Work Package 4 (WP4) delivers the complete technical foundation for the Design Challenge by providing a fully functional open-source Process Design Kit (PDK) and a reproducible design environment.
This includes:
- selecting and adapting an open-source PDK to the project requirements,
- defining and implementing a suitable EDA toolchain,
- developing a training design for onboarding and education,
- deploying and maintaining a server-based design environment,
- and creating a fully documented Docker image for local development.
WP4 ensures that all participants can execute a complete ASIC design flow — from simulation to tape-out — using consistent and reproducible open-source tools.
WP4 builds on inputs from prior work packages, including:
- the conceptual definition of the toolchain and workflow,
- existing open-source PDKs (e.g., IHP SG13G2, SKY130, GF180) and open-source EDA tools,
- project-wide requirements for security-by-design, usability, and maintainability.
These foundations define the technical constraints and expectations for the PDK and the overall toolchain.
This subtask establishes the technical core of the design flow.
Key activities:
- selecting a suitable open-source EDA toolchain based on competition requirements,
- adapting the existing PDK to the chosen toolchain,
- implementing scripts to streamline and automate the design flow,
- documenting the full design process from simulation to tape-out,
- integrating security-related considerations and design constraints.
The resulting PDK becomes the standard environment for training, design, and tape-out preparation.
This subtask creates a practical, user-friendly training entry point.
Tasks include:
- developing a simple example design that demonstrates the essential features of the PDK and toolchain,
- providing guided intermediate design results for each step of the flow,
- integrating the training design into the overall user documentation,
- preparing a fully verified, tape-out-ready reference design.
This ensures new users can quickly understand and navigate the design environment.
This subtask deploys the server-based design and training environment.
Activities include:
- provisioning and configuring a dedicated test server,
- installing the selected EDA tools and PDK components,
- creating user accounts and access controls,
- providing documented example designs on the server,
- validating the server with test designs and user workflows.
The server provides a consistent and centrally maintained environment for all participants.
To ensure continuous usability throughout the project, this subtask handles the operational phase.
Tasks include:
- applying updates to all PDK modules, tool versions, and system components,
- handling user questions and support requests,
- identifying and fixing bugs discovered during training or test runs,
- integrating improvements based on user feedback from test sessions.
This ensures reliability, consistency, and up-to-date tool support.
This subtask enables long-term local reproducibility beyond the server infrastructure.
Activities:
- documenting all relevant server configurations and workflows,
- creating a reproducible Docker image containing the full toolchain and PDK,
- validating the Docker environment across systems,
- providing documentation for future participants and independent users.
This allows users to run the design flow locally and independently of central infrastructure.
- Adapted PDK: A fully documented open-source PDK tailored to the competition’s requirements.
- Training Design: A verified, tape-out-ready example design with accompanying training documentation.
- Test Server: A fully operational design environment including toolchain, documentation, and example projects.
- Docker Image: A portable and reproducible design environment enabling local execution of the complete flow.
These outputs form the technical backbone of the Design Challenge.
- MS 4.1 (Month 12): First version of the adapted PDK
- MS 4.2 (Month 18): Prototype test server operational
- MS 4.3 (Month 36): Final documentation and Docker image released
WP4 spans the entire period from Month 6 to Month 36 and integrates technical contributions from multiple partners in the project.
It provides the necessary infrastructure to ensure accessibility, reproducibility, and usability for all participants of the Design Challenge.