Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC)
An ASIC is an integrated circuit (IC) customized for a particular use, rather than intended for general-purpose use. For example, a chip designed solely to run a high-efficiency Bitcoin miner is an ASIC.
Comparison with FPGA
| Feature | ASIC | FPGA |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | Highest | High |
| Power Efficiency | Very High | Low/Medium |
| Unit Cost | Low (at high volume) | High |
| NRE Cost | Very High ($ millions) | Low |
| Time to Market | Long (12-24 months) | Short |
Inovasense Approach
We typically start with FPGA for prototyping and low-to-medium volume production. If volumes exceed 100k+ units, we manage the FPGA-to-ASIC conversion process to reduce unit costs.