If you just want to put your verilog into an ASIC then it can be done fairly inexpensively these days.
For example:
https://efabless.com/chipignite
$10K for 100 packaged dies in QFN. Which is not totally out of hobby range (I've seen people spend way more on fixing up cars that have no business being fixed) and if you use their harness they'll solve most of the hard EE problems for you.
But you might consider why you're making the IC. If it's for the experience, sure. But if it's to make a commercial product, there's a lot more to it. For example, what's your IO solution...
Nice example, thank you. I have no interest in making a commercial product but some motivation to learn what lies below the ISA. Like you say, that's cheaper than some more common hobbies. I work in the software side of semiconductor companies so it's a reasonable spin on professional development too.
A friend recently discovered that PCBs can be ordered online for essentially zero cost and arrive in the mail and that surface mount soldering is an easy thing. Combined with a path for code to magic sand that's a whole world of dubious past times suddenly available.
Wait’ll you find out the same company that makes the PCBs will also source the parts and do the soldering for you, as well as 3D print the case — all in quantity 2 and up! All for incredibly cheap, and 6-day turnaround to your (west coast US) door. It’s a golden age for random hardware hacking. (Check out JLCPCB and PCBWay.)
You might find this course helpful then. There is a huge amount of information you need to consume to make an IC so having it all organized for you is pretty valuable. It will save you many, many, hours. :)
If you just want to learn how CPUs are designed then get an FPGA. The process of running a chip on an FPGA is very similar to the process of getting a custom ASIC built.
Thanks for mentioning e-fabless. When I saw $100k, the first thing I thought was "cool, now remove a zero". I love the capabilities the future is bringing.
Comments
If you just want to put your verilog into an ASIC then it can be done fairly inexpensively these days.
For example: https://efabless.com/chipignite $10K for 100 packaged dies in QFN. Which is not totally out of hobby range (I've seen people spend way more on fixing up cars that have no business being fixed) and if you use their harness they'll solve most of the hard EE problems for you.
But you might consider why you're making the IC. If it's for the experience, sure. But if it's to make a commercial product, there's a lot more to it. For example, what's your IO solution...
Nice example, thank you. I have no interest in making a commercial product but some motivation to learn what lies below the ISA. Like you say, that's cheaper than some more common hobbies. I work in the software side of semiconductor companies so it's a reasonable spin on professional development too.
A friend recently discovered that PCBs can be ordered online for essentially zero cost and arrive in the mail and that surface mount soldering is an easy thing. Combined with a path for code to magic sand that's a whole world of dubious past times suddenly available.
Wait’ll you find out the same company that makes the PCBs will also source the parts and do the soldering for you, as well as 3D print the case — all in quantity 2 and up! All for incredibly cheap, and 6-day turnaround to your (west coast US) door. It’s a golden age for random hardware hacking. (Check out JLCPCB and PCBWay.)
You might find this course helpful then. There is a huge amount of information you need to consume to make an IC so having it all organized for you is pretty valuable. It will save you many, many, hours. :)
https://zerotoasiccourse.com
If you just want to learn how CPUs are designed then get an FPGA. The process of running a chip on an FPGA is very similar to the process of getting a custom ASIC built.
Thanks for mentioning e-fabless. When I saw $100k, the first thing I thought was "cool, now remove a zero". I love the capabilities the future is bringing.