VLSI

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Architecture Definition

Basic specifications like Floating point units, which system to use, like RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) or CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computer), number of ALU’s cache size etc.

Functional Design

Defines the major functional units of the system and hence facilitates the identification of interconnect requirements between units, the physical and electrical specifications of each unit. A sort of block diagram is decided upon with the number of inputs, outputs and timing decided upon without any details of the internal structure.

VLSI

Very large-scale integration or VLSI is a process in which millions of MOS transistors are combined and integrated on a single semiconductor microchip.There is an increasing need to design and produce highly efficient and specialized chips that can power new age technologies such as AI/ML, IoT, AR/VR, Cloud etc., which are increasingly becoming mainstream instead of remaining niche technologies.Growth in consumer electronics, computing devices, post pandemic, smartphones, intelligent vehicles etc., has further increased the demand.
The advantages of VLSI:
1.Circuit sizes are reduced
2.Improved performance and speed
3.Effective cost reduced
4.Requires less power and produces less heat
5.Increased reliability
6.Requires less space

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Circuit Design

While the logic design gives the simplified implementation of the logic,the realization of the circuit in the form of a netlist is done in this step. Gates, transistors and interconnects are put in place to make a netlist.

Problem Specification

It is more of a high level representation of the system. The major parameters considered at this level are performance, functionality, physical dimensions, fabrication technology and design techniques. It has to be a tradeoff between market requirements, the available technology and the economical viability of the design.

Logic Design

The actual logic is developed at this level. Boolean expressions, control flow, word width, register allocation etc. are developed and the outcome is called a Register Transfer Level (RTL) description. This part is implemented either with Hardware Descriptive Languages like VHDL and/or Verilog.