platform structured asic



A platform-structured ASIC approach falls between an ASIC and a
FPGA. It is an ASIC approach based on a preassembled platform. Inside the
various platforms that a vender offers, certain special functions are already
predesigned and verified. Random logic functions can be achieved by programming
the metal layers in certain areas reserved for that purpose. Users
can select a desired platform based on their needs. The main advantage of
this platform-based ASIC is that the platform is already preassembled,
which saves the mask cost of base layers. The only expense is the metalprogrammable
layers. Another benefit is that the verification costs can be
significantly lower than those of an ASIC because the major functions on
the platform might be preverified.