Open Source Analog ASIC design: Entire Process

This crash course shows you everything that goes into creating mixed signal and analog ASICs, using free and open source tools, and the open Skywater 130 PDK. I'll cover some background and the entire flow that got me to tape out an ADC, along with impressions, information and tips that are geared towards anyone coming from a digital, or PCB circuit design background.

In the tutorial I touch on some basic theory, cover schematic capture and simulation with xschem, layout using magic, parasitic extraction, more simulation, including digital blobs in your analog circuits for mixed-signal and putting everything in a padring.

These are all things you can do right now, on your home computer, by installing the free tools or thanks to a virtual machine that includes all the tools pre-packaged for you (link below). If you want to actually get a physical chip out of your efforts, TinyTapeout now supports mixed signal and analog designs in addition to digital, for a cost that is orders of magnitude below what it was just a few years ago.

The sky130 process is a bit older, but if you're doing analog these are the sizes you want to be playing in anyway, so it's win-win for us: cheaper and perfect for the task.

Whether you want to start down the path of becoming an analog chip designer, would like a greater understanding of the tradeoffs involved in creating circuits down to the atomic level, or wish to master simulation and up your game when creating PCB-level electronics, these tools and the tinytapeout process and community make it all possible.

I hope to put out focused videos, to really get into the bits I didn't have time to cover, namely on xschem schematic capture and layout with magic. I've done a lot of customizing and scripting and think it'll be worth sharing. Let me know if there are any bits you'd like to see more focus on.

Useful references from the video:

Zero To ASIC Analog Course waiting list:

[wrgms]

Gosh, there's so much knowledge in your videos. It clarified so many things I never really understood of ASIC design. Seriously, thank you for doing this.

[ChristianMuenker]

What I liked best about about your video? Dunno - everything? Maybe the positive DIY vibe, the "hey, it's chip design but you can do it" spirit and the great overview over the design process. I've been working with chips for more than 30 years now, designing analog and mixed-signal ASICs and teaching stuff, and for me it was a joy to watch the video. I just started dealing with tinytapeout, can't wait for your Magic and xschem videos!

[bobsmith]

Which parts I liked? Everything. From content to presentation and from editing to your energy. Keep it up, amazing work.

[blakesmith]

Thanks for demystifying ASIC design! This truly is an amazing time to be alive. I'm blown away that this stuff is now accessible to hobyists and enthusiasts. Thanks for you work here!

[natanfelipi]

Thank you for your content, the academic community is very grateful, you influence new minds. a hug from Brazil

[maskset]

Please keep making these! This is fantastic and timely!

[anlpereira]

Man, this is absolutely amazing. We could have more access to free tools like this and develop single ICs with lower prices using projects like this TinyTapout. Waiting for incoming videos. Thanks

[MobiusHorizons]

Wow this is fantastic! I really appreciate how clearly you explained what the process is like, and where to expect frustrations. Now I have to give this a shot!

[Acceleratedpayloads]

Your word economy is amazing. So concise. You grabbed me so fast too. Nice job.

[PerryCodes]

You, sir, are a total rock star for sharing your experience with this process. I can't wait to design my first block!

[aarnavsanghvi]

Genuinely such an underrated channel, great content!

[sniperdogruffo]

Fabio strikes again! Excellent video, very grateful for your videos!

[Ariccio]

Wow, I'm going to need to rewatch this to be able to absorb it all! A lot of good stuff!!!

[Monotoba]

I just found your channel and I want to encourage you to continue making this type of content. Your presentation is great, and there is not much content I can find on such topics. I would love to see you do a few series say on KiCAD, PCB Design, High Speed Digital design, and low level analog design, and all the related tools. Keep up the GREAT work!

[noahmarosok]

this is awesome. going into grad school for mixed signal design so I appreciate that there are many more intelligent people making videos like this for me to consume lol

[benlpayne]

Awesome video again. I've been following the open source ASIC/Tiny Tapeout space for a few months now and working on a digital design for TT07. But very curious about mixed signal design. This was a great overview for me a software developer turned circuit designer. Now I know what I need to learn more about to go deeper. Really cool stuff!!

[japan-x]

I love it!
I love everything!

Do more videos about ASIC. Everybody will love it!

[jeremiaszhauck]

Super cool! I did my thesis designing a phase detector for a digital phase-locked loop in Cadence; however, it never moved beyond simulation. This video inspires me to try one day bringing it into reality 🤩.

[cannaroe]

$5 says this guy knows how to make a guitar peddle and grows his own vegtables.

[erickvond]

I actually found the whole thing rather fascinating. I'm pretty good when it comes to discrete components or actual tubes/valves but this is a whole extra level and something I've always been curious about. I'll definitely be going through the rest of your videos in the near future.