have browsed several ASIC manufacturer's webs, but I haven't found an actual number. I assume there would be a fixed cost associated with creating masks and such and then there will be a cost per unit.
Note that I don't actually want to have an ASIC made, I'm just curious.
As with most electronics, the actual cost is a factor of how many units you order at a time. It is prorated due to volume. Considering that the cost of making the mask is a constant the more chips you order the lower the cost per chip. Plus it probably also depends on the availability of the base chip, ASICs based on logic would be cheaper than ASICs that have custom configurations for analog functions probably.
Here is a very raw estimation of ASIC cost:
http://www.sigenics.com/page/Asic-Cost-Calculator
More introductory reading can be found here:
ASIC cost effectiveness
smithsonianchips.si.edu/ice/cd/ASIC98/SECTION5.PDF
_______________________________________________________________
One huge portion of R&D cost is also the cost for EDA/CAD tools.
Look for some freeware layout and simulation tools....
Layout-tool provider JUSPERTOR is located in south Munich, Germany and provides EDA tools for ~1k€
https://layouteditor.com/
https://www.juspertor.com/
Other freeware layout tools are:
Magic Layout (Linux based):
http://opencircuitdesign.com/magic/
Klayout (Windows and Linux OS based) from Germany
https://www.klayout.de/
A very good book to understand the problem of cost in semiconductor business
(mask cost, R&D cost, managing cost....technology scaling vs. mask cost....supply chain)
is "Fabless Semiconductor Implementation" by Rakesh Kumar, 2008, McGrawHill.
and can be downloaded from:
https://epdf.tips/fabless-semiconductor-implementation.html
It covers all the topics and is a good introductory reading for engineers to understand
the financial aspects, as well a good explanation of technical challenges for an
economical-background manager.
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Econ
- Manufacturing