What's Next for Special-Purpose Logic?

Sales of special-purpose logic are now greater than those of microprocessor units (MPU), microcontroller units (MCU), and digital signal processors combined (DSP). They're also five times the combined sales of field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA) and application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs).

The popularity of special-purpose logic isn't a flash-in-the-pan phenomenon, however. From 1999 to 2010, sales of this semiconductor device type rose from $16.5-billion (USD) to $59.3-billion, a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.3%. During this same period, MPU sales grew from $27.2-billion to $38.8-billion, a CAGR of only 3.6%.

So how did special-purpose logic become the best-selling type of metal-oxide semiconductor (MOS) logic? Part of the explanation is a matter of definition. Special-purpose logic represents a "hodge-podge of different semiconductor types," explains SEMICO Research Corporation. These types include ASICs, system-on-a-chip (SoC) products, and core-based integrated circuits (ICs). Invariably, however, special-purpose logic is designed for a specific application.

A broad definition isn't the whole story, however. That special-purpose logic is now the world's largest type of MOS logic is a product of two important trends. First, semiconductor foundries now produce most special-purpose logic chips. Second, MOS logic is increasingly highly-integrated.

Ten years ago, most designs consisted of a central processing unit (CPU) and other logic and I/O devices. Today, greater integration is available - and required, especially in products that must have a small footprint.

So what's next for special-purpose logic?

Sources: EBN