ChipX, as specialist supplier of lower cost structured Asic devices, has radically broadened its business by acquiring a standard cell and embedded array Asic design capability. The firm has signed an agreement to acquire the US-based Asic business of Oki Semiconductor.
Oki has licensed its embedded array and gate array technology and internally developed IP to ChipX. As part of the deal, Oki will become a foundry for ChipX, which already uses TSMC and UMC.
What does this mean for the structured Asic industry? It is almost a year since LSI Logic shocked the Asic industry by ending development of its structured Asic product line.
Elie Massabki, v-p marketing at ChipX said that the firm remains committed to its structured Asic business, but he said that the firm had identified specific opportunities to develop a more broadly-based Asic business.
“It transforms us from a structured Asic firm to a broad-based Asic company with embedded array and standard cell offerings,” said Massabki.
In particular, Massabki said there was clear potential to expand its sales of embedded array Asics. These devices have some of the cost benefits of structured Asics while offering more flexible design options.
Massabki also said that some customers have also asked for standard cell Asics for specific projects. “Access to new customers in very important to us,” said Massabki. The acquisition will effectively double the size of the ChipX business.
Once concluded the agreement will result in Oki Semiconductor’s US Asic engineering team joining ChipX. Oki has also assigned all of its US Asic product backlog to ChipX and has contracted the completion of the ongoing customer designs to ChipX.
“We were very impressed with Oki Semiconductor’s Asic team capabilities and are looking forward to their contributions to our worldwide Asic business,” said Amnon Fisher, ChipX’s president and CEO.
“We are confident that our US customers will be well supported by ChipX and will benefit from ChipX’s structured Asic offering,” said Masaharu Ozawa, president and COO of Oki Semiconductor.