What is Latch Up in VLSI and Its Prevention Techniques?
Latch-up in VLSI is a short circuit/low impedance channel generated between the power and ground rails of a MOSFET circuit, resulting in high current leading to IC damage. It is caused by the interaction of parasitic PNP and NPN transistors (BJTs). This results in a structure that resembles a Silicon Controlled Rectifier (SCR). These create […]
How to Meet Coverage Criteria and Coverage Goals
In the world of VLSI design, meeting coverage criteria is of paramount importance to ensure the functionality, reliability, and performance of integrated circuits. Coverage criteria in the context of VLSI design refer to the specific aspects of the design that need to be tested to guarantee the desired quality level. These criteria play a crucial […]
Portable Stimulus Standard (PSS) & its Role in VLSI Design.
In the ever-evolving field of VLSI design, engineers constantly seek ways to improve the efficiency of hardware development processes. One of the most significant innovations in recent years is the concept of “Portable Stimulus.” So, let us explore the concept, providing insight into what engineers’ future might look like in the realm of Portable Stimulus. […]
Gate Level Simulation: An Overview
In the realm of digital electronics and integrated circuits, designs are getting bigger and more complex, especially in 40nm technology nodes and below. This leads to longer run times, increased memory needs, and a higher demand for gate level simulation (GLS), including for things like the design for test (DFT) and power efficiency. Gate-level simulation […]
What is Crosstalk in VLSI and its Impact on 7nm Technology?
As we progress through the lower technology nodes of IC (integrated circuit) design, semiconductor designs get more complex. By scaling the technology node, many parameters, such as the width of metal wires and transistor size, tend to be downscaled. In terms of routing resources, 7nm designs are denser than the preceding nodes. As a result, […]
Unleashing Essential Analog Layout Interview Questions
If you are embarking on a career in the semiconductor industry, particularly in analog layout design, you may find yourself facing a series of interviews to gauge your expertise and suitability for the role. Analog layout design is a critical aspect of integrated circuit creation, and preparing for these interviews is vital to your success. […]
Moore’s Law and Transistor Scaling
Imagine a time when a computer occupied an entire room, and then imagine the audacious notion that it could one day fit in your pocket. This is the tale of Moore’s Law, a prophecy that defied the limits of imagination and continues to shape the world of VLSI technology. A Glimpse into the Past: The […]
Understanding The Intricacies of SOC Design Flow
In the rapidly evolving world of technology, the System-on-Chip(SoC) design has emerged as the foundation for many electronic devices, ranging from smartphones, tablets, and IoT gadgets to automotive systems. The road to success in SoC design necessitates a profound grasp of the design process- a systematic approach that guarantees streamlined and error-free development. In this […]
All You Need to Know About Netlist in VLSI!
Netlist contains the electrical connections between the components on the circuit board and is usually held in a textual format. In an electronic circuit netlist is the description of the connectivity of an electronic circuit it contains the list of all the electronic components in a circuit and the nodes they are connected to circuits. […]
Lint in VLSI Design and its importance in RTL Design
Lint in VLSI design is a process of Static code analysis of the RTL design, to check the quality of the code using thousands of guidelines/rules, based on some good coding practice. When these guidelines are violated, lint tool raises a flag either for review or waiver by design engineers. This is done before simulation […]