Glossary comparison
NPI vs Ramp: what is the difference?
The difference
Ramp is the rise from first wafers to full volume. NPI includes the ramp of a new product but also qualification, documentation and commercial readiness.
New product introduction covers getting a product ready for production, including qualification and documentation. The ramp is the volume and yield rise once production starts.
The two terms
NPI
The cross-functional process that takes a product from design completion through qualification, pilot builds and ramp to full production, covering test programme release, supply setup, documentation and channel readiness.
Ramp
The period during which a new fab or technology node increases from first wafers to full volume, with yield, cycle time and tool utilisation all improving together.
Side by side
| Field | NPI | Ramp |
|---|---|---|
| Stands for | New Product Introduction | Not an abbreviation |
| Type | Acronym | Process |
| Domain | Business & Market | Fab Ops, Yield & Metrology |
| Group | Product lifecycle | Fab economics |