Introduction to VLSI Design Flow

This textbook focuses on developing practical skills in employing sophisticated design tools and proficiency in advanced VLSI design, covering the various stages of design implementation, verification, and testing. It will be a vital resource for students aspiring to join the semiconductor industry as well as a refresher for professionals.

Chip designing is a complex task that requires an in-depth understanding of VLSI design flow, skills to employ sophisticated design tools, and keeping pace with the bleeding-edge semiconductor technologies. This lucid textbook is focused on fulfilling these requirements for students, as well as a refresher for professionals in the industry. It helps the user develop a holistic view of the design flow through a well-sequenced set of chapters on logic synthesis, verification, physical design, and testing. Illustrations and pictorial representations have been used liberally to simplify the explanation. Additionally, each chapter has a set of activities that can be performed using freely available tools and provide hands-on experience with the design tools. Review questions and problems are given at the end of each chapter to revise the concepts. Recent trends and references are listed at the end of each chapter for further reading.