Let's recreate the Gate Array - as an ASIC

[VintageAdvantage]

Google will pay for it:
https://fossi-foundation.org/2020/06/30/skywater-pdk

[Sykobee (Briggsy)]

I think you could put an entire CPC in there with every hardware expansion ever made, and maybe still have room for a Spectrum, C64 and BBC Micro.


But the ~40-pin I/O will be an issue.

[TotO]

I can imagine that you have to own the GA/ASIC/CPC/PLUS rights/licences to do that.
And probably, you will have to give them to Google if you agree to produce free ASIC.

[arkive]

Google & "free", now that's a good laugh

[VintageAdvantage]

Google & "free", now that's a good laugh

What about it? You probably prefer to pay Facebook with your data instead.... now that's what I call "smart"     

[pelrun]

"Have to give the rights to Google" that's total garbage. Google might be evil, but they don't monetize like that. It also doesn't make sense, because the only eligible projects are ones that are explicitly open source anyway.
Google is doing it to train the next generation of ASIC designers they can then hire.

As for the chip licenses, they'd rest in the actual hardware layout, which is in a process we can't use anyway. We've got a fully agnostic Verilog description of the logic, which is a different beast entirely, and any ASIC produced from it is going to look entirely different. And who is going to chuck a stink over a 30 year old obsolete part?
Now, if someone started using them to make a "Amstrad CPC Mini" and sold *that*, then the trademark holder might have an issue, but that's a different story altogether.

[arkive]

What about it? You probably prefer to pay Facebook with your data instead.... now that's what I call "smart" 

Nice strawman. Unfortunately you've stumbled upon one of so called "privacy advocates" - I'm running custom roms, PiHoles, don't use any of google's spyware, etc, so even that won't work. Sorry

[TotO]

We've got a fully agnostic Verilog description of the logic, which is a different beast entirely, and any ASIC produced from it is going to look entirely different. And who is going to chuck a stink over a 30 year old obsolete part?

No different. This description came from the reverse engineering work of the AMSTRAD 40010 circuit. And that way to do make it illegal for a commercial usage. You can think that you can do it because nobody will say anything, and see.

[pelrun]

It *is* different, because it's essentially a clean-room re-implementation that uses the same behaviour and none of the original silicon design. You can't copyright behaviour, only implementation.
If that wasn't the case, the PC would still be IBM only.

[dragon]

No different. This description came from the reverse engineering work of the AMSTRAD 40010 circuit. And that way to do make it illegal for a commercial usage. You can think that you can do it because nobody will say anything, and see.

I am not sure about that. The protection  came from a patent, is not automatic.


I don't remember amstrad made a patent about the gate array. Only about the plus enhanced features activator.


Even amstrad in the preasic uses a circuit from others as the 6845...


And in the other way they have throw designs years ago. So how sky can demostrate they actually  have the rights about  a specific circuit?.No patent, not original schematics...


One thing is a trademark name registered and another a specific circuit.

[roudoudou]

I am not sure about that. The protection  came from a patent, is not automatic.

Why not asking daddy Sugar?

[asertus]

Why not asking daddy Sugar?

Anyway, an utility patent lasts no longer than 20 years.., long gone...


https://www.stopfakes.gov/article?id=How-Long-Does-Patent-Trademark-or-Copyright-Protection-Last#:~:text=A%20U.S.%20utility%20patent%2C%20explained,the%20design%20patent%20is%20granted.

[roudoudou]

Anyway, an utility patent lasts no longer than 20 years.., long gone...

the question remains, maybe Alan Sugar still has access to gate array or Amstrad Plus ASIC conception documents

[dthrone]

the question remains, maybe Alan Sugar still has access to gate array or Amstrad Plus ASIC conception documents

Here you go https://members.parliament.uk/member/3897/contact

[VintageAdvantage]

Nice strawman. Unfortunately you've stumbled upon one of so called "privacy advocates" - I'm running custom roms, PiHoles, don't use any of google's spyware, etc, so even that won't work. Sorry

Wow - I am sitting here sending smoke signals as well! Don't let the Government and Google get you. Now  have to adjust my Tinfoil hat (they are trying to read / control my mind to sell me Amstrad stuff via Ebay - CPC adds crop up everywhere!!) 

[VintageAdvantage]

"Have to give the rights to Google" that's total garbage. Google might be evil, but they don't monetize like that. It also doesn't make sense, because the only eligible projects are ones that are explicitly open source anyway.
Google is doing it to train the next generation of ASIC designers they can then hire.

As for the chip licenses, they'd rest in the actual hardware layout, which is in a process we can't use anyway. We've got a fully agnostic Verilog description of the logic, which is a different beast entirely, and any ASIC produced from it is going to look entirely different. And who is going to chuck a stink over a 30 year old obsolete part?
Now, if someone started using them to make a "Amstrad CPC Mini" and sold *that*, then the trademark holder might have an issue, but that's a different story altogether.

Makes sense to me. Not everything is a conspiracy. And why on earth would Google care for some > 35 year old piece of retro hardware. The complexity of the GA is a nothing in comparison to the smallest ARM-based controller in every piece of equipment they are making.

Obviously, they are looking for people to use their software, so they are giving it away for free to get users and feedback so that they can improve. And of course, at some point it will then cost money.

[dragon]

the question remains, maybe Alan Sugar still has access to gate array or Amstrad Plus ASIC conception documents

As I know. The plus asic sun tapes are in theory  forgotten in Steve gane garage, house, or something near that.


Steve gane told years ago if I remember o.k. That it should be stored, and then add, but why something can  rescue it?(that crap I think he was thinking).


And then it not respond more and disappear .


Note:Steve gane was the plus asic designing. And the owner of the patent of the plus activation features.


And one or the ASICS of the pc amstrad series design was donated from emj electronics to a u.k museum.


I really dobut. Alan sugar conservate  anything,because he only want sell things. And don't stop about old memories.


Well maybe now it enter in that zone. But I dobut years ago....