Tapeout using OpenROAD: A comprehensive guide to RTL-to-GDSII implementation

OpenROAD has emerged as a transformative open-source platform for digital ASIC design, enabling fully autonomous RTL-to-GDSII implementation with sub-24-hour turnaround times. By integrating synthesis, floorplanning, placement, clock tree synthesis (CTS), routing, and verification into a unified flow, OpenROAD democratizes access to advanced semiconductor design while supporting commercial-grade technologies up to 12nm. This guide provides a detailed walkthrough of the tapeout process using OpenROAD, leveraging insights from tool documentation, academic benchmarks, and real-world implementation case studies.