Semiconductor · MPW

Mature-node MPW coordination & RFQ screening

MST helps overseas fabless companies, universities, research teams, and industrial chip developers start mature-node MPW discussions with a high-level, non-confidential brief. We screen process fit, clarify the NDA/PDK path, coordinate packaging/test RFQ needs, route qualified cases to partners, and return partner-confirmed next steps.

Answer first

MST is a purpose-built MPW RFQ coordination path for teams exploring mature-node prototype silicon. It starts with non-confidential requirements, screens process fit and compliance, clarifies the NDA/PDK route, and routes qualified cases to partner-confirmed next steps. MST is not a wafer foundry and does not accept GDS at intake.

Source: Moore Solution Technology · mst-sg.com
No GDS / netlist / RTL or confidential design IP at intake - high-level requirements only

What this is - and what it is not.

MST is not a wafer foundry and does not claim to manufacture wafers directly. We act as an MPW RFQ qualification, service-chain coordination, and partner-routing layer for mature-node prototype demand.

A coordination and screening desk

We coordinate, screen and scope

You send a high-level requirement. We run compliance and process-fit screening, clarify the PDK/NDA path, scope packaging/test needs, confirm feasibility with a qualified partner, and return partner-confirmed next steps.

Process-fit screen PDK / NDA path Partner-confirmed Indicative quote
Not a wafer foundry

We do not sell or guarantee slots

We do not operate a wafer fab or own wafer capacity. Availability, pricing and schedule are confirmed case by case with a qualified partner only after review.

No capacity sold No guaranteed slot No IP at intake

How an MPW RFQ moves

Five steps from a high-level brief to a partner-confirmed indicative quote - manual review first, design IP last.

Intake

High-level requirements only - node, process family, die area, volume and timeline. No GDS, netlist or RTL.

Process-fit screen

We check that your requirement maps to a real mature-node or specialty process, and flag anything that needs manual review.

PDK / NDA path

Once fit is clear, we set up the NDA and PDK path so design detail is only exchanged under agreement.

Partner confirmation

A qualified partner confirms feasibility, availability and schedule for your case - nothing is assumed up front.

Indicative quote

You receive an indicative quote with partner-confirmed terms. No commitment is made until you proceed.

MPW RFQ Agent

Where AI helps across the MPW service chain.

MST uses the MPW RFQ Agent as a planning and qualification layer, not as a claim of wafer capacity. AI structures inputs, flags gaps and prepares reviewable work products; partner confirmation still decides process access, schedule, price, packaging, wafer probe and test scope.

Intake AI

RFQ intake: from free-text request to structured brief

AI use: AI reads the customer email or form answers and extracts node range, process family, die-area estimate, sample quantity, package/test assumptions, timeline, country and end-use context.

Improves: It reduces first-round back-and-forth, flags missing fields, and keeps GDS, RTL, netlists and confidential IP out of the public intake.

Traditional difference: Traditional intake depends on manual triage of scattered emails; MST starts with a structured, non-confidential brief that is easier for compliance and partner review.

Process-fit AI

Process-fit: turn requirements into review questions

AI use: AI compares the brief against mature-node fit patterns such as analog, mixed-signal, RF, BCD, high-voltage, sensor and eNVM, then highlights contradictions or missing process details.

Improves: It gives the reviewer a better first read: likely process families, uncertainty points, and the exact questions a partner must answer.

Traditional difference: Traditional RFQ routing often relies on a salesperson guessing the right path; MST uses AI to prepare evidence for human and partner confirmation, not to pretend capacity is confirmed.

Packaging / test AI

Packaging and test: avoid the wafer-only quote trap

AI use: AI turns die size, pad count, sample purpose, operating conditions, package preference, probe needs and characterization goals into a package/probe/test checklist.

Improves: It exposes cost and schedule drivers earlier, so the quote path includes packaging, wafer probe and test assumptions instead of only wafer access.

Traditional difference: Traditional MPW conversations often discover package/test gaps after foundry discussion; MST brings those assumptions into the first review package.

NDA / PDK path AI

NDA and PDK path: separate public planning from design data

AI use: AI classifies questions into public planning items, NDA-gated items, PDK-access items, export-review items and customer legal-approval items.

Improves: It lowers the chance that a team shares controlled files too early and makes the next safe action clear before design detail moves.

Traditional difference: Traditional email threads mix public questions and sensitive design details; MST keeps the intake clean until the right agreement and partner path exist.

Quote-readiness AI

Quote-readiness: create a partner-review package

AI use: AI scores the RFQ for completeness and summarizes unresolved gaps, inconsistent assumptions, schedule risks, compliance holds and package/test unknowns.

Improves: It produces a concise reviewer packet so MST and the partner can focus on feasibility, commercial terms and next-step confirmation.

Traditional difference: Traditional RFQs arrive as long email chains; MST turns them into a scoped decision packet before asking a partner for confirmation.

