let's consider cost in IC design.

[wwfhm2002]

To be a better engineer, we must know not only design skill but business. So we must know how to estimate cost of a IC, which includes design cost, manufacture cost, test cost, package cost and others. What do they come from and how to minimize them?

I can't find a free report on IC cost analysis, who can give me a overview or detail description?

Thanks.

 

[okguy]

Let's consider this software.

 

[msdnge]

What is the software about ? Please tell us more.

 

[okguy]

Sorry, it is a IC quotation software.

Once you have input several data such as wafer cost, die area, package, test time and cost, ... it help you to calculate your product price.
Normally, marketing &sales guys use an excel sheet for that task.
Here all is already included.

But, it is a time limited version, that is no more supported by the website where I found it some times ago.

OkGuy

 

[chengjie1982]

In the book ASIC design by Smith,there are some detail introductions.

 

[miho]

you could use the chipsizer tool by UMC. it's on their webpage.

www.umc.co.tw , if i remember correctly.

 

[okguy]

But, Miho, to get UMC chipsizer they request to be their partner (which meaning :?: :? .

 

[foster_cn]

Could anyone give an precise formula to caculate the chip cost? I think it will not be very complexed.

 

[sandusty]

Hi, Sir:

Actually you mixed two kinds of costs:

Fixed Cost: tools, IPs, engineering, utilities....
Floating: Backend services, fundry, packaging, testing, ....

There are several different business models to make chips. The cost will be different for each model. A full tape out is different from the MPW or the FPGA systems... Even the same fundry, same backend services provider provided several payment terms for you to fit your case.

Regards,

 

[sandusty]

Let me add few more lines on this topic:

If you just need couple pieces of the chips (for the satellites, missiles, ...) fixed cost might be your major concerns. Tools (simulator, synthesior, backend, ....) Engineering, testing tooling, masking, will take a lion share from your expenses.

If you want to deliver 100 M pieces of your design (DVD decoder for example), floating cost will take the major parts. Manufacture cost: testing pattern cycle, tester type, wafer price, packaging type,.... will be your concerns...

Cost is important.... but schedule might be one other major issue too