There has been an upsurge in the need for qualified VLSI engineers at IC design firms throughout the years. This is owing to significant advancements in AI, EV, and smartphone technologies, all of which rely on intelligent ICs. VLSI design refers to chip design and production as a whole. Sub-10 nanometer technology is now in use. This enables designers to fit billions of transistors into a single integrated circuit (IC). Electronic devices can be made exceedingly tiny besides being powerful and feature-rich due to high transistor density. s
If you have a genuine interest in electronics engineering, you will flourish and advance swiftly as a VLSI Engineer in the VLSI industry. If you actually want to stand out and exceed others, you must be a good team member who is versatile, knowledgeable, diligent, happy, and enthusiastic about your work/job.
Who all can Become a VLSI Engineer?
Typically, only candidates with a bachelor’s degree in electronics and EEE or a related circuit area are eligible to work in the semiconductor sector. Computer science/IT software developers with a solid understanding of digital foundations, semiconductor physics, and software development can also pursue it. VLSI engineers are shaping the future of automation and industry 4.0. VLSI experts are in charge of creating the latest and best Graphics Processor Units (GPU), which serve as the foundation for breakthroughs in AI and many other fields. It is an industry which is resistant to automation. In the Automotive Electronics and Electric Vehicle sectors, ASICs and SOCs are driving innovation.
What Fundamentals Do You Need to Become a VLSI Engineer?
VLSI design entails the use of specialised hardware description languages (HDLs) such as VHDL and Verilog. Verilog, System Verilog, and UVM are required skills for positions in this sector. They should also be well-versed in the fundamentals of OOPs. Language abilities in scripting are also advantageous. In addition, whatever of the job/work, a VLSI engineer must be a strong team member, nimble, competent, hardworking, optimistic, and passionate.
To be a successful VLSI engineer, you must be well-versed in digital electronics; this is where you learn the fundamentals. In terms of the front end, there are design, verification, synthesis, and so on. All of these profiles necessitate the use of digital electronics.
Verilog, vhdl, and systemC are essential tools for a design engineer (mainly verilog). System verilog is critical for verification engineers. Nowadays, the majority of individuals work in a UVM-based workplace. So, if you want to be a competent front end engineer in VLSI, brush up on your understanding of verilog, system verilog, and UVM. Above all, digital electronics is critical.
VLSI is a broad area in and of itself. Beginning with the principles of digital electronics, then moving on to electronic devices, with all technologies such as TTl, CMOS, ECL, and several others, you should have a thorough grasp of these concepts. You have to be familiar with the areas like computer architecture, complex digital design, timing, area speed, and all the other challenges that come up when creating.
When it comes to the backend, you should be familiar with fabrication equipment and processes, as well as fundamental physics, material science, and chemistry.
So the fundamental subjects you should be aware of are as follows:
- Electronics Fundamentals/Device Electronics
- Advanced digital design in digital electronics
- Microelectronics
- Protocols for Communication in Computer Architecture
- Fundamental Physics
- Fundamental Chemistry
- FPGA ArchitectureÂ
- TOOLS FOR CAD
- Network analysis
- Analog electronic circuits
VLSI is a highly specialised subject that is wholly reliant on electronics engineering. Since a BE/BTech/BS in ECE or EEE is necessary, only applicants with a background in electronics engineering are typically qualified to work in the semiconductor business. Computer Science/IT engineers, on the other hand, with a thorough grasp of digital foundations and software development, can apply for specialised vocations. It is a profitable industry that has shown to be resistant to automation. To build robots, SoCs and embedded systems are always required!
Conclusion:
ChipEdge is one of the institutions that provides a variety of VLSI online courses. There are a number of VLSI training institutes in Bangalore where you can enrol in online and offline VLSI courses such as VLSI physical design course, DFT course, and many more. Chipedge, as one of the best VLSI training institutes in India, offers a variety of courses that will provide you with the necessary skills for getting a good job, as it uses great Synopsys tools in conjunction with lectures delivered by experienced teaching faculty, as well as providing students with free access to an online VLSI lab and placement assistance.