This can refer to the design of the actual transistors inside an IC. That is also called IC layout.
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3answers
184 views
What are the general steps used in creating a ASIC?
I'm following a discussion board that discusses an ASIC chip they are building, and they are using terms that I'm unfamilliar with. So far I've gathered
Once a logic design is tested on an FPGA it ...
15
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2answers
1k views
Why would an op-amp use BJTs over MOSFETs?
I've always been told that ideally, op-amps have infinite input impedance. So when I was looking at the LM741's transistor level schematic, I was confused when they used BJTs instead of MOSFETs.
...
9
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3answers
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How realistic is the famous “Bill sux” picture of a chip internals artwork?
There's an urban legend that some version of Intel Pentium chip had "Bill sux" caption somewhere on the circuit. The legend is accompanied with this picture:
Now let's assume for a moment that the ...
6
votes
3answers
194 views
Does PCB artwork affect operation and how is the effect validated?
Sometimes PCB designers will draw some art on unused PCB areas. Like here and here.
Looks great, but does this affect schema functioning? According to answers to this question an entirely isolated ...
3
votes
1answer
145 views
How do registers connect to CPU buses
I'm wondering what type of buffers/techniques are typically used for connecting a cpu register(flip flops?) to a cpu bus(data/address/control). Since there are many registers on a single bus, I know ...
4
votes
1answer
158 views
Processor design: turning blocks on/off dynamically to save power?
I was wondering if this is possible and if it is done in current designs. Seemed like an interesting enough idea to me. Here's a little diagram I made to help try and explain:
So let's say I'm ...
20
votes
3answers
2k views
How do I design my very own ARM based processors?
I have several questions about how I would design my own ARM-based CPU?
How does one start with an ARM license and end up with a package ready to be soldered on to a board?
What do I get from ARM ...
18
votes
7answers
887 views
How do I open a rectangular hole on a metal case?
I'm working on a case design. There is rectangular switch. I am trying to open a rectangular hole on the metallic case to fix it in there. I'm not doing a good job, if it goes on like this it looks ...
2
votes
3answers
289 views
safe to use an unshielded jack for 10Mbps Ethernet?
I have a hardware device which includes Ethernet connectivity. I have a surface-mount Ethernet jack, with top entry (as opposed to right-angle). Part number is RIA Connect AJS03B8813, if that helps. ...
16
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7answers
1k views
SMD vs. Through-hole components in high vibration environments
This is more of a opinion question than a information question. I am designing some boards that will be working near decent sized actuators, so I ask you, what is more resistant a 0805 SMD or a 7mm ...
3
votes
2answers
568 views
What are good books/reading material for Physical Design
I did not find a place holder for asking questions related to Digital design - Frontend / Backend(Physical) on stackexchange. So i proposed one there on area51. So for time being asking my question ...
