We talk a lot about architectures and semiconductors.
At the FSiC2024 conference in Paris, I saw real integrated circuits and took pictures, including TinyTapeout chips and the LibreSOC samples/prototypes.
I have uploaded some of them on Wikipedia to contribute to the Libre-SOC page.
And here Thorsten showing some TT samples in bare die and QFN package.
And one board demonstrated by @matt venn !
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Have you tried any services like TinyTapeout? Seems really cool, but not sure what the limitations are, or how it goes in practice.
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I haven't used TT (yet).
Too few/slow I/O is a killer.
Fortunately eFabless expects new Caravel "Panamax" with 64 GPIO in QFP format !!!
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That is exciting! Yea, I saw the "50Mhz max clock, 37 IO (or whatever it is)", and considered that I may as well use an FPGA. Also don't love QFN. QFP is good though! Excited to see the custom chip making take off.
I was thinking of ways to make some tiny, detailed parts (perhaps involving circuitry) at home, hopefully one day we can make the ICs ourselves. I can think of some ways this may be possible. Would be an interesting project.
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Yes, FPGA are more practical on many aspects, for now :-) They have their advantages, you can modify the design, select a suitable package among tens of options, you have a great performance/price. So you can prototype, iterate fast...
But the pride of having one's own silicon chip with a personal design, it's not comparable.
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That would make sense. It is certainly on my bucket list.
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@Dylan Brophy on mine too, obviously :-)
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