VLSI Design Engineer ( 6 Month Diploma )

Design Engineer: The‘VLSI Design Engineer’ is responsible for designing the
functions of modules of the system-on-chip (SOC) as per input and output
specifications given.
Brief Job Description: The individual at work designs SOC-module function
using software and design tools and as per specifications. The individual is
also responsible coordinating with other design teams involved in the SOC
design.
Personal Attributes: The job requires the individual to have: attention to
details, logical thinking and ability to work for long hours on computer.

Develop function design of SOC module

Develop function design of SOC module as per specifications
Description This OS unit is about designing the functions of modules of the system-on-chip or
integrated circuit chip, using software and design tools and as per input/output
specifications
Scope This unit/ task covers the following:
 Understand the work requirement
 Understand the module design mandate
 Develop design specifications for the module’s functions
 Coordinate with verification and testing engineer
Performance Criteria(PC) w.r.t. the Scope
Element Performance Criteria
Understanding work
requirement
To be competent, the user/ individual must be able to:
understand the work flow of the company’s design process
nteract with the lead engineer in order to understand the work schedules,
shifts and delivery dates
plan work activities based the work flow and deliverables
understand broad level activities involved in the stages of design
list the various department to interact with for completing the work
minimise absenteeism and report to work on time
Understanding the
design mandate

To be competent, the user/ individual must be able to:
interact with project lead and design lead to understand the project specific
design mandate
understand the type of design required such as digital or analogue and their
respective design flow
select the design type involved such as application specific integrated circuit
(ASIC), Field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA) depending: design cycle time,
expense and custom design requirement
follow the complete system architecture including memory, microcontroller,
microprocessor, memory blocks, timers and oscillators, interfaces and power
management
segregate the design partitioning in different blocks
assess the placement of blocks and functions of each block of the SOC
select the languages for designing or Hardware Design Language (HDL), e.g.,
Verilog, VHDL, high level language such as C
select the coding required in coordination with the architect
identify IP core block and its use in the system design
understand circuit design, network analysis, control theory for analogue
design requirement
Designing for
specification
To be competent, the user/ individual must be able to:
define the design flow for the specific system
coordinate with different design teams to finalise the design flow for
National Occupational Standard

ELE/N1201 Develop function design of SOC module

suitability of verification, testing, software
specify the blocks in the system design (using concepts of hierarchy and
regularity)
ensure that blocks are defined as per system requirement to enable faster
results during synthesis and lower process time
design reusable blocks
specify the behavioural requirement for the design and the tasks to be
performed by the module of the chip by taking inputs from architecture team
define the external interfaces to the design system
write the hardware description of the integrated circuit (IC) using HDL
build a simulated model, e.g., VHDL model for ASIC design, as per the system
specification
understand and specify the different types of design as per sections in VLSI
processor such as high level design, operative part design, control part design,
memory design and others
design the logic for the system which includes structuring of blocks,
interconnection pattern, structure of data path and its control sequences
understand the functionalities and specifications of tools and software used
for design as authorised by the organisation
Coordinating with
verification and
testing engineer
To be competent, the user/ individual must be able to:
coordinate with verification engineers after the coding of design system
analyse the verification results from engineers
make changes in the design as per verification process result
coordinate with back end department of physical design and design for test
engineers to make changes in design as per the system requirement
Knowledge and Understanding (K)
Organizational Context

The individual on the job needs to understand:
company’s policies on: incentives, personnel management
company’s code of conduct
importance of individual’s role in the work flow
organisation culture
company’s reporting structure
company’s documentation policy
company’s different department and concerned authority
company’s license on usage of software and design tools
company’s license on IP core library
Technical Knowledge

The individual on the job needs to know and understand:
basics of system-on-chip (SOC) design
electronics engineering
system design modules
concepts of circuit design
semiconductor physics, CMOS transistors, diodes, triodes, etc.
computer architecture
digital and analogue design and their implications
design flow involved in design stages
Register transfer level (RTL) design methodologies

ELE/N1201 Develop function design of SOC module

IP block and library
Hardware description language (HDL) such as Verilog, VHDL
basics on HDL simulation and synthesis
high level language for design such as C, C++
process design requirement for FPGA, ASIC
UNIX and specific design tools such as Perl
end-product application, i.e., industry for which chip is designed
Skills (S)
Core Skills/
Generic Skills
Reading and writing skills
The individual on the job needs to know and understand how to:
read job sheets, flow charts and process documents
interpret design drawings
fill in design drawing sheets
Professional Skills Using software and tools

The individual on the job needs to know and understand:
specifications and use of licensed software for design as specified by the
organisation
licensed software and application tools used for design, their performance
Using software / computer languages
The individual on the job needs to know and understand:
hardware description language such as VHDL, Verilog
programming language such as C, C++
Interpersonal skills
The individual on the job needs to know and understand:
how to interact with lead and project head to understand the work
requirement and to consult for issues
how to interact with co employees in order to co-ordinate work processes
Reflective thinking
The user/individual on the job needs to know and understand how:
to improve work processes
to reduce repetition of errors

Coordinate with colleagues and co-workers

Coordinate with colleagues

Description

This OS unit is about communicating with colleagues and seniors in order to achieve
smooth work flow
Scope

This unit/ task covers the following:
 Interact with supervisor or superior
 Coordinate with colleagues
Performance Criteria(PC) w.r.t. the Scope
Element Performance Criteria
Interacting with
supervisor
To be competent, the user/ individual must be able to:
understand and assess work requirements
nderstand the targets and incentives
understand new operating procedures and constraints
report problems in the field
resolve personnel issues
receive feedback on work standards and customer satisfaction
communicate any potential hazards at a particular location
meet given targets
deliver work of expected quality despite constraints
receive positive feedback on behaviour and attitude shown during
interaction
Coordinating with
colleagues
To be competent, the user/ individual must be able to:
interact with colleagues from different functions and understand the nature
of their work
receive spares from tool room or stores; deposit faulty modules and tools to
stores
pass on customer complaints to colleagues in a respective geographical area
assist colleagues with resolving field problems resolve conflicts and achieve
smooth workflow
follow the company policy during cross functional interaction
Knowledge and Understanding (K)
. Organizational Context

The individual on the job needs to know and understand:
company’s policies on: incentives, delivery standards, and personnel
management
importance of the individual’s role in the workflow
reporting structure

Coordinate with colleagues and co-workers

Technical Knowledge
The individual on the job needs to know and understand:
how to communicate effectively
how to build team coordination
Skills (S) [Optional]
Core Skills/
Generic Skills
Teamwork and multitasking
The individual on the job needs to know and understand how:
. to deliver product to next work process on time
Professional Skills Decision making
The individual on the job needs to know and understand:
how to report potential areas of disruptions to work process
when to report to supervisor and when to deal with a colleague depending
on the type of concern
Reflective thinking
The individual on the job needs to know and understand:
how to improve work process
Critical thinking
The individual on the job needs to know and understand:
how to spot process disruptions and delays