Vertical 03 — Hardware
Write semiconductor-grade SystemVerilog. Build the memory controllers other people read about.
The Hardware vertical is for the 0.1% of builders who want to go deep on RTL design. You will build an HBM-style memory controller from scratch in SystemVerilog: address mapper, command scheduler, bank state machines, ECC, power manager, and refresh engine. You learn the timing constraints nobody explains in textbooks, how to debug with Verilator, and why random stimulus finds bugs directed tests never will.
Design a multi-channel DRAM controller with bank-level parallelism
Implement SECDED ECC at the bank level with correctable/uncorrectable error handling
Build a command scheduler that respects 20+ timing constraints simultaneously
Handle refresh, power-down, and self-refresh without data loss
Debug synchronous logic with assertion-based scoreboarding
Run random-stimulus testing that catches bugs directed tests miss
Every module below is free to read and follow — the code, the templates, the receipts. Pro ($29/mo) is for the monthly live Q&A and the private community. Builder ($499/mo) adds direct email access and small-group coaching.
Modules, always blocks, synthesis vs simulation semantics, common pitfalls.
DDR vs HBM, banks, channels, rows, columns, timing parameters explained.
Request queue, bank tracking, reorder logic, stall minimization.
Hamming codes, SECDED implementation, error reporting, recovery.
Power states, transition timing, refresh scheduling, thermal considerations.
Verilator setup, assertions, scoreboards, random stimulus harness.
Live Build
4,500-line SystemVerilog HBM-style controller. Runs in Verilator, passes directed + random stimulus tests, models multi-channel bank parallelism with ECC and power states.
4,500 lines of production-style SystemVerilog
3 critical bugs caught by random stimulus (missed by directed tests)
10× bandwidth difference between lazy and optimal scheduler
Full refresh timing validation under burst traffic
The modules are free. Pro is for the monthly live Q&A and the community. Builder adds direct access and coaching.
Join Pro — Live Q&A + Community