68020 Microprocessor

As part of the Tekmos – Freescale Technology exchange, we received the manufacturing rights to the 68020 microprocessor.  This processor is a full 32 bit processor, and was the equivalent to a cross of the Intel 80C286 and 80C386 processors.  We also received a customer list with people who really need this part.  So far, so good.
But…..

There is one problem.  The netlist has been lost over time.  All that remains is a GDS data base of the part.  And there is more.  This part was designed using dynamic logic.  And it has been shrunk, which tends to introduce problems (race conditions) into the design.  And it did.

So the task is to extract a netlist from the layout, convert it into modern static logic, make it robust and manufacturable, generate prototypes, and get it into production.  And do it quickly.  Like within 3 months.

It is an interesting problem, and is the main subject of this blog.

Date

2011-07-13