The ULTIMATE VLSI ROADMAP | How to get into semiconductor industry? | Projects | Free Resources📚

00:21:46
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WdYWx48ac8

Ringkasan

TLDRThe video advises VLSI and electronics students on how to adapt to the changing hiring trends in the semiconductor industry. It emphasizes studying selectively with focus on mastering essential topics instead of consuming all available content. The video divides the discussion into three main parts: the shift in hiring practices post-COVID where roles are more specific, foundational topics that need to be mastered across any domain (e.g., digital electronics, Verilog, STA, and CMOS), and domain-specific preparations including RTL design, verification, and physical design. There's an emphasis on projects and hands-on application using open-source tools. For beginner VLSI students, mastering basics and understanding industry-specific tools and techniques are critical to landing desirable roles. Scripting and programming skills in languages like C and Python are also highlighted for efficiency in handling technical tasks and using EDA tools effectively.

Takeaways

  • 🚀 Focus on mastering specific skills rather than learning everything.
  • 📉 Hiring is now role-specific post-pandemic, requiring targeted preparation.
  • 📘 Essential topics include digital electronics, Verilog, and CMOS.
  • 🔄 Programming and scripting are vital for communicating with EDA tools.
  • 📐 STA and CMOS knowledge are crucial for both design and backend roles.
  • 🎯 Domain-specific preparation should follow solid foundational understanding.
  • 🛠 Engage in hands-on projects to solidify knowledge and skills.
  • 🔍 Scripting languages like Python are beneficial for automating tasks.
  • 🏗 Understanding complete IC flows is essential in engineering roles.
  • 👨‍🏫 Recommended study resources include focused lectures and books.

Garis waktu

  • 00:00:00 - 00:05:00

    The speaker addresses the common mistake among students of studying everything related to VLSI or semiconductors without a focused approach, especially in the changing hiring landscape post-2024. They outline a three-part video plan to help students prepare better by understanding changes in hiring, mastering essential topics, and knowing what to study domain-wise. There's an emphasis on selecting one resource per topic to gain a strong foundation and achieve career goals.

  • 00:05:00 - 00:10:00

    The speaker elaborates on how hiring has shifted to domain-specific roles post-COVID. Previously, companies hired generally as entry-level employees and assigned them to various teams like RTL, design, or verification. Now, hiring is domain-focused right from the start, requiring candidates to prepare for specific roles. The speaker stresses beginning with foundational topics before diving into domain-specific studies to ensure a solid skill base.

  • 00:10:00 - 00:15:00

    The video provides detailed guidance on foundational topics crucial for VLSI, such as Digital Electronics, Verilog, CMOS, Computer Architecture, Static Timing Analysis, C programming, and understanding different EDA flows. The importance of scripting and maintaining strong problem-solving skills through aptitude and puzzles is also highlighted. These skills create a bedrock for further specialization into either frontend or backend roles in VLSI.

  • 00:15:00 - 00:21:46

    Finally, the focus moves to domain-specific preparation. For front end, topics like RTL design, verification (using Verilog/SystemVerilog), and DFT are covered, while backend preparation involves synthesis and physical design knowledge. The importance of having practical experience through projects is emphasized, with recommendations to undertake projects aligned with specific job roles. The speaker encourages students to explore opportunities for collaboration and practical applications using open-source tools.

Tampilkan lebih banyak

Peta Pikiran

Video Tanya Jawab

  • How has hiring changed in semiconductor industry post-COVID?

    Hiring has become more role-specific, with teams directly hiring for specific openings rather than general entry-level recruitment.

  • What is the suggested approach for studying to enter the VLSI field?

    Focus on mastering key topics and one resource per topic, instead of studying everything superficially. Then move to domain-specific learning.

  • Which topics are vital for building a strong foundation in electronics?

    Key topics include digital electronics, Verilog, CMOS, computer architecture, static timing analysis, C programming, IC flow processes, low power design techniques, and scripting.

  • What is static timing analysis (STA) and why is it important?

    STA is crucial for ensuring that circuit design meets its timing constraints, preventing data errors. It's important for both design and physical design roles.

  • Why is scripting important in VLSI work?

    Scripting automates extraction and analysis of data during chip design processes, handling extensive datasets efficiently in experiments.

  • What are recommended projects for VLSI students?

    Students should focus on projects that cover full VLSI implementation, including RTL to layout synthesis, using open-source tools.

  • What is the significance of understanding digital electronics in VLSI?

    Digital electronics form the base for most electronic devices, making it vital for work in any VLSI domain.

  • What should a student focus on after mastering basic electronics?

    Proceed to domain-specific topics such as RTL design or physical design, based on personal interest and career goals.

