INTRODUCTION TO ASIC DESIGN

Dr. Y. Narasimha Murthy Ph.D

Sri Sai Baba National College (Autonomous)
ANANTAPUR-515001-A.P-INDIA
[email protected]
 Introduction
• ASIC [“a-sick”] is an acronym for Application
Specific Integrated Circuit.
• As the name indicates, ASIC is a non-
standard integrated circuit that is designed
for a specific use or application.
• Generally an ASIC design will be undertaken
for a product that will have a large production
run , and the ASIC may contain a very large
part of the electronics needed on a single
integrated circuit.
 Contd..
• Examples for ASIC Ics are : a chip for a
toy bear that talks; a chip for a satellite; a
chip designed to handle the interface
between memory and a microprocessor
for a workstation CPU; and a chip
containing a microprocessor as a cell
together with other logic.
 Contd..
• Two ICs that might or might not be considered
as ASICs are, a controller chip for a PC and a
chip for a modem. Both of these examples are
specific to an application (shades of an ASIC)
but are sold to many different system vendors
(shades of a standard part). ASICs such as
these are sometimes called application-
specific standard products ( ASSPs ).
 Types of ASICs
• The classification of ASICs is shown below
 Contd..
• So, as shown in the slide the ASICs are
broadly classified into three types.
• I. Full-Custom ASICs
• II. Semi-custom ASICs
• III. Programmable ASICs
 Full-Custom ASICs
• A Full custom ASIC is one which includes some
(possibly all) logic cells that are customized and all
mask layers that are customized.
• A microprocessor is an example of a full-custom IC .
Designers spend many hours squeezing the most out
of every last square micron of microprocessor chip
space by hand.
• Customizing all of the IC features in this way allows
designers to include analog circuits, optimized
memory cells, or mechanical structures on an IC, for
example. Full-custom ICs are the most expensive to
manufacture and to design.
 Contd..
• The manufacturing lead time (the time
required just to make an IC not including
design time) is typically eight weeks for a
full-custom IC.
• These specialized full-custom ICs are often
intended for a specific application so, we
might call some of them as full-custom
ASICs.
 Contd…
• In a full-custom ASIC an engineer designs some
or all of the logic cells, circuits, or layout
specifically for one ASIC. This means the
designer avoids using pretested and pre
characterized cells for all or part of that design.
• This might be because existing cell libraries are
not fast enough, or the logic cells are not small
enough or consume too much power.
 Contd…
• One has to use full-custom design if the ASIC
technology is new or so specialized that there
are no existing cell libraries or because the
ASIC is so specialized that some circuits must
be custom designed.
• Fewer and fewer full-custom ICs are being
designed because of the problems with these
special parts of the ASIC.
• The growing member of this family, now a
days is , the mixed analog/digital ASIC,
 Semicustom ASICs
• ASICs , for which all of the logic cells are
predesigned and some (possibly all) of the
mask layers are customized are called semi
custom ASICs.
• Using the predesigned cells from a cell library
makes the design , much easier.
• There are two types of semicustom ASICs
• (i) Standard-cell–based ASICs (ii)Gate-array–
based ASICs.
 Standard-Cell Based ASICs
• A cell-based ASIC (cell-based IC, or CBIC
pronounced sea-bick) uses predesigned logic
cells (AND gates, OR gates, multiplexers, and
flip-flops, for example) known as standard
cells.
• One can apply the term CBIC to any IC that
uses cells, but it is generally accepted that a
cell-based ASIC or CBIC means a standard-
cell based ASIC.
 Contd…
• The standard-cell areas (also called flexible
blocks) in a CBIC are built of rows of standard
cells like a wall built of bricks. The standard-
cell areas may be used in combination with
microcontrollers or even microprocessors,
known as mega cells. Mega cells are also
called mega functions, full-custom blocks,
system-level macros (SLMs), fixed blocks,
cores, or Functional Standard Blocks (FSBs).
A cell-based ASIC (CBIC) die with a single
standard-cell area (a flexible block) together with
four fixed blocks.
 Contd…
• The ASIC designer defines only the placement of the
standard cells and the interconnect in a CBIC.
However, the standard cells can be placed anywhere on
the silicon; this means that all the mask layers of a
CBIC are customized and are unique to a particular
customer.
• The advantage of CBICs is that designers save time,
money, and reduce risk by using a predesigned,
pretested, and pre characterized standard-cell library.
• In addition each standard cell can be optimized
individually. During the design of the cell library each
and every transistor in every standard cell can be
chosen to maximize speed or minimize area .
 Contd…
• The disadvantages are the time or expense of
designing or buying the standard-cell library
and the time needed to fabricate all layers of
the ASIC for each new design.
 Gate-Array Based ASICs
• In a gate array (sometimes abbreviated GA) or
gate-array based ASIC the transistors are
predefined on the silicon wafer.
• The predefined pattern of transistors on a gate
array is the base array , and the smallest
element that is replicated to make the base
array is the base cell (sometimes called a
primitive cell ).
 Contd…
• Only the top few layers of metal, which define
the interconnect between transistors, are
defined by the designer using custom masks.
To distinguish this type of gate array from
other types of gate array, it is often called a
masked gate array ( MGA ).
• The designer chooses from a gate-array library
of predesigned and pre-characterized logic
cells
 Contd…
• The logic cells in a gate-array library are often
called macros . The reason for this is that the
base-cell layout is the same for each logic cell,
and only the interconnect (inside cells and
between cells) is customized, which is similar
to a software macro.
 Types of MGA or Gate-array based ASICs
• There are three types of Gate Array based
ASICs.
• Channeled gate arrays.
• Channelless gate arrays.
• Structured gate arrays.
 Channeled gate arrays
• The channeled gate array was the first to be
developed . In a channeled gate array space is
left between the rows of transistors for wiring.
• A channeled gate array is similar to a CBIC.
Both use the rows of cells separated by
channels used for interconnect. One difference
is that the space for interconnect between
rows of cells are fixed in height in a channeled
gate array, whereas the space between rows of
cells may be adjusted in a CBIC.
A channeled gate-array die
 Features of MGA
• Only the interconnect is customized.
• The interconnect uses predefined spaces
between rows of base cells.
• Manufacturing lead time is between two days
and two weeks.
 Channel less Gate Array
• This channel less gate-array architecture is now
more widely used . The routing on a channelless
