in the furture could we see an ic dedicated to md

[taliesin]

http://www.prowave.com.tw/english/pr.../sric/sric.htm.
i was looking at this page.just wondering in a few years could we see a chip like this for md's that could be bought off the shelf

[Carl-NC]

Cherry Semi used to make the CS209 single-chip metal detector.

Problem with an MD-specific chip is the volumes just aren't there for a good pay-back. A full-custom ASIC development will run about $250k for development plus $50-100k for a mask set. A better solution is a semi-custom ASIC (like from Triad Semi) where you can get the whole thing for $50k or less.

However, most MD processing is already moving to software, so an ASIC just doesn't buy you much. A VGA+ADC+micro is about all you need now, and some micros are already close to having all this integrated to the level we need.

- Carl

[taliesin]

thanks for the insight on costs i didn't realise

[Carl-NC]

I once wrote that for an IC opamp, the first one costs you $250,000; after that, they're about 10¢ each. You better sell a lot of them if you want them to average 11¢ each.

[mikebg]

What is your block diagram?

I wondering in a few years could we see a chip like this for md's that could be bought off the shelf thanks for the insight on costs i didn't realise

Taliesin, I will realise if you show me the block diagram of your ultimate metal detector

[taliesin]

this is the basic outline mine

Taliesin, I will realise if you show me the block diagram of your ultimate metal detector

there's lots of work to do yet mike .like song choices and stuff