Qualcomm Hardware Design Interview Practice
SoC-oriented RTL, CDC, buses, verification methodology, processor fundamentals and robust reset/interface design.
Independent preparation resource: HDLForge is not affiliated with Qualcomm. These are practice problems selected for relevant hardware skills; they are not presented as leaked or guaranteed interview questions.
What to practise
SoC-oriented RTL, AMBA buses, CDC, FIFOs, control logic and efficient streaming datapaths.
Practice set
Work through these problems without looking at solutions first. Explain assumptions, edge cases and verification strategy as if an interviewer were reviewing the design.
Synchronous FIFO
Implement a synchronous parameterized FIFO with ready/valid-style enqueue and dequeue controls.Small Register File
Implement a 4-entry register file with one synchronous write port and two asynchronous read ports.Asynchronous-Assert Reset Synchronizer
Create a two-flop reset synchronizer with asynchronous assertion and synchronous deassertion.Binary to Gray Counter
Build a parameterized binary counter and expose its Gray-code representation.Ready/Valid Skid Buffer
Build a one-entry skid buffer that preserves data when downstream backpressure arrives.APB Register Peripheral
Build a minimal APB peripheral exposing one 32-bit read/write register.AXI-Lite Write Register Slave
Implement the write side of a single-register AXI-Lite slave.Toggle-Based Pulse Synchronizer
Transfer a one-cycle pulse between unrelated clock domains using a toggle synchronizer.Valid-Ready Streaming Accumulator
Build a streaming accumulator that updates only on successful ready/valid transfers.Q1.7 Fixed-Point Multiplier
Multiply two signed Q1.7 fixed-point values and return a truncated Q1.7 result.
Implement a synchronous parameterized FIFO with ready/valid-style enqueue and dequeue controls.Small Register File
Implement a 4-entry register file with one synchronous write port and two asynchronous read ports.Asynchronous-Assert Reset Synchronizer
Create a two-flop reset synchronizer with asynchronous assertion and synchronous deassertion.Binary to Gray Counter
Build a parameterized binary counter and expose its Gray-code representation.Ready/Valid Skid Buffer
Build a one-entry skid buffer that preserves data when downstream backpressure arrives.APB Register Peripheral
Build a minimal APB peripheral exposing one 32-bit read/write register.AXI-Lite Write Register Slave
Implement the write side of a single-register AXI-Lite slave.Toggle-Based Pulse Synchronizer
Transfer a one-cycle pulse between unrelated clock domains using a toggle synchronizer.Valid-Ready Streaming Accumulator
Build a streaming accumulator that updates only on successful ready/valid transfers.Q1.7 Fixed-Point Multiplier
Multiply two signed Q1.7 fixed-point values and return a truncated Q1.7 result.
Recommended projects
Projects give you deeper material to discuss after the shorter interview exercises.
Small RISC-V SoC
Shows that you can move from isolated RTL blocks to a complete programmable system.AXI-Lite to APB Bridge
A realistic SoC integration block that exercises protocol and control-path reasoning.UVM Verification Environment for an AXI4-Lite Peripheral
Shows that you can verify a realistic bus-connected block end to end.
Shows that you can move from isolated RTL blocks to a complete programmable system.AXI-Lite to APB Bridge
A realistic SoC integration block that exercises protocol and control-path reasoning.UVM Verification Environment for an AXI4-Lite Peripheral
Shows that you can verify a realistic bus-connected block end to end.
How to use this track
- Start with the RTL and architecture problems to identify weak fundamentals.
- Repeat the set under time pressure and explain your reasoning aloud.
- For every RTL answer, state reset behavior, edge cases and how you would verify it.
- Build one related project deeply enough to discuss architecture, bugs, verification and trade-offs.