On April 15, 2024, Zilog declared the end of life for the iconic Z80 8-bit CPU, prompting the open-source and hardware preservation community to create a Free and Open Source Silicon (FOSS) replacement. The first fabrication of FOSS Z80 is set for June 2024, utilizing the Tiny Tapeout infrastructure and Guy Hutchison’s TV80 Verilog core. The FOSS Z80 project aims to create a pin-compatible, open-source alternative to the original Zilog Z80. The initiative leverages the OpenROAD flow and FOSS 130 nm Skywater PDK. Controversially, it will challenge the traditional Z80 design with gate-level layouts resembling the original chip. The project seeks to carry on the legacy of the Z80 through modern, open-source technology.
https://github.com/rejunity/z80-open-silicon