Interview
with the ASIC development. It is important for our customers to look towards the future and what their product is going to require to be able to satisfy their customers in the near and mid-term future. We assist in this by offering advice on technologies and trends to help ensure that their ASIC will be a valid solution for many years to come. Our aim is to provide our customers a competitive edge, both commercially and technically, through the technology we provide in their bespoke ASIC.” Something that makes SWINDON
Our production test facility runs 24/7 and with the ever increasing demand for our products we are constantly investigating ways in which our test capacity can be increased. Currently we are looking at moving from quad-based systems to octal-based systems so that we can test eight parts at a time instead of the four. The reason for doing this is it increases our capacity whilst maintain the floorplan of our facility. The added benefit of moving to octal test is that if we test eight chips at the same time instead of four, the cost is reduced. There is room to expand the test room within the current facility as and when required.”
The time period from specification to supply of product depends on the complexity of the chip. Richard explains: “When we receive a full specification and everyone agrees with its content, it can take anywhere between 12 to 30 months to complete the full ASIC design and test development along with product qualification and move into volume production. It’s a long process so it’s a big commitment for both our customers and ourselves. All of our customers are supplied with a detailed development plan prior to commencing the ASIC project so that they can accurately plan their own product development and be able to budget their payment milestones accurately and in line
different is their assurance to never make a part obsolete. They keep the die on the wafers for up to 30 years for customers. Richard continues: “We supply parts that we designed 30 years ago because some of the defence companies for example, still need parts 20+ years on, so we store the finished wafers in dry nitrogen cupboards. The customer then only has to provide us with an order for more devices and we then package the wafers and test them, as already explained, and the ASIC is then supplied and warrantied as a new device. One of the major benefits of utilising ASIC technology along with IP protection and bespoke performance, to name but a few, is that your ASIC will be available for the lifetime of your product that it is used in and often beyond.”
A benefit of choosing SWINDON Silicon Systems is that all aspects of the ASIC development, from initial specification through to volume production, is completed under one roof in the UK. This means that for all eventualities through to the end of life, there is a dedicated team on hand to assist you and to ensure that
your ASIC is delivered on spec and on time every time. The important issue of IP is also well covered in that all background IP remains with the customer and that SWINDON cannot sell your ASIC to any third party, guaranteed. “Everything we do is custom so the ASIC is to our customer’s specification and we will design and manufacture the device exclusively for them. Our customers feel comfortable the ASIC will be delivered to them that is of the highest automotive and industrial standards; that their IP is going to be protected; that we are not going to sell their chip to any of their competitors and it’s going to be around for the next 30 years or however long they need it for.”
www.swindonsilicon.com
www.cieonline.co.uk
Components in Electronics
December 2017/January 2018 13
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