Internship 1

Summer Internship on Problem Statement On

Running VLSI

VLSI 2024 May - July 2024

MALLU RAMESHWARA REDDY

Registration No:-
BU21EECE0100153

Submitted to
Dr. Avishek
Chakraborty
Assistant Professor

Department of Electrical, Electronics and Communication Engineering

GITAM School of Technology
GITAM (DEEMED TO BE UNIVERSITY)
(Estd. u/s 3 of the UGC act 1956)
NH 207, Nagadenehalli, Doddaballapur
taluk, Bengaluru-561203 Karnataka, INDIA.
 Table of Contents

Abstract 2
Acknowledgements 2
Chapter 1: Introduction 3
Chapter 2: Company Organization Overview 5
Chapter 3: Technical Background 6
Chapter 4: Internship Activities 7
Chapter 5: Methodologies and Tools Used 7
Chapter 6: Results and Analysis 9
Chapter 7: Challenges and Solutions 10
Chapter 8: Impact and Contributions 12
Chapter 9: Conclusion and Future Work 13
Internship Certificate 14
References 15

1
Abstract

Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) refers to the process of integrating thousands to billions of
transistors onto a single silicon chip, enabling the creation of compact, high-performance integrated
circuits (ICs) for modern electronics. VLSI has transformed the electronics industry by facilitating
the design of increasingly smaller, faster, and more efficient chips, essential for high-performance
computing, mobile devices, IoT, and AI applications.
The VLSI design process involves a structured workflow that includes specification, architectural
design, functional and logic design, circuit design, physical layout, verification, and testing. Each
phase ensures that the chip meets strict requirements for speed, power efficiency, and cost-
effectiveness, while balancing trade-offs to achieve the desired performance.
Emerging from early technologies like Small Scale Integration (SSI) and progressing through
Medium Scale Integration (MSI) and Large Scale Integration (LSI), VLSI represents a critical
milestone in semiconductor evolution. This technology has enabled rapid advancements across
industries, driving innovation in fields that demand high computational power and low power
consumption. As we move into even finer manufacturing nodes, VLSI continues to be a cornerstone
of technological advancement, supporting the next generation of smart, connected devices.

Acknowledgements
The successful completion and understanding of VLSI design and its impact on modern
technology would not be possible without the collective efforts and insights from industry
pioneers, educators, and researchers in the field of semiconductor and microelectronics
engineering.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the professors and mentors who provided
invaluable guidance in learning the complex aspects of VLSI, from foundational design concepts
to advanced fabrication techniques. Their expertise and dedication have been instrumental in
shaping my understanding of this field.

I am also grateful to the VLSI research community, whose innovative contributions and
continuous advancements have paved the way for transformative technologies across computing,
telecommunications, and artificial intelligence. The vast body of work on VLSI architectures,
design methodologies, and fabrication processes has served as a crucial resource for this
exploration.

Special thanks to the organizations and semiconductor companies that have continually pushed the
boundaries of VLSI technology, making it possible for us to integrate increasingly powerful
functionalities onto a single chip. Their efforts have been instrumental in accelerating
technological progress and creating new possibilities for modern electronic devices.

Lastly, I extend my appreciation to my colleagues and peers, whose collaborative spirit and shared
enthusiasm for VLSI have fostered a supportive learning environment. Their perspectives and
discussions have enriched my understanding and fueled my passion for VLSI design.

2
3
Chapter 1: Introduction

Overview of VLSI Technology

 VLSI technology enables the integration of extensive functionality into compact chips,
essential in modern applications like mobile devices, IoT, and AI.

 VLSI (Very-Large-Scale Integration) refers to the process of creating integrated circuits

(ICs) by combining thousands, millions, or even billions of transistors onto a single chip.

 VLSI technology has been the backbone of modern electronics, enabling the development of
sophisticated devices such as smartphones, computers, medical equipment, and countless
other applications that rely on miniaturized, high-performance hardware.

 Historical Evolution: From SSI and MSI to the current VLSI era, driven by demands for
more powerful and energy-efficient devices.

