IIT Guwahati Develops ML Framework LEAP for IC Design Efficiency

August 9, 2024

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT Guwahati) have developed a new machine learning framework called ‘LEAP’ that significantly improves the process of Electronic Design Automation (EDA) for Integrated Circuits (ICs). EDA is a critical process in the $600 billion semiconductor industry. This software takes high-level circuit designs and converts them into a format that can be manufactured, known as Graphic Design System (GDS). EDA is essential for IC design, helping engineers deal with the complex steps needed to create electronic components.

Traditional Challenges in IC Design

Traditionally, EDA methods have used heuristic techniques, which are approaches based on experience or rules of thumb rather than exact methods. While these techniques can provide a balance between design quality and the time it takes to complete the design, they often do not produce the best possible solutions. This means that there is a need for further improvements to make the process more efficient.

What is the LEAP Framework?

The LEAP framework, developed by Prof. Chandan Karfa and Dr. Sukanta Bhattacharjee, uses machine learning to make the EDA process more efficient, especially during the technology mapping process. Technology mapping is a crucial step where the abstract design is translated into a specific configuration of circuit elements. LEAP intelligently identifies and prioritizes the best configurations, significantly reducing the number of options that engineers need to evaluate.

What are the Efficiency Improvements with LEAP?

LEAP narrows down the choices from about 250 configurations to just 10 per node, which results in a 50% reduction in the time it takes to complete the process. Additionally, it reduces the number of configurations that need to be checked by over 51%. This targeted decision-making process makes the whole design process faster and more efficient. During extensive testing across 21 different designs, the LEAP framework showed a 50% improvement in performance. It not only speeds up the mapping process but also reduces the clock period (the time it takes for a circuit to complete one cycle) by 2% without increasing the size of the circuit. This means that designs can be more efficient without sacrificing quality.

What is Integrated Circuits?

Integrated circuits (ICs) have revolutionized electronics by combining multiple components on a single chip, making devices smaller and more affordable. The first IC was created in 1958 by Jack Kilby. These circuits are made primarily from silicon, though other materials like gallium arsenide are also used. ICs come in different types, including analog, digital, and mixed-signal, and they are found in nearly all modern electronics, such as smartphones and computers. They are made using a process called photolithography, and according to Moore’s Law, their performance is expected to double roughly every two years.

About Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati

Established in 1994: IIT Guwahati is the sixth Indian Institute of Technology and is situated on a 700-acre campus by the Brahmaputra River.
First to Introduce Design Program: IIT Guwahati was the first among IITs to offer a design program and has architecture inspired by Assamese culture, surrounded by diverse plant and animal life.
Focus on Research and Global Collaboration: The institute is active in research in areas like robotics, biotechnology, and climate change, and works with universities worldwide for academic exchanges.

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