Comparison betwenn ASIC and FPGA

Comparison

No.
FPGA
ASIC
1
FPGA is a reconfigurable, even FPGA can be reconfigured only for one part and others to remain same
Its a permanent circuit. Once the application is flashed in ASIC it work the same for life time
2

Design languages using hardware description languages (HDL) such as VHDL or Verilog.
Same as for FPGA. Design is specified using Hardware Descriptive Language such as Verilog, VHDL etc.
3
FPGA can be developed in minimum of 30$
ASIC development cost much more than FPGA due to complex silicon structure and verification steps
4
Not suited for very high-volume mass production.
Suited for very high-volume mass production.
5
FPGA is less power efficient
ASIC is very power efficient
6
FPGA is more suited for radar systems, cell phone base station because FPGA can be upgraded according to need for better output
As ASIC is application specific it cannot be upgraded and is not suitable for such applications
9
FPGA is more preferable for the validation of SoC(System on Chip).It makes easy to ensure that the design is working or not, if not reconfigure it and re verify
It is not recommended to prototype a design using ASICs unless it has been absolutely validated as it cant be reconfigured so it has to be sure
The Costing of an ASIC is given as:
ASIC EDA tools and training
Cost of designing
DFT cost
Cost of simulating
ASIC Masks Cost
Wafer Cost
Wafer Processing
Die Utilization
Yield & Manufacturing Loss
Packaging
For FPGA packing you just need to buy the ICs that are available in the market

The design flow of the ASIC is far more complex than FPGA. ASIC involves seven different stages for the fabrication and tape out of the chip but on the end result it has more efficiency than FPGA. Design flow of FPGA is simpler, doesnt require investment of time.
FPGA is far more flexible than ASIC as FPGA can be reprogrammed for different uses. ASIC cannot be reprogrammed.

How one can choose between ASIC and FPGA?
If you are newcomer and wants to learn more about VLSI and hardware design Then FPGAs and simulation software is most suitable for you. If you are designing your own product then get the information about the target market, the expected price range, power budget, speed requirement etc for the product.
Can it be done using FPGAs?
If yes, then go ahead with your idea.
If not, you might not have any other option other than to go with ASIC.
In the majority of cases, it should be possible to at least prototype and validate your idea using FPGAs. And by the time you are finished with the prototype, you would yourself get the idea whether you need to go on with ASIC route or not. Of course, if your design is totally one of the kind and extraordinary with highly specific requirements (in terms of cost, power, speed etc) then you have no option than to go with ASIC route. Otherwise, FPGAs can used in majority of the cases when you need reconfigurable device.

References:- [1] https://www.elprocus.com/application-specific-integrated-circuits/
[2] https://www.xilinx.com/products/silicon-devices/fpga/what-is-an-fpga.html

Author:- Akash Patil

No.	FPGA	ASIC
1	FPGA is a reconfigurable, even FPGA can be reconfigured only for one part and others to remain same	Its a permanent circuit. Once the application is flashed in ASIC it work the same for life time
2	Design languages using hardware description languages (HDL) such as VHDL or Verilog.	Same as for FPGA. Design is specified using Hardware Descriptive Language such as Verilog, VHDL etc.
3	FPGA can be developed in minimum of 30$	ASIC development cost much more than FPGA due to complex silicon structure and verification steps
4	Not suited for very high-volume mass production.	Suited for very high-volume mass production.
5	FPGA is less power efficient	ASIC is very power efficient
6	FPGA is more suited for radar systems, cell phone base station because FPGA can be upgraded according to need for better output	As ASIC is application specific it cannot be upgraded and is not suitable for such applications
9	FPGA is more preferable for the validation of SoC(System on Chip).It makes easy to ensure that the design is working or not, if not reconfigure it and re verify	It is not recommended to prototype a design using ASICs unless it has been absolutely validated as it cant be reconfigured so it has to be sure