This blog is dedicated to exploring and sharing knowledge about the design and verification of digital circuits. Picture the semiconductor journey as a lifeline, with the central point being the silicon realization. This concept represents the transformative moment when a hardware concept materializes into a physical entity through the manufacturing process, where the chip concept is etched onto a wafer, often crafted from silicon. The phases leading up to this middle point are known as pre-silicon, while those beyond are termed post-silicon. Design and verification are integral components of this intricate process, primarily residing on the left side of the silicon realization.

Verification, however, extends its reach beyond the middle point, seeping into the post-silicon territory. Nevertheless, the tools employed in post-silicon verification differ from those used in pre-silicon verification. The pre-silicon phase engages with the design in a software-like manner, predominantly in the form of Register Transfer Level (RTL). On the other hand, post-silicon verification deals with the tangible, physical aspects of a silicon chip.

In the pre-silicon stage, the design transitions from the conceptual stage and enters the RTL implementation stage. Hardware Description Language (HDL) plays a central role in this implementation process, with several options available, including Verilog, SystemVerilog, and VHDL.

It’s interesting to note that these pre-silicon designs may manifest in various semiconductor forms, such as ASIC, FPGA, or any other semiconductor format. This website will delve into the intricacies of this pre-silicon phase, exploring the challenges, methodologies, and tools employed in the design and verification of digital circuits. Stay tuned for a deeper understanding of the fascinating world of CHIP Verification!