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Overview
- What?
- Why?
- Status
- RFC: ASICs and retrocomputing
Retro-uC An open source microcontroller with retro instruction sets - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Retro-uC An open source microcontroller with retro instruction sets - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Retro-uC An open source microcontroller with retro instruction sets 4/2/2018 Staf Verhaegen Overview What? Why? Status RFC: ASICs and retrocomputing FOSDEM 2018 Retro-uC - Staf Verhaegen 2 What? Retro-uC A micro-controller
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What?
A micro-controller with Z80, MOS6502, Motorola 68000 cores
Retro-uC
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Why?
- Retro Computing
ACA 1233n 40Mhz Accelerator with 128MB RAM € 240,- MIST FPGA computer simulates old consoles and computers € 200,- Firebee computer Coldfjre based Atari clone € 520,-
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Why ?
- Hobbyist/Maker
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Why? Chips want to be free
- Linux: hackers (makers) coding
at night on their PC
- For custom ASICs high start-up
cost but now we have: Crowdfunding Distributed Development
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Why?
- The Dream:
Low-volume Open Source ASIC service
– ASIC production targets high-volume:
high startup costs, low per unit costs
- Mask costs
- EDA tools license
- Engineering
- IP blocks
- The fine print is not maker friendly
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Why?
- The Dream:
Low-volume Open Source ASIC service
– Cost < €100/piece for 100+ devices/boards;
lower prices for higher volume
- Open source RTL
not reinvent/repay for the wheel
- Pool different chips to share set-up cost;
use multi-project wafer services
- Push button open source EDA flow
- Intermediate in the legal affairs
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Why?
- The Dream:
Low-volume Open Source ASIC service
– Retro-uC is pilot project to test the flow and costs in
the manufacturing
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Status
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Status
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Status
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Status
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Status
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Status
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Status
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Status
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Status
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Status
- Planned Product Options
Retro_uC-Breadboard Retro_uC-ProtoPlus Retro_uC-Retrino Retro_uC-QFN
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RFC: ASICs and Retrocomputing
- Do you think crowdfunded projects ASIC
projects interesting for retrocomputing ?
– Goal: $10 000 – Price/piece < $100 – Should be able to provide 5V/12V capability – Production will be slower (e.g. months) compared to
PCB manufacture with COTS parts
- What are requirements to make it attractive ?