# The Spark Gap - Episode 29

- Show: [The Spark Gap](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap)
- Published: 2015-03-25
- Length: 57m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2015-03-25-the-spark-gap-episode-29
- Listen: https://thesparkgap.net/the-spark-gap-episode-29

## Summary

Dr. Fouad Kiamilev from the University of Delaware explains the design of application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), detailing a high-power display projector chip with 250,000 I/Os and liquid nitrogen cooling. He describes the iterative development process, from a 64x64 test chip to a 512x512 production module costing $250,000, and the use of Cadence tools for full-custom layout. Kiamilev also discusses the importance of physical health, fitness, and work-life balance in sustaining long-term engineering productivity and avoiding burnout.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2015-03-25-the-spark-gap-episode-29#t=0) Introduction: Dr. Fouad Kiamilev and ASIC Basics
- [3:23](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2015-03-25-the-spark-gap-episode-29#t=203) ASIC Process Nodes and Power Constraints
- [9:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2015-03-25-the-spark-gap-episode-29#t=566) Liquid Nitrogen Cooling and High-Power I/O
- [13:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2015-03-25-the-spark-gap-episode-29#t=810) Iterative Design: From 64x64 to 512x512 Chips
- [28:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2015-03-25-the-spark-gap-episode-29#t=1702) ASIC Design Tools: Cadence and Full-Custom Layout
- [35:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2015-03-25-the-spark-gap-episode-29#t=2118) Health, Fitness, and Engineering Productivity
- [46:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2015-03-25-the-spark-gap-episode-29#t=2812) Career Paths and Education for ASIC Designers
- [50:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2015-03-25-the-spark-gap-episode-29#t=3022) The Spark Gap Podcast Mission and Community

## Topics

- [Chips, FPGAs & semiconductors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/chips-and-fpgas)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [EDA & CAD tools](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/eda-and-cad-tools)
- [Batteries & low-power design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/batteries-and-low-power)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- ASIC (other)
- Cadence (tool)
- VHDL (other)
- Verilog (other)
- SPICE (tool)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [An Interview with Shahriar from The Signal Path - Quisquous Quivering Quadripole](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-12-18-an-interview-with-shahriar-from-the-signal-path-quisquous-quivering-quadripole) (The Amp Hour)
- [Accessible ASICs with Andreas Olofsson](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2023-11-13-accessible-asics-with-andreas-olofsson) (The Amp Hour)
- [Ep 377: Parallel Pixels, Wiggly Consoles, and Seven Segments](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2026-07-10-ep-377-parallel-pixels-wiggly-consoles-and-seven-segments) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [454: Printf Hello](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2023-07-06-454-printf-hello) (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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