Section
 

Glossary: M

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Strictly speaking, a semiconductor is a material with an electrical conductivity between that of an insulator and that of a conductor. Semiconductors can be single elements such as silicon or germanium or compounds such as gallium arsenide or indium phosphide. In day to day usage, however, the term "semiconductor" more frequently refers to the components manufactured from semiconductor materials.

  • M5
    8" fab in Catania. It is the third 8" fab built by ST.
  • MAC
    1) Maximum Allowable Concentration
    2) Media Access Control
    Type of LAN switch output (20 Mbps).
    3) Multiplexed Analog Components
    TV application
    4) Apple Macintosh
  • MCP
    Multi-chip package
  • MACT
    Maximum Achievable Control Technology
  • MAFE
    Modem Analog Front-End
    Integrated circuit which includes all of the analog functions needed to build a modem circuit. These functions include A/D and D/A converters, filters...
  • Mail reflector
    Computer that replies automatically to e:Mail messages, returning information to anyone who sends a message to the mail reflector address. In some cases the reflector expects an empty message and sends the same reply to everyone. In others the sender must include certain key words in the message subject. In this case the response depends on the key words.
  • Majority carrier
    The mobile charge that predominates in a semiconductor material. Electrons in N-type material and holes in P-type material.
  • Making the rounds
    The approach to internal marketing research in which a specialist is assigned to contact those departments which are significantly impacted by a project undergoing planning. Also, visiting each customer to secure input for planning purposes.
  • Malta
    Island in the Mediterranean sea where ST Kirkop assembly plant is located.
  • Manufacturing margin
    Profit remaining after deducting from sales the cost of manufacturing products (F/E + B/E + shipping costs).
  • Manufacturing variation
    Difference between the actual cost of manufacturing a product and its WWS (Worldwide Standard value).
  • MAP
    Mold Array Process
  • MAPI
    Microsoft Mail Application Programmer Interface MDN Message Disposition Notification
  • Marlow
    Small town west of London, England. Location of the headquarters of ST's North Europe commercial organization and a local design center.
  • MASK
    In semiconductor manufacturing, many wafer processing steps use photolithography. The photographic "negatives" for these steps are called masks.
  • Masking
    In semiconductor technology, a pattern of opaque images to mask out selected areas on silicon slices so subsequent etchings or diffusions will affect only selected areas.
  • Mask shop
    Department where masks are made from the pattern generation tapes.
  • Mask trimmer
    A device that uses bursts of laser energy to vaporize and remove unwanted opaque areas or spots on a photomask or reticle.
  • Mass balance
    A quantitative accounting of the distribution of chemical in plant components, support medium, and test solutions. It also means a quantitative determination of uptake as the difference between the quantity of materials entering a process/site, the quantity leaving the process/site, and the quantity adsorbed to the process/site.
  • Mass Flow Controller
    A gauge consisting of a mass flow meter, an electronic controller and a valve that can control the rate of flow of a gas.
  • Master Plate
    Original photomask generated by a step-and-repeat camera or e-beam system, used to print submasters or working plates.
  • MAT
    MATurity (code)
  • MATC
    Maximum Acceptable Toxicant Concentration
  • Maturity
    The status of a product or a technology. The life cycle of all products and technologies is governed by a procedure which defines different levels of maturity for various phases in the cycle.
  • MAX
    MAXimum
  • MAX220
    MAXium 220 pkg
  • MIB30 Index
    The index which comprises the 30 leading stocks on the Milan Stock Exchange, based upon market capitalization and liquidity.
  • MBAS
    Methylene-Blue-Active Substances
  • MGBA
    Micro Ball Grid Array
  • MicroBGA
    Very small Ball Grid Array from Tessera
    Trademarked name often (wrongly) used generically.
  • Mbit
    Megabit
  • MBNQA
    The Malcom Baldridge National Quality Award
    Annual Award to recognize companies that excel in Quality Management and Quality Achievement (USA). ST Americas won the Malcom Baldrige in 1999.
  • MBO
    Management By Objectives
  • MBPS
    Million Bytes Per Second
  • MBWA
    Management By Walking Around
  • MCA
    Micro Channel Architecture
    Open bus for midrange computers.
  • MCBF
    Mean Cycles Between Failures
    Obtained by dividing Mean Time Between Failures by the length of time required to complete one operating cycle.
