Cadence Academic Network Blogs

Kira Jones

Custom IC, Analog, and RF Design Training Deep Dive: Part 3

Welcome to part 3 of the Custom IC, Analog, and RF Design Online Training deep dive blog series. Part 3 will be building off the skills learned in Part 1 and Part 2 so be sure that you are familiar with those tools and technologies before beginning these courses. In Part 1 and 2, we introduce Virtuoso tools, Spectre simulation, and Xcelium mixed-signal options; Part 3 is going to be taking a closer look at the Cadence programming language, SKILL.

Cadence SKILL programming language enables the development of more complex analysis. It can be used to set-up, run, and post process results in a batch-oriented methodology. Using SKILL commands can help automate your design environment, from database queries to debugging. These Online Training courses will give you the foundation needed to start using SKILL in your design environment.

We’re pulling the recommended training flow from the Learning Maps, which structure the Cadence Online Training courses into technical areas and difficulty levels. Some of the below courses offer a Digital Badge, once earned, you can showcase that you’re Cadence Certified on your resume, email signature, and across social channels like LinkedIn.

Summary

1.

SKILL Language Programming Introduction*

2.

SKILL Language Programming

3.

SKILL Development of Parameterized Cells

4.

Advanced SKILL Language Programming

*One of the top courses among students and professors

SKILL Language Programming Introduction

In this course, you locate SKILL examples, examine key concepts, and develop a foundation so you can use SKILL commands to automate your design environment. Important SKILL commands, database queries, and flow of control constructs are stressed to assist you in writing and testing basic SKILL procedures. You also use the SKILL Integrated Development Environment (IDE) to edit and debug programs.

After completing this course, you will be able to:

  • Learn the role of the SKILL language in the Virtuoso Design Environment
  • Experiment with SKILL commands in the Command Interpreter Window
  • Implement basic SKILL queries to access design data
  • Write and debug SKILL procedures
  • And more!

SKILL Language Programming

This course provides the foundation, concepts, and sample programs to build working SKILL programs. It stresses the important SKILL functions in the Cadence Virtuoso Design Environment. For each major group of SKILL functions, you complete a working program. The course also covers the improved SKILL IDE for debugging SKILL programs and the latest information about accessing example programs using Cadence Online Support. Additional solutions and examples for specific topics in the course are included.

After completing this course, you will be able to:

  • Master SKILL syntax, loop constructs, and conditional statements
  • Build and manipulate lists, windows, menus, toolbars and forms
  • Implement SKILL queries and functions to create, access and update design data
  • Define, develop and debug SKILL functions and programs using the SKILL IDE
  • Compare the various kinds of SKILL data structures and implement examples of each
  • Learn how SKILL++ can be used to improve your programs
  • And more!

SKILL Development of Parameterized Cells

This course describes the tools and methods of developing parameterized cells (PCells) in the SKILL programming language, which is the Virtuoso Design Environment extension language. A primary focus of the course is dedicated to an introduction and investigation of relative object design (ROD), a new technology providing powerful, flexible procedures for defining simple and complex layout objects and their relationships to each other.

PCell development will be explained in stages, beginning with creation of sizeable transistors and evolving into a fully parameterized inverter layout. The SKILL and PCell IDE are introduced and used in the course to highlight the improvements to developing and debugging SKILL code and PCells.

This course places heavy emphasis on lab exercises with example SKILL code is included.

After completing this course, you will be able to:

  • Understand how relative object design (ROD) SKILL functions can help you create layout objects and parameterized cells
  • Learn the concepts involved in developing PCells with SKILL
  • Create a parameterized inverter layout
  • Create and test Fluid PCells

Advanced SKILL Language Programming

This course focuses on the lexical scoping and object-oriented extensions to the SKILL language known as the SKILL++ language. You will learn to apply procedural interfaces and object-oriented methodologies to create hybrid SKILL and SKILL++ applications.

After completing this course, you will be able to:

  • Apply advanced capabilities of SKILL and SKILL++
  • Write more efficient and simpler code resulting in fewer bugs
  • Create simple macros and experiment with more complex ones
  • Develop SKILL++ programs using lexical scoping
  • Develop SKILL++ programs using the SKILL++ Object System
  • Learn more!

 

After these courses, you’ll be prepared to start using SKILL in your design environment. You can continue to build your Custom IC, Analog, and RF Design skills by keeping an eye out for the upcoming part 4, which will conclude this series. These courses give you the tools and training necessary for you to take your Cadence knowledge to the next level!

How to enroll in Online Training:

All Online Training courses are available for self-enrollment on the Cadence Learning and Support system, located under the “Learning” tab.

To get a Learning and Support account:

Tags: