Use of Open Source CAD Tools in VLSI Design Curriculum for Developing Countries

Abstract

VLSI design education has a critical role in producing a skilled manpower required for semiconductor industry especially in developing nations. The disparity between the education provided in developing nations and developed nations is due to lack of basic infrastructure which includes hardware equipment and computer aided design tools. These tools are vital in VLSI design cycle at every step from design specifications to the tape out. This paper envisages a framework for imparting VLSI education using open source VLSI CAD tools. The framework includes the hardware requirement, description of courses and sample project. The universities in developing nations can follow this framework for transforming students into skilled manpower.