Semicustom design of ASICs: silicon chips-versus-FPGAs for engineering education

Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) implementation is a definite move forward in large-scale electronics. ASICs offer better yield, life time, performance, as well as reliability as compared to traditional hybrid circuits. Effective use of Electronics Design Automation Tools (EDAT) is essential for successful ASICs. Also, the use of EDATs is expected to narrow the gap between the academia and industry. Thus, future graduating engineers would make effective contributions to the vastly developing electronics, national and international market. This paper compares the necessary background and the advantages of two alternatives for implementing semicustom design of ASICs; semicustom silicon chips, and Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). An 8×8 multiplier design example is used as illustration. The feasibility, accessibility and rewards of such educational experiences are also addressed