Choosing the right design partner is one of the most critical decisions a company can make, directly impacting time-to-market, budget adherence and the quality of the final product.

A great partner delivers first-time silicon success, while a poor one can lead to costly delays and functional failures. Thus, understandinging how to properly source and vet a VLSI design partner is an essential business practice.

This guide is brought to you by ASIC North, a leading company in very-large-scale integration (VLSI) design that serves as a one-stop shop for customers in the commercial, industrial and aerospace sectors. With deep expertise in unifying analog, digital and radio frequency technologies, their team knows what it takes to deliver a tailored solution that offers first-time silicon success.

Drawing on their experience, this article will walk you through six best practices for sourcing a reliable VLSI design partner.

The Benefits of Having a Reputable VLSI Design Partner

VLSI design involves the design and manufacture of sophisticated silicon integrated circuit (IC) chips. The process comprises highly complex, structured workflows. Transforming a high-level technical specification into a fabricable physical layout can be challenging, even with a well-equipped in-house team.

First-time silicon success impacts product quality, budget adherence and time to market. For those creating a new product, getting things right the first time is crucial. This is why they must choose VLSI design partners offering specialized design and staffing services.

These companies can provide unparalleled expertise throughout every stage of the design flow, from specification to fabrication. For those lacking the internal experience or resources to develop their own custom ICs, these services are necessary. Skilled professionals can translate abstract drawings into a fully implemented chip in a tight time frame.

If decision-makers follow best practices for sourcing reliable VLSI design partners, they may achieve significant savings and bring new developments to market faster. Access to a niche skill set and the latest design tools can also lead to technical benefits, including improved reliability, performance and functionality.

The advantages are particularly evident in high-volume production. Reliable partners can help customers scale quickly with minimal overhead. Outsourcing can lower project costs for those lacking in-house expertise or large enough workforces to handle the VLSI design process. Moreover, it enables employees to focus on core competencies, such as marketing.

6 Best Practices for Sourcing Reliable VLSI Design Partners

Decision-makers should follow these best practices when selecting a VLSI design partner.

1. Define Project and Partner Requirements

Defining project and partner requirements early on is among the best practices for sourcing reliable VLSI design partners, as it allows business leaders to set realistic timelines and budget expectations. Moreover, it helps them identify in-house skill and resource gaps.

Before beginning the search, having a clear internal understanding of the project’s scope is critical. Professionals must outline business objectives, technical requirements and potential budget constraints. Preparing this information allows for a more productive conversation with potential partners.

2. Verify VLSI Design Capabilities

Customers should look for a company with a proven track record of success in projects similar to theirs. Reviewing case studies and testimonials can help determine whether the team can meet project-specific volume and deadline needs. Consistent first-pass silicon success is also notable, as it indicates a robust design and verification process.

The VLSI design team does not need the latest tools, but they should have deep technical experience across analog, digital and mixed-signal design and verification. Specialized knowledge in security implementation, sensor interfaces and radiofrequency is also significant.

3. Review Project Management Methodology

While superior engineering talent is advantageous, a company’s project management methodology must be supported by a rigorous and transparent process. It should have a multistage review process to catch issues early and stay on schedule. Additionally, it should have a clear communication channel.

The dedicated project manager should involve customers from conceptualization to delivery to guarantee the final design meets the project’s unique needs. Transparency, communication and collaboration are nonnegotiable.

Reliable partners like ASIC North assign a dedicated project manager to each customer to detail device specifications and create project plans. Upon request, it also offers a senior project manager who can ensure the team meets critical development milestones. Adhering to the schedule can be crucial for quickly capturing market share and recouping development costs.

4. Evaluate IP and Documentation Practices

Evaluating custom intellectual property (IP) development design services is one of the best practices for sourcing reliable VLSI design partners. Proper documentation practices are essential — especially in sectors like aerospace and defense — because they help ensure compliance, streamline production and reduce costs.

Whether customers need a complete packaged solution or single circuit blocks, they must partner with a team that can prioritize version control and security. Documentation should comprise technical specifications, layouts, schematics, test plans and reports throughout the design, testing, fabrication and packaging stages.

The VLSI design partner should employ a quality management system modeled to meet ISO 9001 and AS9100 standards. This way, it can ensure its work exceeds customers’ performance, reliability and accuracy expectations.

5. Assess End-to-End Service Capabilities

Architecting complex systems involves creating a project plan, developing test programs and conducting multiple design reviews. The design team must be able to manage the entire journey, from creating detailed specification documents to releasing the final proposal.

At the manufacturing stage, they should make arrangements with the foundry and packaging supplier, provide samples to customers and manage the delivery process. These value-added services can accelerate time-to-market while mitigating supply chain risks.

Can they handle qualification, fabrication and high-volume production? Do they have established relationships with reputable fabs and packaging suppliers? Decision-makers should inquire about their experience, flexibility, resources and scalability to ensure their service capabilities align with the project’s scope.

6. Look for Flexible Engagement Models

Every project is unique, so engagements should be flexible to accommodate its specific needs. A reliable partner offers various ways to work together, whether that be on an hourly, dedicated or per-project basis. Adaptability in staffing and design services is indicative of a customer-centric organization.

Do they offer more than turnkey solutions? Do they offer named project managers and experienced designers who embed themselves into the internal team? Can their value-added services fill gaps?

Business leaders should evaluate the structure of each engagement model, from the initial nondisclosure agreement to the signoff and tape-out process. This allows them to determine which best suits their needs.

What Else to Consider Before Making Your Final Selection

The success of a custom chip — and, by extension, the product itself — hinges on selecting a team that offers first-time silicon success and exceptional customer service. When seeking a reliable VLSI design partner, following sourcing best practices is essential. In addition to demonstrating expertise across key domains, the team should be committed to customers.

While outsourcing to experts with specialized skills, advanced tool sets and comprehensive testing capabilities is beneficial, businesses will maximize gains by seeking those with robust VLSI design capabilities, thorough documentation practices and flexible engagement models.

Evaluating these metrics will help customers find the best fit for their needs. Interested parties should reach out for a free quote for more in-depth information on the VLSI design partner’s offerings and capabilities.