Your career after VLSI

VLSI is also known as Very-large-scale integration. It is popularly known as chip-design. VLSI is a process that creates integrated circuits by combining thousands of transistor-based circuits into a single chip. It can immediately search an application in DSP, Communications, Microwave and RF, MEMS, Cryptography, Consumer Electronics, Automobiles, Space Applications, Robotics, and Health industry.

In the world of technology, the demand for chip driven products in consumer electronics, medical electronics, communication, aero-space, and computers is also increasing considerably.

VLSI applications are very prominent in the field of research and development:

• Systems Specifications
• Design and Partitioning
• High performance computing and communication systems
• Neutral Networks
• Wafer-scale Integration
• Multi-module Systems

VLSI specifically deals with the computer-aided designs, simulation and testing, design analysis, and design implementation. The program imparts conceptual knowledge as well as practical training to students.

It is a highly technical field and completely based on electronics. VLSI is also treated as a hardware design and the main work of VLSI engineers is to design the chips using special hardware description languages [HDL] like Verilog and VHDL, as software programmers.

Eligibility

Should have completed BE/B.Tech/M.Tech in Electronics/Electrical or MSc (Electronics/Instrumentation, Physics, Semiconductors)

Career prospects

As the design and manufacturing industry are expanding, so the demand for VLSI skilled professionals is also increasing. If you are planning to begin a career in the semiconductor industry then you should have a sound knowledge of jobs and growth opportunities in the VLSI domain. The VLSI industry is growing at a pace of 20% and there are about 160 chip design firms in India that requires skilled professionals.

Remuneration

In the beginning, you can expect a salary of up to Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000 per month. PG students can earn up to Rs 20,000 to Rs 40,000 a month and after the 3 years of relevant experience, depending upon the job profile, you can expect to earn Rs. 50,000 to 1, 00,000 a month.

Major players who need this talent are:

• Analog Devices
• Cadence
• Synopsys
• Cypress Semiconductor
• HCL Technologies
• Texas Instruments (TI)
• PMC Sierra
• Alliance Semiconductor
• Intel
• Micron Tech
• Philips Semiconductor
• Qualcomm
• Wipro
• EInfochips