chipIgnite is introducing a new fabrication model designed to lower the barrier to entry for 130nm volume production. By aggregating multiple commercial projects onto a single production mask set, we unlock economies of scale previously reserved for high-volume enterprise silicon.

This Anchor / Tenant model serves two distinct customer needs: those who need control (The Anchor) and those who need access (The Tenant).

1. The Anchor Customer

For the primary driver of the production run.

The Anchor is the project that establishes the production schedule. By underwriting the production tooling, the Anchor secures "Schedule Sovereignty"—the right to determine the tape-out date for a ChipFoundry-owned mask set that matches their product roadmap.

Key Benefits:

• Schedule Control: You determine when the train leaves the station.
• Volume Economics: Access high-volume unit pricing (100k+ units) immediately.
• NRE Rebates: Receive financial credits (up to $75k) as Tenants join the run, effectively subsidizing your initial investment.

Ideal For:

• Startups moving from MPW to their first commercial launch (100k - 500k units).
• Enterprise teams requiring a dedicated fabrication timeline.

2. The Tenant Customer

For projects seeking low-volume production access.

The Tenant is a "rider" on an established Anchor run. By utilizing the remaining capacity on the Anchor's mask, Tenants gain access to production-grade manufacturing without the prohibitive full-mask capital expenditure.

Key Benefits:

• Reduced Capital Risk: Enter production for a 75% lower NRE than a dedicated mask set.
• Low Volume Support: Economically viable production runs starting as low as 10k units per year.
• Commercial Quality: Unlike MPW prototyping, this is a full production flow including optional sort and packaging.

Ideal For:

• Niche industrial or IoT applications (10k - 50k units).
• University spinoffs or "Maker" products.
• Secondary chips that do not drive the primary system timeline.

Program Specifications

Technical Baseline

• Node: SkyWater Technology 130nm CMOS
• Delivery: Singulated, Untested Die (Gross Die)
• Optional Services: Wafer Sort (Testing), QFN Packaging, Tape & Reel.

How it Works

1. Anchor Commitment: The Anchor defines the tape-out date and underwrites the reticle base.
2. Tenant Enrollment: ChipFoundry opens the "Tenant Portal," allowing compatible designs to purchase slots on the Anchor's run.
3. Fabrication: The aggregation mask is generated (owned and managed by ChipFoundry), and the lot is processed as a standard commercial run.
4. Delivery: Wafers are diced, and independent lots are shipped to the Anchor and Tenants respectively.