IC Development Overview
Introduction
This document outlines the structure and content for a one-hour introductory session.
This one-hour session is designed to provide essential industry context before the technical training commences.
It aimed at senior students and new electrical engineering graduates entering a comprehensive IC development training program focused on SystemVerilog for Design/Verification, Synthesis, and Physical Design.
It will delve into the immense scale and integration challenges of modern System-on-Chip (SOC) development, explaining the consequent need for large, specialized engineering teams. The session will introduce the typical structure of such teams, detailing the distinct roles, responsibilities, and inherent challenges for key positions including System/SOC/Domain Architects, Front-End RTL Designers, Verification Engineers, Back-End Physical Designers, Product Test Engineers, and Post-Silicon Validation Engineers.
Special emphasis will be placed on illustrating the critical importance and expansive scope of verification, justifying the significant team size often required for this discipline due to factors like design complexity and the need for first-time silicon success driven by shift-left principles and efficient reuse strategies.
Finally, the session will serve as a bridge, introducing the upcoming series of specific training courses and positioning them as essential preparation for these industry roles.