  • MCC
    1) Multivariate Control Chartse
    2) Multichannel Memory Controller
  • MCDC
    Minimum Cost Digital Camera
  • MCF
    Methyl chloroform
  • MCL
    Maximum Contaminant Level
  • MCLG
    Maximum Contaminant Level Goal
  • MCM
    Multi-Chip Module
  • MCU
    MicroController Unit
  • MCW
    Modulated Continuous Wave
  • MD
    Mini Disk
  • MDAC
    Multiplying Digital to Analog Converter
  • MDCS
    Manufacturing Document Control System
  • MDK
    MPEG Developers Kit
  • MDL
    Method Detection Limit
  • MDQ
    Market Driven Quality
  • MDS
    1)Microprocessor Development System
    2)Modulation Diodes Schottky
  • MDV
    Modulation Diodes/rectifiers
  • MECL
    Motorola Emitter Coupled Logic
  • Mechanical yield
    The percentage of parts which are good after the packaging operations. This is normally close to 100% because there is a small loss caused by faulty assembly.
  • MEDEA
    Micro Electronic Development for European Applications (the continuation of JESSI)
  • Medium
    Plural of the word "media".
    A term used in the environmental field to describe the various "compartments" into which the natural world can be divided. The major media are: air, water, soil and biota. These in turn can be subdivided: air into the various compartments of the atmosphere, water into surface waters (which can be further sub-divided into fresh waters and saline waters) and groundwater, biota into plants and animals.
  • Mega
    A prefix meaning a multiple of one million.
  • MEI
    Most Exposed Individual
  • MEK
    Methyl Ethyl Ketone
  • Melanoma
    Cancer of the skin.
    It is associated with overexposure to the shorter wavelengths of UV present in sunlight, generally screened out by the ozone layer. In this form, it normally occurs on those parts of the body which are most exposed to sunlight. Another form of melanoma skin cancer occurs on parts of the body which are generally never exposed to sunlight.
  • MEM
    Micro Mechanical Machining
  • MEMS
    Micro-Electro-Mechanical System
    MEMS devices can use electrostatic techniques to convert an applied voltage into physical movement. The electrostatic method is particularly suitable for hard disk drive applications as it does not involve generation electromagnetic fields near the disk surface.
  • Memory
    A general term for computer hardware that holds infon-nation in electrical or magnetic form.
  • MEO
    Medium Earth Orbit
    Satellite that is 5 to 10 Kmiles above Earth (Geostat=23 Kmiles)
  • MEP
    Motion Estimation Processor
  • meq/l
    Milliequivalents per liter
  • Mercury (Hg)
    One of a group of metallic elements classified as heavy metals. Mercury is the only metal that is a liquid at room temperature. Unlike most other metals, mercury tends to form covalent bonds with other inorganic materials as well as organic compounds. Elemental (metallic), inorganic (ionic), and organic forms of the mercury are released into the environment through natural and anthropogenic sources. The latter include mining, smelting, and industrial discharges. The burning of coal and the refining of petroleum continue to be important sources. Once released into the environment, the element can undergo many transformations and conversions among the three major forms given above. The most common human exposures to elemental mercury are by the inhalation of vapor. The element is rapidly absorbed and distributed by the circulatory system. Absorption of mercury from the gastrointestinal tract is very limited for elemental mercury but very high for organic forms of the element. Mercury is excreted slowly from the body, with about one-half of an absorbed dose being lost in 30 to 90 days. That part of the human body most sensitive to mercury poisoning is the central nervous system.
  • MES
    Manufacturing Execution System
    The system for execution management.
  • MESFET
    Metal Schottky FET
    A field effect transistor whose gate structure consists of a metallic Schottky barrier.
  • Metal-Gate MOS
    MOS devices with a metal layer deposited to form the gate elements.
  • Metal layer
    A layer of aluminum or, in some cases, copper, used to connect all the transistors of a silicon chip together. As chips become more and more complex, the number of layers needed increases so the chip can be made as small as possible.
  • Metal Mask
    The photomask used to define the metal interconnects in an IC.
  • Metallization
    Metallization is the process of depositing a thin film of metal and patterning it to form the desired interconnection arrangement.
  • METH
    Methylene chloride
  • Methane (CH4)
    A gaseous hydrocarbon that is the main component of natural gas; the molecule contains a single carbon atom bonded to four hydrogen atoms. It is highly explosive. It is plentiful in nature, where huge fields of natural gas exist, either together with or separate from crude oil deposits. It is also often present wherever anaerobic decomposition of organic material occurs. In this respect, it is a primary component of "marsh gas", which is generated in the mud of marsh-lands. This is also the reason for its presence in biogas, of which it is an important component. Methane is considered a greenhouse gas and plays a part in the depletion of stratospheric ozone.
  • MF
    Macro Family
  • MFC
    Mass Flow Controller
  • Mfg
    Manufacturing
  • MFLOPS
    Millions of FLoating point Operations Per Second
  • MFM
    Modified Frequency Modulation
  • MFP
    1) Monitor Flat Panel
    2)MultiFunction Printer
  • MFT
    MultiFunction Timer
  • mg
    milligram
  • mg/kg
    milligram per kilogram
  • mg/l
    milligrams per liter
  • MGV
    Montgomeryville
    ST site in Pennsylvania, USA.
