From chinese forum, translated by google and modified bit
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BTC chip RTL design is not complicated, it is SHA256 algorithm. This is also the reason many ASIC chip vendors want to squeeze in the market: technical threshold is low, easy to get impulse.
But what factors make an ASIC vendors adhere to the end of process? Personally I think there are a number of factors:
1, Choice of the Foundry. BTC chip finally rely on advanced technology, yield stability, capacity, fast response and good service Foundry. Intel and Samsung are the first to be excluded, in the remaining Foundries TSMC is the boss
2, the chip design is better, in particular better physical design. The basic idea is the full-custom, handmade Layout, little by little, slowly optimization, are living a little bit of effort embroidery. So those who want to come fishing for fast-food ASIC vendors, there is no way out. BTC chips maker do psychologically prepared to do a protracted war, and is ready to put ten million $ in Foundry
3, the best in the Foundry has a direct account, not through a third party chip design services company operations. General ASIC design services company can not understand BTC chip operating model, not necessarily be able to understand well executed. Understood and performed well, half a year gone
4, ASIC manufacturers of mining machine manufacturers, good service, fast response. And customer win is a lasting business
5, the mining machine is only a relatively simple electronic products, and ultimately China (especially in Shenzhen) is bound to become a global mining machine production base. China's ASIC vendors in the language, geography, etc. have a distinct advantage. Europe, the United States, ASIC vendors may one generation products are some brief technical advantage, but that advantage will not last more than six months, will soon be the strength of the Chinese manufacturers to catch up with and surpass
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Author claims to be the ASIC chips design team for Avalon, is there a split inside?