Project Goals

1. Understand the VLSI Design Process

 Specification – Define what the chip is supposed to do (e.g., a microprocessor, memory chip,
etc.).
 Architectural Design – High-level planning, including decisions about the functional blocks
and how they will interact.
 Logical Design – Detailed design of the circuit’s logic behavior, typically using HDLs like
Verilog or VHDL.
 Physical Design – Placement and routing of components and wires, as well as considerations
for power and timing.
 Verification and Simulation – Ensuring the design meets its specifications through
simulation and testing.
 Fabrication and Testing – Once verified, the design is sent to fabrication (in a
semiconductor foundry), followed by testing of the fabricated chip.

2. Tools and Software for VLSI Design

 HDL Simulators: Model Simulation, VCS, Questa, Xilinx Vivado.

 Synthesis Tools: Synopsys Design Compiler, Cadence Genus.
 Physical Design Tools: Cadence Virtuoso, Synopsys IC Compiler, Mentor Graphics Calibre.
 FPGA/ASIC Development: Xilinx Vivado, Intel Quartus.
 Timing and Power Analysis Tools: Prime Time, Apache Red Hawk.

3. Resources for Learning VLSI Design

 Books:
o "Digital Integrated Circuits" by Jan M. Rabaey, Anantha Chandrakasan, and Borivoje
Nikolic.
o "CMOS VLSI Design" by Neil Weste and David Harris.
4
 o "Principles of CMOS VLSI Design" by Neil H. E. Weste and Kamran Eshraghian.
 Online Courses:
o Coursera, edX, and MIT Open Course Ware offer introductory and advanced VLSI
design courses.
 University Programs: Many universities offer specialized courses in VLSI design and related
fields.

By following this roadmap and engaging in practical hands-on projects, you'll gain a strong
understanding of the VLSI design flow and develop the skills necessary for modern integrated
circuit design.

 Design, simulate, and verify a VLSI circuit that meets industry standards.

 Designing, simulating, and verifying a VLSI circuit that meets industry standards involves a
systematic approach. Here's a structured way to go about it, from initial conceptualization to
verification. We’ll break it down into key phases, each with specific tasks and tools to help
ensure your design is industry-standard.

Logic Design (HDL Description)

In this phase, you’ll translate the architectural design into a register transfer level (RTL)
description using a Hardware Description Language (HDL) like Verilog or VHDL.

For example, if designing an ALU in Verilog, you would describe the operations of the ALU using
the following steps:

 Define the module interface: Input and output ports.

 Design combinational logic: Implement the required operations (addition, subtraction, etc.).
 Define the control logic: For multiplexing and choosing the correct operation based on
control signals.

Simulation and Verification

Once you have your HDL code, the next step is simulation to ensure the functionality of the design
matches the specification. This is done by writing testbenches and simulating your design with tools
such as Model Simulation, Xilinx Vivado, or Cadence Incisive.

1. Write a Testbench: A testbench is a piece of code that applies different input stimuli to your
design and checks the outputs against expected results.
2. Run Functional Simulation: Use an HDL simulator to simulate the design's behavior.
3. Analyze Simulation Results: Check the waveforms or console outputs to see if the design
behaves as expected.

Synthesis

Once the simulation confirms the functionality of the design, you can proceed to synthesis, where
your RTL code is converted into a gate-level netlist. This process ensures the design is optimized for
area, speed, and power.

5
  Synthesis Tools: Use Synopsys Design Compiler, Cadence Genus, or Xilinx Vivado (for
FPGA designs).
 Synthesis Constraints: You’ll need to provide timing constraints (clock period, setup/hold
times) and area constraints (maximum chip area, power consumption).

 Emphasize design considerations like power efficiency, speed, and reliability.

Chapter-2:Company/Organization Overview :

Organization Background :

As of my knowledge cutoff in October 2023, there is no widely known company or organization

called "Skill Dzire" in the VLSI (Very-Large-Scale Integration) field. It's possible that "Skill Dzire"
is a new company, a small startup, or a niche organization that hasn't yet gained significant
recognition within the broader VLSI or semiconductor industry. Alternatively, it could be a name
used for a specific service, educational platform, or consulting company within the field of VLSI
design, training, or related areas.