After-MPW AI

After MPW: convert first-silicon learning into the next plan

AI use: AI organizes characterization notes, package/test results, yield observations, failure modes, sourcing needs and engineering-run open items after first silicon.

Improves: It helps the team decide whether the next step is another MPW, an engineering run, package/test change, BOM sourcing, or production-readiness review.

Traditional difference: Traditional handoff loses learning across emails and spreadsheets; MST keeps the post-MPW evidence connected to the next RFQ or engineering-run discussion.

Coverage

Indicative process window. Final node and process are confirmed case by case with a qualified partner.

MPW-COVERAGE · indicative partner-confirmed
Nodes0.35um-40nm across mature-node and specialty processes.
Advanced edge28 / 22nm - case by case, subject to partner confirmation.
ProcessesAnalog / Mixed-signal · BCD / Power · eNVM / eFlash · RF · High-voltage.
Run typeShared-reticle multi-project wafer coordination and tapeout routing.
At intakeHigh-level requirements only - no GDS / netlist / RTL before NDA.
Submit your requirement

Useful tools for MPW planning

Use these tools before submitting an RFQ: plan shared-reticle floorplans, estimate gross/good dies, inspect local GDS metadata, compare cost share, and turn high-level parameters into an RFQ link. Everything runs in your browser; the GDS tool does not upload files, and RFQ intake still uses non-confidential summaries only.

See all tools →
Tool 00 · Fit-check

3-step MPW fit-check

Answer high-level process, prototype-scope and compliance-boundary questions, then open the MPW RFQ form with non-confidential answers pre-filled.

Reviewability score No design IP RFQ prefill
Open readiness check
Tool 01 · Reticle planning

MPW Reticle & Wafer Planner

Pack several projects into one shared reticle, step it across the wafer, estimate gross/good dies and each project area-based cost share.

Shared reticle Yield model Cost share No upload
Open planner
Tool 02 · Fast estimate

MPW Prototype Cost Estimator

Estimate gross dies per wafer, shared-reticle utilization, indicative mature-node cost range, shuttle timing and tapeout readiness.

Dies per wafer Cost range Readiness checklist RFQ deep link
Open estimator
Tool 03 · Local GDS check

Local GDSII Inspector

Inspect a .gds file fully in your browser: top cell, die size, layers, cell tree and element counts. Nothing is uploaded - use the metadata to build a non-confidential RFQ summary.

Local only Die size Layer list No GDS upload
Open GDS inspector
Reference · Access map

Non-Western MPW Access Map

A neutral, sourced comparison of MPW routes - MOSIS, Europractice, Muse, IMEC and others - focused on the question others omit: which route a non-US / non-EU team can actually use. Eligibility, pricing model and access gates, every figure dated to its source.

Eligibility Sourced pricing Neutral map
Open access map

MPW is one part of the prototype silicon service chain

Many overseas teams do not only need a wafer run. They also need packaging, wafer probe, final-test planning, sample logistics and procurement support scoped early enough for a realistic RFQ.

Stage 01 · MPW pre-review

Turn a vague manufacturing question into a reviewable RFQ

We help structure node range, process family, rough die area, sample count, target timing and end-use context before any confidential design exchange.

Stage 02 · Packaging and probe

Scope packaging, wafer probe and characterization needs

Package assumption, die size, pad count, sample quantity, test coverage and reliability expectations should be visible before a formal quote path is requested.

Stage 03 · Partner confirmation

Confirm route, price, schedule and limits case by case

MST coordinates the RFQ route, but final capability, commercial terms, timeline and acceptance criteria require qualified-partner confirmation.

Stage 04 · Cross-border support

Coordinate commercial steps, samples and sourcing needs

After a route is confirmed, MST can support PI/payment coordination, sample shipment communication and adjacent BOM, test accessory or small-batch sourcing requests.

MPW knowledge tree

Focused guides for the long-tail questions engineers and procurement teams search before they are ready to submit a full tapeout package.

Launch announcement

MST launches mature-node MPW RFQ coordination

The formal service announcement: MST is an MPW RFQ qualification and coordination partner, not a wafer foundry.

Read announcement
No-GDS intake

MPW RFQ without GDS

What to submit first: node, process family, die area, quantity and timeline - no design IP at intake.

Read guide
Node window

0.35um-40nm mature-node scoping

How to describe node range, specialty process options and partner-confirmed feasibility.

Read guide
Planning

Readiness, PDK, NDA, cost and timeline

A practical checklist from outline RFQ to NDA/PDK path, cost drivers and shuttle planning.

Read guide
Specialty process

Analog, BCD, high-voltage and RF MPW

How to scope voltage, RF, passives, BCD, package and test needs before partner review.

Read guide
After wafer

Packaging, wafer probe and test

Why probe, package, sample quantity, reliability and logistics belong in the first RFQ.

Read guide
Chinese long-tail

MPW 流片报价指南

中文说明:成熟制程 MPW、是否需要 GDS、PDK/NDA、封装测试和新加坡协调入口。

Read guide

MPW guide cluster

Start with the pillar guide, then use these focused articles to prepare a reviewable, non-confidential MPW brief before any design IP or GDS handoff.

