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Back in issue #13 we spoke about the Zeloof Z2 - a real IC produced on silicon in a garage. The incredible Sam Zeloof invested plenty of time and money into the project and we guess, the Z3 or one of its successors will be the first real home-brew general purpose CPU of the world.

However, believe it or not, you can do better. At home. Right now! 🧑‍🔧

Only a few days ago Oran Collins released an article regarding the Google Skywater PDK.

So what exactly is that? According to Wikipedia a process design kit (PDK) is a set of files used within the semiconductor industry to model a fabrication process for the design tools used to design an integrated circuit.

Skywater in cooperation with google released an Opensource PDK, which allows you to design your own ICs on the transistor level, layer by layer.

More close-to-the-metal development is not possible. Opensource chip design for academia, industry and makers. What. A. World.

So you built your own 8-bit CPU in Logisim or Digital? Go one step further and create real silicon out of it.