Jena on Februar 22, 2005: Manufacturer notices announcing that a given ASIC type will be phased out from production may place many a user in a virtually unsolvable situation. In many cases, the ASIC in question includes componentry parts with great influence on the performance characteristics and functionality features of the product as a whole. This explains why MAZeT has invested major efforts during recent months to convert more than five ASIC types to a new manufacturing technology, taking firm and binding commitments to deliver these to requested specifications and under requested schedules. At the Embedded World trade fair from February 22 to 24, 2005 in Nürnberg, MAZeT will be presenting its product and service portfolio under the headline “Redesign of discontinued ASICs“. By selecting this topic as an exhibition highlight, MAZeT responds to the great number of ASIC discontinuation notices. Whether incomplete documentation, fluctuation of knowledge carriers or reduced lot capability – one or more of these bottlenecks are bound to be on the list of problems of customers seeking help from MAZeT, following an ASIC discontinuation notice. Since the late 90ies, MAZeT has "reanimated“ a great number of ASICs, thus helping its customers keep important product alive.

MAZeT relies on a time-tried methodology for meeting customer requests to have important integrated circuits available for continued use. This is done with focus on minimizing associated costs and retaining 100% compatibility in terms of function and footprint. As part of the redesign process, great importance is also attached to functional design verification and the availability of engineering samples on completion of design work.

Highly exacting programs for mixed signal ASIC redesign are as much a part of the MAZeT engineering team’s expertise as is the physical implementation of gate array circuits of run-out technology generations or ASICs using embedded Controller and integrated firmware resources. Digital ASICs are translated by MAZeT GmbH into a technology which will remain available for at least another five years or even longer. Including for smallest lot sizes, MAZeT picks an appropriate FPGA solution to the customer’s digital ASIC. For customers requiring standard cell or full custom designs, MAZeT offers manufacturing techniques adapted to handle small or medium lot quantities which pay off for the customer as prototype or volume lot products.

MAZeT supports its customers beyond the normal scope of redesign programs, taking also responsibility  for product delivery and follow-on assistance under committed time schedules.