Field Programmable Gate Array - FPGA Silicon Wafer, 6", 150mm

About FPGAs The acronym FPGA stands for Field Programmable Gate Array. It is an integrated circuit that can be programmed by a user for a specific use in the comfort of their own home or office. FPGAs consist of logical modules connected by routing channels. Each module is made up of a programmable lookup table used to control the elements that each cell consists of and perform logical functions of the elements that make up the cell. The photo to the right is a single cell of the FPGA chip on this silicon wafer. About Silicon Wafer This six-inch silicon wafer was made by GateField Corp in 1997. The wafer has 43 large, 14mm x 18mm, chips on it. These are ProASIC GF260F FPGA chips. Each chip had over 300,000 gate array equivalents. Each chip had non-volatile flash technology to retain programming during power cycles. These chips sold for about $600 in today's dollars. At 43 total chips on the wafer, this wafer would have a $25,000 value (given 100% yield). Most people might not recognize