Silicon designed around your system, not around a catalogue.
We take custom silicon from an initial requirements discussion through to characterized, production-ready parts. That covers architecture definition, analog and digital design, verification, physical implementation, tape-out coordination and lab validation.
Most of what we design is mixed-signal. Analog front ends, references, regulators and data converters share a die with digital control and interfaces, and the interaction between them decides whether the part holds its specification. We treat floor planning, substrate isolation, supply partitioning and noise coupling as architecture decisions rather than layout clean-up, because at temperature they cannot be fixed later.
- System requirements analysis and feasibility assessment
- ASIC architecture and functional partitioning
- Digital and custom circuit design
- RTL development and implementation
- Design integration and physical implementation
- Functional and design verification
- Tape-out preparation and foundry coordination
- First-silicon bring-up and laboratory validation
A complete development path for custom silicon
Every ASIC program begins with a clear understanding of the system it will serve. We work directly with customer engineering teams to translate application requirements into a practical chip architecture, define design targets, identify technical risks, and establish a development path before implementation begins.
Throughout the project, design and verification progress together. Structured reviews, traceable requirements, and continuous technical communication help maintain alignment from the initial specification through silicon evaluation.
Define the Architecture
We assess the system requirements, operating conditions, interfaces, performance targets, and reliability expectations. These inputs are translated into an ASIC architecture, development scope, and verification strategy.
Design and Verify
Our engineers implement the required functions, integrate the design, and verify its behaviour against the approved specification. Design reviews and verification activities are carried out throughout development rather than postponed until the final stage.
Deliver and Validate
We prepare the design for tape-out, coordinate the required manufacturing interfaces, and support first-silicon bring-up. The resulting silicon is evaluated against its target functionality, performance, and operating conditions.
Engagement models
- Full-chip ASIC — architecture through tape-out and validation.
- IP block design — a single analog, digital or mixed-signal block delivered into your flow.
- Design review — an independent assessment of an existing design before tape-out.
- Team extension — our engineers working inside your project and your tools.
- Recovery — taking over a design that has stalled or failed silicon.
Why Develop a Custom ASIC?
A custom ASIC becomes relevant when commercially available components cannot meet the complete system requirement.
Harmonie Design Labs evaluates each project from both a technical and commercial perspective. The objective is not simply to design a chip, but to determine whether custom silicon is the correct engineering decision for the application.
Typical drivers include:
- Specific functionality that is not available in standard components
- Performance or timing requirements that demand dedicated silicon
- Operation at elevated temperatures or demanding environmental conditions
- The need to integrate several electronic functions into a single IC
- Long-term supply, lifecycle, or product differentiation requirements
- Reduced system complexity, power consumption, or component count
Frequently asked questions
An initial discussion normally covers the required functionality, interfaces, operating environment, performance targets, expected volumes, schedule, and current system architecture. Early specifications do not need to be final. We can help identify missing requirements and technical risks during the feasibility stage.
Yes. We can undertake a complete ASIC development or contribute to a defined stage such as architecture, digital design, verification, physical implementation, or silicon validation.
No. High-temperature IC design is one of our primary areas of expertise, but we also develop ASICs for standard operating conditions. The architecture and development approach are defined according to the customer’s application.
Yes. We can operate as an extension of an internal semiconductor or system engineering team. Responsibilities, interfaces, review processes, and deliverables are agreed at the beginning of the engagement.
Yes. Depending on the project scope, we support first-silicon bring-up, debugging, characterization, validation, and preparation for the next development or production stage.
