Computer Aids for VLSI Design

The subject of VLSI systems spans a broad range of disciplines, including semiconductor devices and processing, integrated electronic circuits, digital logic, design disciplines and tools for creating complex systems, and the architecture, algorithms, and applications of complete VLSI systems. The Addison-Wesley VLSI Systems Series is being organized as a set of textbooks and research references that present the best current work across this exciting and diverse field, with each book providing for its subject a perspective that ties it to related disciplines. Part of what distinguishes the expert chip designer from the novice is an understanding the entire suite of tools that are available, and how they work together to support the design flow of a project.

One can come to understand the capabilities and limitations of individual tools in some cases from their external interfaces and roles in the design process. In other cases it is useful to appreciate how the tools work internally. Rubin presents both perspectives for all of the important categories of synthesis and analysis tools. The exposition is readily understandable to anyone familiar with chip design and computer programming.The starting point for this book was a design system called "Electric," which Rubin designed and programmed almost single-handedly over the past four years. Electric is a complete and elegant system that has been used for the design and verification of many chips.
Book Link:
http://www.rulabinsky.com/cavd/