A gate array is an integrated circuit manufactured with a standard grid of transistors or logic gates that are initially uncommitted. The final metalization layers are custom-designed to wire these gates together for a specific application. This approach reduces manufacturing time and costs compared to full-custom chip design.
Heard on the job
We spun a gate array for the controller logic since a full custom ASIC would have blown the budget.
Also heard as
- uncommitted logic array
- ULA
Do not mix it up with
- FPGA: A gate array requires custom metalization at the factory, whereas an FPGA is programmed by the user in the field.
Related terms
ASIC
An application-specific integrated circuit designed for one dedicated task rather than general-purpose use.
FPGA
A field-programmable gate array is an integrated circuit whose internal logic can be configured by the user.
NAND gate
A fundamental digital logic gate that outputs low only when all its inputs are high.