gate array uses rows of unused transistors.
• The key difference between a channel less gate
array and channeled gate array is that there are
no predefined areas set aside for routing
between cells on a channel less gate array.
Instead we route over the top of the gate-array
devices. We can do this because we customize
the contact layer that defines the connections
between metal 1, the first layer of metal, and
the transistors.
 Features of Channel less Gate Array
• Only the interconnect is customized.
• The interconnect uses predefined spaces
between rows of base cells.
• Manufacturing lead time is around two days to
two weeks.
• When we use an area of transistors for routing
in a channel less array, we do not make any
contacts to the devices lying underneath , we
simply leave the transistors unused.
A channel less gate-array or sea-of-gates
(SOG) array die.
 Contd…
• The basic difference between a channel less gate
array and channeled gate array is that there are no
predefined areas set aside for routing between cells
on a channel less gate array. Instead we route over the
top of the gate-array devices.
• It is done like this because we customize the contact
layer that defines the connections between metal1, the
first layer of metal, and the transistors. When we use
an area of transistors for routing in a channel less
array, we do not make any contacts to the devices
lying underneath; we simply leave the transistors
unused.
 Contd…
• The logic density ,the amount of logic that can be
implemented in a given silicon area is higher for
channel less gate arrays than for channeled gate
arrays. This is usually attributed to the difference in
structure between the two types of array. In fact, the
difference occurs because the contact mask is
customized in a channel less gate array, but is not
usually customized in a channeled gate array. This
leads to denser cells in the channel less architectures.
Customizing the contact layer in a channel less gate
array allows us to increase the density of gate-array
cells because we can route over the top of unused
contact sites.
 Structured Gate Array
• This design combines some of the features of CBICs
and MGAs.It is also known as an embedded gate array
or structured gate array(also called as master slice or
master image).
• One of the limitations of the MGA is the fixed gate-
array base cell. This makes the implementation of
memory, difficult and inefficient.
• In an embedded gate array some of the IC area is set
aside and dedicate it to a specific function. This
embedded area either can contain a different base cell
that is more suitable for building memory cells, or it can
contain a complete circuit block, such as a
microcontroller.
A structured or embedded gate-array die showing
an embedded block in the upper left corner
 Features of Structured Gate Array
• Only the interconnect is customized.
• Custom blocks (the same for each design) can
be embedded.
• Manufacturing lead time is between two days
and two weeks.
• An embedded gate array gives the improved
area efficiency and increased performance of
a CBIC but with the lower cost and faster turn
around of an MGA.
• The disadvantage of an embedded gate array is
that the embedded function is fixed.
 Contd…
• For example, if an embedded gate array
contains an area set aside for a 32 k-bit
memory, but we only need a 16 k-bit
memory, then we may have to waste half
of the embedded memory function.
However, this may still be more efficient
and cheaper than implementing a 32 k-bit
memory using macros on a SOG array
 Programmable Logic Devices
• Programmable logic devices ( PLDs ) are
standard ICs that are available in standard
configurations.
• However, PLDs may be configured or
programmed to create a part customized
to a specific application, and so they also
belong to the family of ASICs.
• PLDs use different technologies to allow
programming of the device.
A programmable logic device (PLD) die.
 Features of PLDs
• No customized mask layers or logic cells
• Fast design turnaround
• A single large block of programmable
interconnect
• A matrix of logic macro cells that usually
consist of programmable array logic followed
by a flip-flop or latch
 Contd…
• The simplest type of programmable IC is a
read-only memory( ROM ). The most common
types of ROM use a metal fuse that can be
blown permanently (a programmable ROM or
PROM ).
• An electrically programmable ROM , or
EPROM , uses programmable MOS transistors
whose characteristics are altered by applying a
high voltage.
 Contd…
• One can erase an EPROM either by using another
high voltage (an electrically erasable PROM , or
EEPROM ) or by exposing the device to
ultraviolet light (UV-erasable PROM, or
UVPROM).
• There is another type of ROM that can be placed
on any ASIC a mask-programmable ROM (mask-
programmed ROM or masked ROM). A masked
ROM is a regular array of transistors permanently
programmed using custom mask patterns.
• So, an embedded masked ROM is a large,
specialized, logic cell.
Field-Programmable Gate Arrays(FPGAs)
• FPGAs are the newest member of the ASIC family
and are rapidly growing in , replacing TTL in
microelectronic systems. Even though an FPGA is
a type of gate array, we do not consider the term
gate-array based ASICs to include FPGAs.
• There is very little difference between an FPGA
and a PLD .An FPGA is usually just larger and
more complex than a PLD. In fact, some vendors
that manufacture programmable ASICs call their
products as FPGAs and some call them as
complex PLDs .
 Characteristics of an FPGA
• None of the mask layers are customized.
• There is a method for programming the basic
logic cells and the interconnect.
• The core is a regular array of programmable basic
logic cells that can implement combinational as
well as sequential logic (flip-flops).
• A matrix of programmable interconnect
surrounds the basic logic cells.
• Programmable I/O cells surround the core.
• Design turnaround is a few hours.
Field-programmable gate array (FPGA) die.
 Contd…
• The architecture consists of configurable
logic blocks, configurable I/O blocks, and
programmable interconnect. Also, there
will be clock circuitry for driving the
clock signals to each logic block, and
additional logic resources such as ALUs,
memory, and decoders may be available.
The two basic types of programmable
elements for an FPGA are Static RAM
and anti-fuses.
 contd…
Examples of SRAM based FPGA families are
• Altera FLEX family
• Atmel AT6000 and AT40K families
• Lucent Technologies ORCA family
• Xilinx XC4000 and Virtex families
Examples of Anti-fuse based FPGA families are
• Actel SX and MX families
• Quick logic pASIC family
 CPLDs vs. FPGAs
CPLD FPGA
• Architecture: PAL-like Gate Array-like
• Density: Low to medium Medium to high
12 22V10s or more up to 1 million gates
• Speed: Fast, predictable Application dependent
• Interconnect: Crossbar Routing
• Power Consumption: High Medium
 Design Flow
• The sequence of steps to design an ASIC is known as the
Design flow . The various steps involved in ASIC design
flow are given below.

