Automated IC Design Flow Using Open-Source Tools and 180 nm PDK

This paper presents an academic project leveraging open-source tools, particularly OpenLane,in conjunction with the 180 nm Process Design Kit (PDK) provided by GlobalFoundries, for automating Integrated Circuit (IC) design, specifically digital design. This methodology significantly reduces the time and resources required to achieve high-quality functional ICs. The successful integration of GlobalFoundries' PDK ensures manufacturability. This work aims to inspire the digital design community to explore the potential of open-source tools and promote more accessible solutions in IC manufacturing. Two digital projects were designed, manufactured, and tested: a clock divider and a 7-segment display decoder. Experimental results show that the circuits operate at frequencies lower than 50MHz with a 3.3V bias.