Mar 28, 2024  
2017-2018 Undergraduate Academic Catalog 
    
2017-2018 Undergraduate Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

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CE 4940 - VLSI Design Techniques

2 lecture hours 2 lab hours 3 credits
Course Description
This course introduces students to the design and fabrication of custom-made integrated circuits. The course draws on students’ knowledge of electronic circuit theory, semiconductor device physics, digital logic design, circuit simulation, and software algorithms. A variety of combinational and sequential logic implementation styles are described and simulated including static CMOS, dynamic CMOS, domino logic, static RAM, and dynamic RAM. Simulation is completed using the SPICE input language and fabrication process models. Students are also introduced to classic algorithms in automated synthesis including algorithms for logic reduction and partitioning, placement of circuit blocks, and routing of interconnection between circuit blocks. (prereq: CE 1911  , CE 2811   or EE 1910 )
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  • Use the equations of conduction to describe VLSI circuit performance parameters including power consumption, rise time, fall time, threshold voltage, and noise margins
  • Describe VLSI implementation styles including static CMOS, dynamic CMOS, and domino logic
  • Describe how static and dynamic RAM are implemented as VLSI circuits
  • Describe classic algorithms in logic reduction, placement, and routing
  • Use the SPICE input language to describe and simulate VLSI circuits
  • Use transistor layout software to design transistor level circuits

Prerequisites by Topic
  • Combinational and sequential logic
  • C programming

Course Topics
  • Transistor equations of conduction
  • CMOS implementation styles (static CMOS, dynamic CMOS, domino logic)
  • CMOS logic gate design
  • Static and dynamic RAM circuits
  • Performance analysis of CMOS circuits including power, rise time, fall time, threshold voltage, and noise margins
  • Graph theoretic algorithms in partitioning and routing

Laboratory Topics
  • Design and simulation of CMOS logic circuits using the PSPICE input language
  • Design and simulation of memory circuits using the PSPICE input language
  • Design and simulation of transistor layouts
  • Implementation of simple graph theoretic VLSI algorithms in the C programming language

Coordinator
Dr. Russ Meier



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