Four things to look for in an ASIC partner

When looking to design a custom integrated circuit (IC) that’s specific to your application — whether that’s automotive, industrial IoT or manufacturing — selecting the right partner is crucial for success. So how can businesses make the correct decision?

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1.????? Technical expertise and innovation

Your ASIC partner should have a deep understanding of both analogue and digital design. Without the expertise to fine-tune a bespoke chip, the end result simply wouldn’t be successful.

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Look for a partner with:

-????????? ?Sector-specific experience ?

-????????? A focus on precision and safety, shown by certifications such as AEC Q100 and ISO 26262 ?

-????????? The knowledge to quickly recognise the architecture suited to a particular specification ?

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For ready-made circuit blocks that can be deployed into projects with few or no changes, it’s also beneficial when an ASIC partner has access to a reusable IP catalogue that is already proven in the field.

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2.????? A complete suite of capabilities

Seek out a partner with a full turnkey (FTK) offering, where every element of an ASIC’s supply and design is managed in-house, from the design, layout and verification of the silicon to the first product delivery.

There’s no ambiguity on who takes responsibility if challenges occur or testing doesn’t instantly go to plan, and so any changes made to the chip are actioned quickly.

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3.????? Guarantee of supply

FTK ASIC companies design with non-obsolescence in mind, but if the silicon process or packaging were to go obsolete, FTK ASICs can efficiently provide a solution to ensure supply continuity.

A custom IC is less likely to become obsolete, unlike standardised alternatives that fall victim to product upgrades and reduced sales. However, some ASIC parts — such as the silicon process and packaging — could become obsolete. Find a partner that has an established plan to enhance longevity, whether that’s through a lifetime buy and storage of wafers or by porting the design onto a new silicon process.

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4.????? Flexibility and adaptability

Every project has unique requirements, and your ASIC partner must be able to customise solutions to meet those needs.

This involves tailoring parameters like:

-????????? ADC performance for medical devices and industrial sensors which require accurate data capture ??

-????????? Memory types such as SRAM, EEPROM, Flash or NVRAM ??

-????????? Communication protocols like I2C, SPI, UART, Bluetooth Low Energy or even custom proprietary protocols ??

-????????? Packaging options ??

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A good partner will have a breadth of knowledge at their disposal to flex to your needs.

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Want to take the first step in ASIC development? Contact Swindon at swindonsilicon.com to arrange a no-obligation first discussion so we can assess your needs.