# Silicon Revolution with Matt Venn

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2024-06-30
- Episode: 672
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2024-06-30-silicon-revolution-with-matt-venn
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/672-silicon-revolution-with-matt-venn/

## Summary

Matt Venn, founder of Tiny Tapeout and Zero to Asic, explains how Tiny Tapeout democratizes chip design by subdividing multi-project wafers (MPWs) from eFabless into affordable, small slots for hobbyists and students. He details the evolution of the platform from scan-chain limitations to a fast multiplexer architecture, enabling complex designs like a Linux-capable RISC-V processor and analog circuits using the Sky130 PDK. Venn also discusses the educational impact of tools like Wokwi and OpenLane, the upcoming analog ASIC course, and the growing ecosystem of open-source EDA tools supporting this 'silicon revolution.'

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2024-06-30-silicon-revolution-with-matt-venn#t=0) Introduction: Matt Venn and the Silicon Revolution
- [3:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2024-06-30-silicon-revolution-with-matt-venn#t=200) Tiny Tapeout History: From MVP to Multi-Project Chips
- [7:56](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2024-06-30-silicon-revolution-with-matt-venn#t=476) Wokwi, Verilog, and Design Entry Tools
- [11:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2024-06-30-silicon-revolution-with-matt-venn#t=706) Design Evolution: Scan Chains to Multiplexers
- [14:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2024-06-30-silicon-revolution-with-matt-venn#t=887) Education, Chips Act, and High School Curriculum
- [21:54](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2024-06-30-silicon-revolution-with-matt-venn#t=1314) Analog vs. Digital: The Case for Custom ASICs
- [28:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2024-06-30-silicon-revolution-with-matt-venn#t=1705) AI in Chip Design and Open Source Tools
- [31:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2024-06-30-silicon-revolution-with-matt-venn#t=1899) Continuous Integration and CI Pipelines
- [39:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2024-06-30-silicon-revolution-with-matt-venn#t=2375) Zero to Asic Course and Learning Path
- [50:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2024-06-30-silicon-revolution-with-matt-venn#t=3048) Open Source EDA Tools: OpenLane, Formal Verification
- [1:00:27](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2024-06-30-silicon-revolution-with-matt-venn#t=3627) Analog Design: Layout, Matching, and Ratios
- [1:08:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2024-06-30-silicon-revolution-with-matt-venn#t=4108) Community, Marketing, and Future Outlook

## Topics

- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Chips, FPGAs & semiconductors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/chips-and-fpgas)
- [EDA & CAD tools](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/eda-and-cad-tools)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Tiny Tapeout (product)
- eFabless (company)
- Sky130 (other)
- Wokwi (tool)
- OpenLane (tool)
- Zero to Asic (product)
- Yosis HQ (company)
- Global Foundries (company)
- Samsung (company)
- Skywater (company)
- Texas Instruments (company)
- Nordic Semi (company)
- iCE40 (chip)
- RISC-V (chip)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [454: Printf Hello](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2023-07-06-454-printf-hello) (Embedded.fm)
- [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)
- [322: Learn Assembly Code](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-02-28-322-learn-assembly-code) (Embedded.fm)
- [105: Some Paths Are More Suicidal](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-06-17-105-some-paths-are-more-suicidal) (Embedded.fm)

## Citing this page

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