Tape-out vs Tape-in

Tape-out is the final phase of a design life cycle for a IC design (ASIC/SOC) before the manufacturing starts. (And the same for a PCB design before it is manufactured)

This is the phase when the final database that contains the design information is sent to a foundry to begin the manufacturing process. The data base will be in GDSII format.

The term tape-out was named so because historically a magnetic tape was used to store all the ASIC design files and this tape was then send to the foundry for manufacturing.

A tape-in is a relatively newer terminology used by certain companies that are involved in bigger SOC (System on Chip) designs that involves integration of several IPs.

Some of these organizations will have different groups (and even business units) that work on different IP designs and these are then integrated to a top level SOC design which is finally taped out for manufacturing. When each of the IP groups are ready with their final data base, they tape-in their data base to the top level design team which finally makes a tape-out of full design database to the foundry

Words

1. disgruntled - angry or dissatisfied
     Judges receive letters from disgruntled members of the public.
     A disgruntled individual sabotages the network by intentionally writing bad code.

2. sabotage - deliberately destroy, damage, or obstruct (something), especially for political or military advantage
      Railway tracks in Rajastan were sabotaged by gujjars union.


3. malicious - intended to do harm
     He was found guilty of malicious damage

4. inadvertent -  not resulting from or achieved through deliberate planning.

"an inadvertent administrative error occurred that resulted in an overpayment"

synonyms:

unintentional, unintended, accidental, unpremeditated, unplanned, unmeant, innocent, uncalculated, unconscious, unthinking, unwitting, involuntary;

5. vigilant - keeping careful watch for possible danger or difficulties.

1. 
   

   "the burglar was spotted by vigilant neighbours"

   
   

   synonyms:

   watchful, on the lookout, observant, sharp-eyed, keen-eyed, gimlet-eyed, eagle-eyed, hawk-eyed, with eyes like a hawk, with one's eyes open, keeping one's eyes peeled/skinned, attentive, paying attention, alert, on the alert, on one's toes, on the qui vive; More