Hi

If you’ve ever dreamed of designing your own chip or entering the VLSI backend domain, chances are you’ve been told that proprietary tools are a must. But what if we told you that you could go from RTL to GDSII using only open-source tools, build a real chip, and even get it fabricated?

That’s not just a dream anymore - it’s a growing reality, and we’ve broken down the entire toolchain to prove it.

VLSI RTL-to-GDSII Flow: A Comparative Table

Let’s take a look at how open-source tools stand up against the industry's giants like Cadence, Synopsys, and Siemens EDA in each stage of the ASIC design process:

So… Why is OpenLANE Missing from This Table?

Great question. OpenLANE is not just another tool - it's an automated RTL-to-GDSII flow. It’s a meta-framework that encapsulates all the tools listed under the "Open Source" column. Think of it as the "glue" that binds synthesis (Yosys), floorplanning and routing (OpenROAD), DRC (Magic), LVS (Netgen), and more - all in a seamless flow. That’s why you don’t see "OpenLANE" in the table - because it is the table!

Can You Really Learn VLSI Using Open-Source Tools?

Absolutely. In fact, students, professionals, and hobbyists all over the world are now building tapeout-ready designs using free and open tools. Programs like the Google-SkyWater Efabless Shuttle have enabled over 100+ designs to go to silicon using OpenLANE.

More importantly, the industry is watching:

1. Universities like ETH Zurich are adopting open-source flows in curriculum and research.
2. Companies now recognize self-starters with OpenLANE project experience as "tapeout-ready."
3. Research papers show that tools like OpenROAD have achieved design-rule-clean layouts on advanced process nodes.

The skills you learn by using open-source tools are directly transferable to proprietary flows like Cadence Innovus or Synopsys ICC2. Once you know what place-and-route is and how to debug congestion or hold violations, the GUI or CLI is just a syntax difference.

Want to Start Building Real Chips Using Open-Source Tools?

You’re in the right place. We invite you to join the: Digital VLSI SoC Design and Planning Program

This is India’s most accessible, hands-on backend design program that teaches you every step of chip design using open-source tools — from RTL to GDSII, fully mapped to real-world industry flows.

✅ No license hurdles
✅ Git-based tool installation
✅ Tapeout-ready project experience
✅ Structured mentorship

Final Thoughts

If you're passionate about semiconductors but feel blocked by proprietary tools, remember this:

“Talent doesn't wait for licenses - it finds a way.”

Open-source VLSI is not just a stepping stone - it’s a proving ground.

So grab your Git clone, start your OpenLANE terminal, and let's build your first chip.