Three years ago, SkyWater, Efabless and Google teamed up to release the industry’s first open-source foundry Process Design Kit, or PDK, known as SKY130 — based on SkyWater’s volume 130 nm CMOS technology. The partnership gave designers worldwide free access to chip design technology to create new, manufacturable designs. While the focus of this effort was largely on revolutionizing technology realization for all — some exciting social developments also emerged. The open-source ecosystem sparks innovation, lowers barriers to chip design and paves a new path for global workforce development, said by SkyWater CTO Steve Kosier.

(Source: https://www.skywatertechnology.com/sky130-open-source-pdk/)

SkyWater recently announced the availability of a new Cadence open-source PDK and reference design which will be available in the Cadence^® Very Large-Scale Integration Fundamentals Education Kit. The kit teaches students how theories and concepts can be applied in the design of simple logic circuits and in the physical implementation of a simplified microprocessor. This is exciting news, and we anticipate more announcements like this soon.

Co-founder and CTO of Efabless Mohamed Kassem explains, “The number of institutions of learning on SKY130 is rapidly increasing. More than 50 universities are using the SKY130/eFabless platform for classwork, capstone projects and research projects — but we don’t know the total number as it’s free and open for all to use — which has been the main lubricant to gearing up this success so quickly.”

The world of chip design is rapidly evolving, and the need for skilled engineers is more critical than ever. To bridge this gap, universities and startups in Vietnam are increasingly turning to open-source resources like the SKY130 Open-Source Process Design Kit (PDK) to equip the next generation of talent with the knowledge and experience required to create tomorrow’s technologies.

(Source: https://www.skywatertechnology.com/sky130-open-source-pdk/)

Building the Future: Universities and Startups Embrace SKY130 Open-Source PDK for Next-Gen Chip Design Talent

The landscape of chip design is rapidly evolving, demanding a highly skilled engineering workforce. To bridge this gap, universities and startups are increasingly turning to open-source resources like the SKY130 Open-Source Process Design Kit (PDK) to equip the next generation with the knowledge and experience required to create future technologies.

The SKY130 PDK offers a complete set of design rules, models, and documentation for a well-established 130nm CMOS process. This free and accessible platform empowers universities to deliver practical chip design courses, enabling students to learn from real-world industry practices. Startups, on the other hand, can leverage the SKY130 PDK to prototype and develop innovative chip designs without the burden of expensive commercial licensing fees.

By adopting the SKY130 PDK, universities and startups gain several advantages:

• Reduced Cost: Open-source eliminates the need for expensive commercial licenses, making chip design education and experimentation more accessible.
• Practical Learning: Students can work with industry-standard tools and processes, gaining valuable hands-on experience. (Refer to the lecture slides for a detailed curriculum example: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10181702)
• Faster Prototyping: Startups can iterate and test designs quickly, accelerating their development cycles.
• Fostering Innovation: A broader pool of engineers with open-source PDK expertise can lead to a more vibrant and innovative chip design ecosystem.

Leading the Charge: VNU’s Open-Source Chip Design Curriculum

Vietnam National University (VNU) exemplifies how universities can leverage the SKY130 PDK. Their course, detailed in the lecture slides linked above (https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10181702), provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the entire chip design flow – from conceptual design to final tapeout. This practical approach equips graduates with the skills they need to hit the ground running in the industry.

Additional Resources for Open-Source Chip Design Education

• SKY130 Open-Source PDK Website: https://github.com/spdy1895/RTL_synthesis_using_sky130
• Open-Source EDA Tools: Several open-source Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools are available, such as:
  • Magic Layout Editor: http://opencircuitdesign.com/magic/
  • KLayout Layout Editor: https://www.usenix.org/system/files/atc21_slides_liang.pdf
  • Xyce Circuit Simulator: https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1595909
• Online Courses and Tutorials: Many online platforms offer free or low-cost courses on chip design using open-source tools.

Advanced Integration and Emerging Applications

While the focus here has been on the foundational aspects of chip design using the SKY130 PDK, it’s important to acknowledge the potential for advanced integration and exploration of emerging applications. The RISC-V processor architecture, for instance (detailed in a presentation you may be familiar with, RISC-V Day 2023 Summer), represents a trend toward open-source instruction set architectures (ISAs) that can be seamlessly integrated within the SKY130 design flow. This opens doors for experimentation with custom RISC-V cores and other innovative chip designs.

The SKY130 PDK is not just a toolkit; it’s a collaborative effort shaping the future of chip design. By embracing open-source resources, universities and startups are working together to ensure a well-trained and prepared workforce for the exciting challenges ahead. This collaborative approach fosters not only practical skills development but also exploration of cutting-edge design concepts.