VLSI layout design and digital simulation using Microsoft Excel

A variety of VLSI design simulation software packages are available. These software packages are based on Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Electrical Design Automation (EDA) tools. These software packages provide the design, functional simulation, physical layout and design testing before a chip can be manufactured. The objective of this thesis is to develop a VLSI design simulation software that has familiar and easier user interface and as good as other leading software packages but less expensive. We compared the various features of VLSI simulation software offered by the leading software packages in the industry, Cadence and Tanner. This effort is quite novel. We did not find any work being done in this direction. MicrosoftRTM Excel has capability of performing arithmetic and logical calculations and it has a power of logical decision making. We started with very simple tasks using MicrosoftRTM Excel's built in tools (objects) such as charts and graphs, Auto-Shapes, spreadsheet interface and advanced tools like macros and VBA. VBA (Visual Basic for Application), a programming language based on Visual Basic, makes MicrosoftRTM Excel a powerful candidate for using it as a tool for VLSI Design simulation.