  • How important is learning Verilog for VLSI students?

    Verilog is essential as it's widely used for hardware description, key in designing CPUs and GPUs.

  • Which programming languages should VLSI students learn?

    C programming is foundational, with Python or Perl for scripting. Understanding programming logic helps in tool communication and problem-solving.

Lihat lebih banyak ringkasan video

Dapatkan akses instan ke ringkasan video YouTube gratis yang didukung oleh AI!
Teks
en
Gulir Otomatis:
  • 00:00:00
    biggest mistake I did and what most of
  • 00:00:02
    the students I see around are doing is
  • 00:00:04
    studying anything and everything that is
  • 00:00:06
    being shared on LinkedIn post YouTube
  • 00:00:08
    videos which have a title vlsi or
  • 00:00:10
    semiconductor on it things postco and
  • 00:00:13
    post AI have totally changed that is
  • 00:00:15
    from 2024 2025 hiring has become totally
  • 00:00:19
    different so your approach also has to
  • 00:00:21
    change that's why let's divide this
  • 00:00:23
    video into three parts in the first part
  • 00:00:25
    we'll see how the hiring has changed and
  • 00:00:27
    what different approach you should take
  • 00:00:29
    and then we'll see the topics you should
  • 00:00:31
    definitely Master no matter the domain
  • 00:00:33
    you want to get in and the best
  • 00:00:34
    resources topic wise these topics will
  • 00:00:37
    get you a very strong foundation and
  • 00:00:39
    then we'll see the things to study
  • 00:00:41
    domain wise like what to study for RTL
  • 00:00:43
    design verification physical design and
  • 00:00:45
    DF and then finally we'll see the
  • 00:00:47
    projects you can make domain wise using
  • 00:00:49
    open source tools the smartest way is to
  • 00:00:52
    prepare is first find what to exactly
  • 00:00:54
    study and give your 101% to master it
  • 00:00:57
    instead of studying everything out there
  • 00:00:59
    and mastering nothing if you're
  • 00:01:01
    expecting that I'll suggest too many
  • 00:01:02
    topics resources or books then you can
  • 00:01:05
    very well skip this video I believe in
  • 00:01:07
    having one best resource per topic and
  • 00:01:09
    mastering it personally I had a very
  • 00:01:11
    hard time finding what to exactly study
  • 00:01:14
    and what not to once I had filtered that
  • 00:01:16
    out 50% of my job was done I mastered
  • 00:01:19
    them and got my dream job this video is
  • 00:01:21
    mainly because I don't want you to waste
  • 00:01:23
    your time in figuring out what to
  • 00:01:25
    exactly study and the best resources for
  • 00:01:27
    them only if you're a serious student
  • 00:01:29
    watch every part of this video no matter
  • 00:01:31
    the domain you preparing for also make
  • 00:01:34
    sure to subscribe so that we can make a
  • 00:01:36
    very strong Electronics community so
  • 00:01:37
    coming to how has the hiring changed
  • 00:01:39
    postco and what you should do different
  • 00:01:41
    2024 onwards see before it was in
  • 00:01:44
    general hiring like say a company
  • 00:01:45
    required 100 entry-level employees so
  • 00:01:48
    freshers so the company usually had a
  • 00:01:50
    general hiring team manager senior
  • 00:01:52
    employees from any team like BV PD DFT
  • 00:01:55
    could be part of this hiring team this
  • 00:01:57
    hiring team usually was never role
  • 00:01:59
    specific they usually filtered out
  • 00:02:00
    students assessing them on Basics or
  • 00:02:02
    general topics like digital analog SPS
  • 00:02:05
    seos Etc say this team finally selected
  • 00:02:08
    100 students these selected 100 students
  • 00:02:10
    were then randomly sent to any team
  • 00:02:12
    whichever had openings be it RTL design
  • 00:02:14
    verification PD but now the things have
  • 00:02:17
    changed whichever team has an opening
  • 00:02:19
    that team directly goes for hiring like
  • 00:02:22
    say there is an opening in the DVT this
  • 00:02:24
    TV team only will go for hiring though
  • 00:02:26
    they might start the interview rounds
  • 00:02:28
    with General blsa topics they will most
  • 00:02:30
    likely get into the verification topics
  • 00:02:32
    like system very log or UVM they will
  • 00:02:34
    basically assess if the candidate can be
  • 00:02:36
    fit for a verification role the bottom
  • 00:02:38
    line is earlier you could be put into
  • 00:02:40
    any domain wherever the vacancy was
  • 00:02:42
    there but now you will most likely be
  • 00:02:44
