System-on-Chip Using ASICs

Feb. 12, 2013

Like FPGAs, ASICs are also capable of providing system-on-chip (SoC) functions.

While not as flexible as FPGAs, ASICs are typically lower in cost at volumes, lower in power consumption, smaller in board space and can include analog circuits such as PHYs as required with Ethernet. One of the companies specializing in this approach is Hilscher, with six chips and 20 matching network stacks that are capable of providing SoC function ranging from PLC and MMIs on a chip to encoders, drives and valve blocks. With integrated ARM CPU cores, various programs such as CodeSYS, QVis or any C application can be integrated in standard ARM Cores.

>> Read Automation World's complete embedded coverage: How Embedded Systems are Changing Automation

About the Author

David Greenfield, editor in chief | Editor in Chief

David Greenfield joined Automation World in June 2011. Bringing a wealth of industry knowledge and media experience to his position, David’s contributions can be found in AW’s print and online editions and custom projects. Earlier in his career, David was Editorial Director of Design News at UBM Electronics, and prior to joining UBM, he was Editorial Director of Control Engineering at Reed Business Information, where he also worked on Manufacturing Business Technology as Publisher.