Electrostatic discharge (ESD) testing of semiconductor chips and systems - paradigm shifts, and semiconductor industry consequences

Dramatic changes and paradigm shifts are presently occurring in the area of electrostatic discharge (ESD) testing of semiconductor chips and systems which may have significant influence on the semiconductor industry. New semiconductor chip tests that have traditionally been regarded as system level events are now being proposed as requirements on semiconductor chips. As these changes are occurring, the consequences on the semiconductor industry, semiconductor chips, and systems are still to be understood in the future.