    interviewed for a particular role or a
  • 00:02:46
    domain and you will get into that very
  • 00:02:47
    DET so how should your preparation
  • 00:02:49
    approach change before just studying
  • 00:02:51
    General topics was enough but now you
  • 00:02:53
    should start with your Basics and
  • 00:02:55
    prepare properly for a particular domain
  • 00:02:57
    whichever interests you but before you
  • 00:02:58
    start studying for any any domain some
  • 00:03:00
    common topics are a must to master so
  • 00:03:02
    what are the topics to start and that
  • 00:03:04
    can help you build a strong Foundation
  • 00:03:06
    you have to promise me that first you'll
  • 00:03:08
    Master these topics and only then will
  • 00:03:10
    you start doing domain specific subjects
  • 00:03:13
    these topics are very important to build
  • 00:03:14
    your base and have a strong foundation
  • 00:03:17
    so let's see these topics and the best
  • 00:03:19
    resources to cover them first Digital
  • 00:03:22
    Electronics this is your base in today's
  • 00:03:24
    world most of the electronic devices
  • 00:03:26
    have at least 80% digital circuit so no
  • 00:03:29
    matter what domain you want to get in
  • 00:03:31
    mastering digital is very important so
  • 00:03:33
    from where to study this from miso
  • 00:03:35
    Academy Digital Electronics these
  • 00:03:37
    lectures are very good to make a strong
  • 00:03:39
    Basics but practicing is is even more
  • 00:03:42
    important practice as much as you can
  • 00:03:44
    for digital I'll share two PDFs one for
  • 00:03:47
    important topics and one practice PDF
  • 00:03:49
    from which 80 to 90% questions are asked
  • 00:03:52
    in most of the semiconductor companies
  • 00:03:54
    I'll add links to both these PDFs in the
  • 00:03:56
    description below also you can join the
  • 00:03:59
    Discord chip cam Community Link which
  • 00:04:01
    has all the resources domain wise even
  • 00:04:03
    though I have shared the important
  • 00:04:04
    topics make sure to study each and every
  • 00:04:07
    topic and then you can focus more on the
  • 00:04:10
    important on what I'll suggest is you
  • 00:04:12
    can study and practice in parallel like
  • 00:04:14
    study one topic understand it properly
  • 00:04:17
    and then you can practice that very
  • 00:04:18
    topic from the PDF the book you can
  • 00:04:20
    refer is alltime best Morris Mano as I
  • 00:04:23
    said before one best reference instead
  • 00:04:25
    of four to five books for one single
  • 00:04:27
    topic second once you have mastered
  • 00:04:29
    digital you can start off with
  • 00:04:31
    implementing it practically the next
  • 00:04:33
    topic is very long all the powerful CPUs
  • 00:04:36
    and gpus you see around have all being
  • 00:04:38
    designed in verilog first this is a very
  • 00:04:41
    powerful language so verog is basically
  • 00:04:43
    a hardware descriptive language so
  • 00:04:45
    whatever you write in verilog gets
  • 00:04:46
    translated to a hardware let's say a
  • 00:04:49
    case statement becomes a MOX in real
  • 00:04:50
    life you should write a very laog code
  • 00:04:52
    in a way that it can be translated or
  • 00:04:55
    mapped to a hardware equivalent that's
  • 00:04:57
    why Hardware description language so you
  • 00:04:59
    should know what each very log Code maps
  • 00:05:01
    to on a hardware and vice versa if
  • 00:05:03
    someone gives you a hardware diagram you
  • 00:05:05
    should be able to write its very log
  • 00:05:06
    equivalent code for this what you can do
  • 00:05:09
    is first learn the basic syntax like
  • 00:05:11
    coding basic modules like marks adders
  • 00:05:14
    and then once you know the syntax and
  • 00:05:16
    the construction very log take a paper
  • 00:05:18
    and make a table on one side write very
  • 00:05:20
    log construct and on the other side make
  • 00:05:23
    it equalent Hardware structure like Cas
  • 00:05:25
    maps to a m if else maps to a priority
  • 00:05:28
    encoder once you do this you can not
  • 00:05:30
    only write synthesizable codes but also
  • 00:05:32
    tell if a code is synthesizable by just
  • 00:05:34
    looking at it so what is the best source
  • 00:05:36
    to study verilog from Hardware modeling
  • 00:05:39
    using verilog by indranil S Gupta great
  • 00:05:42
    lecture series also he has made two to
  • 00:05:44
    three videos on mapping each verilog
  • 00:05:46
    construct to its corresponding Hardware
  • 00:05:48
    so you can look into that the best book
