Process Design Kit (PDK)

This guidance is intended for MSU faculty, students, and staff working with Process Design Kits (PDK’s) who need to better understand how the U.S. Export Control Regulations may impact their work.

Process Design Kits (PDKs)

PDKs are typically licensed to MSU under a Nondisclosure Agreement (NDA) or Purchase Order (PO). The PDK’s and the background proprietary information may be subject to the U.S. Export Control Regulations. There are many third-party manufacturers, both domestic and international, who license PDK’s to MSU, including:

AIM Photonics
ARM
Global Foundries
Intel
Ligentec
MOSIS
Muse Semiconductor
Samsung
Semiconductor Research Corporation
ST Microelectronics
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC)
United Microelectronics Company (UMC)

Export Compliance for Incoming PDKs

When entering into an agreement for a PDK, MSU faculty should coordinate with MSU’s Office of Export Control and Trade Sanctions (ECTS) to request the applicable Export Control Classification Number (ECCN) for the PDK from the manufacturer.

Many times, incoming PDK’s will be classified as EAR99 (a lower-level export classification). MSU’s Office of ECTS will not actively manage PDK’s that are classified as EAR99 technologies.

But on occasion, PDK manufacturers may provide PDK export classifications that are more highly controlled, such as ECCN 3E001 or ECCN 3E991, which may require MSU’s Office of ECTS to implement a Technology Control Plan to manage the PDK as export-controlled technology at MSU.

Non-U.S. Persons should not work with PDK’s prior to obtaining the export classification from the manufacturer. Deemed-export licenses may be needed prior to a non-U.S. Person having access to a PDK here at MSU.

Export Compliance for Outgoing Design Files or Tape-outs

It is important to determine whether there will be an international shipment or electronic transfer (i.e. export) of a design file or tape-out to an entity located outside of the U.S.

Before any outgoing transfer or shipment, whether domestic or international, MSU faculty should reach out to MSU’s Office of ECTS to run Restricted Party Screening.

For international transfers of outgoing design files or tape-outs, there is additional due diligence required:
- Before transferring (i.e. exporting) to a PDK manufacturer or foundry located outside of the U.S., MSU faculty, students and staff must work with MSU’s Office of ECTS to determine the export classification of the outgoing design file or tape-out.
- Depending on the export classification of the outgoing design file or tape out, there may be export control restrictions on which countries the technology may be shared with, and export licenses or license exceptions may need to be leveraged prior to transfer.

Have tape-out/design files to report to ECTS? Please contact us at export@msu.edu.

Use of integrated circuits and circuit boards at MSU

Once the integrated circuit or circuit board is manufactured and returned to MSU, it is again important to confirm with MSU’s Office of ECTS to determine the export classification of the end item.

Depending on the export classification, there may be export control restrictions on who may work with the integrated circuits and circuit boards here at MSU. Technology Control Plans or export licenses may be needed.

Please contact Export Control & Trade Sanctions Office if you have questions or need assistance at export@msu.edu.

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