Want to learn how to design analog and mixed signal chips?
The Zero to ASIC Analog course will guide you through the process of taping out analog integrated circuits using open-source tools. While digital design often relies on hardware description languages and automated synthesis, analog design involves more in depth simulation and drawing circuit layouts by hand. You’ll learn to use tools like Xschem for schematic capture, NGspice for simulation, and Magic for layout.
The course focuses on the Sky130 Process Design Kit, a readily available open-source PDK well-suited for mixed-signal designs. You’ll gain practical experience by drawing schematics, simulating, and ultimately taping out your own analog circuits, culminating in the fabrication of a physical chip through Tiny Tapeout.
Join the growing movement of open source analog chip designers by taking this course!
Circuit design is not covered in the course - you can use one of our examples or bring your own schematic.
This is the most comprehensive IC design course on the internet. I loved working on my mixer module and Matt's team helped every time I got stuck. I will do further tapeouts for sure.
Kolos
Ticket options
| Silicon | Boron | Arsenic | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to 3.5 hours recorded video content & 11 labs | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Access to updates of the course material | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Recorded solution videos | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Access to discord community server | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Access to weekly community call | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Access to twice monthly call with analog expert Prof. Harald Pretl. | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Access to the material for the lifetime of the course ⓘ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Guaranteed ASIC manufacture ⓘ | ✅ 160x225 um, 2 analog pins | ✅ 334x225 um, 4 analog pins | ✅ |
| Your ASIC mounted on a PCB breakout board | $100 + Postage | ✅ | ✅ |
| How many chips will you receive | 1 | 1 | 100 |
| 1 to 1 office hours support with Matt | ❌ | 2 hours | 4 hours |
| 1 to 1 office hours support with Harald | ❌ | ❌ | 2 hours |
| Application to ChipIgnite - design can be closed source | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Team access ⓘ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
- Check your email for onboarding information after your purchase.
- Receipt provided upon purchase for deducting as a business expense.
- Contact me if your business has any special requirements.
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What do people say about the course?
The course was great and beats any analog courses I took at university in terms of practical hands on experience.
James Meech
Having studied analog theory in college but not having the opportunity to tape out left a void in my heart. This course really was the “missing semester” for taping out analog and mixed signal designs. I highly recommend it anyone who wants to bridge this skill gap!
Argunda
The Zero to Asic analog course is a wonderful course put together by Matt . He and his team have meticulously planned the course with lots of good examples and support to get started with the tools for designing your own chips. Hats off to the team for developing such a course and making it available for the users.
Diego
Course Overview
- Full course details here.
- We will concentrate on analog circuit layout and tapeout.
- A virtual machine is available or you can install the tools manually.
- The course is continually updated for the latest tooling and PDK.
Format
- 11 hands-on projects, supported with text guides and over 6 hours of videos.
- Support via:
- Recorded solutions videos.
- Discord community server.
- Twice Monthly analog specific call.
- 1 to 1 office hours with Matt: access to expert help on the Boron and Arsenic level tickets.
- Asynchronous - do in your own time.
- Guaranteed ASIC manufacture with TinyTapeout.
- High resolution set of digital images of the decapped ASIC - see FAQ.
- Access to the course materials for the lifetime of the course.
- Course completion certificate.
Prerequisites
- Basic Linux command line experience, Git & Make is helpful.
- Some programming experience helpful.
- Please note that M1 Macs are not well supported at this time.
FAQ
Can I get a refund?
I’m so confident you will love the course, if for any reason you are unhappy you can ask for a refund within 30 days of purchase.
Will my design definitely get manufactured?
Yes! We are now using TinyTapeout to guarantee ASIC manufacture.
- Silicon ticket includes 2 free tiles and 2 analog pins. PCB mounted chip is currently $100 extra.
- Boron ticket includes 4 free tiles, 4 analog pins, and 1 PCB mounted chip.
How big can I make my custom project?
Your project area starts at 160 x 225 um. You can pay extra for more space.
How long does the whole course take to complete?
It depends on your existing level of experience and how deep you want to go on your own project. Most people can complete the course in 8 weeks, committing about 4 hours per week. Then you will need some amount of time to prepare your own project.
Is there a time limit to complete the course?
You can take as long as you want with the course materials. Office hours expire 3 months after you onboard.
When do I need to submit my final design?
See TinyTapeout for the next shuttle closing date.
What is the life of the course?
For as long as I’m running this course.
What is team access?
Take the course with your colleagues. You will work through the course material as a group and submit a single design between you. Weekly sync calls will keep you on track to complete the course.