About Us News Careers Contact Us Industrial Automotive Custom IC Design Sensor Interfaces Custom IC Design>> Specification Design & Development Packaging Test Supply Mixed Signal ASIC Design Flow Custom IC Design – Providing technical and commercial advantages Swindon’s enhanced analogue, digital and mixed-signal custom integrated circuits, designed to our customer’s demanding requirement provides an end product with a distinct and unique technical and commercial advantage. Swindon’s full turnkey service (FTK) starts from initial specifications through to the supply of volume tested and calibrated ASICs including analogue and mixed signal design, test, packaging, component production, logistics and supply chain management. Swindon also provides full evaluation, characterisation, industrial and automotive qualification (AEC Q100) and full failure analysis in accordance with defined industry standards such as TS 16949. This FTK service enables our customers to be able to focus on their core competencies whilst Swindon designs, manufactures, tests and supplies their custom ASIC solution to anywhere in the world. ASIC Design Flow – How Swindon develops and delivers an ASIC project The Swindon team consists of Consultant, Design and Layout engineers working together in a structured planned process to deliver the optimum outcome for our customers. We start by agreeing the system specification, then on to an early design simulation, through layouts and prototype evaluation and onto full production testing. Agree System Specification Customer Application Review Review customer system requirements / specifications Establish ASIC requirements Produce Technical Report (if required) which includes, target die size, fabrication process, packaging requirements, test requirements ASIC Fixed Price Quotation Non-Recurring Engineering (NRE) Production unit price Development, prototype and production schedule Milestones and deliverables Project Start/Preliminary ASIC Review Project Start/Preliminary ASIC Review Review System Specification Commence ASIC Specification Review all schedules and project plan ASIC Fixed Price Quotation Non-Recurring Engineering (NRE) Production unit price Development, prototype and production schedule Milestones and deliverables Initial Design and Layout Initial Design & Layout Top level design Device partitioning Analog circuit design Digital circuit design Customer / foundry IP ASIC Floor Plan Built-In test features Complete ASIC specification Foundry Details Design Review/Simulation and Check Design Review Review circuit performance Review physical layout status Design and layout revisions (if required) Simulation and Checks Simulate over temperature and voltage Complete Design Rule Checks (DRC’s) Complete Layout Vs. Schematic (LVS) Prepare test plans and specification Prototype Fabrication/Test Program Development Prototype Fabrication Multi Layer Mask (MLM) production Engineering wafers fabrication Package devices Test Program Development Prototype test program and hardware Production test program and hardware Production Test Prototype Evaluation Prototype Evaluation Wafer probe (if required) Package devices Customer evaluates packaged prototypes Design and layout revisions (if required) ASIC Packaging Prototype Acceptance Review Prototype Acceptance Review ASIC performance versus specification Reliability Testing Review Yield Analysis Review Proceed to Production Production Production ASIC qualification ASIC production release Production tape out Supply 100% fully tested devices Supply Chain Management Analogue IC Design Analogue design is one of Swindon’s primary areas of expertise. Over the years we have developed many analog IP blocks which can be used across many applications. Our proven analogue design covers many areas such as Analogue to Digital Convertors (ADC), Digital to Analogue Convertors (DAC), Amplifiers (OP Amps, TIA, LNA, VGA etc), Synthesizers, Voltage Regulators and Convertors (many different architectures), Voltage Controlled Oscillators (VCO’s), Constant Current Generator, Filters and Signal Conditioning to name but a few. Swindon has designed and integrated many complex ASICs across numerous geometries. Digital IC Design Integrating a DSP or advanced processor onto your ASIC is common place today. Swindon has designs with anything from a simple state machine, an 8 bit 8051 microcontroller, a custom processing block to an ARM Cortex processor. We work with our customers to assess and then deliver the optimum architect for your application. This often means using a custom block for the signal processing as in many cases the full capabilities of a standard processor are not required and can be wasted resource in the design. Swindon will optimise your design for performance and size enabling you to gain the competitive advantage for your market. ASIC IP Swindon operates in many different applications providing custom and optimised solutions through our ASICs. We design, develop and produce the most sophisticated digital, analogue and mixed signal design blocks which are used to create advanced market leading products. We also have extensive access to our foundry partners’ digital IP library, such as RAM / Flash memory blocks that can be incorporated into the design. By applying these existing IP blocks to your design ensures shorter design cycles and projects that are on time and in budget. For example, the diagram below illustrates the breadth of our proven design blocks and our ADC designs ranging from 8 bit to 24bit resolution and up to 5Gs/s sampling rate. Sensor Interface Design Examples The intelligent sensor is being utilised in many existing and emerging applications and the dynamic development of ASIC solutions is driving the future for us all. Sensor Interface Design Examples Mixed Signal ASIC Full Turnkey Service – FAQs What is the development time from specification to ASIC prototypes? Do we need to partition our system level schematics for ASIC integration before Swindon can provide us with a quote? What level of ASIC design expertise should we have to assure a successful project? How can we be sure that all production parts meet specification? What prototyping options are available? Does an ASIC go obsolete? What is the NRE cost to develop an ASIC? Can my IP be used in other company’s ASICs? How can I be sure of product quality and reliability? What is important when considering commissioning an ASIC? How long will my design take? Who will be my main contact throughout the design? Can I change my specification during the project? ASIC vs. Standard Product ASICs are being widely used wherever capability, size, cost and, in many cases, resistance to “difficult” environments are key requirements. Incorporating a device that is specified, designed and manufactured solely for you gives your product a commercial and technical edge over your competitors with obsolescence assurances during the lifetime of your product. Like to discuss a project or have a question? Send Message Or call us now +44 1793 649400 Swindon Silicon Systems News Contact Us Careers Your Custom IC Solutions Partner Industrial Automotive Custom IC Design Sensor Interfaces Why Swindon Custom IC Design Specification Design & Development Test Packaging Supply Sensor Interface ASIC Design Examples Latest News Smart Sensors in Industry – ASICs and SiPS The Perfect Partner Haptic Technology – Making The HMI Experience Feel Good Electric Vehicle Battery Management Determining Functional Safety Levels for Automotive Applications +44 (0) 1793 649400 sales@swindonsilicon.com Interface House Interface Business Park Bincknoll Lane Royal Wootton Bassett Wiltshire, SN4 8SY, UK Quality Certificates Polices Disclaimer Terms & Conditions Copyright Swindon Silicon Systems 2020. All rights reserved. GET IN TOUCH