Foundry | Design premises

PDK

A PDK (Process Design Kit) is the collection of design information and libraries a foundry provides for designing and manufacturing on a given process. It includes layer information, components and PCells with their models, and design rules, though what it contains and the conditions of supply differ by foundry and process.

Supplied by

The target foundry

Conditions of access

Subject to the conditions of the target foundry and PDK (NDA, DKLA and so on).

Details

Layer information, components and PCells with their models, design rules and more. What it contains differs by target foundry and process.

What to check in the PDK and its documentation

Which components are available on that process, and the conditions for placing them

Design rules on layer stack and dimensions

The submission format for manufacturing data. Final submission requirements are confirmed from the target foundry’s documentation and process requirements.

What the PDK does not settle

Design intent and performance targets are not part of a PDK. Establish the outlook by analysis and simulation, then confirm that it falls within what the PDK allows. Stages after submission are covered on another page.

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Working with a PDK

From obtaining it to preparing submission data

PDKs differ by target process. Once the platform and process are selected, obtaining the PDK, progressing the design and preparing manufacturing data all proceed in line with the target foundry’s conditions.

Signing the NDA

Signing an NDA with the target foundry.

Obtaining the PDK

Obtaining the PDK for the target process.

Selecting components

Building the circuit from the PDK’s components.

Checking design rules

Confirming that dimensions and placement fall within the rules.

Converting to the submission format

Preparing the manufacturing data in the format specified in the target foundry’s documentation.

What a PDK contains, its version and its conditions of use differ by foundry and process. We can advise on the specifics once an NDA is in place.

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Design environment

From analysis and simulation to preparing manufacturing data, we support the design process through the same point of contact as the software.

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Last updated

August 28, 2026

If the target process is settled, we can start by obtaining the PDK

If it is not, we are happy to work from your requirements, including selecting the platform.

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