yeah, semiconductor industry could also mean: material sciences, quantum physics, chemistry, EDA tools, or even management.

blaser-waffle 5y ago
Shoot, even international relations, e.g. doing business with Taiwan & China, cars and chip shortages, etc.

wbl 5y ago

The classic Carver Mead book deserves a mention.

fragmede 5y ago

Don't forget the historical aspects either! VLSI is hugely important, but how did we get here? Who were the Traitorous Eight and how did they get that name? The high level is available on Wikipedia but for the real story you need up dig up an actual history book. What does the semiconductor landscape look like right now? Who is TSMC, who is ARM? Learning VLSI isn't going to teach you the ins and outs of the industry either.