Innovations in semiconductor technology are driving a transformation in IoT devices. Cutting-edge chip technology enables smaller, more powerful, energy efficient IoT solutions. In particular, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) are key to revolutionising the IoT industry because they can be custom-built for a specific purpose and application, and as a result, help IoT device manufactures better differentiate their products from exiting solutions on the market.
ASICs can be a game-changer for a variety of markets, including the industry 4.0, healthcare and automotive industries.
Benefits of an ASIC
IP – ASICs are an effective barrier to competitor entry by raising initial investment requirements and making design IP more difficult to copy. Reusing designs that are in the public domain can reduce design cost, however, these savings must be weighed against the advantages of a proprietary design that differentiates your product and can be legally protected.
Fitness for application -ASICs are more likely to provide a perfect fit, strengthening the barrier to entry against competitors who rely on discreet technologies with standard components.
Cost – With an ASIC, initial development costs will be higher than discrete solutions, but those investments are quicky returned by significantly lower unit costs. Simplification is key in complex systems and combining all functionality in one chip is the ultimate simplification. Rather than having to support multiple components from multiple vendors, there is only one item to maintain in the bill of materials.
Performance -In ASICs, shorter signal paths generate less capacitance and interference and generally permit significantly faster operation than an equivalent discrete solution. Whatever the performance goals, maximum battery life, sensor sensitivity and accuracy, resolution in a noisy environment, radio signal range―or something else―an ASIC can optimise a product’s performance and differentiate it from its competitors.
Reduced size – For mobile and wearable devices, size is often a critical market requirement. When every square millimetre counts, discrete technologies cannot compete with ASICs for packing the most functionality into the smallest space.
Reliability – An integrated circuit is inherently more reliable than its discrete equivalent with fewer points of failure in the manufacturing process and in the field.
Power efficiency – Battery life, and therefore power consumption, is a primary consideration for many IoT and mobile products. An ASIC’s small size and ability to run at low currents and voltages allow it to operate efficiently at low power levels.
Supply chain security – An ASIC solution can secure the supply chain against supplier changes by ensuring that critical parts are always available. A discrete solution is inherently more vulnerable, with multiple vendors for multiple parts, any one of which could go obsolete, out of stock, or out of business at any time. Having full control of design and manufacturing is a strategic competitive advantage.
Device cryptography – Security is becoming a primary challenge in an increasing number of applications. Various technologies, including cryptographic IP, internal firewalls, and eFuses, allow an ASIC to secure and protect a device against attacks and reverse engineering.
While the use cases for ASICs in IoT solutions are endless, designing and manufacturing one doesn’t have to be a difficult process. Companies like Presto Engineering manage the entire ASIC procurement process from initial design to final delivery. By reducing the risk, cost, and difficulty of the process, these companies are playing a key role in accelerating the proliferation of application-specific semiconductor solutions. Presto Engineering also offers intellectual property that helps IoT device makers get their products to market fast – and with a better differentiated solution than their competitors.
Lars Bo Mortensen is Digital ASIC Manager at Presto Engineering.
