A VLSI Design Framework with Freeware CAD Tools

This work presents a PC-based freeware CAD environment to design and tape out VLSI microelectronic circuits, starting from schematic capture all the way to a foundry compatible GDS II database. These free tools will help more Malaysian universities to set up low cost VLSI CAD laboratories and tape out circuits using Silterra´s University Program. This will help grow local IC design culture and skills. FreeVLSI uses common freeware CAD tools: 5SPICE, LASI, and WinSPICE, and some custom scripts to interface between these tools. Currently FreeVLSI is able to cater to full custom design flow from schematic capture to circuit layout.