Full-Custom IC Layouts

Transistor-Level Design: We manually place and size individual transistors to implement the desired logic functions, analog circuits, and other components of the IC. This level of control enables precise optimization for performance and power.

Custom Interconnect: Interconnects between transistors and components are designed and laid out according to the specific requirements of the circuit. Routing and wire widths are carefully chosen to minimize delays, crosstalk, and parasitic effects.

Design Tools: Specialized design tools are used for layout, simulation, and verification of full custom ICs. These tools provide features for transistor-level design, layout extraction, parasitic extraction, timing analysis, and more.

Complexity and Time-to-Market: Full custom IC design is a highly complex and time-consuming process compared to semi-custom or standard cell-based design methodologies. Designing every component from scratch requires a deep understanding of semiconductor physics, circuit design principles, and manufacturing processes.

Performance Optimization: With full control over the layout and transistor sizing, we can optimize the circuit for specific performance metrics, such as speed, power consumption, and noise immunity. This level of optimization is often necessary for high-performance applications such as microprocessors, high-speed communication interfaces, and analog circuits.

Cost Considerations: Full custom IC design can be expensive due to the extensive design effort, specialized tools, and potential manufacturing iterations required to achieve desired performance targets. However, for certain applications where performance is critical and economies of scale are favourable, the benefits of full customization may outweigh the costs.