- #1
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But you better have a microscope to see them!
https://www.npr.org/2024/04/16/1242...n-doodles-engineers-microchip?ft=nprml&f=1002
https://www.npr.org/2024/04/16/1242...n-doodles-engineers-microchip?ft=nprml&f=1002
Even Engineers Doodle -- on the ICs they design
- Thread starter Tom.G
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- Ic Microscope
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Engineers often leave small doodles or symbols on the surfaces of integrated circuits (ICs), which can be discovered when the chips are decapped for analysis. These hidden designs sometimes include team member names or logos, adding a personal touch to the technology. The practice of searching for these doodles has sparked renewed interest among engineers in examining older chips. This playful aspect of engineering highlights the creativity involved in chip design, even at a microscopic level. Such discoveries serve as a reminder of the human element behind technological advancements.
- #2
berkeman
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Yeah, whenever we used to de-cap another manufacturer's IC to figure out what went wrong, we would always look around the IC surface to see if they'd left any logos or similar. Every once in a while you might find the project team member names or some interesting symbol... 
- #3
nsaspook
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If you ever see similar doodles inside some random prototype ASIC, you now know where they came from.
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- #4
Flyboy
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Ok, that’s pretty cool. Kudos to the people behind them.
- #5
davenn
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berkeman said:Yeah, whenever we used to de-cap another manufacturer's IC to figure out what went wrong, we would always look around the IC surface to see if they'd left any logos or similar. Every once in a while you might find the project team member names or some interesting symbol...
for sure
gosh, it's been years since i last did that
i have been reinspired tp decap a few more chips