Introduction

Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) design involves creating specialized electronic systems that are fabricated into unique semiconductor devices. These devices are typically used in high-volume applications where stringent power performance and size constraints are necessary. This article explores the process of ASIC design, highlighting the tools and techniques used, and discussing the reusability of ASIC designs across different products.

Understanding ASIC Design

ASIC design begins with the creation of complex electronic systems that are tailored for specific purposes. System designers use high-level languages and environments like MATLAB and Simulink to develop and evaluate algorithms, which can then be simulated and visualized. The use of these tools ensures that design processes are efficient and precise, leading to better outcomes in terms of performance and functionality.

High-Level Design Tools: MATLAB and Simulink

Many system designers use MATLAB and Simulink as high-level environments to specify algorithms for ASIC designs. These tools offer a powerful combination of functionality and ease of use, allowing designers to create and simulate algorithms for both digital and analog/mixed-signal (AMS) ASIC designs. By integrating these tools with third-party Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools, designers can collaborate effectively with hardware designers to refine and optimize their designs.

Modeling and Simulation

The modeling process in ASIC design starts with the development of algorithms using either MATLAB or Simulink. MATLAB offers a concise, untimed language-based modeling environment, while Simulink provides a graphical modeling environment with multirate block diagrams and state machines. The flexibility of using both tools means that designers can seamlessly switch between MATLAB and Simulink workflows as needed.

For incorporating existing hardware descriptions (HDL) code and simulating it, Simulink models can be augmented with HDL cosimulation. This process allows for the evaluation of interactions between analog and digital components using components such as phase-locked loops (PLLs) and data converters (ADCs and DACs) from the Mixed-Signal Blockset.

Model Refinement for Code Generation

Once the initial models are developed, they are refined for hardware implementation. Algorithm developers can collaborate with ASIC hardware designers to optimize the hardware architecture of models. The process begins with verifying the suitability of MATLAB code or Simulink models for HDL code generation. With more than 300 Simulink blocks and over 200 MATLAB functions, designers have a wide range of options for creating robust models.

To reduce the area and power consumption of designs, floating-point models are often converted to fixed-point models using Fixed-Point Designer. This step is crucial for obtaining more optimized designs tailored for high-voltage applications. Further refinement is achieved by converting frame-based models into streaming models, which are more efficient for real-time processing.

Reusability of ASIC Designs

The reusability of ASIC designs is a significant advantage in product development. By leveraging the work done in one project, designers can apply similar algorithms and models to other products, reducing development time and costs. This process involves thorough testing and optimization, ensuring that the design meets the specific requirements of each product.

For example, in the development of IoT devices, the same algorithms and models used in a high-performance computing application can be adapted to fit the low-power requirements of IoT devices. Similarly, designs for automotive electronics can benefit from reusing models developed for industrial control systems, provided that the power and performance constraints are compatible.

Conclusion

ASIC design is a complex but essential process in modern engineering. By utilizing high-level design tools like MATLAB and Simulink, system designers can create efficient, reusable, and robust electronic systems. The reusability of ASIC designs across different products offers significant advantages in terms of cost savings and time efficiency. As technology continues to advance, the integration of these tools and techniques will play an increasingly important role in the development of cutting-edge electronics.