VLSI/CAD Laboratory

Department of Computer Science & Engineering

Yuan Ze University

元智大學電子設計自動化實驗室

03-4638800 ext.2367~2369 #40


Rung-Bin Lin (林榮彬)
135 Yuan-Tung Road
Chung-Li, 320 Taiwan
(FAX) 03-463-8850
(O) 03-463-8800 ext. 2365
E-mail: csrlin@cs.yzu.edu.tw
Office: Room 1406
Vitae: Rung-Bin Lin

 

 

Inside IBM EDA: 50 years of innovations

研究領域 (Research Focuses):

本實驗室創立於1995年,研究領域著重在IC(即晶片或積體電路)設計自動化工具之開發,這領域也稱電子設計自動化(Electronic-DesignAutomation,簡稱EDA)。由於半導體技術進步神速,舉凡日常生活所使用的資訊科技產品如電腦、手機、電視、照相機、攝影機、手持裝置等,所使用之晶片無一不仰賴IC設計自動化工具來完成,由此可見IC設計自動化工具的重要性與實用性。也因如此這個領域被教育部列為重點培植的領域之一。 IC設計自動化工具是一種軟體,這種軟體能協助解決IC設計、分析、驗證、製造與測試所遭遇到的問題,這些問題主要是由於不斷提升的設計複雜度所造成的,設計的複雜度與IC中的邏輯閘個數成正比,複雜度一高,設計的優化、分析、驗證與測試都變得非常困難,因此IC設計自動化的研究重點就是要開發有效率之演算法(Algorithm)與資料結構來加速設計工作與優化所設計的IC。IC設計的優化能增加IC的操作頻率(比如說從3GHz增至4GHz),減少功率的消耗、降低晶片的面積等等,每一項優化都可大大的提升產品的競爭力,增加營業獲利。 [1] [2] [3]

This lab, established in 1995, focuses on developing algorithms (software) and methodologies for Electronic Design Automation (EDA) of integrated circuits (or Computer-Aided VLSI Design). Due to the dramatic advancement of semiconductor technologies, millions of logic gates can be placed just only in one chip. This enables us to design very powerful servers for cloud computing and networking and a variety of terminal products such as desktop PCs, 3D TV, mobile phones, tablet PCs, notebooks, video cameras, digital cameras, etc. One of the enabling technologies of designing chips for these products is Electronic Design Automation (EDA). EDA software (tools) can be used to solve the problems encountered during synthesizing, analyzing, verifying and testing a design. We are seeking more powerful algorithms for solving these problems to minimize chip size and power consumption while optimizing chip performance. Currently, we especially focus on developing algorithms and methodologies for low-power, timing performance, and manufacturing yield optimization.

 

我適合從事IC設計自動化的研究嗎? (Am I capable of conducting research in EDA area?)

舉凡具有一些資訊(管)、數學、電機、電子、物理、化學、工業工程等背景者均可嘗試這一領域之研究。IC設計自動化工具主要是由軟體所構成,但需要一點硬體背景知識。資訊工程的主要必修課程如電子電路、數位系統設計、計算機組織與結構等所教授的知識已非常足夠了。因此,資訊工程的同學是非常適合攻讀IC設計自動化領域的。若您不具資工背景也無所謂,本領域的重點在於發展解決IC設計所遇到的問題之演算法,所需硬體的背景不必多也不深。雖然如此,為深化本領域之研究,元智資工系所在大學部開授IC設計自動化導論與超大型積體電路設計導論來協助同學進入這個領域,在研究所更開授超大型積體電路(VLSI)電腦輔助設計、超大型積體電路設計導論、超大型積體電路測試、平行畫電子設計自動化、系統晶片設計等課程,其目的在於不僅讓您成為IC設計自動化領域之專家,也讓您具有從事IC設計的工作能力,無論男與女,您都非常適合。 [3] [4]

You can conduct EDA research as long as your background is in computer science and engineering, mathematics, information management, electrical engineering, electronics, physics, chemistry, industrial engineering and management, etc. Mainly you should be able to write some programs. Hardware background such as electronics, circuit theory, logic (digital system) design, computer organization and architecture are useful but not necessary. Hence, if your undergraduate major is in computer science and engineering, EDA research is a good choice for your graduate study. Certainly, if you are really interested in this fantastical area, your background does not mean a lot. In this department, we have enough courses to orient and lead you into this research area. So don’t worry about what you learned before but think about what you will learn in the future. EDA is your right choice. It is challenging and rewarding.

 

IC設計自動化之出路為何?(Who will hire me?)

您可以在開發IC設計自動化工具的公司工作也可在使用IC設計的公司工作,在台灣,純粹開發IC設計自動化工具的公司不多,較具國際知名度的是思源科技(SpringSoft)。然而一些晶圓代工廠(如台積電、聯電-),IC設計公司(如聯發科、瑞昱半導體、晨星半導體),IC設計服務公司(創意電子、智源科技),半導體公司(如IBM、Intel)等都需要開發一些專屬於他們自己的EDA工具,就拿本人為例,在回國之前,本人在紐約的IBM從事IBM內部IC設計自動化軟體的開發,此軟體專用於設計大型主機的CPU。在另一方面使用IC設計自動化工具的公司就更多了,IC設計公司、IC設計服務公司、晶圓代工廠、半導體廠、先進的研發單位等等都是。因此,IC設計自動化領域未來的出路非常廣,由於西風東漸,未來出路只會更廣更好,歡迎各位同學來挑戰,不管您是大學部專題升或研究生都非常歡迎加入本團隊。 [4]

IC design and manufacturing is one of the most important yet flourishing industries in Taiwan and major developed countries such as USA, Japan, South Korea, countries in Europe, etc. Hence, you will have plenty of chances to work for a high-tech company in Taiwan and abroad. Basically, the places you can go are as follows:

  • EDA companies such as SprintSoft (located at Taiwan), Cadence, Synopsys, Mentor Graphics, etc.
  • IC (integrated circuit) design companies such as Media Tek, MStar, RealTek, etc. located in Taiwan and Qualcomm, ARM, Broadcom, etc. There are more than 200 IC design companies in Taiwan.
  • Big companies such as IBM, Intel, Cisco, Apple, Xilinx, Altera, etc.
  • Foundries such as TSMC, UMC, etc.
  • IC design service companies such as Faraday Technology, Global UniChip, etc.
  • Consultants, teachers, and many others

EDA is a challenging yet rewarding area. We sincerely welcome you to join us

Appendix

[1] Design Automation for Integrated Circuits
[2] Electronic Design Automation Past, Present, and Future
[3] Electronic Design Automation: Evolution, Education, and Profession
[4] 看研發人才趨勢 聰明認真還不夠、期許真正實踐創新真義

 

 
 

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