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UID:pretalx-coscup-2026-CV8FKG@pretalx.coscup.org
DTSTART;TZID=CST:20260809T153000
DTEND;TZID=CST:20260809T160000
DESCRIPTION:Twenty years ago\, getting a custom circuit board made was slow
 \, expensive\, and painful. Then pooling services like [OSH Park](https://
 oshpark.com/)\, [JLCPCB](https://jlcpcb.com/)\, [PCBWay](https://www.pcbwa
 y.com/)\, and [Seeed Studio](https://www.seeedstudio.com/fusion.html) made
  it cheap\, predictable\, and open to anyone. [Tim 'mithro' Ansell](https:
 //github.com/mithro) believes custom silicon should work the same way\, an
 d he has spent the last decade making it happen. While at Google\, he drov
 e the release of the [SkyWater 130 nm PDK](https://skywater-pdk.readthedoc
 s.io/)\, the world's first open source PDK (the "toolkit" a factory publis
 hes so you can design chips for their production line)\, along with the fr
 ee OpenMPW shuttle program built on top of it. Add free design tools like 
 [OpenROAD](https://theopenroadproject.org/) and [LibreLane](https://librel
 ane.readthedocs.io/) and on-ramps like [Tiny Tapeout](https://tinytapeout.
 com/)\, and today anyone can design a real chip using nothing but open sof
 tware. Now with [wafer.space](https://wafer.space/)\, Tim is enabling real
  low volume production by anyone - hobbyist\, scientist\, startup and even
  you! Your design can become 1\,000 real chips for as little as $2.50 USD 
 each. Tim shares how we got here\, what it takes to go from code on your l
 aptop to a tray of working silicon\, and how to get started even if you ha
 ve never touched hardware.\n \nFor those who already know the ecosystem\, 
 Tim digs into the details of [wafer.space](https://wafer.space/) and its s
 huttle runs on the [GlobalFoundries GF180MCU open source PDK](https://gf18
 0mcu-pdk.rtfd.io/)\, a mature 180 nm mixed signal node that has shipped bi
 llions of ICs. Each run offers fixed ~20 mm² slots on a 5 metal layer sta
 ck with MIM capacitors and poly resistors. Designs go through an [automate
 d platform](https://platform.wafer.space/) that handles sign-off (DRC\, LV
 S\, ERC\, and antenna) whether you use LibreLane\, OpenROAD\, a proprietar
 y flow\, or a mix. You bring your own pad ring and ESD\, and every slot re
 turns 1\,000 bare or chip-on-board dies. [Run 1](https://www.crowdsupply.c
 om/wafer-space/gf180mcu-run-1/) taped in December 2025 and the [wafers are
  back from the fab](https://www.crowdsupply.com/wafer-space/gf180mcu-run-1
 /updates/run-1-wafers-have-arrived)\, so Tim has real silicon and real les
 sons to share: what worked\, what broke\, and what has improved. [Run 2](h
 ttps://www.crowdsupply.com/wafer-space/gf180mcu-run-2) is now being manufa
 ctured\, and the upcoming [Run 3](https://www.crowdsupply.com/wafer-space/
 gf180mcu-run-3) is your chance to get your own design onto a wafer. Come f
 ind Tim on [Discord](https://discord.gg/43y2t53jpE) if you want to dive in
  before the talk.
DTSTAMP:20260827T134746Z
LOCATION:TR515
SUMMARY:wafer.space: Open silicon manufactured for $2.50 USD per chip! - Ti
 m 'mithro' Ansell
URL:https://pretalx.coscup.org/coscup-2026/talk/CV8FKG/
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