Pillar

Multi-Project Wafer (MPW) Shuttle: Complete Guide for First Silicon

The broad primer for shared-reticle MPW, first silicon planning, design handoff and non-confidential intake boundaries.

Read guide
Cost

How Much Does Chip Tapeout Cost? MPW vs Full Mask Cost Drivers

How mask set, die size, wafer quantity, packaging, probe and schedule assumptions change early cost conversations.

Read guide
Checklist

How to Tapeout a Chip: First Silicon Checklist

A first-silicon checklist covering specification, PDK/NDA path, verification, GDS/OASIS readiness and RFQ scope.

Read guide
Tapeout data

GDSII, DRC and LVS Requirements for MPW Tapeout

What design-rule checks and layout handoff items matter later, while MST intake still begins without design IP.

Read guide
Open silicon

Sky130 and Open-Source Silicon MPW Options After eFabless

A context guide for open-source silicon routes and how they differ from partner-confirmed commercial MPW review.

Read guide
Asia access

MPW Singapore and Asia Access: What Overseas Fabless Teams Should Prepare

Preparation notes for overseas teams comparing Asia-friendly MPW routes, documentation and partner access gates.

Read guide
Access options

MOSIS and Europractice Alternatives for Non-US and Non-Academic Teams

A practical comparison frame for teams that may not fit US, EU or university-focused shuttle access programs.

Read guide
Node choice

MPW Node Selection: 0.35um, 180nm, 65nm, 40nm and 28nm Tradeoffs

How to frame mature-node and advanced-edge requests before a partner confirms real process fit and schedule.

Read guide
After MPW

From MPW to Engineering Run and Mass Production

What changes after first silicon, including validation, package/test planning, engineering runs and production risk.

Read guide
Prototype path

FPGA to ASIC: When a Prototype Should Move Toward MPW

A decision guide for teams moving from programmable prototypes toward ASIC feasibility and first-silicon planning.

Read guide
Die count

How Many Dies Do You Get from an MPW Shuttle?

How wafer diameter, reticle use, die size, scribe lanes, yield assumptions and packaging needs affect die counts.

Read guide

What we do / what we do not

Clear scope, no surprises. The boundary is the same boundary that protects your design IP.

What we do
  • Take a high-level MPW brief and run customer, country and end-use screening.
  • Screen process-fit against mature-node and specialty processes.
  • Set up the NDA and PDK path before any design detail is exchanged.
  • Coordinate with a qualified partner to confirm feasibility and schedule.
  • Return an indicative quote with partner-confirmed terms.
What we do not do
  • We do not operate a wafer fab or manufacture wafers directly.
  • We do not sell, reserve or guarantee wafer capacity or foundry slots.
  • We do not accept GDS, netlist or RTL at intake.
  • We do not promise availability, pricing or schedule before partner confirmation.
  • We do not bypass export screening or compliance review.

Good vs bad MPW RFQ submissions

A reviewable RFQ is specific enough for process-fit screening, but still non-confidential. If you are not sure, start with the safe version below.

Reviewable · non-confidential

Good first RFQ

  • Target node or range, such as 180nm BCD, 350nm high-voltage, 65/55nm RF, or not sure.
  • Process family, estimated die-area range, target tapeout window and prototype sample quantity.
  • Packaging, wafer probe, characterization, sample destination and end-use context.
  • PDK/NDA status and whether you need partner-confirmed next steps before sharing design details.
Not acceptable at intake

Do not submit these at intake

  • GDS, OASIS, netlists, RTL, source code, PDK files, proprietary layout or confidential schematics.
  • Requests for guaranteed foundry slots, reserved capacity, fixed price or fixed shuttle schedule.
  • Any request to bypass export screening, customer review, country review or end-use review.
  • Unclear messages such as "please tape out my chip" without node, process, package/test or timing context.

Frequently asked

The questions engineers and procurement teams ask before submitting a brief.

Can I submit an MPW RFQ without uploading GDS?
Yes. Intake is high-level requirements only: node, process family, die area, volume and timeline. Design detail is only exchanged later, under NDA.
What happens after I submit?
A manual compliance review runs first. Then we screen process-fit, set up the PDK/NDA path, and coordinate with a qualified partner to return a partner-confirmed indicative quote.
Do you guarantee a foundry slot or wafer capacity?
No. MST does not sell, reserve or guarantee foundry slots or wafer capacity. Availability, pricing and schedule are confirmed case by case with a qualified partner only after review.
Which nodes and processes are covered?
Nodes from 0.35um to 40nm across mature-node and specialty processes, with 28/22nm considered case by case. Final fit is partner-confirmed.
Is mature-node MPW export-controlled?
Every RFQ passes customer, country and end-use screening. Sensitive cases go to manual review and may be held.
Start with a high-level brief

Ready to scope your run?

Send node, process family, die area, volume and timeline - no design IP. We screen it, route to a qualified partner, and return an indicative quote.