What are the main differences between ASIC and FPGAs?

Even if you’re new to the field of very large-scale integration (VLSI), the primary difference between ASICs and FPGAs is fairly straightforward. An ASIC is designed for a specific application while an FPGA is a multipurpose microchip you can reprogram for multiple applications.

Which is better FPGA or ASIC?

In general, we can say that for lower volumes’ designs, FPGA flexibility allows to save costs and obtain better results; while ASICs chips are more efficient and cost effective on high volume applications.

What are some advantages and disadvantages of FPGAs?

➨FPGA ICs are readily available which can be programmed using HDL code in no time. Hence the solution is available faster to the market. ➨Unlike ASIC which requires huge NRE (Non Recurring Expenses) and costly tools, FPGA development is cheaper due to less costly tools and no NRE.

Why SRAM based FPGAs are popular when compared to other types explain?

SRAM‐based programming technology has become the dominant approach for FPGAs because of its reprogrammability and the use of standard CMOS process technology, which results in larger package density and higher speed.

Which of the following characteristics are advantages for the selection of anti fuse FPGAs over flash FPGAs?

The advantages of antifuse FPGAs are that they are non-volatile and the delays due to routing are very small, so they tend to be faster. Flash FPGAs seem to combine the best of both of the other methods. They are nonvolatile like antifuse FPGAs, yet reprogrammable like SRAM FPGAs.

What are the advantages of ASICs over FPGAs?

Less energy efficient, requires more power for same function which ASIC can achieve at lower power. Much more power efficient than FPGAs. Power consumption of ASICs can be very minutely controlled and optimized. Limited in operating frequency compared to ASIC of similar process node. The routing and configurable logic eat up timing margin in FPGAs.

What is an FPGA and why do you need one?

FPGAs are particularly useful for prototyping application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) or processors. An FPGA can be reprogrammed until the ASIC or processor design is final and bug-free and the actual manufacturing of the final ASIC begins.

Can the logic function of an ASIC be changed?

Its logic function cannot be changed to anything else because its digital circuitry is made up of permanently connected gates and flip-flops in silicon. The logic function of ASIC is specified in a similar way as in the case of FPGAs, using hardware description languages such as Verilog or VHDL.

Should I prototype my idea with an ASIC or FPGA?

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]