Skill Dzire: VLSI Design and Engineering Solutions :

Overview:

Skilldzire is an innovative technology company specializing in providing high-end VLSI design

services, EDA tool training, and consulting for clients across the semiconductor industry.
Skilldzire is focused on addressing the growing demands for next-generation integrated circuits
(ICs) in fields such as consumer electronics, automotive, telecommunications, and AI hardware. By
combining expertise in semiconductor design, cutting-edge tools, and a customer-centric approach,
Skilldzire empowers engineers and companies to efficiently develop complex, power-efficient, and
high-performance ICs.

Mission and Vision:

 Mission: To empower the semiconductor industry by providing exceptional VLSI design

services, advanced training, and expert consulting to accelerate product development and
innovation in integrated circuit design.
 Vision: To be a leading provider of VLSI design solutions and education, driving
technological advancements in semiconductor design while ensuring our clients maintain a
competitive edge.

Key Technologies and Tools :

6
  Process Technologies: Expertise in various fabrication technologies, such as CMOS,
FinFET, Bipolar-CMOS-DMOS (BCD), and SOI (Silicon on Insulator), across different
process nodes from 45nm down to 7nm and beyond.
 Design Languages: Proficiency in Verilog, VHDL, System Verilog, and UVM for hardware
description and verification.
 EDA Tools: Skilled in industry-leading tools from Cadence, Synopsys, Mentor Graphics,
and Xilinx for design, simulation, synthesis, verification, and physical design.

Chapter 3: Technical Background :

Key VLSI Design Concepts

1. VLSI Design Flow:

o Specification, Architecture, RTL Design, Verification, Synthesis, and Physical Design.

o Each phase builds on the previous to ensure a high-performance, reliable chip.

2. Design Tools and Languages:

o Verilog/VHDL: Hardware description languages for defining circuit functionality.

oEDA Tools: Software for simulating, synthesizing, and verifying chip designs.
Hardware Description Languages (HDLs)

HDLs are used to describe the behavior and structure of electronic systems at various levels of
abstraction, from high-level algorithmic descriptions down to the gate levels.

 Verilog:
o Purpose: A widely used HDL for describing digital circuits at the register-transfer level
(RTL).
o Features:
 Supports both behavioral and structural design.
 Allows for simulation and synthesis of designs.
 Supports continuous assignment and procedural assignment constructs for
modeling combinational and sequential logic.
 Verilog-2001 introduced improvements, including support for generate
constructs, always block sensitivity lists, and better modeling of timing
behavior.

o Applications:
 RTL Design.
 Simulation and Verification.

7
  Synthesis into gate-level logic.

 VHDL (VHSIC Hardware Description Language):

o Purpose: Another popular HDL used for modeling digital systems, especially for
complex, large designs.
o Features:
 Strongly typed language, making it easier to catch errors at compile time.
 Structured and modular; supports packages and libraries to manage design
components.
 Can be used for both simulation and synthesis.

3. Emerging Technologies:

o Use of nanoscale manufacturing techniques to enable faster and more efficient chips.

RTL (Register Transfer Level) Design

 Purpose: Describe the behaviour of the system and its components at the register level using
a Hardware Description Language (HDL) like Verilog or VHDL.

 Key Points:

o Design using HDL (Verilog/VHDL) to specify logic and control flow at the register-
transfer level.

o Modularity and Reusability: Make your designs modular and reusable to avoid
repetition.

o Clock Domain Design: Ensure proper clocking strategies (e.g., clock gating) to avoid
power issues and timing violations.

o Design for Testability (DFT): Ensure that the design can be tested at each stage
through features like scan chains, built-in self-test (BIST), and boundary scan.

This flow provides a holistic view of the VLSI design process, ensuring that the chip can be
manufactured correctly, meets the performance requirements, and integrates seamlessly into real-
world systems.

8
Chapter 4: Internship Activities :

Project Overview: VLSI Circuit Design

 Objective: Design a specific VLSI circuit, focusing on efficient power consumption and
performance.

 Activities:

o Specification and Planning: Defined the functional requirements, speed, power

constraints, and target applications.

o RTL Coding: Developed Register Transfer Level (RTL) code using Verilog for basic
circuit modules.

o Schematic Design and Simulation: Created and simulated schematic diagrams to

verify logic functionality.

