We make custom ICs

If you have a project that requires a special program or circuit, we can help. Let us know what you are trying to accomplish, and we will go to work to make it happen.

Most of our circuits fit into a 14 or 16 pin package. Contact our design team with details.

The cost of a custom IC (Integrated Circuit) can vary greatly, ranging from a few thousand dollars for basic prototypes to tens of millions for advanced designs. Factors like design complexity, process node, and production volume significantly influence the final cost. 

1. Non-Recurring Engineering (NRE) Costs: These are one-time costs associated with the initial design and development phase. 

Design Costs:

This includes the cost of design tools , and the time spent by engineers on logic design, physical design, verification, and testing. 

Mask Costs:

The cost of creating the masks used in the manufacturing process can range from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars, depending on the complexity and process node. 

Prototyping Costs:

This includes the cost of creating prototypes, which may involve using multi-project wafer (MPW) runs or dedicated wafer runs. 

2. Manufacturing Costs: These are recurring costs associated with producing the ICs in larger quantities. 

• Wafer Cost: The cost of the silicon wafer on which the ICs are fabricated. 
• Packaging Costs: The cost of packaging the finished ICs, including the cost of the package itself and the assembly process. 
• Testing Costs: The cost of testing the ICs to ensure they meet the required specifications. 

3. Other Factors Affecting Cost:

• Process Node:

Newer, smaller process nodes (e.g., 7nm) are significantly more expensive to manufacture than older, larger nodes (e.g., 180nm). 

• Design Complexity:

More complex designs with larger die sizes and more layers will generally cost more to manufacture. 

• Production Volume:

Higher production volumes can help amortize the NRE costs over more units, leading to a lower per-unit cost. 

• Software Costs:

The software used for IC design can range from a few thousand dollars to hundreds of thousands of dollars, depending on the complexity and features. 

Example:

• A simple, mixed-signal chip using an older process node (like 180nm) might have a mask set cost of $75,000 – $150,000,design in a 7nm process could cost tens of millions of dollars. 
• For a project with a lifetime buy of 100,000 pieces, a company might spend $350,000 on NRE, resulting in an additional $3.50 per chip. 

Custom IC design can be a cost-effective solution for specific applications where high performance, low power consumption, or unique functionality are required.