An automated FPGA-to-ASIC conversion allows fabless semiconductor company KaiSemi to provide ASICs as replacement chips. An in-house tool performs an automated conversion directly from the original FPGA netlist into a functionally-identical ASIC gate-level netlist, using a database of multiple standard-cell fab process libraries. Libraries enable the conversion of any type and size of FPGA from any FPGA vendor to ASIC, claims the company. The automated conversion allows the use of third party standard hard cores, such as DDR interface, PCIe and Phy. The ASICs are pin-compatible, timing-compatible, and functionally identical to the original FPGAs yet consume less power and cost up to 70% less. The automated conversion and flow eliminates NRE costs and long lead times, says the company.
