- Do you know about the VLSI industry?
- What are the different fields and areas are there in the VLSI industry?
- Which profile you are interested in the VLSI industry?
- What are the different tools you have worked with?
- What are the projects you have done?
Front end:
- As a fresher, you can join as RTL design engineer or a Verification engineer.
- You can gain deeper knowledge and skills as progress in your career.
- In terms of job opportunities, there is an opportunity for more verification engineers Compared to design engineers.
Back end:
- As a fresher, you can start with logic synthesis, Placement, and Routing, Layout, physical verification, static timing analysis.
- Should have a better understanding in process technologies, transistors, high-speed design issues etc.
Knowledge for front end VLSI
- Good understanding of all the concepts of digital electronics (Combinational & Sequential Circuits, Logic gates, and Finite State machine).
- Full understanding of the complete ASIC flow and all its related steps.
- Proficient with the coding of VHDL/Verilog (Verilog is mostly used).
- Sound knowledge on the Timing Analysis (STA) and all its related concepts.
- Good understanding and proficient with the coding of System Verilog (Only for ASIC Verification) and knowledge on building verification Environment using
- Methodologies like UVM.
- At least one of the scripting languages either TCL (Back end) or Perl or Python
- (Front-end).
- Good understanding of the protocols like APB, AHB, AXI, I2C, UART, etc.
- Should have knowledge of the Linux operating system. Tools for front end.
VLSI Logic Simulation
VLSI Logic Simulation:
- Mentor Graphics:-Modelsim (free) or QuestaSim)
- Cadence:-ncvlog, ncelab, ncsimor nclaunch
- Synopsys:-VCS
Logic Synthesis
- Mentor Graphics:-Leonardo or precision
- Cadence:-RC-compiler
- Synopsys:-design compiler (dc)
You can try with writing code in the www.edaplayground.com (if no tool is available with you)
Product Companies: These companies designs and develops ASICs, SOC, Microprocessors
(Intel, NVidia, Qualcomm, AMD, Samsung, MediaTek, Broadcom, TI, ST)
Service Companies: These companies work on outsourced/In-house project development for major product companies. (Wipro, TCS, Tata Elxsi, Mirafra, Waferspace, Sasken, Mind tree and many more)
EDA (Electronic Design Automation) Companies – These companies build the tools that are essential for various chip design methodologies (Synopsys, Cadence, Mentor Graphics, Aldec)
IP Design Companies – These companies focus on building and selling IP (Intellectual Property) for others. (ARM, MIPS (Processor core), Synopsys, Cadence, etc (Memories, Protocol agents, connectivity)
Fabrication (Fab) Companies – These are the companies that focus on manufacturing, Packaging, and other aspects. (TSMC, Global Foundries, Samsung).
Follow these steps:
- Try to take training from professional
- Increase your knowledge about the VLSI industry.
- Read Blogs related to VLSI.
- Attend different Seminars / Conferences which are related to VLSI
- /Semiconductors.
- Become part of different groups/forums in social networks and try to understand what other people are discussing.
- Decide your area of interest, fix your goal. Start preparing for now, to achieve your goal.
Objective Points for Front Page
- Check your Compatibility toward VLSI first :
- If you love digital logic design & programing part like C/C++
- Then go for front end
- Verilog HDL, SystemVerilog, UVM etc.
- If you love digital logic design & programing part like C/C++
- Take some time to know yourself first
- If you love MOSFET theory , analogue & architecture part
- Then go back-end cell-characterization and layout part
- Circuit Design, Low Power Circuit Design, Layout, LVS, DRC.
- Projects ( Most Important )
- Make some industry compatible projects
- AMBA AHB/APB, DDR 4/5, USB 3.0/3.1, AXI etc.
- Make design & make test-bench for same
- Make your profile and Resume :
- Follow the same profession professionals at LinkedIn
- Make Your Resume Powerful
- Make a Professional LinkedIn Profile
- Keep Update Your Resume
- Post at company or www.naukri.com Portal Regularly
- Mock Tests, Quiz& Mock Interview
- Review your skills timely
- Face maximum mock tests & mock interview
- Assess yourself and make your doubt on daily basis.