4 ms·
Given the insane mask costs for lower geometries, the ASIC is most likely an Xilinx EasyPath or Altera Hardcopy. Otherwise the amortization of the mask and dev
by bravo22 10y ago
Given the insane mask costs for lower geometries, the ASIC is most likely an Xilinx EasyPath or Altera Hardcopy. Otherwise the amortization of the mask and dev costs -- even for a structured cell ASIC -- over 1K unit wouldn't make much sense versus the extra cooling/power costs for a GPU.
- nickpsecurity 10y agoDon't forget shuttle runs. Adepteva used those and otherwise good engineering practice to develop two products, latest in 65nm, with no more than $2mil. This one might be simpler and cheaper given its requirements. http://www.adapteva.com/andreas-blog/a-lean-fabless-semiconductor-startup-model/ http://www.adapteva.com/andreas-blog/a-lean-fabless-semicond...
- bravo22 10y agoTrue. That's another possibility. I'd imagine since they'd want to squeeze every performance per want out of the chip they'd want to go for smallest node possible. Virtex7 EasyPath is 16nm! It is pin to pin compatible with the FPGA version -- because they just change the mask layer and you get it in about 6 weeks. Hard to beat that.
- nickpsecurity 10y agoI didn't know they were still doing EasyPath. And I surely didn't know they did pin-for-pin on 16nm. Holy crap! :)
- bravo22 10y agoYes. It is very popular for high-end FPGA use cases. Essentially instead of relying on the built-in routing matrix which makes FPGAs what they are, they modify the metal layer and connect the chip per your design as an ASIC. You get much lower power consumption and much faster clock rates. You also get it in about 6-8 weeks and is guaranteed to match your original design in functionality. It is 100% pin compatible because it is the same base silicon and packaging.
- nickpsecurity 10y agoCool stuff. Previously, I was looking at eASIC or Triad if I needed this cuz I thought FPGA people cancelled S-ASIC's. Good to know there's a high-end one from Xilinx. Here's the others in case you didn't know about them: http://www.easic.com/products/28-nm-easic-nextreme-3/ http://www.easic.com/products/28-nm-easic-nextreme-3/ https://www.triadsemi.com/reconfigurable-full-custom-asic/ https://www.triadsemi.com/reconfigurable-full-custom-asic/ eASIC has a maskless capability where they straight-up print your silicon for prototyping/testing. Triad brought S-ASIC's to analog/mixed-signal. They're top players. eASIC's basic prototyping was $50k for 50 chips on older ones. Idk now. Triad I heard is $400k flat. Need a price quote to be sure. ;)
- bravo22 10y agoThat's awesome. I had heard about them before but never used. Crazy how low that price is.
- nickpsecurity 10y agoYeah, Triad is still in startup mode and picky. eASIC has been around quite a while. They also have ezCopy or something to produce ASIC's from their S-ASIC's. A side benefit is there's lots of pre-tested IP, including Gaisler OSS CPU. So, worth considering. I need to get numbers on Xilinx, though, in terms of pricing and royalties. Esp if they have something for 28nm, 45nm, or 65nm that will be significantly cheaper than other one.
- mkj 10y agoI would suspect they're aiming for orders of magnitudes > 1k units though?
- bravo22 10y agoUnless they're doing 100K plus for 2-3 year life of a chip, it makes sense to stay w/ EasyPath or the Altera Hardcopy. It is much easier and more flexible for making revisions. Consider that they will most likely make another version, with new features in 2 years time. I'm sure the users of the chip will want that, just like any other system.
- erichocean 10y agoAltera Hardcopy has been discontinued. https://www.altera.com/products/general/asic.highResolutionDisplay.html https://www.altera.com/products/general/asic.highResolutionD... > Altera no longer offers HardCopy structured ASIC products for new design starts. Altera continues to support HardCopy for existing designs.