# Open Source Tapeout with Matthew Venn

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2023-01-23
- Length: 1h 15m
- Episode: 616
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2023-01-23-open-source-tapeout-with-matthew-venn
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/616-open-source-tapeout-with-matthew-venn/

## Summary

Matthew Venn, host of the Zero to ASIC course, joins Chris Gammell to discuss the rapid expansion of open-source silicon, driven by Google-sponsored multi-project wafer (MPW) shuttles and open PDKs from foundries like Skywater, GlobalFoundries, and IHP. They detail the tools enabling this shift, including Wokwi for beginner simulation, OpenLane for automated digital design, and the new SillyWiz tool for learning analog transistor-level design. The conversation highlights how these resources lower barriers for education, prototyping, and niche commercial applications like secure root-of-trust chips, while addressing challenges like volume costs and long turnaround times.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2023-01-23-open-source-tapeout-with-matthew-venn#t=0) Introduction: Matthew Venn and Open Source Silicon Landscape
- [3:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2023-01-23-open-source-tapeout-with-matthew-venn#t=204) Google-Sponsored MPW Shuttles and Open PDKs
- [13:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2023-01-23-open-source-tapeout-with-matthew-venn#t=811) Volume Challenges and Commercial Use Cases
- [24:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2023-01-23-open-source-tapeout-with-matthew-venn#t=1466) Chip Size, Memory Density, and Microcontroller Limits
- [39:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2023-01-23-open-source-tapeout-with-matthew-venn#t=2375) Tiny Tapeout: Community and Beginner Workflow
- [56:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2023-01-23-open-source-tapeout-with-matthew-venn#t=3391) SillyWiz: Analog Design and Learning Tools
- [1:06:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2023-01-23-open-source-tapeout-with-matthew-venn#t=3982) The Tapeout Process: eFabulous and Foundries

## Topics

- [Chips, FPGAs & semiconductors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/chips-and-fpgas)
- [EDA & CAD tools](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/eda-and-cad-tools)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Security & privacy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/security-and-privacy)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Zero to ASIC (other)
- Skywater (company)
- GlobalFoundries (company)
- IHP (company)
- eFabulous (company)
- Wokwi (tool)
- OpenLane (tool)
- SillyWiz (tool)
- OpenRAM (tool)
- OpenROAD (tool)
- Caravel (product)
- Pico RV32 (chip)
- RISC-V (chip)
- Sky130 (other)
- GF180 (other)
- Fosste Foundation (other)
- LATCH UP (other)
- OSDA (other)
- DATE (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [454: Printf Hello](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2023-07-06-454-printf-hello) (Embedded.fm)
- [US Semi Fab SkyWater Seeks to Co-Innovate in Quantum, Photonics, and…Free Silicon?](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2022-09-13-us-semi-fab-skywater-seeks-to-co-innovate-in-quantum-photonics-and-free-silicon) (Moore's Lobby)
- [Risking RISC-V | Engineers & the Gig Economy | Chiplets](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2019-06-14-risking-risc-v-engineers-the-gig-economy-chiplets) (EE Times Current)
- [Episode 67: A Conversation with Aart de Geus on EDA and the Future of Silicon Design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2024-05-13-episode-67-a-conversation-with-aart-de-geus-on-eda-and-the-future-of-silicon-des) (The Circuit)
- [044 - Scots Army Knife](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2021-01-03-044-scots-army-knife) (Unnamed Reverse Engineering Podcast)

## Citing this page

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