Re:The Free and Open Source Silicon Foundation
by kragen on Tuesday January 25, 2022 @08:15PM
(#30080417)
There are a couple hundred FOSS CPU designs actually:
https://tomverbeure.github.io/rtl/2018/12/06/The-VexRiscV-CP...
https://www.oracle.com/servers/technologies/opensparc-overvi...
https://opencores.org/projects?expanded=Processor
I agree that manufacturing is a real problem. FOSS processors can get adoption but until we open up the manufacturing pipeline they won't provide end users with the benefits we get from FOSS software.
Software is one thing. Anyone can sit down and write software.
Chip production though? Unless you look at the most simple of designs, you need tool chains worth millions and/or billions of dollars.
The software and design rules alone is proprietary, costs obscene amounts of money, and their manufacturers have decades of experience.
Yes, I know about the ONE FOSS CPU design there is.
But realistically, there’s no way to compete against the players already in the industry. Especially if you come with a FOSS perspective.