VLSI! Sounds different
right! Till now you may not come across this term. What it may?? Let’s look
into it.
Very-large-scale integration (VLSI) is the process of creating an integrated circuit (IC) by combining millions of MOS transistors in a single chip. Firstly, VLSI initiated in the 1970s when MOS integrated circuit chips were widely adopted, enabling complex semiconductor and telecommunication technologies development. The microprocessor and memory chips are VLSI devices and before the invention of this VLSI technology, most ICs had a limited set of functions they could do.
WHY DO WE NEED VLSI?
• As microprocessors are essential to many of the products which we use each and every day such as TVs, cars, radios, domestic appliances, and of path computers. Transistors are the primary Components of microprocessors.
• At their most simple level, transistors can also appear simple. But their improvement truly required many years of painstaking research. Before transistors, computer systems relied on slow, inefficient vacuum tubes and mechanical switches to method information. In 1958, engineers managed to put two transistors in a Silicon crystal and create the first built-in circuit, which later led to the first microprocessor.
• By the 1980’s, very large scale integration (VLSI) squeezed lots of hundreds of aspects in a chip. The capacity to suit so a great deal onto a place about half of the measurement of a U.S.dime helped slash the measurement and fee of computers. It additionally accelerated their power, efficiency, and reliability. Marcian Hoff invented a machine that should change countless of the factors before computers, successful in performing all the features of the computer’s central processing unit. The decreased size & cost, and expanded velocity of the microprocessor led to the advent of the first non-public computers.
WHAT IS STANDARD PROCESS OF VLSI DESIGNING?
Here is the flow chart representing the VLSI design life cycle from idea/specification to manufacturing
SCOPE AND QUALIFICATION:
This field is highly technical and completely based on electronics engineering. Generally, only candidates with a background in electronics engineering can get into semiconductor industries because it requires a minimum of B-Tech/BS/BE in ECE/EEE as a necessary qualification. However, CS/IT candidates can also try for some specific jobs, with good knowledge of digital fundamentals and software programming. It is a lucrative field, that is automation-resistant. You always need SoCs and embedded systems to design any robots!
WHAT ARE THE SKILL-SET REQUIRED TO BECOME A VLSI ENGINEER?
• Though VLSI is treated as hardware design, engineers in this discipline design the chips by the usage of unique hardware description languages (HDL) like VHDL and Verilog as software programs. So you need to be properly-versed in an HDL. You must additionally familiarize your self with machine Verilog and verification libraries like OVM/UVM, and minimum information of digital electronics is additionally a prerequisite.
• It’s also essential to be properly-versed in OOPs principles and CMOS concepts. Some scripting language talent is also essential. Python is a versatile language for this purpose
• Apart from the attributes outlined above, if you actually prefer to differentiate your self from others, you need to be a good team member, flexible, knowledgeable, hard-working, positive, and energetic, irrespective of the work/job that you do, can assist you to get into the industry and do outstandingly. Your career goals and training properly, you need to have a better understanding of the job titles and profiles that a career in VLSI has to offer. More importantly, you should know about your strengths to choose the right job. So let us look at some main job designations in the VLSI industry.
JOB OPPORTUNITIES IN
THE VLSI INDUSTRY:
1) DESIGN ENGINEER: In this designation, you are generally accountable for the design implementation. You need to be technically sound. This job does no longer demands excessive interpersonal skills, however, still you need to be fine in expressing your ideas.
2) VERIFICATION ENGINEER: A Verification engineer’s job captures the verification stage of the complete chip manufacturing process. The engineer’s challenge is to verify the design and makes certain that the look works properly. There is usually a high demand for this region thanks to the very fact that verification doesn't need a fully-fledged semiconductor lab. Almost 70% of the VLSI jobs in India are within the verification department. A lot of US-based groups outsource this job to nations like India and therefore the UK.
For this job, you would like to be extraordinarily good at programming. If you know software programming/coding/scripting, this job is proper for you. You are additionally anticipated to always be in sync with the present enterprise trends.
3) CAD ENGINEER: This job entails you to be primarily in charge of managing the license and EDA tools. You will additionally evaluate EDA solutions and methodologies. Additionally, you'll be requested to mix a variety of EDA equipment and improve workflows. You will work with design and design verification teams. Additionally, you'll even be required to work with the EDA companies and can be accountable for driving enhancements within the work environments for various members of the SoC/chip design team.
4) APPLICATION ENGINEER: This job title makes you accountable for the consumer interface between the R&D and customers. You need to recognize how to engage with others.
These jobs need fantastic interpersonal abilities and a lot of traveling. If you sense that you simply are an exceptionally communicative, proper presenter, right at constructing relationships and excellent at technologies, etc., you're the right candidate for this job.
PAY SCALE:
The average pay scale of a VLSI engineer is around 4-6L/yr. It may vary according to fields within the VLSI industry.
I hope from this, you'll get a quick idea about VLSI and career in it. But I can say that it's one of the most effective core fields within the EC. So choose your carrier path wisely by understanding different fields which we will produce shortly. Till then, keep learning and keep finding your best carrier.