How do I build my basic knowledge for Masters of

Technology and future in VLSI field?

Vansh Lata, Prepared for it, but didn't take the road.
Updated January 17, 2018
Originally Answered: How do I built basics and knowledge for masters of technology and future in VLSI
field?
Different Classifications and corresponding Roles:

VLSI has two broad categories:

1. Design
2. Verification.
There are different stages in each, Design flow and Verification Flow. ( look up in google for
ASIC Design flow, ASIC Verification flow, SoC Design flow, SoC Verification flow, FPGA
Design flow, etc

Based on the design object there are further classifications : ASIC Design, SoC design.

Also, based on the way to design, you could have either of Digital Design, Analog Design or
AMS Design - Analog Mixed Signal Design.

Then again even Verification is of different types depending on the size and need of the
project. They could be either of Simulation Based Verification or Formal Verification.

Further Simulation Based Verification can include, Directed, Constrained Random, Coverage
Driven or Transaction Based Verification.

Then there are several methodologies also to ease the verification processes, like
UVM(latest), OVM etc. (AVM, VMM, RVM, etc have become obsolete or are vendor based).
They are all very different but yet subtly connected to each other. You might have to have
an expertise in different combination of subjects for each field but the basic Digital and
Analog concepts will be handy everywhere. Also, there are different languages that you
need to learn. But in the beginning, one or two are enough. And finally the EDA tools,
without which our work cannot be this easier.

So all in all, you have to know three things:

1. Subject Knowledge
2. Languages Basics, Methodologies
3. EDA Tools
—————————————————————————————————————

Further, they are divided into

1. Frontend(coding - design and verification)

2. Backend(phyiscal layout - place and route, etc)
Basically, you should have a decent knowledge of following depending on your interest:

For Frontend: Digital electronics, HDLs (Verilog, System Verilog), Methodology (UVM or
OVM), EDA Tools ( Synopsys -VCS, DVE, Mentor- Questasim, Xilinx - Xilinx ISE, Vivado ISE,
Lint Tools)

For Backend: Analog Electronics, Microelectronics, EDA Tools (Physical Layout tools like
Calibre, Pyxis, Leonardo Spectrum)

Also , It would help to learn some automation languages like Bash, Perl or Tcl.

———————————————————————————————————

Now this is a very vast field, so I would suggest you to go through some websites for basic
understanding of the extent of each of the roles. You should definitely go through these
websites to improve your understanding. So before you delve into this deep ocean of VLSI,
gauge your interests and then prepare accordingly.

Websites :

1. WWW.TESTBENCH.IN for basics of Verilog and system Verilog ( Although its a gist
of the LRM only, you might find some grammatical errors and some concepts
might be difficult to grasp, but its good for starters)
2. Verification Academy - The most comprehensive resource for verification
training. has lots of questions and answers that help you clarify your doubts
throughout your learning.
3. SystemVerilog Tutorials by Duolos
 4. VLSI Pro | Slick on Silicon for Formal Verification
5. UVM (Universal Verification Methodology) by Accelera
6. EDA Playground for virtual code simulation without tools.
7. Udemy Courses by Ramdas Mozhikunnath ( http://verificationexcellence.com ) on
System Verilog and Verification
8. Udemy Courses by Kunal Ghosh ( VLSI System Design ) on Spice Simulations,
Physical Design, STA, Clock Tree Synthesis etc
a. Static timing analysis: https://www.udemy.com/vlsi-academy-sta-
checks/?couponCode=grabNow
b. Physical design flow: https://www.udemy.com/vlsi-academy-physical-
design-flow/?couponCode=grabNow
c. Circuit design and SPICE simulations – Part
1: https://www.udemy.com/vlsi-academy-circuit-
design/?couponCode=grabNow
d. Circuit design and SPICE simulations – Part
2: https://www.udemy.com/vlsi-academy-circuit-design-
part2/?couponCode=grabNow
e. Clock tree synthesis – Part 1: https://www.udemy.com/vlsi-academy-clock-
tree-synthesis/?couponCode=grabNow
f. Clock tree synthesis – Part 2: https://www.udemy.com/vlsi-academy-clock-
tree-synthesis-part2/?couponCode=grabNow
g. Signal integrity: https://www.udemy.com/vlsi-academy-
crosstalk/?couponCode=grabNow
**Some of the Udemy courses may be free, others you might have to pay for.

Books:

1. Verilog HDL A Guide to Digital Design and Synthesis by samir palnitkar.pdf

2. Verilog LRM
3. System Verilog LRM
4. SystemVerilog for Verification by Chris Spear
I, being into frontend, cannot provide you any resources for physical design or Analog
design. You’ll have to turn to google for that again.

This is all what I know. I might be wrong at some places, but make sure to google your
doubts as and when they appear.

Although self study is sufficient but if you feel lost you can also enroll for some training
courses, but make sure they are good, before you join.

All the best !!

5.3k views ·
View Upvoters
·
View Sharers
· Answer requested by Tejbir Chaudhary
Upvote
·
157
Share
·
2

Recommended
All
View Question
About the Author

Vansh Lata
VLSI Professional
VLSI Engineer
Studied at National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT)
Lives in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
283.5k content views3.2k this month
Follow
·
387
Notify Me
Related Spaces

Express your Ideas💡

Write and share your innovative ideas, different thoughts & interesting posts
Follow
139.8k

Programmer Memes
Only share Programmer Jokes and tech fun that are full of humour
Follow
21k

Software
A space for all kinds of useful software suggestions.
Follow
249
 Websites Daily
Daily Dose of New, Important, and Useful Websites.
Follow
43.8k

Science and Technology

All about Science and Technology in the world !
Follow
96.3k

Digital Knowledge
Rich Content about Technology & Online Marketing | Fastest Growing Space on Tech
Follow
38.2k

Target MS in USA
Everything about MS/MIS/MBA in USA
Follow
 5.2k
Discover More Spaces
More Answers from Vansh Lata