Definition

An Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) is an IC that is designed for one specific application. Most ASICs today are thought of as only digital circuits that are designed primarily through automated synthesis and place & route tools. However, designs interacting with an analog world require an Analog or Mixed-Signal ASIC which include extensive analog circuitry and drives technological miniaturization.

Analog and Mixed-Signal ASIC Advantages

IP Protection

Thwart reverse engineering by concealing circuit designs within an ASIC. Using off-the-shelf analog components allows the competition to duplicate designs and sell them at a lower price.

Cost

Reduce your bill of material costs by consolidating separate functionality into a single ASIC. The return on the initial development costs increases throughout the lifetime of the project.

Differentiation

Standout from the competition by evolving your solution into one that is smaller, cheaper and higher performance than competitive designs using off-the shelf parts.

Process Technologies

Providing the lowest cost and highest density for most applications, CMOS process technology is the most common although BiCMOS, SOI and SiGe technologies are also available. Hexius Semiconductor engineers have experience with all of these and in node sizes as large 0.6um all the down to the deep submicron range of 28nm.

Arizona Microtek Expertise

Arizona Microtek specializes in Analog and Mixed-Signal ASICs design with a staff of expert analog engineers with expertise in a wide range of analog and RF functionality. Where many ASIC companies offer analog functionality only in the form of standard libraries, Arizona Microtek has the staff and expertise to design extensive custom analog and RF circuitry up to 6GHz. Whether it’s system integration, a new design or second sourcing an obsolete part, Arizona Microtek can design and integrate precision analog, microcontrollers and various memory structures into an optimized ASIC.

Interested in developing an ASIC? Contact us for more information or to discuss what your requirements are.