VLSI Design Tools and Technology

What is VDTT ? 
VDTT stands for VLSI Design Tools and Technology. Its' a Masters program at IIT, Delhi.We'll use this acronym through out this FAQ. And if you have just heard about a VLSI course at IIT Delhi, then this is the one of them. :) This is an interdisciplinary program jointly run by two departments, Electrical Engg and Computer Science & Engg together with the Centre for Applied Research in Electronics.
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How is it different from other MTech programs ?
Its' an inter disciplinary Industry Sponsored program. Each student in this program is sponsored by a particular company. He will also get an opportunity to interact with his sponsoring company along with International career opportunities.
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What is Inter disciplinary? 
This means that 3 departments Computer Science & Engg, Electrical Engg and CARE ( Center for Applied Research in Electronics) participate in this program.Students will also undergo a hands-on fabrication training at CEERI, Pilani or at CARE.
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I am not too comfortable with Electronics but I would like to do VLSI at the system level. Do I have a choice of subjects?
With effect from 2008-2009, the VDTT Program has two streams. The VLSI Systems Stream and VLSI design stream. So students can specialise in either of the two streams.
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How is the VLSI Systems Stream different from VLSI Design Stream? 
The VLSI Systems stream will focus on System Level Design, Computer Architecture, Synthesis of Digital Systems and courses of such nature.
The VLSI Design Stream will have greater focus on Digital and Analog Circuit Design, Mixed Signal Designi, Physical Design and similar subjects. 
The framework for the entire program is similar. Please take a look at the Program Structure page to get a hang of this. The main difference between the two streams is in the stream cores. The stream core for one stream is automatically considered a program elective for the other stream.
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I am confused..? 
Never mind. This is to tell you that there is a certain amount of flexibility within the program that has been introduced to help students choose courses according to their interests. The number of core courses have been reduced and program electives have been increased to accomodate this flexibility. This gives the students a good bandwidth to choose from a variety of courses. 
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How do I decide which stream to choose? 
Students with a stronger Computer Science background would generally prefer the Systems Stream whereas those who prefer hardcore electronics design would find themselves comfortable with the Design stream. This criteria is not binding on the students. 
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Do I have to decide the stream before the interviews? 
Although this is not required, you could mention your interests during the interview. Back to Top

Do I have to work for the Assistantship which I get? 
Yes, just like any other ME/MTech program student. This will involve, approximately eight hours/week of teaching assistantship work which will be assigned to you after you join the course.
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Which all companies are involved? 
During the last two academic years 2007-2009 these were the companies involved:

• Cypress Semiconductors, Bangalore.
• IBM Semiconductor Research and Development Labs, Bangalore
• NXP Semiconductors, Bangalore
• ST-NXP, Bangalore
• Synplicity (Now taken over by Synopsys), Bangalore

• Texas Instruments, India.
• LSI Logic, USA.
• Analog Devices, Banglore.
• Intel Carporation, USA.
• Silicon Automation System, Banglore.
• Philips Semiconductors, The Netherlands.
• Nokia, Germany

1. First you will have to procure the admission forms (Regular ME/MTech Admission-forms issued by IIT, Delhi).
2. You make sure that the duly completed form reaches the institute before the specified deadline.
3. Depending on the number of applications received that year a particular number of students will be short listed for the interviews while a few students may be selected for direct admission. You will be intimated about these things if you meet the basic requirements and any of criteria given below:
4. Exceptional GATE Score with more than 75 % aggregate in the qualifying degree you may be eligible for Direct Admission. This means that you will not be attending the first round of interviews.
5. A GATE score above a certain cutoff decided based on the number of applications received that year you will be called for the first round of interviews.
6. You will be intimated about the date and the venue for the interview.
7. On the specified day you attend the interview along with other candidates. This will be conducted by the VDTT faculty only and based on the performance of the candidates, few of them will be short listed for the second round of interview. This list will be announced on the same day as soon as all the candidates are interviewed.
8. The previously short listed students along with the direct admission candidates will have to meet the representatives from the sponsoring companies. Usually each representative presents ideas and areas of interest about his company. This will help you to provide options for the company you want to be sponsored by.
9. Depending on your options you will be interviewed by the sponsor. Based on your performance and choice you will be selected and alloted a particular sponsor.

Hope that more or less clears the procedure! .
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Interviews ? What preparation or background do I need? 
Relax. You just need fundamentals of your qualifying degree.No experience or background regarding VLSI will be assumed.
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Can I have some cutoff percentiles from last year 2008-2009 to see where I stand ? 
Sure . These are the details(This is for general candidates.) 

Regarding Direct Admission: There were no direct admissions last year
Regarding the Call for Interviews, following are the minimum cut-offs we had last year:

1. EE Gate Score : 800
2. EC Gate Score : 700
3. CS Gate Score : 560
4. IN Gate Score : 700
5. IT Gate Score : 680
6. PH Gate Score : 670

• First round of Interview: May 15th,2008.
• Sponsors Interview: May 16th,2008.