ASIC vs FPGA: Difference and Comparison

A unique type of IC called the application-specific integrated circuit is very common in the hardware.

ASICs and FPGAs are types of microchips. For a person who is new to the field of VLSI or hardware design, it is important to understand the difference between ASIC and FPGA.

Key Takeaways

1. ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits) are custom-designed for a specific application, while FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays) are reprogrammable and adaptable for various uses.
2. ASICs offer higher performance and lower power consumption than FPGAs but have higher development costs and longer production times.
3. FPGAs provide flexibility in design changes, making them ideal for prototyping and testing, whereas ASICs are more suitable for mass production and fixed applications.

ASIC vs FPGA

The difference between ASIC and FPGA is that ASIC is designed for a specific purpose, like the CPU of a mobile phone, whereas FPGA is a microchip that performs many programs for many applications.

ASIC stands for Application Security Integrated Circuit. It is a type of circuit made by engineers for a specific type of application.

The cost per production of ASICs is less, making them much more compatible. They have a complex design, and they cannot be reprogrammed.

FPGA are used by engineers in prototypes while designing a product using descriptive languages like VHDL or Verilog.

They are useful to use in appliances like vehicles or image processing in security appliances because they can be upgraded from time to time. They have a simple design.

Comparison Table

Parameters of Comparison	ASIC	FPGA
Design	ASIC has a more complex design.	FPGS has a simple and faster design.
Stages	ASIC needs seven complex stages.	FPGA has simple and faster stages.
Reprogramming	ASIC cannot be reprogrammed.	FPGA can be reprogrammed.
Performance	ASIC has better performance than FPGA.	FPGA provides lower performance than ASIC.
Compatible	ASIC is much compatible with FPGA.	As the cost per production is higher than FPGA, it makes it less compatible than ASIC.
Mass production	ASICs are suited for high-volume production.	FPGAs are not suited for high-volume production.

What is ASIC?

ASIC stands for Application Security Integrated Circuit.

ASIC is an application-based circuit that is designed and manufactured for just one application. It does not allow one to reprogram after it is produced.

It is a chip technology that has various applications. Generally, they are used by engineers.

As they cannot be manipulated, engineers use them for permanent applications, which include devices like smartphones or computers, etc.

ASICs are not meant for general use. They come in various types, like gate arrays, custom designs, etc.

ASICs working depends on the type of ASIC. Like the gate array, ASICs give only one opportunity for customization by manipulating the connections between the transistors.

But they perform limited functions. The standard cell ASICs are more customizable than the gate array ASICs.

The full custom design ASICs allow one to do full customization using scratch for their own exact specifications.

For example, the CPU in a mobile phone is a type of ASIC.

What is FPGA?

FPGA stands for Field Programmable Gate Array. It is a microprocessor, an encryption unit, or a graphics card that can be programmed.

It is made up of many CLBs (configurable logic blocks). They implement the logic functions.

They can also contain silicon blocks for many functions like Block RAM, DSP blocks, etc.

It is a circuit that can be programmed one time or can be reprogrammed many times.

The designs are created using descriptive languages like VHDL or Verilog.

Two types of classifications are done to recognize FPGAs: by the arrangement of the blocks or by the programming language used.

There are three types of arrangements of FPGAs: symmetrical arrays, row-based architecture, and hierarchical PLDs.

Symmetrical arrays are made up of rows and columns of logic blocks. Row-based architecture is an arrangement where there is a row of logic blocks and programmable resources.

Hierarchical PLD is an arrangement that has a much more typical and complex layout.

Three types of programming languages are used in the FPGAs: SRAM-based FPGAs, anti-fuse-based FPGAs, and flash-based FPGAs.

SRAM-based FPGAs use a type of external memory that uses internal flash blocks. The anti-fuse-based FPGAs can only be programmed once. Flash-based FPGAs are used for storage to retain the data when the power is down.

Main Differences Between ASIC and FPGA

1. ASIC design flow is much more complex and design-intensive than FPGAs.
2. ASICs involve seven stages to get complete in design, whereas the design flow of FPGAs is simple and faster.
3. FPGA can be reprogrammed as it performs limited functions, whereas ASIC cannot be reprogrammed.
4. ASIC have much better performance and provides more efficiency than FPGA.
5. ASICs have more NRE costs than FPGAs.
6. ASICs have lower power consumption than FPGAs.
7. ASICs are suited for high-volume production, whereas FPGAs are not suited for high-volume production.
8. ASICs are used where the applications do not need frequent up-gradation, whereas FPGAs are used when the applications need up-gradation from time to time.
9. As the ASIC cannot be altered thus, the designer needs to be sure before making it, especially when making it in bulk, whereas FPGA allows a designer to change and alter things from time to time.
10. Cost per production is lower while producing ASIC than FPGA. Thus making ASIC much more compatible than FPGA.

References

1. https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/4068926/
2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0026269205003927

Last Updated : 18 June, 2023