What Is a Custom IC?
A custom IC (integrated circuit) is an integrated circuit that is developed, designed, and manufactured specifically for a particular application or product, based on user requirements. They are also known as custom chips or ASICs (Application-Specific Integrated Circuits).
There are two main types of custom ICs: full custom ICs, which are completely new from development to manufacturing, and semi-custom ICs, which are designed and manufactured from general-purpose ICs to meet specific user requirements. The closer an IC is to a full custom design, the higher the manufacturing cost and the longer the lead time. However, this approach can yield optimized operations for the specific application.
Features and Advantages of Custom ICs
Custom ICs are often developed in scenarios such as:
- When a user requests IC development alongside the development of a new product.
- When a user requests a semiconductor manufacturer to develop an IC with equivalent specifications to a discontinued IC.
- When a user requests the development of an IC that integrates discrete components (semiconductor device components) around the IC to improve the product, such as by downsizing the circuit board.
While it is possible to develop using standard ICs in these cases, this approach requires the designer to determine which ICs to combine and how to combine them to achieve the desired functionality. The use of custom ICs eliminates such a study period.
Custom ICs include gate arrays, standard cells, and embedded array ICs, each varying in development costs, power consumption, and size. Manufacturers design custom ICs using the most appropriate method depending on the specific requirements of the IC.