A comparison of ASIC, structured ASIC and an FPGA

If you are looking for a high-performance, low-cost, and low-power solution for your custom IC design, you might be wondering whether to choose an FPGA, an ASIC, or a structured ASIC. In this blog post, we will explain what these terms mean, how they differ, and what are the advantages and disadvantages of each option.

FPGA stands for Field-Programmable Gate Array. It is a type of integrated circuit that can be reconfigured in the field by the user. An FPGA consists of an array of logic blocks that can perform different functions, such as arithmetic, memory, or logic operations. These logic blocks are connected by a programmable interconnect network that allows the user to define the functionality of the FPGA. FPGAs are widely used for prototyping, testing, and implementing complex digital systems.

ASIC stands for Application-Specific Integrated Circuit. It is a type of integrated circuit that is custom-designed for a specific application or function. An ASIC is optimized for performance, power, and cost, but it requires a large upfront investment in design tools, verification, and fabrication. ASICs are typically used for high-volume production of specialized devices, such as processors, sensors, or communication chips.

Structured ASIC is a type of integrated circuit that lies between FPGA and ASIC in terms of cost, performance, and flexibility. A structured ASIC consists of a regular array of predefined logic cells that can be customized by one or more metal or via masks. A structured ASIC has lower NRE (non-recurring engineering) cost than an ASIC because it uses fewer custom masks and leverages existing fabrication processes. A structured ASIC also has higher performance and lower power consumption than an FPGA because it eliminates the overhead of programmable interconnects and logic blocks.

The following table summarizes some of the key differences between FPGA, ASIC, and structured ASIC:

Feature	FPGA	ASIC	Structured ASIC
Engineers needed	Low	Medium-High	Low
Tooling needs	Low	High	Medium
Engineering Investment	Lowest	High	Low
Upfront cost	Low	High	Medium
Per-unit cost	High	Low	Medium
Performance	Low	High	Medium
Power consumption	High	High	Medium
Flexibility	High	Low	Medium
Time to Market	Short	Long	Medium
Design Complexity	Loow	High	Medium

As you can see, there is no clear winner among these options. The best choice depends on your design requirements, budget, and market conditions. However, some general guidelines are:

- Use FPGA if you need fast prototyping, frequent changes, or low-volume production.

- Use ASIC if you need high performance, low power, or high-volume production.

- Use structured ASIC if you need a balance between cost, performance, power, and flexibility.

We hope this blog post has helped you understand what is a structured ASIC or eASIC and how they compare against the traditional ASICs. How are they better than FPGAs? If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact us.