About this course
The Custom Analog Layout Training by VLSIMinds focuses on real-world VLSI layout concepts and transistor-level design practices. Learn device matching, current mirrors, differential pairs, layout symmetry, and parasitic extraction techniques used in analog and mixed-signal IC design.
This program bridges the gap between analog circuit design and layout implementation, giving you hands-on experience with EDA tools for creating optimized, reliable, and high-performance analog layouts.
What you'll learn
Key Topics
Analog Layout Fundamentals
Transistor structures, layers, and layout conventions
Matching & Symmetry
Common-centroid, interdigitation, and guard ring techniques
Layout Floorplanning
Efficient cell placement, routing, and hierarchy management
Verification & Parasitics
DRC, LVS, and post-layout parasitic extraction techniques
Course Curriculum
- Gvim Commands: Major file editing shortcut commands.
- Unix Commands: UNIX/Linux OS overview, file system hierarchy, permissions handling, Unix basic commands, directory management.
- Advanced Linux: grep, sed and awk etc.
- Basic input and output commands.
- Conditional statements and loops.
- List and string operations.
- TCL file operations.
- Examples Programs - Hands on project.
- TCL regular expression.
- TCL procedure.
- TCL arrays and dictionaries.
- Examples Programs - Hands on project.
- Boolean algebra, combinational circuits, timing basics.
- Verilog combinational modelling – RTL coding & simulation.
- Flip-flops, registers, counters, FSMs.
- Behavioural vs gate-level Verilog – FSM design & verification.
- Types of Semiconductors and BJT vs MOSFETs.
- MOSFET classification and regions of operations.
- CMOS operation and CMOS circuits.
- FinFET Concepts.
- IC fabrication steps and CMOS layout.
- FEOL and BEOL layers.
- Packaging, wire bond and flip chip design.
- VLSI design flow: Specification → Schematic → Layout → Verification → Tape-out.
- Role of Analog Custom Layout Engineer.
- Overview of Analog, Digital, Mixed-Signal & RF layouts.
- Introduction to EDA Tools ecosystem.
- Foundry PDK, Technology files, Layers, Rules.
- Hands-on: Tool environment setup & Understanding PDK files.
- Overview of Library, Cell, and View concepts.
- Creating and managing libraries.
- Understanding schematic symbols and parameters.
- Hands-on: Create libraries, cells, and schematic views.
- Schematic drawing commands and Device instantiation.
- Parameter editing (W/L, M, fingers).
- Net labeling & hierarchical schematics.
- Hands-on: Inverter & basic MOS circuits schematic.
- Environment setup and Simulation setup.
- Model files & corners and types of analysis.
- Hands-on: Basic simulation flow.
- DC Analysis (Operating point, sweeps).
- AC Analysis (Gain, Bandwidth, Phase).
- Transient Analysis (Rise/Fall, Delay).
- Hands-on: Simulate inverter, amplifier.
- Noise analysis (Thermal, Flicker) and impact on analog circuits.
- Reliability concepts: EM, IR drop, and Aging.
- Layout Editor commands and Layers purpose.
- Grid & snapping rules and Layout hierarchy.
- Hands-on: Draw basic shapes and MOS transistor layout.
- Layout editing commands and MOS devices (NMOS, PMOS).
- Guard rings & wells and Substrate/well contacts.
- Hands-on: CMOS inverter layout.
- Overview and Physical verification flow.
- DRC concepts and comparisons.
- Hands-on: Run DRC and Fix basic violations.
- Layout Versus Schematic (LVS) and Netlist comparison.
- Pin mismatches, Short & open errors.
- NVN and LVL concepts.
- Hands-on: LVS clean inverter.
- RC overview and LPE – Layout Parasitic Extraction.
- Early parasitics and Estimated parasitic assistance.
- Hands-on: Post-layout simulation.
- Static circuit checks (CCK).
- ERC (Electrical Rule Checks) and Antenna checks.
- Latch-up concepts.
- Matching & mismatch sources and Interdigitation.
- Common centroid, Symmetry & shielding.
- Hands-on: Current mirror layout and Differential Pair layout.
- Resistor layout techniques.
- Capacitor layout (MOM, MIM).
- Parasitic reduction.
- Hands-on: RC layout structures.
- Electromigration, IR Drop, and LOD & Stress effects.
- WPE, EOS & ESD.
- Noise & coupling.
- Single & multi-stage OpAmp layout.
- Differential pair routing and Offset minimization.
- Power & signal routing.
- Hands-on: OpAmp layout.
- PLL, DLL & Oscillator layout.
- ADC & DAC layout challenges.
- LDO & voltage regulators and Bias circuits.
- High-speed analog layout concepts and Transmission lines.
- Inductors & shielding and Clock handling.
- Analog & Digital co-design and In-design checks.
- DRD and Live DRC.
- Via checks and Metal density analysis.
- Color decomposition and In-design electrical checks.
- EM, Resistance, Capacitance and Shield coverage.
- Voltage annotation (VDRC).
- Power device design and High-voltage layout rules.
- Schematic migration, Layout migration and Analog design migration.
- Overview, Advantages & Disadvantages of Planar CMOS, FD-SOI, SOI, Bi-CMOS, GaAs, SiGe, and FinFET.
- Full chip layout flow, Scribe seal, and Pad frame.
- Integration guidelines and Packaging concepts.
- Standard cell layout (INV, NAND, NOR, AOI, OAI).
- Latches & Flip-flops, IO layout guidelines, and High-speed interfaces.
- Memory layout overview.
- SRAM architecture, Bit cell layout, Word line & bit line, Sense amplifier.
- IR, EM & DFM impact, Power planning & pitch calculation.
- Capstone Projects: Analog block layout (OpAmp / LDO / ADC), Standard cell layout, SRAM bit-cell & block layout.
- Extras: Assignments, multiple hands-on projects, Best practices, Interview questions & industry checklist.
Mr. A. Layout
Senior Analog Layout Engineer – VLSIMinds
Experienced Analog Layout Engineer with 10+ years in mixed-signal and analog IC design, specializing in transistor-level layout, matching optimization, and parasitic analysis. Worked on multiple analog and RF SoC designs at advanced technology nodes.
Expertise:
- Transistor-Level Layout
- Device Matching & Common-Centroid Design
- Parasitic Extraction & PEX Verification
- Layout Floorplanning & Hierarchical Design
- Analog Design Rule Checks (DRC/LVS)
