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page_id: curated-process-pdk
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title: Process and PDK
slug: curated-process-pdk
route: /process-and-pdk
section: reference
access: public
summary: GF180MCU process and gf180mcu PDK naming, flow role, and version boundary.
status: published
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md_url: /process-and-pdk.md
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tags: [wafer-space, knowledge-base, curated]
last_updated: 2026-08-19
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# Process and PDK

## Names

- **Confirmed:** `GF180MCU` is the fabrication-process name. `gf180mcu` is the open PDK name. The two spellings are not interchangeable. ([archive message](/evidence/i-information/marketing#message-1413804033298268221); [Discord](https://discord.com/channels/1361349522684510449/1413281558407942236/1413804033298268221))
- **Confirmed archive usage:** wafer.space design discussions use the `gf180mcuD` PDK variant. Leo Moser described MIM Option B as the wafer.space stack in one analog discussion. ([archive message](/evidence/designing/analog/threads/same-sadly-klayout-pdk-only-has-that-for#message-1509202657083133983); [Discord](https://discord.com/channels/1361349522684510449/1508260961054884001/1509202657083133983))

## Flow role

- **Confirmed:** The project template is the recommended starting point. The online precheck is the manufacturing gate; local precheck is useful because it gives a better place to debug failures. ([archive message](/evidence/designing/project-template#message-1428379167623483543); [Discord](https://discord.com/channels/1361349522684510449/1423348662318272592/1428379167623483543))
- **Confirmed:** A GDS may be produced with LibreLane or another design tool, but it must pass the platform precheck. ([archive message](/evidence/i-information/general#message-1523496492365512827); [Discord](https://discord.com/channels/1361349522684510449/1361349523724570941/1523496492365512827))

## Controlled-option warning

**Open question:** The messages disagree or remain uncertain about top-metal thickness, MIM option and density, and high-resistor option. Do not infer these fabrication options from a layout tool default. The evidence and conflict are listed on [Process options and open questions](/process-and-pdk/options-and-open-questions). ([archive message](/evidence/i-information/questions/threads/what-mimcaps-can-we-use-on-gf180mcu#message-1511616321790541896); [Discord](https://discord.com/channels/1361349522684510449/1511221611238522991/1511616321790541896)) ([archive message](/evidence/i-information/general#message-1523498909111025705); [Discord](https://discord.com/channels/1361349522684510449/1361349523724570941/1523498909111025705))

## Version boundary

**Confirmed archive fact, not current-version advice:** The last explicit paired release in the archive is Project Template 1.5.8 and Precheck 1.7.2 on 2026-07-14. It fixed a critical 3.3 V buffer-cell issue and a text-ID issue. Verify versions before a new submission. ([archive message](/evidence/designing/project-template#message-1526579676183662662); [Discord](https://discord.com/channels/1361349522684510449/1423348662318272592/1526579676183662662))

## Related pages

- [Process options and open questions](/process-and-pdk/options-and-open-questions)
- [Submission procedures](/submission-procedures)
- [LibreLane and tooling](/librelane-and-tooling)
- [Runs](/runs)

## Sources

- `1413804033298268221` — 2025-09-06T08:32:28.747+00:00 — Leo Moser — [archive](/evidence/i-information/marketing#message-1413804033298268221) — [Discord](https://discord.com/channels/1361349522684510449/1413281558407942236/1413804033298268221) — Process and PDK spelling distinction.
- `1509202657083133983` — 2026-05-27T14:32:33.078+00:00 — Leo Moser — [archive](/evidence/designing/analog/threads/same-sadly-klayout-pdk-only-has-that-for#message-1509202657083133983) — [Discord](https://discord.com/channels/1361349522684510449/1508260961054884001/1509202657083133983) — `gf180mcuD` and MIM Option B statement.
- `1428379167623483543` — 2025-10-16T13:48:51.563+00:00 — Leo Moser — [archive](/evidence/designing/project-template#message-1428379167623483543) — [Discord](https://discord.com/channels/1361349522684510449/1423348662318272592/1428379167623483543) — Template and precheck roles.
- `1523496492365512827` — 2026-07-06T01:11:08.976+00:00 — Tim 'mithro' Ansell — [archive](/evidence/i-information/general#message-1523496492365512827) — [Discord](https://discord.com/channels/1361349522684510449/1361349523724570941/1523496492365512827) — Tool-neutral GDS generation and required precheck.
- `1526579676183662662` — 2026-07-14T13:22:37.281+00:00 — Leo Moser — [archive](/evidence/designing/project-template#message-1526579676183662662) — [Discord](https://discord.com/channels/1361349522684510449/1423348662318272592/1526579676183662662) — Last explicit template/precheck pair in the archive.