TOMMY’S VLSI BASICS ACADEMY

Start with bits. Finish with silicon.

Build the digital, device, process, layout, and HDL foundations needed before entering a physical-design flow.

9foundation modules
B01

DIGITAL BACKGROUND

Number Systems & Arithmetic

Convert values between binary and decimal and understand positional bit weights.

BinaryArithmetic
Launch module →
B02

DIGITAL LOGIC

Logic Gates & Combinational Circuits

Reason about truth tables, Boolean behavior, multiplexers, and AOI logic.

GatesMUX
Launch module →
B03

STATE

Sequential Circuits

Use clock edges to capture data and build a target register sequence.

Flip-flopClock
Launch module →
B04

DEVICE FOUNDATION

Semiconductor Basics

Connect doping, majority carriers, junctions, and substrate concepts.

N-typeP-type
Launch module →
B05

CMOS BASICS

MOS Devices & CMOS Gates

Operate an inverter and observe complementary NMOS and PMOS switching.

NMOS/PMOSNoise margin
Launch module →
B06

CMOS PROCESSING

CMOS Fabrication

Arrange well, oxide, polysilicon, implant, contact, and metal steps.

ProcessLayers
Launch module →
B07

LAYOUT DESIGN

CMOS Layout & Design Rules

Tune widths and spacing to create a compact layout that still passes DRC.

GeometryDRC
Launch module →
B08

ENGINEERING LANGUAGE

VLSI Terminology

Match slew, propagation delay, drive strength, nets, pins, cells, and paths.

TimingLibraries
Launch module →
B09

HARDWARE DESCRIPTION

Verilog & VHDL Foundations

Connect HDL constructs to the combinational and sequential hardware they infer.

RTLSynthesis
Launch module →