VLSI Technology Inc, San Jose and Hitachi Ltd have jointly developed a 0.35 micron process technology for ASIC chip designs claimed to offer 30% higher integration than competing 0.35 micron processes for cell-based designs. VLSI says this has been achieved with a tighter routing pitch so that a given number of gates takes up less silicon for lower the cost per function; the 0.35 micron design has a 1.4 micron routing pitch. It sees the technology being used in three main areas, multimedia and games, mobile computing and enhancement of functionality in personal computers. VLSI has also developed a library of Functional System Blocks which incorporate core chip functions in standard blocks.
