The IEEE Student Branch (SB) at ASET, in collaboration with the Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE), successfully conducted a one-day hands-on workshop on “Open Source Digital IC Design” on 6th January 2025. The workshop aimed to provide students with practical insights into the digital IC design process, utilizing open-source tools and technologies. The event proved to be an enriching experience for the participants, enhancing their knowledge of Integrated Circuit (IC) fabrication, VLSI, and open-source design platforms.The workshop was led by Dr. Arun NV, Assistant Professor, Department of ECE, TKM College of Engineering. Dr. Arun NV shared his expertise on the significance of IC fabrication and VLSI, emphasizing the need for open-source platforms in IC design. His insightful session laid the foundation for the hands-on activities that followed.
Workshop Highlights:
- Dr. Arun NV began by explaining the fundamental concepts of IC fabrication and Very-Large-Scale Integration (VLSI). He elaborated on the various steps involved in the IC design flow and the challenges faced by the industry. He highlighted the importance of open-source platforms that make IC design more accessible and affordable for students and professionals.
The resource person introduced the concept of open-source tools and their significance in modern-day IC design. He demonstrated the advantages of using open-source platforms over proprietary ones, focusing on flexibility, accessibility, and collaboration.- Following the theoretical session, Dr. Arun NV guided the students through a practical, hands-on demonstration. Participants actively engaged in the workshop, where they learned to create their own GDS (Graphic Data System) file and layout of a digital IC. Students worked on open-source tools to design and simulate the layout of a digital IC, gaining real-time experience in IC design.
- The students were also introduced to the entire IC design flow, covering aspects such as schematic design, layout design, and verification. They gained valuable insights into how digital ICs are designed, simulated, and validated.
Coordination and Management:
- Rohith Murali (S8 ECE- Student )
- Raeed (S8 ECE- Student )
Faculty-Coordinator:
Dr. Aneesh K ( ECE Department)
Conclusion:
The workshop concluded at 3:30 PM. The event proved to be an insightful and valuable learning experience for all participants, providing them with a deeper understanding of the IC design process, tools, and industry practices. Students expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to work on a real-world design scenario and gain hands-on exposure to open-source digital IC design platforms.
The IEEE SB ASET, in collaboration with the Department of ECE, successfully created a platform for students to explore and advance their skills in VLSI and IC design, paving the way for future innovations in this field.
