Hi

The semiconductor industry is evolving rapidly, and the tools to design chips are now accessible to anyone with determination. Whether you’re a student exploring hardware careers or a professional pivoting into semiconductors, the path to building your own silicon starts here.

Short-Term Focus (1–2 Months)

• Master RTL Design & Synthesis (10 days): Learn Verilog and synthesize circuits using Sky130 PDK.
  RTL design and Synthesis Link (registration closes in 11hrs)
• Automate EDA Workflows (10 days): Scripting with TCL and Linux is foundational for all semiconductor roles.
  TCL Workshop (registration closes in 2-days)

Long-Term Goals (6–12 Months)

• Build a RISC-V-Based SoC: Use open-source tools to design a System-on-Chip around the RISC-V ISA. Validate your architecture, optimize power, and tape out a functional block.
• Tape Out Your Chip:
  • Open-Source Flow (12 weeks): From RTL to GDSII with OpenLANE and Sky130 PDK.
    Hardware Design Program (registration closes in 4-days)
  • Industry Flow (12 weeks): Master Synopsys tools (Design Compiler, PrimeTime) via cloud-based labs.
    Semiconductor Fabless Accelerator Labs (SFAL) (registration closes in 4-days)

These programs are not hypothetical. Engineers globally use these exact flows to design chips for IoT, AI accelerators, and RISC-V processors. The skills you gain align with roles in RTL design, verification, and physical design - all critical in today’s chip-starved market.

Why Wait?

1. Start with RTL Design to grasp hardware fundamentals.
2. Progress to RISC-V SoC design for a career in cutting-edge processor development.
3. Leverage SFAL’s Synopsys tools to transition into top semiconductor firms.

Your first step takes 10 days. Your next step could redefine your career.

Best regards,
Kunal Ghosh
Founder, VLSI System Design (VSD)