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FPGA Vs ASIC Comparison

FPGAs are reconfigurable circuits suitable for prototyping and applications requiring frequent updates, while ASICs are permanent circuits optimized for high-volume production and energy efficiency. The cost of ASICs is high due to non-recurring engineering (NRE) fees, but they become cheaper per unit at large volumes compared to FPGAs. Designers should consider market needs, power budgets, and speed requirements when choosing between FPGA and ASIC.

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8 views4 pages

FPGA Vs ASIC Comparison

FPGAs are reconfigurable circuits suitable for prototyping and applications requiring frequent updates, while ASICs are permanent circuits optimized for high-volume production and energy efficiency. The cost of ASICs is high due to non-recurring engineering (NRE) fees, but they become cheaper per unit at large volumes compared to FPGAs. Designers should consider market needs, power budgets, and speed requirements when choosing between FPGA and ASIC.

Uploaded by

ayushishukla712
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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FPGA vs ASIC comparison

No. FPGA ASIC

Reconfigurable circuit. FPGAs can be reconfigured Permanent circuitry. Once the application specific
1. with a different design. They even have capability circuit is taped-out into silicon, it cannot be
to reconfigure a part of chip while remaining areas changed. The circuit will work same for its
of chip are still working! This feature is widely used complete operating life.
in accelerated computing in data centres.

Design is specified generally using hardware Same as for FPGA. Design is specified using HDL
2. description languages (HDL) such as VHDL or such as Verilog, VHDL etc.
Verilog.

Easier entry-barrier. One can get started with FPGA Very high entry-barrier in terms of cost, learning
3. development for as low as USD $30. curve, liaising with semiconductor foundry etc.
Starting ASIC development from scratch can cost
well into millions of dollars.

Not suited for very high-volume mass production. Suited for very high-volume mass production.
4.

Less energy efficient, requires more power for Much more power efficient than FPGAs. Power
5. same function which ASIC can achieve at lower consumption of ASICs can be very minutely
power. controlled and optimized.

Limited in operating frequency compared to ASIC ASIC fabricated using the same process node can
6. of similar process node. The routing and run at much higher frequency than FPGAs since its
configurable logic eat up timing margin in FPGAs. circuit is optimized for its specific function.

Analog designs are not possible with FPGAs. ASICs can have complete analog circuitry, for
7. Although FPGAs may contain specific analog example WiFi transceiver, on the same die along
hardware such as PLLs, ADC etc, they are not much with microprocessor cores. This is the advantage
flexible to create for example RF transceivers. which FPGAs lack.
FPGAs are highly suited for applications such as ASICs are definitely not suited for application areas
8. Radars, Cell Phone Base Stations etc where the where the design might need to be upgraded
current design might need to be upgraded to use frequently or once-in-a-while.
better algorithm or to a better design. In these
applications, the high-cost of FPGAs is not the
deciding factor. Instead, programmability is the
deciding factor.

Preferred for prototyping and validating a design or It is not recommended to prototype a design using
9. concept. Many ASICs are prototyped using FPGAs ASICs unless it has been absolutely validated. Once
themselves! Major processor manufacturers the silicon has been taped out, almost nothing can
themselves use FPGAs to validate their System-on- be done to fix a design bug (exceptions apply).
Chips (SoCs). It is easier to make sure design is
working correctly as intended using FPGA
prototyping.

FPGA designers generally do not need to care for ASIC designers need to care for everything from
10. back-end design. Everything is handled by RTL down to reset tree, clock tree, physical layout
synthesis and routing tools which make sure the and routing, process node, manufacturing
design works as described in the RTL code and constraints (DFM), testing constraints (DFT) etc.
meets timing. So, designers can focus into getting Generally, each of the mentioned area is handled
the RTL design done. by different specialist person.

FPGA vs ASIC visual comparison


FPGA vs ASIC Cost Analysis

ASICs have very high Non-Recurring Engineering (NRE costs) up in millions, whereas the
actual per die cost could be in cents. In the case of FPGAs, there is no NRE cost. You pay for
the actual FPGA IC, and generally, get free software for that FPGA (up to a limit). So, the
total cost for ASICs starts very high owing to the NRE cost, but its slope is flatter. That is,
prototyping ASICs in small quantities is very costly, but in large volumes, the cost per volume
becomes very less. In the case of FPGAs the IC cost is quite higher, so in large volumes, it
becomes costly in comparison to ASICs.
Here is the breakdown of ASIC cost components:
1. ASIC EDA tools and training
2. Cost of designing
3. DFT cost
4. Cost of simulating
5. ASIC Masks Cost
6. Wafer Cost
7. Wafer Processing
8. Die Utilization
9. Yield & Manufacturing Loss
10. Packaging
Compared to the above list, the FPGA cost is only for the IC which can be bought off -the-
shelf.

How to choose between FPGA or ASIC


What is the target market, the expected price range, power budget, speed requirement etc
for the product. Can it be done using FPGAs? If yes, then go ahead and prototype your idea.
If not, you might not have any other way than to go with ASIC. In the majority of cases, it
should be possible to at least prototype and validate your idea using FPGAs. And by the time
you are finished with the prototype, you would yourself get the idea whether you need to
go with ASIC route or not. Of course, if your design is totally breakthrough kind and
extraordinary with highly specific requirements (in terms of cost, power, speed etc) then you
have no option than to go with ASIC route. Otherwise, FPGAs can cater to the majority of
use cases, especially when you need reconfigurable hardware.

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