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IANAL, but I assume (perhaps incorrectly) that the fab needs a license to create a chip containing an ARM processor in it given that it needs the raw GDS2 datab
by BooneJS 10y ago
IANAL, but I assume (perhaps incorrectly) that the fab needs a license to create a chip containing an ARM processor in it given that it needs the raw GDS2 database that describes the IP in the detail required to manufacture it.
- trsohmers 10y agoThe raw GDS2 that the customer (in this case Apple) contains the information necessary for fabrication, but to make the GDS2 you need to synthesize and place and route based on a standard cell library. Through their acquisition of Artisan IP, ARM sells standard cell, memory, and a bunch of other chip IP other than just their cores, and each needs to be customized to a specific fabrication process. Intel is paying ARM to customize their IP for their foundry so that it provides a lower barrier of entry to anyone using ARM IP to switch from GloFo/TSMC/Samsung/etc to Intel. Oh, and all fabs require any IP as intricate as a memory or standard cell library to go through their verification process, as cell characterization is crucial to getting good yield (and not interfering with any other designs in the case of multi project wafers).