Merge pull request #64 from msaligane/main

Openfasoc gsoc projects

gsoc-2022-ideas.md

@@ -9,6 +9,9 @@
 1. [F4PGA toolchain integration in mainline Edalize](#f4pga-toolchain-integration-in-mainline-edalize)
 1. [FPGA Tool Performance Results Visualization](#fpga-tool-performance-results-visualization)
 1. [Generalization of wrapper scripts for installed F4PGA toolchain and making them OS agnostic](#generalization-of-wrapper-scripts-for-installed-f4pga-toolchain-and-making-them-OS-agnostic)
+1. [Symmetrical placement and routing APIs in OpenFASOC](#Symmetrical-placement-and-routing-APIs-in-OpenFASOC)
+1. [Smart and cloud based infrastructure to test analog blocks functionality and performance](#Smart-and-cloud-based-infrastructure-to-improve-analog-blocks-functionality-and-performance)
+
 
 ## FPGA chips database visualizer improvements
 
@@ -269,3 +272,56 @@ Medium: The task does require more than just Bash to Python script conversion. I
 _Duration_: 175 hours or 350 hours
 
 _Mentor_: [@mkurc-ant](https://github.com/mkurc-ant)
+
+
+## Symmetrical placement and routing APIs in OpenFASOC
+
+[OpenFASOC](https://github.com/idea-fasoc/OpenFASOC) is a framework used for automated IC design generation. It sits on top of tools such as [OpenROAD](https://github.com/The-OpenROAD-Project/OpenROAD) primararly but recently is using tools such as [gdsfactory](https://github.com/gdsfactory/gdsfactory) and [ALIGN](https://github.com/ALIGN-analoglayout/ALIGN-public). Currently, we have enabled a few Python based functions that allow us to help with our analog layout requirements, and we are planning to create more general APIs that could be generalized to new analog designs.
+
+### Expected Outcome
+
+* As a result of this, it is expected to add new APIs that guides OpenROAD's placement/routing tools to enhance specific parts of the placement/routing steps (symmetry, guard banding, non default rules, symmetry, etc..)
+* Call tools such as gdsfactory or ALIGN, to improve specific cells (aux cells) to improve the overall layout performance of the smaller circuits, routing or placement.
+
+### Skills Required
+
+* Programming languages: Python, C++
+* Operating system knowledge: Linux, Windows
+* Nice to have: Circuit level and Physical Design basic understanding
+
+### Difficulty
+
+Medium: The task does require physical design understanding, python and C++ coding skills are needed
+
+
+_Duration_: 350 hours
+
+_Mentor_: [@msaligane](https://github.com/msaligane)
+
+
+## Smart and cloud based infrastructure to test analog blocks functionality and performance in OpenFASOC
+
+[OpenFASOC](https://github.com/idea-fasoc/OpenFASOC) is solely using open source EDA tools to build automated analog and IC blocks. Since we are following a software style approach to hardware, it is important to make sure every new commit or pull request do not impact our generator's final result. This can be either done by checking functionality (DRC, LVS, Simulation), or performance (IE: inaccuraccy of a temp. sensor, or figure of merit (FOM) of an ADC etc..). Moreover, to be able to leverage the high computing power provided by Google Cloud Platform, design space exploration by generating a large number of blocks could be used to enable data driven optimizations at circuit/layout level by testing all the possible design input configurations.
+
+
+### Expected Outcome
+
+* Analog generators can be tested continuosly as we update its source code to check for functionality and performance
+* Smart and granular tests are used to detect small design improvements or issues
+* Create Importable Python modules for each of the generators as explained [here](https://github.com/idea-fasoc/OpenFASOC/issues/38) 
+
+### Skills Required
+
+* Programming languages: Python, C++
+* Operating system knowledge: Linux, Windows
+* Nice to have: Circuit level and Physical Design basic understanding
+
+### Difficulty
+
+Medium: The task does require python and C++ coding skills are needed, circuit IC design knowledge would be useful.
+
+
+_Duration_: 350 hours
+
+_Mentor_: [@msaligane](https://github.com/msaligane)
+