ESL tool targets algorithm for FPGA, ASIC devices

Synplicity rolled out its Synplify DSP ASIC Edition software at the Design Automation and Test Europe conference in France. Their earlier ESL synthesis tool was aimed at FPGA designs. With this new offering, they are targeting customers who use FPGA prototyping for their DSP based ASICs.

Another recent news has been that TSMC is broadening its IP portfolio giving worries to IP providers and speculation in the industry whether TSMC is moving towards ASIC like biz model.

Gives a new meaning to the phrase “ASIC demise”………

TSMC's IP moves stir up concern among providers

TSMC is broadening it’s portfolio of internally developed IPs and 3rd party IPs. It had started a program called IP-9000, later renamed to Active Accuracy Assurance Program, to qualify various IPs in its foundries. The objective was to expedite the design time with silicon proven 3rd party IPs.

With shorter design cycle time and with IPs becoming mandatory blocks in a design, the need for silicon proven IPs is not just desirable but also essential. Having a broad and quality IP portfolio is a big asset. If TSMC is getting into the ASIC like biz model, then indeed it is worrisome for the 3rd party IP vendors; especially the smaller ones who aspire to gain market share on the basis of their expertise in niche areas. The field gets all the more “unlevel”. But then it is a competitive world and TSMC would be leveraging on its resources and market reach.

A point to be noted is that, does this mean the resurrection of ASICs - often ranted about as dead ??

Are ASICs dead?

There were some very interesting insights from the commentary on the panel discussion on the above topic.

People have been long talking about the demise of ASICs….and these are still around. A good starting point taken, hence, was the definition of ASICs itself. ASICs have undergone a transformation over the years and have evolved much from the traditional cell based ASICs.

Some interesting comments raised included:

- why have ASICs survived? Inspite of ridiculous prices, extremely unreliable and extremely unpredictable. Because they are needed. People talk about a decline in design starts…I think what we should be talking about is how many total transistors, total functionality and how much total revenue is being shipped. All of those numbers are increasing (Sherwani/OpenSilicon)
- Architecture is the key. More integration is not necessarily the right solution (Massabki/ChipX)
- How outsourcing and offshoring of basic R&D is affecting ASIC biz (Sherwani)

When we talk about ASICs declining, what are we referring to? Is it the number of design starts? And if so, which designs does this number include: cell based ASICs, embedded array, structured ASICs? Is it the total revenue?

Without a clear definition and specific measuring criteria, blanket statements do not make much sense.