How to Build a Microprocessor from Scratch

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i disagree with that statement.

now, more than ever, i hope that blue_uk chooses to build a microprocessor for his class project
 
What do you mean by "from scratch"? How any electrical engineers who understand chip design also understand the chemical processes used to create the materials that the chips are made of?
 
Define "from scratch". Are you allowed to start with a microprocessor assembly plant? With a soldering iron and a bunch of transistors? With a forge? With fire?
 
przyk said:
Asorted microprocessor parts?
Click to expand...
assorted parts?
building a cpu out of discreet transistors would be a real pain
building one from SSI ic's would be hard but possible
 
przyk said:
Maybe think of it as an intricate jigsaw puzzle?
Click to expand...
even the crudest cpu would require 1000's of transisters.
and at least that many resisters.

building a cpu with discreet components would be about the area of your tabletop
 
May asked about "from scratch".
The article stated that many devices in the past could be created if you could get the right raw materials. All you would need is a laboratory with the proper tools. You could go out into nature or to your local supplier of raw materials. Take it to the lab, synthesize the raw materials, and assemble what you need to create your device.
 
I have question.

If we had the whatever necessary funding, and we all put our heads together to build a better CPU for desktops than what is available on the consumer market, what would be the equipment and materials we would need create a chip?

Along with a board/connectors for it to work on a computer with standard hardware(RAM, Storage Devices, Ports).
 
leopold99 said:
even the crudest cpu would require 1000's of transisters.
and at least that many resisters.
Click to expand...
Sounds like a nice project :p
building a cpu with discreet components would be about the area of your tabletop
Click to expand...
Relax, I know perfectly well what the difficulties (understatement) are with building a CPU in your garage. Another problem is air filtering. The environments in which CPUs are manufactured need to be cleaner than hospital operating rooms. The tiniest speck of dust getting caught in the circuitry could cause the whole thing to fail.
 
cool skill said:
I have question.

If we had the whatever necessary funding, and we all put our heads together to build a better CPU for desktops than what is available on the consumer market, what would be the equipment and materials we would need create a chip?

Along with a board/connectors for it to work on a computer with standard hardware(RAM, Storage Devices, Ports).
Click to expand...
I'll answer, just for a laugh.

Ultrapure silicon.
Dopants for teh silicon.
the right plastics, copper and solder.

THe tricky bit is making the transistors on the silicon chip. At the moment they use photolithography. The mask used for the photolithography is so small that you could probably take months to make one by yourself.

Here you go:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photolithography

Now, if you can manage all that in your garage, I'd be really impressed.

Or, you can just work out a better way of doing it that doesnt need all that stuff. But I doubt you will.
 
guthrie said:
At the moment they use photolithography.
Click to expand...
they used to use photolithography.
light waves are too long for todays chips
they use a process called electron beam lithography
 
cool skill said:
I have question.

If we had the whatever necessary funding, and we all put our heads together to build a better CPU for desktops than what is available on the consumer market, what would be the equipment and materials we would need create a chip?

Along with a board/connectors for it to work on a computer with standard hardware(RAM, Storage Devices, Ports).
Click to expand...

FIRST OF ALL... it is not likely you will be able to make any chips better than is being done in induStry... since they have done all the ground work to make it all happen.

what you would want to do... is develope a new type of component.

just like hewlett and packard did in their garage.. with the transistor..

they became kings of industry for 17 years....

i have myself, have devoted alot of study towards finding the all illusive trans-stator from star trek fame... the secret technical component that makes all their space age technology possible.

develop the trans-stator... and change the world.

the transistor... is old news.

-MT
 
Mosheh Thezion said:
just like hewlett and packard did in their garage.. with the transistor..
Click to expand...
hewlett and packard?
the transistor was invented by shockley and bardeen at bell labs.
what they was looking for was the modern day FET but wound up discovering the bipolar transistor.
 
leopold99 said:
hewlett and packard?
the transistor was invented by shockley and bardeen at bell labs.
what they was looking for was the modern day FET but wound up discovering the bipolar transistor.
Click to expand...
YEAH.. YEAH.. 2 guys... hewlett and packard made something.. in their garage.. the component may vary.

im not perfect.

-MT
 
Hi lixluke,

Oh. I don't think so. First, clear the topic. What do you want to tell through this question I am not able to understand. So, please if you don't mind, give the full exlaination of your question. Thanks. :)
 
ingridseynhaeve said:
Hi lixluke,

Oh. I don't think so. First, clear the topic. What do you want to tell through this question I am not able to understand. So, please if you don't mind, give the full exlaination of your question. Thanks. :)
Click to expand...

Did you check the date on that post?

Anyway, it takes quite a few people to make a microprocessor:

Chemists to grow highly pure silicon 'ingots' which are eventually cut into thin slices.

Skilled technicians to produce photomasks and etch the silicon surface. The thin slices are then chopped up into individual 'chips'.

Electronic engineers to design the logic that will go on the chip (most important people, obviously ;) )

Electrical engineers to understand how to route the logic that the above engineer made, so that at GHz you don't get cross channel interference etc.

Embedded software engineer to code up any subprocessors you may have on your chip

Salesmen to lie about the product

Marketing scum to lie about the product

- get all them in a room with a suitcase full of money and you're good to go! :)
 
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