Advanced Integrated Circuit Design and Applications

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, the global demand for integrated circuits (ICs) has reached unprecedented levels. This surge has been driven by transformative applications across multiple domains—artificial intelligence, 6G communications, quantum computing, biomedical devices, automotive systems, and robotics, among others. This has resulted in severe shortages, record-setting profits, and major realignments in global semiconductor manufacturing strategies.

The aim of this Special Issue is to provide a platform for researchers to share their latest advances in the design and implementation of ICs. We place particular emphasis on electronic design automation (EDA) tools, design methodologies, and innovative architectures down to layout level. Contributions may address RTL-to-GDSII flows, verification and manufacturing strategies, and the use of both fabricable open-source PDKs (e.g., SkyWater 130, GlobalFoundries 180, IHP 130) and commercial PDKs. Submissions exploring commercial-grade design tools alongside open-source platforms (such as Efabless/ChipFoundry) are also encouraged, highlighting synergies, limitations, and opportunities for adoption in academia and industry. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. EDA tool design.
2. EDA tool applications for the design and verification of ICs.
3. Novel IC architectures and layout methodologies.
4. Open-source hardware design platforms and ecosystems.
5. System on Chip (SoC).
6. IC measurement and test.
7. The design of customized ICs for digital signal processing algorithms, automatic control systems, communications, among others.
8. The integration of AI and machine learning in IC design automation.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Jorge Domínguez
Dr. Susana Ortega Cisneros
Guest Editors

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