Analog Course Feedback: Devin's Experience with Zero to ASIC
0:00 Introduction: Devin, a PhD candidate at the University of Calgary, shares his background in high-speed image sensors and his transition from Cadence to open-source tools.
1:03 Motivation for taking the course: Devin highlights the unfriendly nature of existing closed and open-source tools and the lack of accessible guidance. He emphasizes the steep learning curve associated with open-source tools.
2:57 Time savings and value: Devin estimates the course saved him at least six months of learning time and compares the open-source toolchain's current state to KiCad's position in PCB design a decade ago.
3:33 Enjoyable aspects: Devin expresses his enjoyment for layout design, likening it to Sudoku or Tetris due to the challenge of optimizing space and performance.
6:02 Plans for incorporating the course into teaching: Devin intends to use the knowledge gained from the course to guide students toward chip design challenges using TinyTapeout, offering them a more accessible and flexible platform compared to CMC.
7:17 Course recommendation: Devin strongly recommends the course to others, including graduate students and industry professionals who seek opportunities for experimentation and personal projects beyond their work constraints.
9:15 Devin's tape-out project: Devin's analog design consists of a pair of ring oscillators with filtering to generate sine waves, aiming to correct issues encountered in a previous design.
10:17 Importance of post-layout simulations: Devin stresses the lack of emphasis on post-layout simulations in traditional graduate programs and how the course addresses this gap, potentially preventing design failures.
11:37 Closing thoughts: Devin discusses the need for a textbook on the subject and expresses his interest in co-authoring one with a professor. He also highlights the demand for such resources among educators who lack the time or experience to create their own lab manuals.