  • 00:05:50
    I recommend for verilog would be verilog
  • 00:05:53
    HDL by Samir petar even for this I'll
  • 00:05:56
    share the PDF having important topics
  • 00:05:58
    references and digital books in the
  • 00:06:00
    description below on Discord you will
  • 00:06:02
    have it under # rtld design third the
  • 00:06:05
    next topic is seimos at the end
  • 00:06:08
    everything comes down to a transist for
  • 00:06:10
    front end roles most of the things you
  • 00:06:12
    work on are on an upper layer so yes you
  • 00:06:14
    don't need much of a transistor level
  • 00:06:17
    but still I'll suggest you to know at
  • 00:06:19
    least the basics for backend roles you
  • 00:06:21
    definitely need to study this in depth
  • 00:06:23
    but what are the basics to study working
  • 00:06:25
    of nmos BOS and then camos the main
  • 00:06:28
    topic you need to understand is camos
  • 00:06:30
    inverter characteristics for this you
  • 00:06:32
    can refer to digital IC design by
  • 00:06:34
    Professor Jan R Great Professor great
  • 00:06:37
    lectures but first watch only first 20
  • 00:06:39
    videos till seos inverter
  • 00:06:41
    characteristics and for basics of moset
  • 00:06:43
    you can watch seos digital design by
  • 00:06:45
    Professor Das Gupta from I RI my
  • 00:06:48
    favorite book for seos is digital IC
  • 00:06:50
    design by Rabbi reference YouTube links
  • 00:06:53
    and ebook for seos will be in the PDF
  • 00:06:55
    named seos which I'll add in the
  • 00:06:56
    description below and in Discord you can
  • 00:06:59
    find it under # physical design for
  • 00:07:01
    front end roles this is more than enough
  • 00:07:03
    but if you're interested in backend
  • 00:07:05
    there's definitely more to study which
  • 00:07:06
    we will discuss in the later section
  • 00:07:09
    fourth the next topic is computer
  • 00:07:11
    architecture to design any processor you
  • 00:07:14
    need this subject this subject will help
  • 00:07:16
    you understand what's exactly happening
  • 00:07:18
    in a processor how the instruction is
  • 00:07:20
    fetched decode how the operations happen
  • 00:07:22
    in a ALU how data is fetched from the
  • 00:07:24
    memory pipelining cache Concepts like
  • 00:07:27
    hit and a miss you'll get an overview of
  • 00:07:29
    of how the data and clock flows in the
  • 00:07:31
    design for computer architecture you can
  • 00:07:33
    refer miso Academy for Basics and
  • 00:07:36
    Professor SMY R for good lectures I'll
  • 00:07:38
    give the links in the description and
  • 00:07:40
    the book you can refer to now the fifth
  • 00:07:42
    topic from this topic no matter the
  • 00:07:44
    domain in both written exam and
  • 00:07:47
    interview you'll definitely get one or
  • 00:07:49
    more questions so what is this topic St
  • 00:07:52
    static timing analysis when you design
  • 00:07:55
    any circuit in real life you have to
  • 00:07:57
    take care of some things for your design
  • 00:07:59
    these are called as constraints on the
  • 00:08:01
    design and you have to meet those
  • 00:08:03
    constraints otherwise what is the point
  • 00:08:04
    of your design if the data is not
  • 00:08:06
    captured properly especially people
  • 00:08:08
    involved in design side both RTL and
  • 00:08:10
    physical design should Master this make
  • 00:08:12
    sure you don't by heart any formulas or
  • 00:08:15
    setup and hold understand exactly what
  • 00:08:17
    is setup hold data PA delay skew Jitter
  • 00:08:21
    latency uncertainty once you understand
  • 00:08:23
    directly start solving as many questions
  • 00:08:25
    as possible the same practice PDF which
  • 00:08:28
    I have shared for digital you can use
  • 00:08:30
    that to practice St as well well for
  • 00:08:31
    resources you can check out synopsis
  • 00:08:33
    guide and book you can refer to is St a
  • 00:08:36
    practical approach by jam basar and
  • 00:08:38
    Rakesh Sha but still I'll recommend not
  • 00:08:41
    to read too much theory for this just
  • 00:08:43
    the basic understanding is enough and
  • 00:08:45
    then start solving as many questions as
  • 00:08:47
    possible sixth C programming many people
  • 00:08:50
    think that coding is not required for
  • 00:08:52
    VSA companies but no you definitely need
  • 00:08:55
    to know programming as well for both
  • 00:08:57
    front end and backend you require coding
  • 00:08:59
    according to me coding is just aptitude
  • 00:09:01
    in vlsi you'll be using a lot of Eda