Detailed Activities:

1. RTL Design: Developed HDL code to specify digital logic circuits.

2. Functional Verification: Verified RTL code functionality through simulations, identifying

and fixing logic errors.

3. Synthesis and Timing Analysis: Converted RTL to gate-level representation, ensuring

timing requirements were met.

Chapter 5: Methodologies and Tools Used

Design Tools and Software:

1. HDL Tools: Verilog for defining circuit behaviour.

2. EDA Software: Tools such as Synopsys and Cadence for simulation, synthesis, and layout.

3. Simulation Platforms: Used Model Sim for simulating RTL code and validating
functionality.

Design Methodology:

 Followed a structured flow from specification to physical layout to optimize design

9
 efficiency.

 Optimization Techniques: Reduced power consumption through careful design at the

transistor level and optimized logic paths for high speed.

Chapter 6: Results and Analysis :

Project Outcomes

o Functional Circuit Implementation:

o Successfully designed, synthesized, and simulated the specified VLSI circuit.

o This is typically achieved using various tools, design languages, and methodologies that
allow for simulation, verification, and optimization throughout the design flow.

o This includes not just the correct logic functionality, but also considerations for timing,
power, and area optimization.

o Performance Metrics:

o Achieved desired performance metrics in terms of speed, area, and power efficiency.

o These metrics help ensure that the final product meets the design requirements for
functionality, power, area, and timing.

o The key performance metrics in VLSI design can be classified into several categories,
such as timing performance, power consumption, area efficiency, and signal
integrity.

o Testing and Validation:

o Conducted exhaustive testing to confirm reliability, with results meeting industry

standards.

o These processes are necessary to detect design flaws, functional errors, and
manufacturing defects before the chip is deployed in real-world applications.

o Testing and validation are carried out at various stages of the VLSI design flow, from
pre-silicon simulation to post-silicon testing.

o Analysis of Results

o Successfully met design specifications for power and speed.

o Ensured that all circuit modules functioned correctly in simulations.

10
Types of Testing in VLSI :

VLSI testing can be broadly categorized into several types:

Functional Testing

Functional testing ensures that the chip behaves as expected and meets the functional
specifications. This step is performed primarily during the simulation phase of the design process
and continues with post-silicon testing.

 Pre-silicon Simulation (Functional Verification):

o Goal: Verify that the RTL (Register Transfer Level) design performs the desired
functions.

o Tools Used: Model Sim, VCS, Cadence Xcelium, Synopsys VCS.

Chapter 7: Challenges and Solutions :

Challenges Encountered:

VLSI design, due to its complexity, involves various challenges at multiple stages of the design
process. Addressing these challenges effectively is crucial for creating high-performance, power-
efficient, and reliable integrated circuits. Here are some important points highlighting common
challenges encountered during VLSI design and their solutions:

1. High Power Consumption:

o Initial designs had power inefficiencies.
o Solution: Implemented power gating and clock gating techniques to reduce overall
power usage.
2. Timing Violations:
o Timing issues were observed during synthesis.
o Solution: Optimized critical paths by adjusting logic gates and layout to meet timing
constraints.
3. Complexity in Verification:
o Difficulty in verifying large modules.
o Solution: Broke down verification tasks into smaller, modular tests for easier
debugging.

11
Chapter 8: Impact and Contributions

Internship Impact:

During the internship, gaining hands-on experience in various aspects of VLSI (Very-Large-
Scale Integration) design significantly enhanced my understanding of the design flow, tools, and
techniques essential for creating modern integrated circuits. Below is a breakdown of the key areas
where my knowledge was enhanced and the impact this had on my skills and overall
understanding of VLSI design:

 Enhanced knowledge in VLSI design techniques, including HDL coding, synthesis, and
verification.

 Strengthened understanding of industry-standard tools and workflows, preparing for real-

world VLSI challenges.

Synthesis (Converting RTL to Gate-Level) :

 Synthesis Tools: Learned to use industry-standard synthesis tools like Synopsys Design
Compiler and Cadence Genus to convert RTL code into a gate-level netlist.

