Track 1 - Digital IC Design with Open Source EDA Tools

Hands on tutorials to showcase how to design Digital Integrated Circuits using OpenRoad design tools using IHP 130nm technology on a Linux-capable 64bit RISC-V system.

You will learn:

• An introduction to digital design flow (synthesis, placement, routing)
• What is the state of the art in open source PDK and libraries for designing a modern IC
• Synthesize an actual open-source design (Cheshire) using a CVA6 core and peripherals
• Back-end design using OpenRoad
• Pieces that are still missing, or lacking currently in open-source design flows
• The cost and opportunities of bringing an open-source design into reality

Course will be in English with support from ETH Zurich, IHP, UCSD

Nine 2-hour modules with > 50% hands on exercises in computer laboratory.

Limited to 25 participants

Prerequisites: General knowledge on digital design, IC Design flow

Preliminary Agenda:

• Session 1: Introduction, goals of the track, people involved, quick summary of IC Design flow, IHP and open source PDKs
  • Duration: 2 hours
  • Type: lecture
• Session 2: Using the OpenRoad UI, navigating designs
  
  • Duration: 2 hours
  • Type: hands-on
• Session 3: SystemVerilog/RTL primer. RTL simulation
  • Duration: 2 hours
  • Type: lecture + hands-on
• Session 4: Synthesis flow and timing constraints
  
  • Duration: 2 hours
  • Type: hands-on
• Session 5: Floorplanning, Macro placement, power planning
  • Duration: 2 hours
    
  • Type: hands-on
• Session 6: Issues for Back-end design, Cost of IC Design
  
  • Duration: 2 hours
  • Type: lecture
• Session 7: OpenRoad backend flow
  
  • Duration: 2 hours
    Type: hands-on
• Session 8: Completing the design flow, DRC/LVS, odds and ends
  
  • Duration: 2 hours
    Type: hands-on
• Session 9: Closing/State of the Art Open Source tools, what is still missing
  
  • Duration: 2 hours
    Type: lecture