1. Design entry : Design entry is a stage where the micro

architecture is implemented in a Hardware Description
language like VHDL, Verilog , System Verilog etc.

• In early days , a schematic editor was used for design

entry where designers instantiated gates. Increased
complexity in the current designs require the use of HDLs
to gain productivity . Another advantage is that HDLs are
independent of process technology and hence can be re-
used over time
.
 Contd…
2. Logic synthesis: Use an HDL (VHDL or Verilog) and
a logic synthesis tool to produce a net list a description
of the logic cells and their connections
3.System partitioning : Divide a large system into ASIC-
sized pieces.
4. Pre-layout simulation: Check to see if the design
functions correctly.
5. Floor planning: Arrange the blocks of the netlist on
the chip.
6. Placement: Decide the locations of cells in a block.
7. Routing: Make the connections between cells and
blocks.
 Contd…
8.Extraction : Determine the resistance and
capacitance of the interconnect.
9. Post layout simulation. It is used to check to
see whether the design still works with the
added loads of the interconnect or not

The flow diagram is shown in the next slide.

ASIC design flow diagram
 Contd…
• In the flow diagram the steps from 1 to 4 are
part of logical design ,and steps from 5 to 9 are
part of physical design.

• When we are performing system partitioning

we have to consider both logical and physical
factors.
 CMOS Design Rules
• The design rules are Interface between
designer and process engineer and guidelines
for constructing process masks
• The figures in the next slides defines the
design rules for a CMOS process using
pictures. Arrows between objects denote a
minimum spacing, and arrows showing the
size of an object denote a minimum width.
Rule 3.1, for example, is the minimum width
of poly (2 l ).
Diagram 1
Diagram 2
 Contd…
• Dimensions are in l . Rule numbers are in
parentheses (missing rule sets 11 to 13 are
extensions to this basic process)

• Each of the rule numbers may have different

values for different manufacturers there are
no standards for design rules
 Reference
• Application-Specific Integrated Circuits-
Michael John Sebastian Smith , Addison
Wesley Longman, Inc.