Semi-Custom IC Layouts

Standardized Core Components: The core components of the integrated circuit, such as standard cells, memory blocks, and I/O interfaces, are pre-designed and standardized. These components are often optimized for performance, power, and area based on common use cases.

Customizable Blocks: Certain blocks or modules within the IC are left open for customization. These could include analog circuits, specialized signal processing units, or any functionality that is unique to the specific application of the IC.

Design Libraries: Designers have access to a library of pre-designed and characterized blocks that we can use to assemble the custom parts of the IC. These libraries may include various functional blocks, such as analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), digital-to-analog converters (DACs), filters, amplifiers, and more.

Design Tools and Methodologies: Design tools and methodologies are used to integrate the standardized components with the custom blocks efficiently. This involves floor-planning, placement, routing, and verification processes to ensure that the final layout meets the performance, power, and area targets.

Trade-offs: We must make trade-offs between customization and standardization to achieve the desired balance of performance, cost, and time-to-market. Customizing too many parts of the IC can increase design complexity, verification effort, and manufacturing costs, while relying too heavily on standardized components may limit the flexibility and differentiation of the final product.