2040

[Kimmo Koli]

On Fri, 3 Apr 1998, Martin Czech wrote:

> > Would it be possible to use that schematic to make a "real"
> > 2040 clone, an IC with the same pinout as 2040 (not the VCF but 
> > just the gain stages)? How much does it cost today to start a 
> > production of IC's? 
> > 
> > 
> Rough estimation:
> 
> If you have the software to draw the layout ($10k-100k) and to
> generate the gdsII file you pay
> 
> $1k per mask (say 8 masks $8k)
> $1k per wafer (some hundred ics)
> 
> And you need a foundry, too. Difficult for these few wafers you
> need.

There are free layout drawing programs for Linux (and other UNIX-systems)
like Magic and something for PCs is also available which I do not
remember. But anyway, for a chip as old as the 2040 the layout masks may
have been drawn BY HAND to large transparent sheets (size A0 or so...)

For prototyping there are MPW-runs (Multi Procect Wafer) where
you get 10-20 prototype chips for a from 5000$ to 10000$ cost depending on
your chip area and used process. For example MOSIS in USA and EUROPRACTICE
in Europe does this kind of service. Unfortunately, neither of these
organizations provide bipolar processes and if they do provide one, it is
a very advanced high-frequency process with bjt ft:s in tens of gigahertz.  

Hope there are less typos in this message than in my last one...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   Kimmo Koli                         Helsinki University of Technology 
   kimmo at ecdl.hut.fi                  Electronic Circuit Design Laboratory
   http://www.ecdl.hut.fi/~kimmo      P.O.Box 3000
   Tel:  +358 9 451 2273              FIN-02015 HUT
   Fax:  +358 9 451 2269              Finland 
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=