The Pursuit of Precision: How Advanced Analog and Test Technologies Power the Future of Semiconductors

A self-driving vehicle approaches an intersection at 35 miles per hour when its LiDAR system detects an object ahead. Whether that object is measured at 165 feet or 167 feet away can determine if the car brakes smoothly in time. A difference of just two feet may separate safety from catastrophe.

Achieving this level of accuracy depends on advanced analog technology that bridges digital processing with the physical world.

High-precision data converters, amplifiers, voltage references and other analog integrated circuits (ICs) are engineered to capture real-world signals—such as temperature, humidity, voltage, current, distance and position—with exceptional accuracy. Working together on a circuit board, these analog components deliver system-level precision that enables digital systems to make intelligent decisions.

Before these chips can operate together in the field, however, they must first be rigorously validated using even more precise equipment. Automated test equipment (ATE), high-resolution oscilloscopes, digital multimeters and other instruments rely on cutting-edge semiconductors to verify next-generation electronics. Any measurement error can lead to costly product failures, safety risks and, most critically, a loss of customer trust.

The Relentless Pursuit of Precision

“The semiconductor industry is moving toward transistors with gate lengths of 1.5 nanometers,” said Karthik Vasanth, vice president of data converters and clocks at Texas Instruments. “For perspective, silicon atoms are spaced about 0.23 nanometers apart. A 1.5-nanometer gate is only about five times that distance. It’s extraordinary.”

As semiconductor geometries approach atomic scales, high-resolution test systems must evolve in parallel. Engineers continually push measurement equipment to handle greater bandwidth, faster signals and higher resolution with each new generation.

Robert Mayon, general manager of semiconductor solutions for test and measurement at National Instruments—now part of Emerson Electric—has witnessed this evolution firsthand. His team integrates TI’s precision ICs into systems capable of detecting performance variations that were nearly impossible to measure just a few years ago.

“From sub-2-nanometer process research through silicon validation, characterization and high-volume ATE, our systems are designed to test the world’s most advanced semiconductors,” Robert explained. “To deliver that breadth of capability, we rely on outstanding data converters and precision analog components. Combined with emerging AI capabilities in our platforms, we’re uncovering device characteristics that were previously out of reach—helping chipmakers accelerate learning cycles and bring each new generation to market with greater confidence.”

The Demands of Accuracy

“Designers always select the very best and most reliable components,” Karthik said. “They won’t compromise on fundamental accuracy.” This expectation drives continuous innovation, as TI must meet the rigorous demands of both semiconductor manufacturers and equipment builders.

Amplifier performance, for example, has improved dramatically. Today’s precision amplifiers can detect electrical signals up to 100 times more accurately than those available a decade ago. “Even a seemingly simple device like an amplifier can change the world through precision,” said Prajkta Vyavahare, vice president of amplifiers at Texas Instruments.

Modern test equipment requires amplifiers with microvolt-level offset control and extremely low noise. Data converters must be sensitive enough to identify a single flawed measurement among 15 million perfect ones—while processing more than one billion samples per second. Voltage references must exhibit near-zero drift to allow instruments to operate for extended periods without recalibration, ushering in a new era of long-term measurement stability.

Testing and measurement are central to technological advancement. “Once you’ve designed and manufactured a semiconductor, you must ensure it meets every performance target you set,” Prajkta said. “Testing not only validates your design—it gives you confidence in it.”

This creates a virtuous cycle between semiconductor developers and test equipment manufacturers. “Any product achieving this level of precision must be tested before shipment,” Karthik noted. “Test systems must always be more accurate than the devices they evaluate, which continuously drives innovation in both semiconductor design and measurement technology.”

An Ongoing Journey

The drive for precision extends to any application that requires highly accurate measurement. Electric vehicle battery systems depend on precision amplifiers to monitor charging currents and voltages to prevent hazardous failures. AI processors used in data centers must undergo rigorous validation to detect even the smallest defects before deployment.

Advancements in semiconductor technology will continue to propel automated test systems forward, incorporating stronger AI capabilities to predict failures and make real-time decisions. Integration breakthroughs will yield smaller, more reliable test platforms, enabling manufacturers to enhance product quality, accelerate time to market and scale production efficiently.

“In the end, it’s about solving real engineering problems,” Prajkta said. “When test and measurement designers tell you your product has solved their challenge, that’s when you know you’ve truly achieved precision.”