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  3. Introduction to Chip Design with Open-Source EDA Tools

Introduction to Chip Design with Open-Source EDA Tools

Learn chip design hands-on with free tools like Magic, KiCAD, OpenROAD & NGSPICE. Master digital logic, layout, and simulation. Build real chips and gain skills for careers in hardware design all in one practical, beginner-friendly course.

Luca Berton
Luca Berton
Cloud | core | 1 hour 30 minutes |   Published: Apr 2025
In partnership with:  Coursera

    Discussions

Overview

1.8KSTUDENTS*
98.7%RECOMMEND*

This course includes:

  • 1 hour 30 minutes of on-demand video  
  • Certificate of completion  
  • Direct access/chat with the instructor 
  • 100% self-paced online 

Chips power the technology we rely on daily, from smartphones to self-driving cars. This course is your gateway to the fascinating world of chip design, using cutting-edge, free, open-source tools that make this complex process accessible to everyone. Whether you’re an aspiring engineer, a curious hobbyist, or someone exploring a career in hardware design, this course offers a hands-on, practical learning experience with tools like Magic, KiCAD, and OpenROAD.

 

Through clear, step-by-step demonstrations, you’ll learn how to design chip layouts, simulate their functionality using NGSPICE, and validate them for real-world applications. Along the way, you’ll dive into essential concepts such as digital logic, layout creation, and simulation, all while solving practical design challenges.

 

By the end of this course, you’ll have the skills and confidence to navigate the chip design process independently. You’ll not only understand the theory but also apply it to create functional, basic chips using industry-standard workflows. This course isn’t just about learning—it’s about building practical, actionable skills that open doors in today’s fast-evolving tech landscape. 

Skills You Will Gain

Chip Design
Open-Source EDA
Magic EDA
SkyWater PDK
OpenROAD

Learning Outcomes (At the end of this program you will be able to)

  • Develop basic chip layouts using open-source EDA tools. 
  • Analyze and evaluate the chip design workflow and apply design principles. 
  • Design, simulate, and validate a functional logic circuit. 
  • Apply open-source EDA tools to solve practical design challenges. 

Prerequisites

To get the most out of this course, learners should have a basic understanding of electronic circuits, including how components like resistors, capacitors, and transistors function within a circuit. Familiarity with digital logic such as logic gates, binary arithmetic, and simple combinational and sequential circuits is also essential, as these concepts form the foundation of chip architecture. Most importantly, an interest in chip design and curiosity about how modern hardware is created will drive deeper engagement and make the hands-on learning experience both rewarding and impactful.

Who Should Attend

This course is designed for a wide range of learners passionate about hardware and electronics. It’s ideal for "electrical engineering students"  looking to apply their academic knowledge to real-world chip design, and for ''aspiring chip designers" eager to explore the end-to-end process using practical tools. "Open-source developers" interested in contributing to hardware projects will gain valuable insights into open EDA workflows, while "junior hardware engineers" can strengthen their foundational skills and build confidence through hands-on experience with industry-relevant tools and techniques.

Curriculum

Instructors

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do the courses at Starweaver cost?

We offer flexible payment options to make learning accessible for everyone. With our Pay-As-You-Go plan, you can pay for each course individually. Alternatively, our Subscription-Based plan provides you with unlimited access to all courses for a monthly or yearly fee.

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Yes, we do offer a certification upon completion of our course to showcase your newly acquired skills and expertise.

Does Starweaver offer any free courses or trials?

No, we don't offer any free courses, but we do offer 5-day trial only on our subscriptions-based plans.

Are Starweaver's courses designed for beginners or advanced students?

Our course is designed with three levels to cater to your learning needs - Core, Intermediate, and Advanced. You can choose the level that best suits your knowledge and skillset to enhance your learning experience.

What payment options are available for Starweaver courses?

We accept various payment methods such as major credit cards, PayPal, wire transfer, and company purchase orders. For more information related to payments contact customer support.

Do you offer refunds?

Yes, we do offer a 100% refund guarantee for our courses within a specified time frame. If you are not satisfied with the course, contact our customer support team to request a refund with your order details. Some restrictions may apply.

*Where courses have been offered multiple times, the “# Students” includes all students who have enrolled. The “%Recommended” shown is also based on this data.
1Module 1: Understanding Chip Design
2Module 2: Setting Up Open-Source EDA Tools
3Module 3: Designing and Simulating Your First Chip
Luca Berton

Luca Berton

With over 15 years of experience in the ever-evolving world of technology, He has established themselves as a skilled Ansible Automation Engineer, seamlessly integrating advancements in Cloud Computing, Linux, and Data Analysis to drive impactful change. His career journey has spanned a range of roles, from crafting software quality pipelines at Red Hat to orchestrating Smart City solutions at City Green Light. Throughout, they have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to excellence and a passion for challenging the status quo to propel enterprises forward.

As Vice President of Infrastructure at JPMorgan Chase & Co., He have led transformative automation initiatives using Ansible technology, paving the way for a future-ready corporate infrastructure. During their tenure at Red Hat as an Ansible Technical Support Engineer, they adeptly navigated complex challenges, ensuring customer success and satisfaction. Their experience also includes orchestrating IoT solutions at Gemmo S.p.A. and architecting scalable Amazon EC2 Linux instances at Studio Storti Srl, consistently delivering innovative, tailored solutions that push technological boundaries.

Their expertise is rooted in a robust educational foundation and a relentless pursuit of knowledge. They hold a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Università degli Studi di Padova and a High School Diploma in Computer Science from ITIS F. Severi - Padova. Furthering their technical acumen, they earned a Nanodegree in Mobile Web Development from Udacity, achieved through a prestigious Google Developer EMEA scholarship. This continuous commitment to staying at the forefront of technological advancements underscores his dedication to excellence.

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Segment 08: Building a Logic Circuit in KiCAD

Segment 09: Simulating a Circuit with NGSPICE

Segment 10: Generating the Final Layout with OpenROAD

Segment 11: Congratulations and Continuous Learning Journey

Segment 05: Exploring the Capabilities of Magic

Segment 06: Exploring the Interface of KiCAD

Segment 07: Configuring NGSPICE for Simulation

Segment 01: Introduction and Welcome

Segment 02: What is Chip Design

Segment 03: Open-Source Tools in Chip Design

Segment 04: Chip Design Flow with Magic and SkyWater PDK