IEC 60748-21:1997

Overview

IEC 60748-21:1997 is an international standard developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) specifically for semiconductor devices, focusing on film integrated circuits (ICs) and hybrid film integrated circuits. This sectional specification serves as a technical framework aimed at ensuring quality through qualification approval procedures for both catalogue and custom-built film IC products. The standard defines preferred values for ratings and characteristics, selects appropriate tests and measurement methods, and outlines general performance and environmental test requirements.

As a sectional specification, IEC 60748-21 provides essential guidelines to be incorporated within detailed product specifications, helping manufacturers and stakeholders maintain consistent quality and reliability standards in the production and assessment of film and hybrid film ICs.

Key Topics

• Scope and Application
  Applies to film integrated circuits and hybrid film integrated circuits manufactured as catalogue items or custom designs where quality is assessed by qualification approval.

• Preferred Characteristics and Ratings
  Establishes preferred values for operational limits and physical characteristics of film ICs to ensure standardized quality. These values guide both manufacturers and testers in assessing device performance.

• Qualification Approval Procedures
  Describes structured methods to qualify product batches through rigorous testing, including environmental and electrical performance tests. This approval procedure ensures product reliability before broad market release.

• Testing and Measurement Methods
  Provides comprehensive test schedules and methodologies including environmental severity levels and acceptance criteria aligned with industry best practices, ensuring consistency in evaluation.

• Compliance and Quality Control Levels
  Details various assessment levels, criteria for resubmission of rejected lots, and quality control inspections to enforce ongoing compliance with the qualification requirements.

• Manufacturing Considerations
  Covers scenarios involving manufacturing stages in factories located in countries that are not IEC members, introducing procedural adjustments for qualification continuity in global supply chains.

Applications

IEC 60748-21 is highly relevant for:

• Semiconductor Manufacturers producing film and hybrid film integrated circuits aiming to achieve international quality certification.
• Quality Assurance Teams requiring a standardized framework to conduct qualification tests and ensure product reliability.
• Product Designers and Engineers developing custom or catalogue film IC products and needing precise guidelines for specification drafting and testing.
• Supply Chain Managers overseeing manufacturing and quality processes across different regions and ensuring compliance with global standards.
• Electronic Component Distributors and Buyers seeking assurance of product integrity through IEC qualification approval marks.

The standard's focus on qualification approval helps reduce product failures, optimize manufacturing reliability, and streamline market acceptance globally, making it indispensable for semiconductor device quality assurance and standardization.

Related Standards

• IEC 60748 Series - Broader standards covering various aspects of semiconductor devices and integrated circuits, complementing the provisions set out in Part 21.
• IEC 47 Series - General standards for semiconductor device testing and qualification, providing foundational concepts aligned with IEC 60748-21.
• IEC 50 (International Electrotechnical Vocabulary - IEV) - Fundamental vocabulary and definitions used throughout semiconductor and electronic standards.
• ISO/IEC Quality Management Standards - Frameworks for quality assurance systems that may be integrated with qualification approval procedures referenced in IEC 60748-21.

By aligning with these related standards, IEC 60748-21 ensures a cohesive structure for semiconductor quality evaluation, supporting international harmonization and industrial interoperability.

Keywords: IEC 60748-21, film integrated circuits, hybrid film integrated circuits, semiconductor devices standard, qualification approval procedures, semiconductor quality, integrated circuit testing, environmental testing, semiconductor manufacturing standards, IEC semiconductor standards.