CMC basecamp™ Training
Hands-on training for advanced semiconductor, photonics, quantum, and packaging technologies.
CMC basecamp™ is a portfolio of specialized training streams for researchers, graduate students, engineers, and technical professionals who want practical experience with advanced design workflows. Depending on the course, participants may work in design, simulation, fabrication, testing, packaging, and system integration. Rather than a single standardized course, CMC basecamp offers multiple learning paths across silicon photonics, quantum photonics, superconducting circuits, CMOS for photonics, integrated circuit design, and low-Temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) system design. Each training has its own technical focus, format, prerequisites, and outcomes.Who It’s For
These courses are intended for learners who want practical exposure to semiconductor-related technologies and workflows. Across the portfolio, audiences include graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, professors, academic researchers, and industry professionals. Some streams are open to mixed-experience audiences, while others are designed for participants with prior background in engineering, applied physics, PIC design, or quantum hardware.
What to Expect
Most training courses combine technical instruction with hands-on work. Depending on the course, this may include lectures, self-paced study, workshops, CAD and simulation tool access, design reviews, fabrication opportunities, testing support, or post-workshop project development.
Participants may work with photonic design environments, Cadence-based analog, digital, and mixed-signal workflows, fabrication-oriented platforms, and packaging or integration methods. Delivery mode, duration, prerequisites, software access, fabrication options, and testing arrangements vary by stream.
Training Streams
In-Person
Passive Silicon Photonics
A structured introduction to passive photonic integrated circuit design, combining self-paced study, in-person instruction, tool access, fabrication through ANT runs coordinated by CMC, engineering support through tape-out, and automatic test support on fabricated chips. Best suited to participants with an undergraduate background in electrical engineering or applied physics.
Active Silicon Photonics
An advanced stream focused on active photonic integrated circuit design, simulation, fabrication, and testing using AMF silicon photonics technology. It includes online learning materials, an in-person workshop, tool access, an extended design timeline and a chip fabrication opportunity. Intended for participants with prior PIC experience, completion of the passive stream, or instructor permission.
Quantum Photonics
Hands-on training in the design, fabrication, and testing of quantum silicon photonic circuits for quantum information processing hardware. The course covers quantum optics fundamentals, photonic design flows, fabrication processes, and test methods, with designs submitted for ANT fabrication after the workshop.
In-Person
Superconducting Quantum Devices
A practical workshop on superconducting circuit design for quantum hardware, including Josephson junctions, resonators, and qubits. Participants use CAD tools, develop device concepts, and engage with researchers and industry experts across the broader quantum and superconducting device ecosystems.
CMOS for Photonics
Advanced training in CMOS circuits that interface with photonic integrated circuits, including Verilog-A modeling and Cadence-based simulation of drivers, TIAs, controllers, and full links. The course includes short-term Cadence access through the CMC Compute Cloud and pathways to fabrication through CMC.
Online
Full Chip Design Flow Using Cadence SKYWATER130
Comprehensive hands-on training in analog and digital integrated circuit design, including op-amp design, standard cell and IP creation, RTL-to-GDSII digital flow, mixed-signal chip integration using Cadence tools, and post-silicon packaging and PCB design.
Low-Temperature Co-fired Ceramic Design
A training on low-temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) design for high-frequency and compact integrated systems. Relevant application areas include RF/mm-wave design, IoT packaging, optoelectronic co-packaging, photonics-related packaging, and power electronics.
Important Notes
Course details vary by stream. Some offerings require prior background, NDAs, export-control documentation, or specific software access conditions. Fabrication and testing may be included, optional, award-based, or arranged separately depending on the course.
Some training courses may also offer academic credit pathways through partner universities.
Explore the Right Basecamp for You
Whether you are looking for an entry point into advanced design workflows or a specialized path in photonics, quantum hardware, integrated circuits, or packaging, CMC basecamp offers multiple ways to build practical capability in emerging semiconductor technologies.
Visit the individual course pages for current dates, prerequisites, pricing, registration deadlines, and availability. Those details are course-specific and may change from one offering to the next.