  • MHP
    Multimedia Home Platform
  • MHz
    MegaHertz
  • MIBK
    Methyl isobutyl ketone
  • MIC
    Microwave Integrated Circuit
  • Microcomputer
    A microprocessor complete with stored program memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), and input/output (1/0) logic. Microcomputers are capable of performing useful work without additional supporting logic. If all functions are on the same chip, this is sometimes called a microcontroller.
  • Microcontroller
    A microcontroller is an integrated circuit that combines a microprocessor with other peripheral functions, such as memories, timers and converters.
  • Micrometer
    One-millionth of a meter. About 40 millionths of an inch. Synonymous with micron.
  • Micron (("µ" "µm"))
    A thousandth of a millimeter - about one tenth the thickness of a human hair.
  • µg
    microgram
  • µg/kg
    microgram per kilogram
  • µg/l
    microgram per liter
  • µg/m3
    micrograms per cubic meter
  • µg/l
    microliter
  • µm
    micrometer
  • Microprocessor
    A microprocessor is a hardware device that can be electrically "rewired" by using different software instruction. It is considered the brain of a computer or circuit.
  • MIDAS
    Manufacturing Integration Demand & Availability Systems
    The communication link between planning and execution systems.
  • MIDI
    Music Instrument Digital Interface
  • Mil
    One-thousandth of an inch. Equal to 25.4 microns.
  • Miller Indices
    A set of three integers used to define a set of parallel planes. The integers are derived from the coordinate system of the basic vectors.
  • Milli
    A prefix meaning one-thousandth.
  • MIME
    Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions
  • MIN
    MINimum
  • Minority Carrier
    The non-predominant mobile charge carrier in a semiconductor. Electrons in P-type material and holes in N-type material.
  • Minimum Geometry
    The smallest line width or spacing between lines or features on a semiconductor die. May be defined "as drawn" or "as printed."
  • MIPS
    Millions of Instructions Per Second
  • MIR
    1) Method Improvement Recommendation
    A formalized system for encouraging employee suggestions for improvement.
    2)Maximum individual risk
  • MIS
    1) Management Information Systems
    2) Metal Insulator Silicon
  • Mission
    The purpose of a business, a company, a division, a department or an agency. It is not so much "what is our business or function" as "why is our particular business or function".
  • Mixing
    Quality problem where wrong parts are shipped to customer.
  • MKTG
    Marketing
  • ml
    milliliter
  • ML
    Maximum Likelihood
  • MLC
    Multi-Layer Ceramic
  • MLP
    Micro Lead Package
  • MM
    1) Machine Model
    2) Material Management (SAP)

    The system that manages raw materials in ST.
  • MMCA
    Multi Media Card Association
  • MMDA
    Multichannel Multi point Distribution System
  • MMDS
    Multichannel Microwave Distribution Channel
    Wireless cable
  • MMMF
    Man-Made Mineral Fiber
  • MMIC
    Monolithic Microwave IC
    An analog IC with on-chip inductors and capacitors designed to work at microwave frequencies.
  • MMOD
    MicroMODule.
  • MMP
    Multiple Memory Products
  • MMU
    Memory Management Unit
  • MMX
    MultiMedia eXtension
    MPU instruction extension for easier interface (Modem).
  • MNOS
    Metal Nitride Oxide Semiconductor
    The dielectric between metal and semiconductor is fabricated from silicon nitride. This technology is commonly used to make EEPROMs.
  • MO
    1) Master Oscillator
    2) Magneto Optical technology
  • Mobility (Hole or Electron)
    The rate with which a carrier (majority or minority) moves within a material under the influence of an electric field.
  • Model
    A simplified representation of an object or natural phenomenon used to allow estimates to be made of the behavior of the actual object or phenomenon when the values of certain variables are changed. The model can be described in many possible ways: a set of equations or a physical, miniature version of an object or system. Important environmental models include those estimating the transport, dispersion, and fate of chemicals in the environment. They are especially important for estimating transport, dispersion and fate of chemicals emitted into the atmosphere.
  • MODEM
    MOdulator DEModulator
    Circuit used to convert digital information into tones which can be transmitted over a normal analog telephone line.
  • MOE
    Margin Of Exposure
  • Molding
    Mechanical protection, in the injection process of thermosetting polymer, for interconnection level.
  • Molecule
    An aggregate of two or more atoms of a substance that exists as a unit.