  • 00:09:03
    tools and to communicate with the tool
  • 00:09:05
    you obviously need to code and tell the
  • 00:09:08
    tool what needs to be done exactly so
  • 00:09:10
    the best foundation to have will be C
  • 00:09:12
    programming once you know the way the
  • 00:09:14
    data flows and how to use Loops ifls you
  • 00:09:17
    are able to code a problem statement
  • 00:09:19
    then you have got it trust me if you
  • 00:09:21
    know C you can migrate to any other
  • 00:09:23
    language easily the logic is same
  • 00:09:25
    everywhere just the syntax changes
  • 00:09:27
    especially using AI syntax won't be an
  • 00:09:30
    issue at all for C you can refer to
  • 00:09:32
    nisso Academy and practice from Geeks
  • 00:09:33
    for geeks seventh this topic is
  • 00:09:36
    understanding different flows take EIC
  • 00:09:39
    flow know the basics of what is exactly
  • 00:09:41
    happening at each stage what happens in
  • 00:09:43
    RTL design verification synthesis
  • 00:09:45
    physical design sign off I already made
  • 00:09:48
    a video on this with a very interesting
  • 00:09:50
    analogy you can watch it here eth low
  • 00:09:53
    power design techniques see when I
  • 00:09:54
    started my engineering we were at 90
  • 00:09:56
    nanometer and now we are at 3 nanometer
  • 00:09:59
    within just four to 5 years the
  • 00:10:01
    technology has shrinked so fast though
  • 00:10:03
    the chips become faster at lower nodes
  • 00:10:05
    the leakage power also increases so
  • 00:10:07
    managing power in today's day is very
  • 00:10:10
    important beat any domain you need to
  • 00:10:12
    know power management techniques so for
  • 00:10:14
    this you can refer to low power design
  • 00:10:16
    techniques by indranil S Gupta I think
  • 00:10:18
    there are around eight videos Dynamic
  • 00:10:20
    power static power leakage power very
  • 00:10:23
    important to know especially in today's
  • 00:10:25
    era nine scripting this is an add-on
  • 00:10:28
    skill but if you have have it on top of
  • 00:10:30
    your technical skill then you can be a
  • 00:10:32
    great and a powerful package but why
  • 00:10:34
    scripting so when you'll be designing a
  • 00:10:36
    chip there are a lot of metrics to take
  • 00:10:38
    care of mainly power area and speed and
  • 00:10:41
    mind you you are dealing with billions
  • 00:10:43
    of transistors here now to arrive at
  • 00:10:46
    best possible area power and speed you
  • 00:10:48
    will have to do a lot of experiments you
  • 00:10:50
    will have to compare these metrics to
  • 00:10:52
    know which experiment work out and which
  • 00:10:54
    did not there will be thousands of files
  • 00:10:56
    and it becomes very tough to analyze
  • 00:10:58
    each and every file here's where
  • 00:11:00
    scripting will help you these scripts
  • 00:11:01
    will extract the exact data you require
  • 00:11:03
    from all these files and will summarize
  • 00:11:06
    the experiments for you there are mainly
  • 00:11:08
    three top scripting languages used in
  • 00:11:10
    the industry python Pearl and tickle you
  • 00:11:12
    can choose between Pearl and python but
  • 00:11:14
    I'll recommend you to know python 10 one
  • 00:11:17
    last topic before we see what to exactly
  • 00:11:19
    study domain wise this topic is mostly
  • 00:11:22
    underestimated and neglected aptitude
  • 00:11:24
    and puzzles I'll tell you exactly what a
  • 00:11:26
    recruiter wants in you to solve any
  • 00:11:28
    problems you need two things knowledge
  • 00:11:31
    and IQ to apply that knowledge see in
  • 00:11:33
    just one hour of interview no one can
  • 00:11:35
    exactly judge your knowledge and anyways
  • 00:11:37
    they'll train you once you join them so
  • 00:11:40
    they want to see if you can solve
  • 00:11:42
    problems with basic common sense a
  • 00:11:44
    person who has a good aptitude will
  • 00:11:46
    obviously have good problem solving
  • 00:11:47
    skills if you train him well on that he
  • 00:11:50
    can be an asset to the company so at
  • 00:11:52
    least solve one puzzle daily and some
  • 00:11:54
    aptitude questions it will also sharpen
  • 00:11:56
    your brain make sure to have a timer
  • 00:11:58
    while solving in these aptitude
  • 00:12:00
    questions and keep improving your speed
  • 00:12:02
    you can solve aptitude questions from
  • 00:12:03
    India bigs or Geeks or Geeks and for
  • 00:12:05
    puzzles you can see previously asked
  • 00:12:07
    questions from Geeks for geeks one
