Power-driven FPGA to ASIC conversion

WenHai Fang; Lambert Spaanenburg

doi:10.1117/12.722901

10 May 2007 Power-driven FPGA to ASIC conversion

WenHai Fang, Lambert Spaanenburg

Proceedings Volume 6590, VLSI Circuits and Systems III; 659005 (2007) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.722901
Event: Microtechnologies for the New Millennium, 2007, Maspalomas, Gran Canaria, Spain

Abstract

Gate arrays are often presented as a convenient means for ASIC prototyping. Obviously, they can both perform the same function and therefore be built from the same behavioral description. Design development implies a process of subsequent parameter bindings, leaving steadily less freedom for the remaining implementation choices. On the other hand, the ASIC offers more place & route freedom than the gate array. Hence it is commonly suggested that an optimal prototype will always have an acceptable ASIC realization. But this does not make the gate array an easy stepping-stone in ASIC development. Differences in platform technology induce a different structural sugaring to achieve a reasonable implementation. This cannot easily be ported, unless the implementation is developed while keeping the restrictions for the other technology in mind. Such implies a number of scaling rules to be the foundation of the design transformation process. This paper looks into the platform commonalities of Field-Programmable Gate-arrays and standard-cell ASICs from fundamental physical principles. These basic considerations are then related to show how the area and speed restrictions in the logic synthesis can be applied to carry power efficient designs efficiently from prototype to realization. This is illustrated in the design of the SNOW-2 encryption core, where a consistent 38% power reduction is achieved.

Citation Download Citation

WenHai Fang and Lambert Spaanenburg "Power-driven FPGA to ASIC conversion", Proc. SPIE 6590, VLSI Circuits and Systems III, 659005 (10 May 2007); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.722901

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available