Very interesting. One must begin somewhere, and an operational, Inter Net capable PC costing less than five hundred dollars should find buyers. It would be nice to have 32MB of DRAM and a 4GB hard drive, but 16MB and 1.7GB, respectively, will work. I wonder what their expected sales number might be? My guess is that NetRam Computers won't be able to pay much over $50 for the WinChip microprocessor, but even that should beat current SRAM margins. With today's microprocessor speed moving toward 266 MHz, 180 MHz and 200 MHz units otherwise might be an inventory write-off.
Rob's explanation about ASICS and DSP was helpful and interesting. I can add a bit about LASER fusing for LASIC. I presume it follows the lead long ago used in large DRAMs, where a few redundant rows and columns of memory cells were included for use if some memory cells didn't function. The LASER was focused on the desired link during final die probe. If needed, it was energized and simply blew open the metal or polysilicon "wire" on the die. In that way, die with a few defects could be used rather than scrapped, improving yield. The idea of also using it to program logic isn't new, but it enables the semiconductor company to select the desired logic at the end of the lengthy manufacturing process, after the wafer is fabricated. Clear Logic claims it can use standard wafers, custom program the logic on the die, assemble, test, and ship units quickly and cheaply. They don't charge a Non Recurrent Engineering fee, since they are able to do it with the user's software tape. That particular feature is their primary sales advantage. If someone devises a system that really executes, it is a handy way to rapidly customize and deliver logic circuits for Altera customers. |