  • 00:12:09
    advice for solving puzzles is to think
  • 00:12:11
    simple once you finish these 10 topics
  • 00:12:14
    you will have a great Foundation you can
  • 00:12:16
    check #m do on Discord where you can get
  • 00:12:19
    all these topics and resources after
  • 00:12:21
    building our foundation let's go domain
  • 00:12:23
    specific as I have told earlier being
  • 00:12:26
    domain specific is better so if you have
  • 00:12:28
    time time prepare for both front end and
  • 00:12:30
    back end otherwise choose one between
  • 00:12:33
    front end and back end and master it in
  • 00:12:35
    depth but how do you decide between
  • 00:12:37
    front end or back end if you feel you
  • 00:12:39
    have more interest or are good at very
  • 00:12:41
    LW computer architecture C then go for
  • 00:12:43
    front end but if you like CMOS SDA and
  • 00:12:46
    if you're liking this side of the flow
  • 00:12:48
    like from floor planning CTS placement
  • 00:12:51
    then go for backend but I'll not
  • 00:12:53
    recommend you to go one level down and
  • 00:12:55
    choose only design or verification so if
  • 00:12:58
    you're preparing for front content
  • 00:12:59
    prepare for both RTL design and
  • 00:13:01
    verification but before you start this
  • 00:13:03
    I'll repeat make sure you complete these
  • 00:13:06
    10 topics first which I have talked
  • 00:13:07
    about this will build a strong base and
  • 00:13:10
    only then you can start domain specific
  • 00:13:12
    topics any interview be it front end or
  • 00:13:15
    backend starts by testing your Basics if
  • 00:13:17
    you're not good the recruiter will not
  • 00:13:19
    go further say even if you're not ready
  • 00:13:21
    with the backend specific topic and you
  • 00:13:23
    are damn good with your Basics like
  • 00:13:25
    cosos SDA digital Concepts then you
  • 00:13:28
    still have a very high chance to get
  • 00:13:29
    selected but vice versa is not possible
  • 00:13:32
    it's like having a tall building with a
  • 00:13:34
    weak base the building might fall off
  • 00:13:36
    any time but with a very strong base you
  • 00:13:38
    can construct tall buildings even in the
  • 00:13:40
    future so keep this in mind before we go
  • 00:13:43
    any further now let's see domain
  • 00:13:45
    specific topics that has to be covered
  • 00:13:47
    let's start with front end in front end
  • 00:13:48
    you have majorly RTL design verification
  • 00:13:51
    and dftd the core for frontend is coding
  • 00:13:54
    for RTL design the main topics to cover
  • 00:13:56
    in proper depth are digital very log SDA
  • 00:14:00
    C programming clock domain Crossing
  • 00:14:03
    Concepts like meta stability mtbf and
  • 00:14:06
    then for scripting Pearl python once you
  • 00:14:09
    complete digital immediately install
  • 00:14:11
    Vado and start Hands-On on very L you
  • 00:14:13
    can use Eda playground also until you do
  • 00:14:16
    Hands-On and start coding you can never
  • 00:14:18
    Master very as I said earlier have a
  • 00:14:21
    table mapping all the vilog construct to
  • 00:14:23
    its corresponding Hardware now take an
  • 00:14:25
    architecture with both control and data
  • 00:14:27
    path like risky architecture and design
  • 00:14:29
    it in very log module wise make a module
  • 00:14:32
    even for the smallest part of the
  • 00:14:34
    architecture the more modules you have
  • 00:14:36
    the easier you can debug make sure to
  • 00:14:38
    write a synthesizable code and always
  • 00:14:40
    synthesize the code and check if you can
  • 00:14:42
    reduce power and area by changing your
  • 00:14:44
    RTL code sometimes a small change in the
  • 00:14:46
    style of the code can make a huge
  • 00:14:48
    difference in area and power of the
  • 00:14:50
    final circuit okay moving on once you
  • 00:14:53
    practice SDA and have a good hold over
  • 00:14:55
    it try to have constraints in your
  • 00:14:57
    design on a flop to flop path and and
  • 00:14:59
    analyze with your articl code will I be
  • 00:15:01
    able to meet the timing or I'll have to
  • 00:15:03
    change something in the code in parallel
  • 00:15:05
    keep practicing C basically even verlock
  • 00:15:07
    syntax is based on C your focus should
  • 00:15:10
    be always on writing efficient code
  • 00:15:12
    because end of the day you're a hardware
  • 00:15:13
    engineer we discuss the projects at the
  • 00:15:16
    end domain wise coming to verification
  • 00:15:18
    as the name says it's basically testing
