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Pd Interview Questions

The document outlines a comprehensive strategy for preparing for Physical Design (PD) interviews, emphasizing the importance of understanding fundamental concepts like resistance and capacitance, and connecting theory with practical examples. It details various stages of the PD process, including synthesis, floorplan, powerplan, placement, CTS, routing, and physical verification, along with types of questions to expect and the significance of staying updated on industry trends. Additionally, it highlights the value of mock interviews for identifying strengths and weaknesses, correcting mistakes, and boosting confidence before actual interviews.

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Manikanta Mothukuri
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2 views

Pd Interview Questions

The document outlines a comprehensive strategy for preparing for Physical Design (PD) interviews, emphasizing the importance of understanding fundamental concepts like resistance and capacitance, and connecting theory with practical examples. It details various stages of the PD process, including synthesis, floorplan, powerplan, placement, CTS, routing, and physical verification, along with types of questions to expect and the significance of staying updated on industry trends. Additionally, it highlights the value of mock interviews for identifying strengths and weaknesses, correcting mistakes, and boosting confidence before actual interviews.

Uploaded by

Manikanta Mothukuri
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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PD interview

preparation
strategy to
land your
first job
1.
Never underestimate the basics
All are connected!!
Start by understanding what is
Resistance
Capacitance
Rise time
Fall time
Transition time
Standard cell
Macro
Types of Vt flavors - HVT, LVT, ULVT RVT
Drive strength
PVT conditions
Mode, corner
Unateness
Timing arc
Setup time, hold time
Recovery time, removal time
Pulse width violations
Derates
Skew
Slew
Latency
Data path delay
Clock path delay
2.
From definitions to deep
understanding – The smarter
way to study PD concepts
Don’t just read definitions—visualize every concept
you study and truly understand it.

Studying with real-world examples helps you


retain better and apply concepts effectively during
interviews and on the job.

For instance:
If you understand resistance (R) and capacitance
(C), you can grasp the idea of net delay.
Once you understand net delay, you'll naturally
begin to explore ways to optimize it.

Similarly, if you understand what input transition


and output load are, you’ll gain a clear
understanding of cell delay.

Always connect theory with practical examples.


That’s how you move from memorizing to
mastering.
3.
4 types of questions
Every stage of Physical Design can be broken down into
4 key types of questions:

Inputs
Process
Outputs
Optimizations (along with relevant commands)
Checks (along with relevant commands)

Create a checklist for each stage, categorize your


learning under these sections, and study along with
the tool-specific commands.

This structured approach will help you build both


conceptual clarity and practical command-line
confidence.
4.
Synthesis
Process of synthesis - Generic, optimization, mapping
concepts

Target and link library concepts

Logical librbary, physical library, tech file, QRC tech file


details

How to fix RTL errors after elaboration - Unresolved


references, parsing errors etc.

PPA optimization techniques in synthesis - path grouping,


TNS optimization, combinational and sequential
optimization, register retiming, multibit cell usage etc.

Sanity checks - Design checks, timing checks, library


checks

Physical aware synthesis

DFT insertion
5.
Floorplan
Block partition techniques

Difference between die area and core area, utilization

Macro placement guidelines

What is block size, aspect ratio, channel spacing

Checks after floorplan

Physical cells - Well tap and end cap cells


6.
Powerplan
Powerplan architecture - Rings, stripes, rails, vias

Routing layers for power routing

Powerplan checks - PG shorts, PG DRCs, Connectivity


checks

Low power design

Tie cells

Isolation cells

Retention registers

Power gating concepts

Multi-voltage domains

Power switches
7.
Placement
Placement process

High fanout net synthesis

Checks before placement

Checks after placement

Timing and congestion reports after placement

Optimisations to fix congestion and timing


8.
CTS
Skew and latency targets

Clock spec file

Clock routing layers

Clock buffers

Useful skew

Clock gating

Clock tree balancing

Types of clock tree

Clock domain crossing issues

Skew and latency optimization techniques


9.
Routing
Global vs Detailed routing

Track assignment

Setup and hold violation fixing

Congestion fixing

Crosstalk reduction

Shielding, layer planning, via optimization

Antenna effect

Local and global congestion


10.
Physical verification
DRC and its fixes
LVS and its fixes
LEC and its fixes
11.
Keep yourself updated
Stay up-to date with
VLSI industry updates
Top product company updates
Technology node information
EDA tools recent updates
Current research in fabrication

If you get an opportunity to talk about recent


developments in the VLSI domain during the interview, it
will reflect that you're well-informed and a passionate
engineer.
12.
Mock interviews
Exposure to real industry related interview questions
You'll face questions that are commonly asked by top semiconductor
companies. This gives you a clear understanding of what interviewers
really expect in a PD candidate.

Identify your strengths and weaknesses


Mock sessions reveal where you’re confident and where you need
improvement—be it in STA, floorplanning, CTS, or signoff. You’ll get clarity
on what to work on.

Correct Your mistakes early


Whether it’s technical gaps or how you structure your answers, we’ll
correct them in real time— so you don’t repeat them in your actual
interviews.

Personalized feedback that matters


You’ll receive tailored suggestions specific to your knowledge level and
career goals. We focus on you—your resume, your answers, and your
growth.

Boost your confidence


You’ll walk into your actual interview with clarity, calmness, and confidence
—because you've already been through the grind with expert guidance.

DM for PD interview preparation strategies and mock interviews!

Follow for more insights on VLSI Backend!!

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