Hi, I'm planning to design an open-source Standard Cell Library for a specific purpose using the SkyWater 130 PDK. Before starting, I have a couple of questions: 1. Can the SkyWater 130 PDK be interfaced/installed with proprietary toolchains like Cadence and Siemens? Are there supporting files available? 2. Alternatively, I'm considering designing the library entirely with open-source toolchains. Are there reliable open-source tools, preferably tape-out-proven, for end-to-end library design? I've had difficulty finding open-source characterization tools. Your insights or any recommended resources would be highly appreciated. Thanks.

(1) Cadence Open-Source PDK (and Reference Design) for SkyWater’s 130 nm Process : https://www.skywatertechnology.com/skywater-announces-availability-of-cadence-open-source-pdk-and-reference-design-for-skywaters-130-nm-process/ https://community.cadence.com/cadence_blogs_8/b/corporate/posts/bringing-semiconductor-tapeouts-to-engineering-education (2a) PROBE3: while LEF/GDS generation is opensource the Lib-generation requires cadence tools: https://github.com/ABKGroup/PROBE3.0 (2b) opensource librecell (lclayout: Layout generator for CMOS standard-cells, lctime : Characterization tool) https://codeberg.org/librecell I didn't test (2b), do your own research.

2. Check https://github.com/efabless/caravel_user_project It is manufacturable flow from Efabless ChipIgnite/MPW Shuttle. Completely Opensource tool chain

Hi @Michael Strothjohann , Thank you for sharing the resource. 1. The press release is informative, and it seems we may need to wait for Cadence to release more details. 2a. PRobe caught my eye, and I plan to delve deeper into it. 2b. Thanks for recommending librecell; I'll explore it further. Regarding the GitHub repo [custom std cell link], it appears they are facing the common challenge of cell characterization. I've heard that Prof. @James Stine's team is developing an open-source characterization tool called CharLib. https://github.com/stineje/CharLibIt. Let us hope to hear more about it directly from Prof James. Appreciate your help.🙂

FYI re (1), the PDK has not been released. I asked for it shortly after the press release and it was more of an announcement that they're working on it 😞