ASIC Full Form is Application
Specific Integrated Circuit. An application-specific integrated
circuit is a kind of integrated circuit customized for a specific use, and not
for general-purpose use. An ASIC improves speed as its main function is to
perform a particular task given as compared to the programmable logic device or
a standard integrated logic circuit.
As ASIC can be customized as per the need
of the user one can design it small in order to ensure low electricity
consumption. A major drawback of this circuit is that it can be expensive
to design a customized circuit especially if only a few units are needed. An
ASIC is found in most of the electronic devices and its use can range from
image to sound conversion. As all ASICs are custom-made and available
only with the company that designed them. The three different categories of
ASICS are as follows:
1.
Full-Custom ASICS: The circuit is customized especially for a specific application.
The ultimate purpose of the circuit is decided by the designer. All the layers
of this integrated circuit are fully defined to avoid any modification during
manufacturing.
2.
Semi-Custom ASICs: The circuit is customized partly to perform different functions
of an application. The ASICS allows modification if any during manufacturing.
3.
Platform ASICs: The circuit is designed & manufactured from a defined set of
methodologies and specifications. The cost of manufacturing Platform ASICs is
relatively low. Platform ASICs are made up of predefined platform slices which
are pre-manufactured logics for the entire system. The pre-manufactured
material reduces development costs for the circuits.