Summary of X-FAB SILICON FOUNDRIES TAPES-OUT OPEN-SOURCE RISC-V MCU
This article announces the successful first-silicon release of Raven, an open-source RISC-V System on Chip (SoC) developed by Efabless and X-FAB. Designed in under three months using open-source tools, Raven integrates PicoRV32 cores with X-FAB's proprietary analog IP on the high-reliability XH018 180nm process. The chip is bench-tested at 100MHz, potentially reaching 150MHz, and is available free from the Efabless marketplace for automotive, industrial, and medical applications.
Parts used in the Raven SoC:
- Efabless RISC-V System on Chip reference design
- PicoRV32 RISC-V core
- X-FAB proprietary analog IP
- Efabless design flow based on open-source tools
- X-FAB XH018 180nm 6-metal process
- Low power option
- On-chip isolation for high voltages
- High-temperature flash memory
- X-FAB standard library blocks and macros
X-FAB Silicon Foundries, the leading analog/mixed-signal and specialty foundry, together with crowd-sourcing IC platform partner Efabless Corporation, today announced the successful first-silicon availability of the Efabless RISC-V System on Chip (SoC) reference design. This open-source semiconductor project went from design start to tape-out in less than three months using the Efabless design flow based on open-source tools. The mixed-signal SoC, called Raven, is based on the community developed ultra-low power PicoRV32 RISC-V core. Efabless has successfully bench-tested the Raven at 100MHz, and based on simulations the design should be able to operate at up to 150MHz.
Raven is unique in that the open-source top-level design utilizes X-FAB proprietary analog IP and is created with an open-source design flow. This hybrid open-source design brings the power of open innovation and at the same time protecting significant investment in proprietary IP.
Efabless and X-FAB chose to manufacture the Raven on X-FAB’s high-reliability XH018 process. This is a flexible 180nm 6-metal process with a wide variety of options including a low power option, on-chip isolation for high voltages, and high-temperature flash memory. X-FAB’s XH018 process meets automotive quality requirements and is popular in a wide range of automotive, industrial and medical applications.
The semiconductor design is fully functional and Efabless is now engaged with its initial customers on design of derivative offerings. To the Efabless community Raven is available from the Efabless marketplace as a reference design without license fee consequentially advancing the Efabless open innovation model of community design.
The successful partnership with Efabless demonstrates X-FAB’s continued commitment to open-source semiconductor development”, said Ulrich Bretthauer, Product Marketing Manager at X-FAB. “Nearly 75% of Raven’s die area is covered by X-FAB standard library blocks and macros. Using these proven IP blocks increased the reliability of the Raven while minimizing first-silicon risk.
Read more: X-FAB SILICON FOUNDRIES TAPES-OUT OPEN-SOURCE RISC-V MCU
- What is the Raven project?
Raven is an open-source semiconductor project featuring a mixed-signal RISC-V System on Chip (SoC) designed by Efabless and X-FAB. - How long did it take to complete the design?
The project went from design start to tape-out in less than three months. - What process technology was used for manufacturing?
The chip was manufactured on X-FAB’s high-reliability XH018 flexible 180nm 6-metal process. - At what frequency has the Raven chip been tested?
Efabless has successfully bench-tested the Raven at 100MHz. - Can the Raven operate at higher frequencies?
Based on simulations, the design should be able to operate at up to 150MHz. - Is the Raven design available for free?
Yes, Raven is available from the Efabless marketplace as a reference design without a license fee. - What industries can benefit from this process?
The XH018 process meets automotive quality requirements and is popular in automotive, industrial, and medical applications. - How much of the die area uses X-FAB standard blocks?
Nearly 75% of the Raven die area is covered by X-FAB standard library blocks and macros.
