How to choose Frontend vs. Backend?

VLSI frontend vs backend are nothing but two different domains in the field of VLSI. Frontend vs Backend, the classification is based on the different steps involved in a typical ASIC design flow. Following diagram shows a typical design flow for an ASIC or SOC.

As it shows the design flow starts with a specification document which lists out the technical requirements needed in the chip design. It is followed by translating the specification to Architectural design. The architectural design involves designing the functional blocks and the communication protocol between them and translating them into actual modules that contain FSMs, combinational and sequential circuits etc. The architectural design is then modelled using a Hardware description language like Verilog/VHDL/System Verilog, which is the RTL design stage. The Functional Verification stage starts with a verification plan and a corresponding verification environment which describes and implements the method of proving the design correctness, using different Verification techniques. The design is refined until the HDL model is proved to be meeting the specifications.This stage is followed by Synthesis – a process of transforming the HDL design into a technology specific gate-level netlist, given all the specified constraints and optimization settings. DFT is a structural technique which facilitates a design to become testable after production. All the works till this stage are normally called as the Frontend of VLSI design and are executed by Frontend Engineers.

The next step in the ASIC Design flow is Placement and Routing which involves arranging approximate locations of a set of modules that need to be placed on a layout. Clock tree synthesis is a process which makes sure that the clock gets distributed evenly to all sequential elements in a design to fix the timing violations. This is followed by routing in which exact paths for the interconnection of standard cells and macros and I/O pins are determined.The file produced at the output of the layout is the GDSII (GDS2) file which is the file used by the foundry to fabricate the silicon. Gate level simulations and Static Timing Analysis (a method of validating the timing performance of a design by checking all possible paths for timing violations without having to simulate) are also done to make sure that the gate level design meets the timing requirements for correct design operations. All steps after logic synthesis are performed by Backend engineers and forms the Backend jobs.

Work of a Frontend Engineer

RTL Design/Coding
Synthesis
Functional Verification
DFT
Work of a Backend Engineer
Floor Planning
Placement
Clock Tree Synthesis
STA
Physical Verification

Which one has more career Opportunities?

With the advances being made in technologies like process geometries, feature size and product innovations on a daily basis, there is a constant need to design, develop and re-engineer integrated circuits (ICs). Since electronic products like mobile phones are being released with new features in shorter cycles, there is a healthy demand for qualified VLSI engineers to work on these products. Therefore, there is good scope for a career in the VLSI industry.
The important point is that both the domains, frontend vs backend have their own advantages and have great career prospects. It is completely up to you which one to choose depending on your interest and confidence level, as both offer a great deal of learning and growth.

How to choose frontend vs backend?

In order to become a front end engineer, one needs to have good knowledge of HDLs(Verilog/VHDL/SystemVerilog). It will be an added advantage if you have industry related protocol knowledge.
So if you have ample digital fundamental knowledge, are fond of HDL coding, love debugging and want to have a sound understanding about the functionality of IC or chip you should definitely go for Front End. With the recent emergence of Artificial intelligence and its application towards VLSI opens up a huge scope for Front end engineers.
In order to become a back end engineer, one needs to be well equipped with the concepts of digital electronics, CMOS and Analog Circuits, Scripting knowledge for automation, Hands on Tools for physical design, layout etc.
If the above mentioned skills fascinates you then you can opt for Backend and there might be a chance to work in Frontend as well.

Challenges faced by a fresher to get into VLSI industry

Even though VLSI industry is a niche and has lots of career opportunities, on the flip side, industry is currently somewhat less reachable for fresh graduates, compared to other areas due to some particular reasons. Firstly, VLSI or chip design requires a deeper level of knowledge and skills than other electronics related fields .But our Universities are not catering 100% to the VLSI industry requirements. Secondly, VLSI chip design is expensive and requires access to high-cost, specialised electronic design automation (EDA) tools.

How can Chipedge help?

Chipedge is the best VLSI training institute that offers best VLSI courses to fresh graduates both in frontend vs backend domains. The courses are well structured starting from building a strong foundation by emphasising on fundamental subjects like Digital, CMOS etc. Once the candidate becomes confident with the fundamental knowledge, we impart all the domain specific skills required for the VLSI industry, by giving hands on training on industry standard EDA tools (Synopsys). Look out for VLSI training calendar for more information on courses. This VLSI training institute offers various online VLSI courses like Physical Design course, Design Verification course, ASIC verification course, DFT course and many more. Enroll yourself today for the Online VLSI Courses.