High Performance Microchip Supply - Under Secretary of Defense ...

FINDINGS ___________________________________________________________________
Field programmable gate arrays are complex standard products
whose function is determined at the point of use by patterns stored in
a read-only memory (ROM). As with structured ASICs, logic units
are built into the chip along with programming circuits, so that FPGA
function is under the control of the user, and can be changed in the
field, if desired. FPGAs offer the ultimate in fast turnaround time,
since they are configured in the application itself. Although very
complex, FPGAs are now available with embedded memories, digital
signal processors (DSPs), and microprocessors (MPUs). FPGAs are
slower and dissipate more power than ASICs.
The relative ranges of application of ASICs, structured arrays, and
FPGAs are shown in figure 7. 31 Appendix G gives a comparison of
system cost and performance with ASICs and with FPGAs. ASIC
variable cost per unit is generally less than that of FPGAs; however,
the high nonrecurring costs of ASICs (layout, mask, and test costs)
make FPGAs more cost effective in low-volume production
applications.
In many cases, use of a trusted foundry (particularly for
commodity ICs) will be unfeasible. It will have to be sufficient for
DOD to “trust” high-volume “standard” parts that are manufactured
commercially and obtained via a supply chain that limits the risk of
postmanufacture tampering.
Defense systems will always rely on a few custom parts,
especially where speed, analog, or power considerations compel their
use; however, economy and flexibility dictate use of standard
programmable ICs wherever possible.
Placing emphasis on the use of “standard” programmable parts is
attractive for four reasons:
31. Provided by Xilinx, Inc.
These parts are manufactured in high volume. Thus
when DOD and its contractors use them, they
benefit from the economies of manufacturing scale
characteristic of commodity parts.
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