  • Monitoring
    Sampling and analysis of air, water, waste, soil, plants, wildlife and so on, to determine the concentration(s) of contaminant(s). Monitoring may be performed on the actual air, water or waste streams being released into the environment, to determine how much of the contaminants of concern is being emitted into the environment, or it may be performed in the media of interest - the atmosphere, surface waters, soil, plant and wildlife - to determine how much these media are already contaminated.
  • Monitoring well
    A well drilled into groundwater to determine and track its contamination.
  • Monochromatic Light
    A single wavelength of light energy.
  • Monolithic Device
    A device whose circuitry is completely contained on a single die or chip.
  • Montreal Protocol
    An international environmental agreement (reached in 1987 and amended several times after) which aims to reduce and eventually eliminate the emissions of man-made ozone depletion substances.
  • MOS
    1)Metal Oxide Semiconductor
    This is one of the basic technologies used to manufacture integrated circuits, where electrical charges are carried by conduction.
    2)Margin Of Safety
  • MOSFET
    Metal Oxide semiconductor Field Effect Transistor
  • MoST
    Multiple Optimized Super flash Technology
  • Mostek
    Precursor company of ST. Based in Carrollton on the outskirts of Dallas, Texas (USA).
  • MOV
    Metal Oxide Varistor
  • MOU
    Memorandum of Understanding
  • MP
    Melting Point
  • MPC
    Maximum Permissible Concentration
  • MPD
    Maximum Permissible Dose
  • MPEG
    Motion Pictures Experts Group
    A committee belonging jointly to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the Comité Consultatif International Télégraphique et Téléphonique (CCITT). Including representatives of electronics companies, like ST, and broadcasting organizations. It defines standards for the "compression" of digital video signals for consumer products and computers.
  • MPEG1
    First MPEG standard. Defines compression standard for bit rates up to 1.2Mbits and is used in CD applications.
  • MPEG2
    Evolution of the MPEG1 standard, aimed at broadcast TV. The main differences are the higher bit rate of the compressed data stream and support for interlaced images.
  • MPG
    Memory Products Group
    ST group of divisions which manages, develops and markets semiconductor memories and related products.
  • Mph
    Miles per hour
  • MPP
    Massive Parallel Processor
    Processing technique for Super computers.
  • MPS
    1)Management Procurement System
    2) Master Production Scheduling
  • MPU
    Microprocessor Unit
    Sometimes used as a synonym of the word microprocessor.
  • MR
    Magnetic Resonance
  • mrem
    millirem
  • MRIE
    Magnetron Reactive Ion Etch
    The use of magnet to shape the ion field of etchant molecules in a reactive ion etch system.
  • MRP
    Material Requirements Planning
  • MRS
    Management Reporting System
  • MS
    Mass Spectrometer
  • MS-DOS
    MicroSoft Disk Operating System
  • MSB
    Most Significant Bit
  • MSDS
    Material Safety Data Sheet
  • MSI
    Medium-Scale Integration
    A term generally applied to integrated circuit chips containing 30 or more transistors, but less than 1,000.
  • MSO
    Media Service Operator
  • MSOP8
    Mini SOP8
  • MSQ
    MultiSeQuencer
  • MSR
    Monolithic Switching Regulators
  • MSS
    1) Modulation Switching Schottky
    2) Master Sheet Specification
  • MSW
    Municipal Solid Waste
  • MTA
    Message Transfer Agent
  • MTBA
    Mean Time Between Assists
  • MTBE
    Methyl Tertbutylether
  • MTBF
    Mean Time Between Failure
    A maintenance indicator.
    The time between two failures on a piece of equipment (calculated).
  • MTD
    1) Month To Date
    The quantity (or value) produced or sold since the beginningw Roman">of the month.
    2) Maximum Tolerated Dose
  • MTL
    Merged Transistor Logic
  • MTS
    Multichannel TV Sound (stereo TV)
  • MTTF
    Mean Time To failure
    The expectation of the time to failure.
  • MTTP
    Maximum Total Trihalomethane Potential
  • MTTR
    Mean Time To Repair (or recover)
    Average time spent to repair a piece of equipment which went down.
  • MTU
    Mobile Treatment Unit
  • MTV
    Modulation TV diodes/rectifiers
  • Muar
    Site of ST assembly plant in Malaysia.
  • Multimedia
    Loose term generally used to describe anything where different "media" (sound, picture, text and so on) are combined. It could even be used for a synchronized slide show and sound tape, although it is never used for movies and TV where the inclusion of sound is taken for granted. Today it is mainly used in connection with computer hardware and software that add sound and video to text and graphics.
  • Multiwatt
    Power IC package invented by SGS in the late 70s. Registered trademark.
  • MUSE
    Multi-User Simulated Environment
  • MUTA
    Mutagenicity
  • MUX
    Multiplexer
  • MW
    Molecular Weight
  • MWAT
    Multiwatt