FPGA, VHDL, Chip design Training? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: nardev
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 18, 2012, 01:39:17 am
content: Hello,I'm wondering is there any open university program, 1-2 semesters long or any training of that kind where one can learn more or perhaps get some degree in Chip design?Generally is there any standardizes training and/or certifications int hat area like cisco/oracle/microsoft have for their IT technologies?I assume that one who would be interested in such training has some kind of electrical engineering faculty completed.

author: bfritz
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 18, 2012, 05:35:33 am
content: Note that VHDL is the most used language to define what is programmed into an FPGA. Usually VHDL is taught as part of some upper level digital design classes, during part of the undergrad cirriculum (At least in the US.). Most of these types of classes include labs, where you would end up implementing your design into an FPGA, and then testing it for proper functionality.Chip design, would probably show up as something more like Integrated Circuit Design in most college courses. Again this is usually an upper level undergrad class. Many that I have seen involve a fairly simple device being designed, with lots of emphasis on how to translate the process, into what will happen in silicon, which translates into the characteristics of the device. The version I took in college, we fabricated a very crude op-amp, similar to a 741. This took pretty much the whole semester. More complex designs are really just having done the same work for other silicon devices, such as resistors, caps, transistors, FET's, etc. , defining models in spice to accurately reflect the capability of the devices in silicon, and then correct design, simulation, and layout techniques.I would suggest communicating with the college you are most interested in. They should hand you off to an advisor in the EE department, that can help you to choose the classes that meet your needs.

author: nardev
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 18, 2012, 09:18:35 am
content: Do you have any particular course or college to suggest?

author: djsb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 18, 2012, 12:03:32 pm
content: Wait a while and MIT might be offering an online course based on their Open Courseware.David.

author: nardev
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 19, 2012, 10:47:57 am
content: Quote from: djsb on February 18, 2012, 12:03:32 pmI'm afraid Universities like MIT and especially courses like chip design, VHDL would not be easily available for free.And besides all that, i'm looking for program which would have official certificate/diploma on the end.p.s. i really thought there is such a program like that but it seems that number of replies on this topic is not that big.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 19, 2012, 10:55:16 am
content: Programs like Open CourseWare and similar programs from other universities offer recorded lectures, lecture notes and other course material for free. Of course lab sessions may be an issue, at best they'll give you the lab assignments. No idea if any of them offers a course on chip design.You're unlikely to find a free course which gives you a certificate, those are typically created to earn money.

author: nardev
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 19, 2012, 11:04:42 am
content: Quote from: alm on February 19, 2012, 10:55:16 amPal, i'm not looking for freebut i'm looking for comprehensive onewith respectable program. Also, just "chip design" don't need to be the only course in that program...

author: slateraptor
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 19, 2012, 11:27:08 am
content: Quote from: nardev on February 19, 2012, 11:04:42 amGo to graduate school at a reputable university. You'll be hard pressed to find anything even remotely comprehensive anywhere else.Whether you're taught VHDL is hit or miss depending on your chosen university; many professors have adopted Verilog as their teaching HDL in order to better accommodate commercial industry, as opposed to VHDL, which is typically a defense sector-ism.

author: nardev
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 19, 2012, 11:53:04 am
content: Quote from: slateraptor on February 19, 2012, 11:27:08 amCan you suggest some good, respectable in USA?

author: Bored@Work
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 19, 2012, 12:03:40 pm
content: Quote from: slateraptor on February 19, 2012, 11:27:08 amIt is not so much commercial vs. defense:Verilog: USVHDL: Europe and the rest of the world

author: slateraptor
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 19, 2012, 12:06:03 pm
content: Quote from: nardev on February 19, 2012, 11:53:04 amhttp://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-engineering-schools/eng-rankingsHighly subjective (how Cornell ranks above Purdue, or Harvard making top 20 is beyond me), but it's a good starting point. According to this particular list, my university is ranked #30 in the US...meh.

author: nardev
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 19, 2012, 12:07:14 pm
content: Quote from: slateraptor on February 19, 2012, 12:06:03 pmInteresting list, thnx

author: slateraptor
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 19, 2012, 12:07:39 pm
content: Quote from: BoredAtWork on February 19, 2012, 12:03:40 pmI spoke with respect to the US, which is all I'm familiar with. I often forgot our international audience.

author: nardev
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 19, 2012, 12:13:40 pm
content: Anyway...It seems like it's bit tricky to find that specific program out of "traditional" university graduate enrollment..