eFPGA Flexibility Drives Data Center Innovation: QuickLogic & Chipus Partner on Next-Gen ASIC

November 18, 2025

The Rise of Customizable Silicon in Data Centers

The relentless demand for increased performance and efficiency in data centers is driving a shift towards specialized hardware. While CPUs and GPUs have long been the workhorses of these facilities, a new wave of application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) is emerging, tailored to specific workloads like artificial intelligence and machine learning. Now, QuickLogic Corporation is extending its reach beyond traditional markets, partnering with Brazilian fabless semiconductor design house Chipus Microelectronics to deliver a high-performance ASIC utilizing QuickLogic’s embedded FPGA (eFPGA) Hard IP. This collaboration highlights the growing importance of customizable silicon in modern data center design.

“The need for flexibility is paramount,” notes an industry analyst. “Data center operators are no longer satisfied with one-size-fits-all solutions. They require hardware that can adapt to changing algorithms and workload demands.” eFPGAs offer that adaptability, providing a reprogrammable fabric within the ASIC that allows for post-fabrication modifications and optimizations. This contrasts sharply with traditional ASICs, which are fixed after manufacturing.

Chipus and QuickLogic: A Strategic Partnership

Chipus selected QuickLogic’s eFPGA Hard IP for a data center ASIC fabricated on a 12nm process. According to sources close to the project, the end customer explicitly requested eFPGA integration into the ASIC, recognizing its value in addressing evolving performance requirements. The partnership enables Chipus to deliver a customized solution without the significant time and resource investment typically associated with designing a fully custom reprogrammable fabric. QuickLogic’s ability to deliver custom eFPGA Hard IP within four to six months for new process nodes is a key differentiator.

“This isn’t just about supplying IP,” explains a source familiar with the deal. “It’s about providing a collaborative design experience and accelerating time to market. QuickLogic’s expertise in eFPGA architecture and Chipus’s design capabilities are a powerful combination.”

The 12nm process node, while not the leading edge, offers a compelling balance between performance, cost, and maturity. “It’s a well-established node with a robust supply chain,” says a semiconductor manufacturing expert. “It’s ideal for applications where high performance is crucial, but bleeding-edge technology isn’t strictly necessary.” While smaller nodes are gaining prominence for the most demanding workloads, 12nm remains relevant, providing a viable and cost-effective solution for many data center applications.

Expanding Beyond Aerospace & Defense

For QuickLogic, the partnership with Chipus represents a strategic expansion beyond its traditional aerospace and defense markets. The company has built a strong reputation for delivering reliable and high-performance eFPGA solutions for mission-critical applications, but diversifying into the high-growth data center market is a key component of its long-term growth strategy.

“The data center market is significantly larger than the aerospace and defense sector,” notes an investment analyst. “It presents a substantial opportunity for QuickLogic to leverage its eFPGA expertise and generate new revenue streams.” This move showcases the company’s commitment to adapting its technology and business model to meet the demands of a broader range of customers.

The increasing complexity of data center workloads is fueling demand for specialized hardware. Standard processors are often inefficient for tasks like AI inference and data analytics, which require custom acceleration. eFPGAs allow data center operators to fine-tune their hardware to specific workloads, maximizing performance and minimizing power consumption. This flexibility is becoming increasingly valuable as data centers strive to meet ambitious sustainability goals.

The eFPGA market itself is experiencing robust growth. Market projections vary, but all indicate a significant expansion in the coming years, driven by the proliferation of AI, IoT, and other data-intensive applications. “We’re seeing a clear trend towards customizable computing,” says a market research director. “eFPGAs are poised to play a major role in this evolution.”

QuickLogic’s competitive advantages include its long history of FPGA expertise, its focus on low-power designs, and its ability to deliver customized solutions. The company’s eFPGA IP is supported by both open-source and commercial tool suites, providing customers with a range of options for design and verification.