Explore Logic Chips: Types and Key Differences with Analog

In today’s world, where the digital wave is sweeping across the globe, chips, as the core cornerstone of the information industry, have always driven the pulse of technological development with their evolving technology. Among them, logic chips, with their unique programmability and digital processing advantages, play a key role in various electronic devices. This article will start with the essential definition of logic chips, systematically review their classification system, application scenarios, and delve into the core differences between logic chips and analog chips, while also highlighting representative companies in the field of logic chips in China.

I. The Essential Connotation and Technical Characteristics of Logic Chips

Logic chips, also known as Programmable Logic Devices (PLD) in technical terms, were born under the technology framework of general-purpose integrated circuits. The biggest technical feature is the “programmability” of their logic functions—users can independently define the logic operation rules of the device through programming.

From a circuit structure perspective, the underlying architecture of logic chips is composed of basic logic units such as AND gates, OR gates, and NOT gates. These units are combined through circuit design to form complex logical operation networks. It is important to clarify that PLD chips are entirely part of digital circuits, and are fundamentally different from mixed-signal chips that contain both digital and analog circuits. The signal processing model of PLDs is based on discrete 0/1 digital signals.

II. The Multidimensional Classification System of Logic Chips

Currently, the classification system of logic chips shows specialized subcategories, which can be divided into four major basic types:

1. General-purpose Processor Chips: This category constitutes the core of digital systems and can be further subdivided into Central Processing Units (CPU) — responsible for the overall processing of system instructions; Graphics Processing Units (GPU) — focused on image rendering and visual computing; Digital Signal Processors (DSP) — specialized in real-time processing of high-frequency signals.
2. Memory Chips: Used for data storage and retrieval, covering various technologies such as DRAM and NAND Flash.
3. Application-Specific Integrated Circuit Chips (ASIC): Custom-developed for specific application scenarios, such as AI accelerator chips and 5G baseband chips.
4. Field-Programmable Gate Array Chips (FPGA): Featuring hardware-level programmability, supporting dynamic reconfiguration of logic functions, and widely used in prototype verification and custom scenarios.

III. The Application Scenarios and Process Correspondence of Logic Chips

The manufacturing process of logic chips is closely linked to its application fields:

1. Advanced processes of 7nm and below: Primarily used in high-end smartphones, AI servers, 5G core network equipment, high-performance GPUs, and frontier scientific computing, where the requirements for chip computing power density and power consumption control are extremely high.
2. 7-20nm process range: Suitable for mobile device application processors, cellular communication baseband chips, high-end network switch chips, and intelligent driving control units in automotive electronics.
3. 20-28nm process range: Plays a key role in desktop CPUs/GPUs, gigabit network chips, smartphone APs, smart home central control chips, and in-car infotainment systems.
4. 28-45nm process: Widely used in gaming console chips, FPGA development boards, smart TV central control chips, IoT gateway devices, and core processors in wearable devices.
5. 55-90nm mature process: Primarily serves mid-to-low-end mobile devices, traditional PC peripheral chips, automotive body control modules, and basic IoT sensor nodes.
6. Above 90nm process: Mostly used in optoelectronic sensor interface chips, simple control chips in consumer electronics, non-safety-critical automotive electronics components, and basic wearable devices.

IV. Core Differences between Logic Chips and Analog Chips

There are systematic differences between logic chips and analog chips in terms of technical systems and industrial characteristics:

Product Attributes: Logic chips are centered on digital logic operations, with functions defined by software programming; analog chips process continuous analog signals, with functions fixed by hardware circuits.

Application Scenarios: Logic chips dominate digital systems such as computers, communication devices, and AI terminals; analog chips focus on applications such as power management, signal conditioning, and sensor interfaces in analog signal processing scenarios.

Design Challenges: Logic chip design challenges lie in large-scale logic integration and timing optimization; analog chip design focuses on circuit noise suppression and accuracy control.

Key Metrics: Logic chips emphasize computation speed (GHz-level) and integration (billions of transistors); analog chips focus on linearity, power supply rejection ratio (PSRR), and other indicators.

Process Dependence: Logic chips pursue advanced processes to enhance computing power; analog chips rely more on the process stability of mature technologies.

Process Characteristics: Logic chips primarily use CMOS technology; analog chips often combine Bipolar, BiCMOS, and other special processes.

Layout Requirements: Logic chips focus on high-density integration; analog chips emphasize device matching and anti-interference layout.

Lifecycle: Logic chip technology iterates quickly, with a typical lifecycle of 3-5 years; analog chip lifecycles can last more than 10 years.

Market Landscape: The logic chip market is dominated by giants like Intel and AMD; the analog chip market has long been led by companies like TI and ADI.

Related:

1. Difference Between Active and Passive Devices in Chips

Disclaimer:

1. This channel does not make any representations or warranties regarding the availability, accuracy, timeliness, effectiveness, or completeness of any information posted. It hereby disclaims any liability or consequences arising from the use of the information.
2. This channel is non-commercial and non-profit. The re-posted content does not signify endorsement of its views or responsibility for its authenticity. It does not intend to constitute any other guidance. This channel is not liable for any inaccuracies or errors in the re-posted or published information, directly or indirectly.
3. Some data, materials, text, images, etc., used in this channel are sourced from the internet, and all reposts are duly credited to their sources. If you discover any work that infringes on your intellectual property rights or personal legal interests, please contact us, and we will promptly modify or remove it.