  • 00:15:20
    the design for any bugs your core skill
  • 00:15:23
    as a verification engineer is to debug
  • 00:15:25
    the design here knowing the design is
  • 00:15:27
    also very important on that you need
  • 00:15:29
    debugging skills so to be a good
  • 00:15:31
    verification engineer you need to know
  • 00:15:33
    these Concepts in depth digital verilog
  • 00:15:36
    or system very log computer architecture
  • 00:15:38
    C and C++ specially oops Concepts UVM
  • 00:15:42
    using system very log fif synchronous
  • 00:15:44
    versus nonsynchronous fif depth
  • 00:15:47
    calculation and protocols and Pearl and
  • 00:15:49
    python for scripting learn this if you
  • 00:15:51
    have time once you have completed
  • 00:15:54
    Concepts in digital properly then move
  • 00:15:56
    on to the next topics write test benches
  • 00:15:58
    for every design you have made in very
  • 00:16:00
    long but when you write the test benches
  • 00:16:02
    think of every scenario for which the
  • 00:16:04
    design can go bad say you have four
  • 00:16:06
    inputs to a design so you need to try
  • 00:16:09
    all the two power four combinations then
  • 00:16:11
    move to system very log once you have a
  • 00:16:13
    good grip over very log most of the
  • 00:16:15
    things will be the same syntax wise just
  • 00:16:17
    a few data types here and there will be
  • 00:16:19
    different system verog is a more
  • 00:16:21
    powerful tool for verification also you
  • 00:16:24
    need to learn o op Concepts required for
  • 00:16:26
    system very log for this you can refer
  • 00:16:28
    to system system vog classes by Cadence
  • 00:16:30
    Design system available on YouTube op
  • 00:16:33
    Concepts discussed here are what exactly
  • 00:16:35
    you need to know in SV you need to
  • 00:16:37
    master task versus functions folk joint
  • 00:16:40
    statements inheritance polymorphism
  • 00:16:43
    randomization and assertions next
  • 00:16:46
    computer architecture is very important
  • 00:16:48
    subject for verification say you need to
  • 00:16:50
    verify at s so level this is like
  • 00:16:52
    verifying a processor so you need to
  • 00:16:54
    have an understanding of how the data
  • 00:16:56
    and clock flows in the architecture once
  • 00:16:58
    you understand the design only then will
  • 00:17:00
    you be able to debug it knowing
  • 00:17:02
    protocols like axi Amba and all the
  • 00:17:05
    famous protocols will be a plus that
  • 00:17:07
    will help you to understand the
  • 00:17:09
    architecture better verification
  • 00:17:11
    projects and tools we'll discuss at the
  • 00:17:13
    end all the resources for verifications
  • 00:17:15
    I'll share in the description or you can
  • 00:17:17
    get it under #d design verification on
  • 00:17:19
    Discord next coming to design for test
  • 00:17:22
    DF here the main objective is to test
  • 00:17:25
    the chip for any manufacturing def this
  • 00:17:27
    team inserts SC and change into the
  • 00:17:29
    design so that the chip can be tested
  • 00:17:31
    for any manufacturing Defence we can get
  • 00:17:34
    deep into DFT or what it exactly does in
  • 00:17:36
    some other video for now let's see what
  • 00:17:39
    to study for this of course digital then
  • 00:17:41
    CDC clock domain Crossing testability
  • 00:17:44
    generating test patterns like atbg best
  • 00:17:47
    Concepts and in practice PDF solve each
  • 00:17:50
    and every question from chapter 9 fault
  • 00:17:52
    analysis and Hazards for resources you
  • 00:17:55
    can refer to nptl indrasen Gupta
  • 00:17:57
    physical design lectures from 43 to 57
  • 00:18:00
    I'll share the book and the lecture
  • 00:18:01
    links in the description or you can find
  • 00:18:03
    it under # DFT on Discord coming to my
  • 00:18:06
    personal favorite backend you mainly
  • 00:18:08
    have synthesis physical design and
  • 00:18:10
    physical verification here prepare for
  • 00:18:13
    back end in general so from synthesis to
  • 00:18:15
    PD we'll see what all to study in depth
  • 00:18:18
    but before we start knowing what not to
  • 00:18:20
    study is also important huge respect to
  • 00:18:23
    all the nptl courses out there but
  • 00:18:25
    physical design by Indra Neil s Gupta
  • 00:18:27
    for PD is to totally outdated I can
  • 00:18:30
    confirm this by being in the industry
  • 00:18:32
    doing practical things though the series
  • 00:18:34
    is great for low power designs and DFT
  • 00:18:37
    Concepts but definitely not for PD so
