Integrated Circuit Design: Tape-out Process with Open-Source Tools

This book provides a structured and comprehensive pathway through the complexities of Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools and processes. It focuses on OpenLane and Caravel EDA tools, due to their current major role in the open-source IC design ecosystem. OpenLane provides a robust and flexible platform that automates the entire digital design flow from Register Transfer Level (RTL) to Graphic Data System II (GDSII), making it an ideal tool for teaching and learning the physical design process. Caravel, on the other hand, serves as an open-source System on a Chip (SoC) platform, allowing designers to integrate and test their designs in a versatile, real-world environment. It complements OpenLane by enabling users to package and validate their designs, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical implementation. Together, these tools provide a way to understand the full tape-out process in a way that is accessible to students, researchers, and professionals alike.