To be successful in today’s demanding markets, designers need to get their product to market before the competition. Application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) and application-specific standard products (ASSPs) provide a low-cost, fixed platform for product design, but are costly, have long development times, and make product differentiation difficult. PLDs offer a new level of flexibility, incorporating the latest features customers demand into an existing design without costly respin cycles.
A programmable platform using PLDs allows product developers to rapidly create new features simply by modifying programming in their design. This flexibility enables designers to create multiple versions of the same product for different segments when the product is introduced into the market. With a minimum of additional engineering effort, designers can also provide new features and upgrades in response to changing market demands and standards, as well as upgrade existing products in the field. This way, developers can continuously and cost-effectively refresh their product lines and provide differentiating capabilities.
By adopting a platform-based product design strategy, designers can set a clear path toward rapid, low-cost innovation. Equally important, a platform design strategy allows greater product differentiation with potentially increased margins. It can get products to market earlier and help keep a brand name in front of the customer with new features, while reducing risk by helping obsolescence-proof a product design. Designing with a reusable electronic platform also demonstrates a company’s product roadmap, which can positively influence potential investment funding.
