1. Purpose of the gate
Packaged first silicon is back, and the boards, firmware and bring-up software are ready to start.
First silicon is a short, practical review. Its job is to confirm that everything bring-up needs is in place, so the expensive early parts are used well and safely: boards checked without silicon, power up procedures written, firmware and drivers frozen and rehearsed, lab equipment ready and people scheduled.
It is also the moment to agree how the scarce early parts and systems are shared between teams, and how issues will be triaged, because the first days of bring-up set the pattern for the rest of the stage.
The review does not judge the silicon; there is no data yet. It judges readiness, and a team that is not ready should delay power up rather than risk damaging the first parts.
A short checklist review done well saves days of confusion. The pack should let anyone in the room see, item by item, whether boards, software, procedures, people and parts are ready, and what is missing.
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