2040

[Duane R Balvage]

Hello, all -

> > > 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?
> > >

      Sure, it could be done ... for a price...


> > >
> > Rough estimation:
> >
> > If you have the software to draw the layout ($10k-100k) and to
> > generate the gdsII file you pay

     Your'e definitely right about the software! This is what I

     do for a living (draw the inside of microprocessors, that is).

> >
> > $1k per mask (say 8 masks $8k)

     Yeah, about 8 masks for a 2 metal layer process sounds about

     right (Pdiff, Ndiff, Poly, etc ... Metal2)

> > $1k per wafer (some hundred ics)

     Quite a few IC's if it is done on a 6" to 8" wafer... on today's

     technologies, that chip'd be mighty small!

> >
> > And you need a foundry, too. Difficult for these few wafers you
> > need.

    THIS is the hard part!!! (and the expensive part!)

> 
> 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...)

  Yep. they were probably done on a large sheet of Rubylith mylar

  sheet, by hand with razor knives. (I have done this, not for chips,

  but for Graphic Arts class...)

> 
> 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.

   Interestin'....

> 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.

   Sigh ... I have access to the tools, and have the knowledge base, but

 don't have the capital to manufacture the darned things ...

 anyone else have any ideas?


				- Duane B.

  "All opinions expressed herein are mine and not of Intel"

  


-- 
   "That boy's got a mouth like a cannon ... Always shootin' it off..."
                                
                             - Foghorn Leghorn
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