Tiny Tapeout Industrial Boost

The Tiny Tapeout programme has overcome recent challenges with a survey revealing a significant surge in industrial engagements. Originally established to offer affordable access to silicon process technology through a multi-project wafer using open source tools, Tiny Tapeout faced setbacks when its partnership with eFabless came to an end in March. This development led to delays in the TT08 and TT09 runs, as well as the cancellation of TT10, impacting a total of 500 chip designs.

Despite these obstacles, Efabless founders Jeff DiCorpo and Mohammed Kassem have introduced ChipFoundry.io, which re-establishes access to the 130nm process at Skywater Technology in the US utilizing the open source process development kit (PDK). Notable changes include a price adjustment from $10k to $15k for 100 chips, along with the provision to postpone a shuttle if it falls below 50% capacity. "They are committed to supporting Tiny Tapeout, and we are aiming to launch our next SKY130 shuttle in July for tapeout in September. Pricing details are forthcoming, but are expected to be around €300 for a devkit and €70 for a tile," stated Tiny Tapeout founder Matt Venn.

Furthermore, Venn is exploring the possibility of utilizing the 180nm process at GlobalFoundries in addition to the existing 130nm process at IHP within the Leibniz Institute for High Performance Microelectronics in Germany.

Recent survey results have indicated a growing interest from companies in the open source programme. Industrial clients now account for 38% of the user base, a significant increase from the 14% reported in 2023, with an additional 20% comprising hobbyists.

These developments signify a positive trajectory for Tiny Tapeout, showcasing resilience in the face of challenges and a growing appeal among industrial and hobbyist users alike. With new initiatives such as ChipFoundry.io and potential expansions into different process technologies, the programme is poised for continued growth and success in the semiconductor industry.