Virtual First: The future of microelectronics manufacturing is here

Austrian microelectronics manufacturer AT&S has announced that they will improve time-consuming development, optimization and testing processes that rely on expensive physical prototypes by implementing a Virtual Development Program. Using simulations and digital design tools drastically speeds up hardware and process design and enables AT&S to react instantly to changing customer needs, without accruing the high costs of changing and rebuilding physical demonstrator devices.

Leoben, February 19, 2025 – As a pioneer in their industry, AT&S has started a new “Virtual First” campaign: The Styrian microelectronics powerhouse plans to revolutionize the way they design, develop, optimize, and test the hardware for customers. In addition to traditional physical prototyping that relies on slow and arduous iteration processes, AT&S will use digital tools and simulations whenever it is feasible. Virtual Development reduces the timeframe for the development of new electronic systems by weeks and even months, which translates directly to cost savings for AT&S and its customers.

The implementation of Virtual Development was planned carefully, as it required a lot of preparatory work. AT&S has spent years to develop a unique, proprietary database with detailed measurements of all relevant materials. In parallel, an excellent simulation team was put together at the company headquarters in Leoben, Styria, to combine the local developments and efforts that had already been made at other AT&S locations around the world. The simulation experts had access to high-end hardware and software to refine the virtual tools to simulate the mechanical, thermal, and electrical behavior of materials and electronic systems. This combined global effort allowed AT&S to move fast: The new Virtual Toolbox, which includes more than 40 tools, became available to all engineers in 2024.

Virtual becomes Reality

Virtual Development is a powerful new tool for AT&S that will complement the existing methods at all locations going forward. The tools and the necessary expertise are in place for AT&S to push the boundaries of microelectronics development with yet another innovative approach.

“Virtual Development is a strategic opportunity to get ahead of our competitors, reduce our time-to-market and minimize our environmental footprint. We can really be proud of the excellent capabilities that we have built with the input from our experts from all our locations. They are the heart of our push for the development of faster, better and greener microelectronics with our customers. No competitor can match what we have built here and our teams will support all our facilities worldwide in their implementation of Virtual Development. This can be a game changer for our whole industry”, says AT&S CTO Peter Griehsnig.

AT & S Austria Technologie & Systemtechnik Aktiengesellschaft – Advanced Technologies & Solutions
AT&S is a leading global manufacturer of high-end IC substrates and printed circuit boards. AT&S industrializes leading-edge technologies for its core business segments Mobile Devices & Substrates, Automotive & Aerospace, Industrial and Medical and high-performance processors for VR and AI applications. AT&S has a global presence with production sites in Austria (Leoben, Fehring) and plants in India (Nanjangud) and China (Shanghai, Chongqing). A new high-end production site for IC substrates is currently being established in Malaysia (Kulim). In Leoben, a European competence center including series production for IC substrate technologies is being built. Both sites will start production in the financial year 2024/25. The company employs more than 13,000 people.

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