 Timing and Power Optimization: Understood how to optimize the synthesized design for
both timing and power. Gained exposure to techniques like logic restructuring, pipelining,
and gate resizing to meet timing constraints and reduce power consumption.

 Technology Mapping: Learned how synthesis tools map high-level RTL to physical standard
cells, ensuring that the design is compatible with the target technology (e.g., 7nm, 14nm
process).

Project Contributions:

During my internship at Cypher Byte, I was involved in several key aspects of VLSI design, with
a focus on optimizing for both low power and high-speed performance. Below are the significant
contributions I made to the project, highlighting my involvement in various stages of the design
process, from conceptualization to the development of reusable circuit modules.

 Created a design that adheres to standards for low power and high-speed performance.

 Contributed to Cypher Byte's design resources by developing a modular, reusable circuit.

12
Chapter 9: Conclusion and Future Work :

Conclusion:

 The internship project successfully introduced core VLSI design principles and industry
practices.

 Achieved a fully functional VLSI circuit design that meets specified performance
requirements.

The internship project provided an invaluable opportunity to apply core VLSI (Very-
Large-Scale Integration) design principles and industry practices to a real-world design
challenge. By engaging with both theoretical concepts and practical applications, I gained
a deep understanding of how to tackle design challenges and meet performance requirements
in modern VLSI systems.

 Successful Design Implementation: I contributed to the creation of a fully functional VLSI

circuit that adhered to both low power and high-speed design constraints. The design not
only met the specified performance targets but also optimized key aspects such as power
consumption, timing, and modularity.

 Core Learning: The internship helped solidify my understanding of essential VLSI

techniques, including HDL coding, synthesis, design verification, and low-power
techniques like clock gating and power gating. These skills are foundational to pursuing a
career in semiconductor and digital design.

 Industry Practices: Working with industry-standard tools (such as Synopsys Design

Compiler, Model Sim, and Cadence tools) and engaging in best practices like modular
design, timing closure, and power optimization enhanced my ability to design circuits that
meet the demands of real-world applications.

Future Work :

 Explore advanced optimization techniques to further improve power efficiency.

 Extend the design to include additional modules for enhanced functionality.

1. Explore Advanced Power Optimization Techniques:

o Dynamic Voltage and Frequency Scaling (DVFS): Further optimize power

consumption by dynamically adjusting the supply voltage and clock frequency based
on workload.

o Advanced Power Gating and Multi-Vth Design: Incorporate more advanced power
gating techniques and multi-threshold CMOS (Multi-Vth) design to reduce static
leakage power further while maintaining high performance during active modes.

13
 o Low-Leakage Transistor Design: Utilize newer process technologies with low-
leakage transistors to optimize power efficiency without compromising the chip’s
functionality.

2. Extend Design to Include Additional Functionalities:

o Add More Modules: Expand the current design to include additional functional
blocks (e.g., memory controllers, communication interfaces, and custom algorithms) to
increase the design's complexity and enhance its overall capability.

o System Integration: Integrate the current design with other system components to
form a complete, full-scale system-on-chip (SoC) or multi-chip module (MCM)
design for real-world applications.

o Enhanced Verification and Validation: Implement additional testbenches and formal

verification techniques to ensure the design is robust under a wider range of scenarios,
particularly in complex systems.

3. Optimization for Scalability and Performance:

o Scalable Architecture: Investigate ways to make the design more scalable by

improving its adaptability to different applications or by supporting larger
configurations (e.g., multi-core processors, complex DSP systems).

o High-Speed Design Improvements: Further refine the design for higher speed by
optimizing timing-critical paths and improving the design's overall clock tree
synthesis (CTS) and placement and routing (P&R) techniques.

4. Post-Silicon Validation:

o Real-World Testing: Once the design is fabricated, engage in post-silicon validation

to test the real-world behavior of the chip. This could involve checking for any
discrepancies that were not captured during pre-silicon verification, including thermal
and signal integrity issues.

o Prototype Development: If possible, work on prototyping and silicon testing to

validate the final product, ensuring it meets the required performance and reliability
specifications in real-world conditions.

Internship Certificate :

14
15