EDN Semicustom-IC Directory: Part I - Technology

The year 1983 saw growth in semicustom integrated circuits and evolution of IC-design technologies, tools, and support programs. Standard cells are becoming alternatives to gate arrays, and compilers are making standard-cell design more flexible. The semicustom-IC industry should grow dramatically over the next decade. Silicon compiler technology should make rapid progress in the coming years also. The use of semicustom ICs changes the economics of system design. Design decisions are increasingly based on functional and design-complexity considerations. Vendors' circuit libraries should include basic versions of common functions and enough variety to allow the design of a broad range of systems. Architecturally optimized ICs can be uniquely suited to specific applications. Core microprocessors can restrict architectural freedom and make little economic sense. Analog- circuit integration is limited by process characteristics. Programmable logic should play a bigger part in future system design. Photographs illustrate several chips designed using semicustom ICs. The economics of design are illustrated by graphs and diagrams. A table lists manufacturers of semicustom ICs.