  • 00:18:40
    then what to study first properly finish
  • 00:18:42
    cosos Concepts you can do it from
  • 00:18:44
    digital IC design by Jan Raman for
  • 00:18:46
    backend you need to complete all these
  • 00:18:48
    lectures mainly look out for voltage
  • 00:18:51
    transfer characteristics noise margin
  • 00:18:53
    leakage short circuit and dynamic power
  • 00:18:55
    short Channel effects and logical
  • 00:18:58
    efforts logical efforts for PD is very
  • 00:19:00
    important you need to know how you can
  • 00:19:03
    improve Tran of a circuit by adding a
  • 00:19:04
    buffer upsizing pros and cons so watch
  • 00:19:07
    this entire lecture series then start
  • 00:19:10
    stda for PD sta is very very important
  • 00:19:13
    topic make sure you go through all the
  • 00:19:15
    concepts properly positive skew negative
  • 00:19:18
    skew clock uncertainty false path
  • 00:19:20
    multicycle and half cycle paths finally
  • 00:19:22
    cover the whole sic backend flow floor
  • 00:19:25
    planning guidelines where and how to
  • 00:19:27
    place the macros place bement read
  • 00:19:29
    everything in this stage from high fan
  • 00:19:31
    out net synthesis to logical
  • 00:19:33
    restructuring this is an optimization
  • 00:19:35
    state so know everything in this stage
  • 00:19:37
    CTS clock tree synthesis oh my God this
  • 00:19:40
    is every interviewer's favorite topic to
  • 00:19:42
    ask questions from so of course Master
  • 00:19:44
    it and also this should be your favorite
  • 00:19:46
    topic different clock structures why
  • 00:19:49
    balancing clock is very important why
  • 00:19:51
    you should not have high latencies and
  • 00:19:53
    impact on power I'll make a proper
  • 00:19:56
    dedicated video for physical design
  • 00:19:57
    covering all of this in depth for
  • 00:20:00
    references you can refer to vsi backend
  • 00:20:02
    Adventure most of the time this page is
  • 00:20:04
    down whenever it's up download all the
  • 00:20:06
    pages and keep it physical design for
  • 00:20:09
    you physical design by Kavita Sharma it
  • 00:20:12
    is also a great blog okay so finally
  • 00:20:14
    coming to the most interesting part
  • 00:20:16
    projects see projects play a major role
  • 00:20:19
    in getting you into a company as a
  • 00:20:20
    fresher having good projects on your
  • 00:20:22
    resume can give you a great Edge also
  • 00:20:25
    your project should be aligned to the
  • 00:20:26
    job role you're applying to but you
  • 00:20:28
    should have one project where you
  • 00:20:30
    implement the complete vlsi like say
  • 00:20:32
    designing a simple Hardware in very log
  • 00:20:35
    writing a test bench and then testing it
  • 00:20:37
    and then synthesizing the verified RTL
  • 00:20:39
    code and implementing it till it's lay
  • 00:20:42
    you can also choose bottom up approach
  • 00:20:43
    like first designing the layout of the
  • 00:20:46
    gate and then building the hardware
  • 00:20:47
    using the gate for front end you can
  • 00:20:49
    have design and verification related
  • 00:20:51
    projects in very log or system very for
  • 00:20:53
    back end you can have a RTL to GDs
  • 00:20:55
    implementation which includes doing
  • 00:20:58
    synthesis and PNR which is placement and
  • 00:21:00
    Route you can also find # projects on
  • 00:21:03
    Discord which has complete list of
  • 00:21:04
    project lists levelwise for each domain
  • 00:21:07
    you can find all the open source tools
  • 00:21:09
    also in the PDF don't worry I'll make a
  • 00:21:11
    dedicated video for projects for now
  • 00:21:14
    start with the projects given in the
  • 00:21:15
    project list also you can collaborate
  • 00:21:17
    with other students and make projects on
  • 00:21:19
    Discord each project is posted levelwise
  • 00:21:21
    here okay guys by watching this video
  • 00:21:24
    till here you are 50% there and once you
  • 00:21:27
    finish off those 10 topics and make up a
  • 00:21:29
    strong base no one can stop you tell me
  • 00:21:32
    in the comments below if this video
  • 00:21:33
    helped you in any way you can also
  • 00:21:35
    follow chip cam on Instagram I think we
  • 00:21:37
    have made a great Electronics Community
  • 00:21:39
    I'll keep getting such videos stay tuned
  • 00:21:42
    and see you in the next one
Tags
  • VLSI
  • semiconductor
  • electronics
  • hiring changes
  • Verilog
  • CMOS
  • static timing analysis
  • C programming
  • open-source tools
  • projects