Google Silicon Initiative

The Google Open Silicon Initiative is an initiative launched by the Google Hardware Toolchains team to democratize access to custom silicon design. Google has partnered with SkyWater Technology and GlobalFoundries to open-source their Process Design Kits for 180nm, 130nm and 90nm process.^[1][2] This initiative provides free software tools for chip designers to create, verify and test virtual chip circuit designs before they are physically produced in factories.^[3][4][5][6] The aim of the initiative is to reduce the cost of chip designs and production, which will benefit DIY enthusiasts, researchers, universities, and chip startups. The program has gained more partners, including the US Department of Defense, which injected $15 million in funding to SkyWater, one of the manufacturers supporting the program.^[7]

References

1. Euphrosine, Johan; Mahintorabi, Ethan (2022-11-11). "GlobalFoundries joins Google's open source silicon initiative". opensource.googleblog.com. Retrieved 2023-05-05.
2. "Google's Open Silicon Efforts Grow with a New Open Source 180nm PDK from GlobalFoundries". Hackster.io. Retrieved 2023-05-05.
3. "Build Open Silicon with Google". Google Open Source Blog. Retrieved 2023-05-05.
4. Gowran, Leigh Mc (2022-08-09). "Google expands its open-source chip initiative with new partnership". Silicon Republic. Retrieved 2023-05-05.
5. "Google Launches New Silicon Design Portal For Open-Source Projects". www.phoronix.com. Retrieved 2023-05-05.
6. "Open-source hardware: a growing movement to democratize IC design". Electrical and Computer Engineering. Retrieved 2023-05-05.
7. Shah, Agam (2022-08-05). "Google Puts Open Source in Chip Design and Manufacturing". The New Stack. Retrieved 2023-05-05.

External links

• Google Open Silicon (official site)
• Google Git repositories of FOSS EDA Tools
• SkyWater Technology Foundry FOSS 130nm Production PDK- Github
• GlobalFoundries GF180MCU FOSS 180nm Production PDK - GitHub