Intorudction to MakeLSI:

Interface Device Laboratory, Kanazawa University http://ifdl.jp/

Open Source LSI Design & Fabrication Projectfor Distributed IP Development

Junichi AkitaKanazawa University

05/02/2023 Interface Device Laboratory, Kanazawa University http://ifdl.jp/

ContentsIntroduction & Background

MotivationMoore’s LawAnalog IP CirculationMaker Movement

Open Source LSI Design & Fabrication ProjectDistributed IP Development


MotivationMy Research Interest is in:

Image SensorInteractive System (as Application of LSI)

My Background is:Electronics Building (Hobbyist for 35 years)“My favorite programming language is solder.”Interested in “What LSI / circuit is used for”,

as well as “How to design LSI / circuit”I’m “LSI Designer” & “LSI User”


Background: Moore’s Law

More MOSFETs on Single ChipContinuous Size Reduction

ref: http://www.intel.com/jp/intel/museum/processor/index.htm


What Did Moore’s Law Achieved?

DEC VAX(1976)1MIPS

Cray-1 (1978)100MIPS

MIPS ： Million Instruction Per Second（ World’s 1st Super Computer ）

“Faster Super Computer” & “So-fast Computer Everywhere”

20000MIPS

10MIPS

100MIPS

20MIPS20000MIPS

109MFLOPS


Paradigm Shift in “LED Blinking”

No reason to employ MCU for “LED Blinking”Low Cost, High Functionality

Extended practical application area of computer“Feature Size Reduction” is NOT the only way

MCU#Component=1

$1

Oscillator(555)#Component=4

$1.5while(1){ a = 1; sleep(1); a = 0; sleep(1);}

Possible, but non-realistic by PC


What Did Moore’s Law Caused?Drastic Increase in LSI Design & Fabrication Cost

Shuttle Fabrication Service 〜 $1kInitial Fabrication Cost (Masks) 〜 $1MDesign Tools 〜 $1MNDA (Non Disclosure Agreement) : PricelessFabrication Facilities 〜 $1G

Impossible to pay for small-lot applicationTrials in emerging applications (Hardware start-ups)Hobbyists


Background: Analog IP CirculationTrials for Analog IP Circulation

Design and Reuse, Balcelona, …Limited Market

Complicated Procedure for UsingRestriction by NDADepends on Fabrication Process

(MOS Parameters, Device Parameters, ...)


Background: Maker Movement“Fabrication”, from Hobby to Industry

Easy-to-Use of Fabrication TechnologiesElectronics, 3D Printing, …

Ecosystem of Suppliers, Designers, and ConsumersWide Variety, Large Amount of Long-tail NeedsSmall Lot Fabrication EnabledCrowd Funding = Marketing & FundingSTEM / STEAM Education

Actually the user of LSI is spreading!

350 Exhibitors@Maker Faire Tokyo 2015


Ecosystem in ShenZhen: HuaQiangBei

10

“ShanZhai” ProductNot Fake Copy, Advanced Product1 mon from Plan to Mass Production

“Infinite” Component Market

“Used Mobile Phone Shop” in HuaQiangBei

Modules& ComponentsBreakaway

into Components

• Component Supplier• Manufacturor (PCB, Assembly, Body/Chassis)• Innovator / Hardware-Startups• VC &Angel & Acclerator


Easy-to-Use TechnologiesExample: PCB

CAD($1k) & Fabrication($1k) & Long TAT (1mon) CAD($10) & Fabrication($10) & Short TAT (1w)

Example: MCUComplier($10k) & Library ($10k) & EvaBoard($10k)

Compiler & Library(Free) & Arduino ($10)Low Cost, Easy-to-Use Tools Extends…

Range of Users from Professionalsto Everyone (Armatures to Innovators)

Range of Products from Commercial to Everything


Is “LSI” a Tool for Everyone?Most people can’t imagine

to “design original LSI”Too expensive, Too complicated, No Experiences

Most people simply consider to buy LSIMCU, Sensors, …Lots RealizedRestrictions in Thinking: Using Exsisting LSI

Everyone can use Kinect, Few can invent KinectLosing Chance of Innovation


What Required for “LSI as Tool”?CAD Tool

Too Expensive Commercial ToolsToo Complicated CAD System

Fabrication ServiceToo Expensive, Too Long TAT (several months)Strict NDA (prevents sharing know-hows, user

community)User Community

Specialists who know not only “How to design”,but also “What to use” LSIs.


MakeLSI: - OutlineKnow-how Sharing

Freeware CADBasic Knowledges

Community100+ in MLLSI Specialists & Non-specialistsNo Qualification for Contribution

NDA-Free FabricationLambda-rule 〜 1[um]

http://ifdl.jp/make_lsi


MakeLSI: - ToolsLayout Tool: Wgex by Prof. Asada @ U.Tokyo

Circuit Extraction & DRCCircuit Simulator: LTspice / Spice3Logic Synthesize & P&R: Alliance

Commonly Used in ProjectSharing Know-hows in usage

and designIntegrating & Sharing IPs


MakeLSI: - FabricationFabrication Trials with Multi Chip Project

at Kitakyushu’s FacilitiesCMOS 2[um], 2Al Technology, NDA-Free

(Preparing) Phenitec Semiconductors’s ShuttleCMOS 0.6[um], 3Al TechnologyNDA-Free Design Rule based on Kitakyushu’s Rule,

shrinking x0.3(Future) minimalfab by AIST, Japan

0.5in wafer, Mask-less exposure, 1week TAT


MakeLSI: - IPsSharing on GitHub

Standard Logic CellsAnalog IPs (OPA, BGR)MOS TEGs

OSHW (Open Source Hardware)NDA-Free Design Rule

= NDA-Free IP


MakeLSI: - 1st Trial in 20158 Contributors

Free fee, Open & Share Contents11 Circuits

Kilburn AdderGuitar Effector1bit CPU4-16 DecoderRing VCO, LC-VCO, BGR

Wide Variety, Passionate Activity

Saw OscillatorOPAMOSFET TEGsTimer“555”


MakeLSI: - 2nd Trial in 201611 Contributors

Free fee, Open & Share Contents12 Circuits

ALUGuitar EffectorRingOSCPSGDelta-sigma ADC

Wide Variety, Passionate Activity

R-2R DACNRZI CodecGoldCoderInverter, FATimer“555”


Distributed IP DevelopmentFramework=NDA-Free, Common-Technologies/ToolsRapid IP Development

Developed by lots of contributors Possible Low Quality (bugs, errors, …) Quality can be improved by contributors,

Cf. OSS (Open Source Software; Linux, etc.) Quality will be rapidly improved by contributors Contributors’ passions for development & improvement

(user community) Open framework (source code, license, …)required


SummaryEffect of Moore’s Law

High Performance & Wide Spread of ApplicationsTechnology MUST become a Tool for Everyone

Wide application, Seed of innovationOpen Source LSI Development

Open framework, NDA-FreeRapid development & improvement in IP

Intorudction to MakeLSI:

Engineering

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