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ASIC just means it's an application specific IC (= chip), meaning it's fabbed for that specific product (like in this case the Raspberry Pi). A functional block
by fulafel 3y ago
ASIC just means it's an application specific IC (= chip), meaning it's fabbed for that specific product (like in this case the Raspberry Pi). A functional block like a JPEG codec contained therein is not an ASIC. Quoth wikipedia:
"Modern ASICs often include entire microprocessors, memory blocks including ROM, RAM, EEPROM, flash memory and other large building blocks. Such an ASIC is often termed a SoC (system-on-chip)."
What you're describing in the JPEG codec might be termed a fixed function IP block in semiconductor design terminology.
- dartos 3y agoThat’s weird that Wikipedia says there’s no real distinction between SoCs and ASICS. Colloquially, I’d never call anything with a programmable processor an ASIC
- fulafel 3y agoSome ASICs are SoCs. Some are not.
- LtdJorge 3y agoFirst paragraph of that Wikipedia article: An application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC /ˈeɪsɪk/) is an integrated circuit (IC) chip customized for a particular use, rather than intended for general-purpose use, such as a chip designed to run in a digital voice recorder or a high-efficiency video codec.