The Design Process for Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICS) Available to Purchase

This paper presents an overview of the ASIC design cycle, and covers the main topics involved in the successful translation of an ASIC concept into a chip capable of exploitation in volume manufacture. Many points are emphasised, which, in the author's opinion, form part of a sound design methodology. However, there can be no one unique formula for all of the points considered, as each ASIC development will have its own particular technical and commercial environment, which in turn will influence decision making in some of the key areas discussed.