Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) chip package assembly apparatus and techniques for assembling IC chip packages are described. For example, a techniques for fabricating an IC package include (A) determining a first package assembly yield (PAY) across a first die pool comprising a first plurality of dies having a performance criteria within a first predefined range; (B) determining a second PAY across a second die pool comprising a second plurality of dies having a performance criteria within a second predefined range of performance criteria that is different than the first predefined range of performance criteria, the second plurality of dies comprising a portion of the first plurality of dies; and (C) generating a final assembly sequence in response to analyzing the first and second PAYs, the final assembly sequence comprising rules for combining dies in accordance with obtaining a higher of the first PAY and the second PAY.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting and monitoring Nickel-silicide process and induced failures. In a first method embodiment, a method of characterizing a Nickel-silicide semiconductor manufacturing process includes accessing a test chip including a parallel coupled chain of transistors, wherein the transistors are designed for inducing stress into Nickel-silicide features of the transistors, and for increasing a probability of a manufacturing failure of the Nickel-silicide features. A biasing voltage is applied to one terminal of the parallel coupled chain, all other terminals of the parallel coupled chain and grounded, and current is measured at each of the all other terminals of the parallel coupled chain. This process is repeated for each terminal of the parallel coupled chain. The measured currents from all possible conduction paths are compared to determine a manufacturing defect in the parallel coupled chain of transistors.