VLSI Design – Trends and Careers

The evolution of Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) technology has developed to the
point where millions of transistors can be integrated on a single die or “chip”. CMOS technology
has steadily moved to occupy a central position in modern electronic system design. Whether
digital systems are high speed, high density, low power or low cost, CMOS technology finds
ubiquitous use in the majority of leading edge commercial applications. Due in part to the
regularity and granularity of digital circuits, computer-aided (CAD) methodologies have been very
successful in automating the design of digital systems given a behavioral description of the
function desired.

With the advances in Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) technologies, the industry is
now on the brink of logic Integrated circuits (ICs) packed with over 100 million transistors, whose
device feature dimensions are far smaller than the wavelength of visible light. This trend, together
with the never-ending demand for maximum speed and minimum power, has shaped a new
arena in which the CMOS and BiCMOS technologies have found themselves gaining importance
and attracted keen interest in digital, analog, and even Radio Frequency IC design.

It is common knowledge that both analog and digital design engineer are continually
developing and refining circuits for increasingly higher operational frequencies. Analog circuits for
wireless communication in the Gigahertz (GHz) range and ever-increasing clock speeds of
computer circuits in high-performance mainframes, workstations, and personal computers
exemplify this trend. Global positioning systems require carrier frequencies in the range of 1227.6
to 1575.42 MHz. The low- noise amplifier in a personal communication system may operate at
1.9 GHz and fit on a circuit board smaller in size than a dime. In general, due to a rapid
expansion of wireless communication, more compact amplifiers, filters, oscillators and mixer
circuits are being designed and placed in service at frequencies generally above 1 GHz.

The increasing prominence of portable systems and the need to limit power consumption
in very high density VLSI chips have led to rapid and innovative developments in Low Power
Design during the recent years. In portable battery operated devices the requirements for low
power consumption must be met along with equally demanding goals of high chip density and
high speed. The limited battery lifetime typically imposes very strict demands on the overall power
consumption of the portable systems.

Those going in for a career in ASIC design need to have background in electronics
electrical or computer engineering. The main job functions in this industry are Design, Product,
Test, Applications and Process Engineering. However a person needs to be patient and have a
strong aptitude for research and continuous learning. Besides, they have to be aware of latest
happening and developments in their field. Those who are not interested in research and design
can opt for a career in marketing of ASIC products. VLSI engineers are the most sought after
because of the industry's emphasis on continuous new product development, miniaturization and
innovation in integration. As you gain experience, this field offers one of the best growths
potential, both on the technical as well as management ladder.