Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/vlsi-cad-layout
For anyone venturing into the intricate world of Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) chip design, understanding the physical layout process is paramount. Coursera’s ‘VLSI CAD Part II: Layout’ course, building upon its ‘Logic’ prerequisite, offers a comprehensive and insightful journey into this critical domain.
The course begins with a crucial orientation, ensuring learners are equipped with the necessary technical skills and familiarized with the learning environment. This sets a solid foundation for the complex topics that follow.
The core of the course delves into ‘ASIC Placement’. Here, you’ll gain a deep understanding of the ASIC layout process, the significance of technology libraries, and the fundamental concepts of placement and routing. The lectures meticulously explain how millions of gates, post-synthesis and mapping, are strategically positioned on the chip’s surface, exploring both iterative and mathematical optimization methods for large-scale placement tasks.
Following placement, the ‘Technology Mapping’ module addresses a vital step often overlooked: translating synthesis outputs into actual logic gates available in the technology library. The course highlights the elegance of the recursive covering algorithm used in this process, underscoring how practical computer science knowledge is indispensable in VLSI CAD.
‘ASIC Routing’ then tackles the challenge of connecting these placed components. The focus on Maze Routing, a classical and powerful technique, is particularly valuable. The course explains how this core algorithm can be extended with sophisticated functionalities, even offering an optional programming assignment where you can apply these concepts to industrial benchmarks.
Finally, ‘Timing Analysis’ brings it all together. After synthesis, mapping, placement, and routing, the critical question arises: how fast will the chip perform? This module introduces essential models for understanding timing, gate delays, and network performance. Concepts like Arrival Times (ATs), Required Arrival Times (RATs), and Slack are explained, along with the electrical details influencing delays through physical geometry and routed wires. This culminates in an understanding of Static Timing Analysis (STA), a crucial final sign-off step in real-world ASIC design.
While the final week is dedicated to wrapping up problem sets and the final exam, the knowledge gained throughout the course is substantial. ‘VLSI CAD Part II: Layout’ is an excellent resource for students and professionals looking to deepen their understanding of the physical design aspects of modern chip creation. Highly recommended for its clear explanations, practical insights, and well-structured syllabus.
Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/vlsi-cad-layout