Survey of Machine Learning for Electronic Design Automation

Abstract

An increase in demand for semiconductor ICs, recent advancements in machine learning, and the slowing down of Moore's law have all contributed to the increased interest in using Machine Learning (ML) to enhance Electronic Design Automation (EDA) and Computer-Aided Design (CAD) tools and processes. This paper provides a comprehensive survey of available EDA and CAD tools, methods, processes, and techniques for Integrated Circuits (ICs) that use machine learning algorithms. The ML-based EDA/CAD tools are classified based on the IC design steps. They are utilized in Synthesis, Physical Design (Floorplanning, Placement, Clock Tree Synthesis, Routing), IR drop analysis, Static Timing Analysis (STA), Design for Test (DFT), Power Delivery Network analysis, and Sign-off. The current landscape of ML-based VLSI-CAD tools, current trends, and future perspectives of ML in VLSI-CAD are also discussed.