Limitations of GPT-like Models in IC Design Process and need of opensource PDKs/VSD-HDP

Some good news for VLSI and the exact reasons why to join VSD-HDP

ChatGPT, as a language model, may not be able to replace VLSI physical design engineers, STA engineers, analog designers, and physical verification engineers for several reasons.

One reason is that the IC design process is highly complex, which is quite evident from past VSD-HDP participants and requires a deep understanding of the underlying technology, process nodes, as well as the ability to make decisions based on trade-offs between different design constraints. GPT-like models can assist in automating certain tasks, but they are not yet able to replicate the level of expertise and decision-making capabilities of human engineers.

Another reason is that the PDKs (Process Design Kits) used in the IC design process are often proprietary and not available to the public. This makes it difficult for GPT-like models to access the necessary information to perform the tasks required in IC design. This is where there is a need of opensource PDKs like SKY130 and there is huge demand of people who understand production grade PDKs, which is a core topic in VSD-HDP

Additionally, VLSI design is an iterative process, and it can take multiple rounds of design, simulation, and verification to arrive at the final product. GPT-like models are not able to perform these tasks as well as human engineers, as they cannot use their intuition and experience to make design decisions that can save time and resources in the process. This is the exact point where we need opensource EDA tools and even more users who understand opensource and proprietary EDA tools usage. VSD-HDP currently focuses on opensource EDA tool chain, which is best place to start and completely under your control.

Furthermore, physical design engineers, STA engineers, analog designers, and physical verification engineers are responsible for ensuring that the IC design meets the required specifications and constraints. This requires a deep understanding of the underlying technology, as well as the ability to use specialized software and tools to verify the design. GPT-like models may not have the same level of expertise and understanding of the technology and tools used in the IC design process. This is where we need lot of opensource IPs, which again a core area of focus in VSD-HDP.

Finally, it is worth mentioning that the use of GPT-like models in VLSI physical design and STA tasks is a rapidly evolving field, and it is possible that in the future, these models may become more advanced and capable of taking on a greater role in the IC design process. However, it is unlikely that they will fully replace human engineers in the near future.

Learn more in upcoming VSD-HDP and embrace AI as its going to be the next cutting-edge solution which would help VLSI engineers. Here's the registration link

https://www.vlsisystemdesign.com/hdp/

Your best bet to remain irreplaceable in VLSI job market - Learn and innovate as much as you can using opensource

All the best and happy learning

Registration for Ethical RISC-V IoT Workshop

Welcome to Ethical RISC-V IoT Workshop

The “Ethical RISC-V IoT Workshop” at IIIT Bangalore, organized in collaboration with VSD, is a structured, educational competition aimed at exploring real-world challenges in IoT and embedded systems. Participants progress through three stages: building an application, injecting and managing faults, and enhancing application security. The event spans from May 9 to June 15, 2024, culminating in a showcase of top innovations and an award ceremony. This hands-on hackathon emphasizes learning, testing, and securing applications in a collaborative and competitive environment.

Rules :
  1. Only for Indian Student whose college is registered under VTU
  2. Only team of 2 members can Register
  3. Use only VSDSquadron Mini resources for product development
Awards :
  1. Prize money for final 10 Team
  2. 3 Winner team’s Product will be evaluated for Incubation
  3. 7 consolation prizes
  4. Completion Certificate to final round qualifier
  5. Chance to build a Proud Secured RISC-V Platform for India

Date for Registration : 9th May - 22nd May, 2024
Hackathon Inauguration : 23rd May 2024

VSDSquadron (Educational Board)

VSDSquadron, a cutting-edge development board based on the RISC-V architecture that is fully open-source. This board presents an exceptional opportunity for individuals to learn about RISC-V and VLSI chip design utilizing only open-source tools, starting from the RTL and extending all the way to the GDSII. The possibilities for learning and advancement with this technology are limitless.

Furthermore, the RISC-V chips on these boards should be open for VLSI chip design learning, allowing you to explore PNR, standard cells, and layout design. And guess what? vsdsquadron is the perfect solution for all your needs! With its comprehensive documentation and scalable labs, thousands of students can learn and grow together.

VSD HDP (Hardware Design Program) Duration-10 Week

With VSD Hardware Design Program (VSD-HDP),  you have the opportunity to push the boundaries of what exist in open source and establish the new benchmark for tomorrow.

It will leverage your degree in Electrical or Computer Engineering to work with

  • Programmable logic
  • Analog/ digital IP
  • RISC-V
  • Architecture & microprocessors
  • ASICs and SoCs on high-density digital or RF circuit cards
  • Gain hands-on knowledge during design validation and system integration.

Sounds exciting to just get started with expert mentors, doesn’t it? But we are looking for the next generation of learners, inventors, rebels, risk takers, and pioneers.

“Spend your summer working in the future !!”

Outcomes of VSD Online Research IP Design Internship Program

  1. Job opportunities in Semiconductor Industry
  2. Research work can be submitted to VLSI International journals
  3. Participate in Semiconductor International Conference with Internship Research Work
  4. Paper Publications in IEEE Conference and SIG groups
  5. Tape out opportunity and IP Royalty
  6. Interact with world class Semiconductor designer and researchers
  7. Academic professions where more research projects are encouraged.
  8. All the above research and publication work will help colleges and institutes to improve accreditation levels.

Know More Information

VSD – Intelligent Assessment Technology (VSD-IAT)

VSD – Intelligent Assessment Technology (VSD-IAT) is expertly built training platform and is suited for designer requirements. Semiconductor companies understand the value of training automation and Engineer performance enhancement, and do not need to be convinced of the impact of a virtual platform for learning. VSD trainings are quick, relevant, and easy to access from any device at any time zone.

VSD Intern Webinars

VSD Interns made it happen !!

VSD is working towards creating innovative talent pool who are ready to develop design and products for the new tech world. VSD believes in “Learning by doing principle” , and always prepare the student to apply the knowledge learned in the workshops, webinars and courses. We always push our students to work on new designs, test it and work continuously till it becomes the best performing design. Any student who enrolls to VSD community starts working with small design and grows with us and develops a tapeout level design with complete honesty and dedication towards the Work !!

Check out VSD Interns Achievement!

VSDOpen Online Conference

Welcome to the World’s only online conference in Semiconductor Industry VSDOpen Conference. With enormous support and global presence of audience from different segments of industrial lobby and academia made a highly successful event. Evolution is change in the genetic makeup of a population over time, online conference is one kind evaluation everyone adapt soon. 

  • VSDOpen 2022 is an online conference to share open-source research with the community and promote  hardware design mostly done by the student community.
  • VSDOpen 2022 is based on the theme “How to lower the cost to learn, build, and tapeout chips ?”  , which will provide a platform to community to build stronger designs and strengthen the future of Chip design.
  • VSDOpen is envisioned to create a community based revolution in semiconductor hardware technology.
  • The open source attitude is required to bring out the talent and innovation from the community who are in remote part of world and have least access to the technologies.  And now Google support will help to bring the vision to execution by VSD team

VSD Online Course by Kunal Ghosh

VSD offers online course in complete spectrum of vlsi backend flow from RTL design, synthesis and Verification, SoC planning and design, Sign-off analysis, IP Design, CAD/EDA automation and basic UNIX/IT, Introduction to latest technology – RISC-V, Machine intelligence in EDA/CAD, VLSI Interview FAQ’s.

Current Reach – As of 2021, VSD and its partners have released 41 online VLSI courses and was successfully able to teach  ~35900 Unique students around 151 countries in 47 different languages, through its unique info-graphical and technology mediated learning methods.

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