COURSE SYLLABUS
Course Number: EcE 280
Title: Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) Design I
Department/Program: Electronics, Computer, and Communications Engineering
School: School of Science and Engineering Ateneo de Manila University
Semester: First
School Year: 2008-2009
Instructor: Dr. Rosula San Jose- Reyes
A. COURSE DESCRIPTION
The course is an introduction to design, layout, and testing of Very Large Scale Integrated
(VLSI) circuits for complex digital systems. The focus will be on the fundamentals of the VLSI
fabrication process that will introduce the students to the fabrication method, circuits, logic design,
architecture, and design tools. The course will also introduce the students to the VLSI system-on-chip
(SOC) structured design and design verification topics and techniques.
B. COURSE OBJECTIVES
The objective of this course is to introduce the students to the concepts in digital VLSI circuits.
The course also aims to provide students with the knowledge required to design, implement, and test
digital VLSI circuits through nMOS, pMOS, and CMOS technologies and to integrate those VLSI
circuits in complex digital systems.
Upon completion of this course, the students should demonstrate the ability to:
1. Understand the VLSI fabrication and its impact on the VLSI design process.
2. Understand the VLSI testing process and design for testability techniques.
3. Understand the level of abstraction in the design and verification of VLSI system.
4. Understand the use of various Computer-Aided Design (CAD) tools for design.
C. COURSE OUTLINE
1. a. Introduction to VLSI Design
Moore’s Law
Design Levels of Abstraction
Logic to transistor Level Translation
Survey of Silicon Semiconductor Technology
Bipolar, CMOS, Bi-CMOS, Ga-As Technology
2. CMOS Fabrication and Processing Technology
Crystal Growth; Water Preparation; Oxidation;
Diffusion, Ion Implantation
NMOS, CMOS technologies;
Layout Design Rules
3. Circuit Characterization and Performance Estimation
Introduction – Review of MOS Transistor Theory
Transistor Physics – Accumulation, Depletion, Inversion
Threshold Voltage;
V-I Characteristics; Body Effect
Noise Margin;
Latch-up;
Resistance; Switching Characteristics
Power Consumption;
Yield; Scaling of MOS Transistor Dimensions
4. Current Trends of VLSI system-on-a-chip
Hardware/Software Co-simulation
D. TIMEFRAME
14-Jun Orientation; Introduction to VLSI Design
21-Jun CMOS
Fabrication and Processing Technology
28-Jun Submission of Assignment 1
Presentation of Assignment 1 ( by draw lots, everyone must be ready to present)
5-Jul Circuit
Characterization and Performance Estimation(Part l)
12-Jul Circuit
Characterization and Performance Estimation(Part ll)
19-Jul Submission
of Assignment 2, Presentation of Exercise 1
25-Jul No Classes; Continue with Exercise 2
2-Aug Long Quiz #1
9-Aug Submission of Assignment 3
16-Aug Submission and Presentation of Exercise 2
23-Aug Long Quiz #2
30-Aug Submission
and Presentation of Exercise 3
6-Sep Current Trends of VLSI (l)
13-Sep Submission and Presentation of Exercise 4
20-Sep Current Trends of VLSI (II)
27-Sep Submission and Presentation of Exercise 5
4-Oct Final-Hands-On Exam or Final Term Project
11-Oct Final-Hands-On Exam or Final Term Project
E. REQUIRED READINGS
1. Principles of CMOS VLSI Design: A System Perspective
By Neil H.E. Weste and Kamran Eshragihan
2. Introduction to VLSI circuits and Systems, 2002, John P. Uyemura,
http://www.chwa.com.tw/
F. SUGGESTED READINGS
1. Basic VLSI Design: Systems and Circuits (Supplementary Reading)
By Douglas A. Pucknell, Kamran Eshraghian
2. CMOS VLSI Microelectronics
By Stanley Hurst
3. Design of VLSI System – A Practical Introduction
By L.M. Brakenbury
4. Introduction to NMOS and CMOS VLSI System Design
By A. Mukherjee
5. VLSI Technology
By S.M. Sze
6. Microchip Fabrication
By P.V. Zant
G. COURSE REQUIREMENTS
1.
2.
3.
4.
Assignments 1, 2, and 3
Exercises 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5
Long Quizzes 1 and 2
Final Exams or Project
H. GRADING SYSTEM
Long Quiz#1 (Written and Close Books and Notes)
Assignments and Exercises Reports
Long Quiz#2 (Written and Open Books and Notes)
Final-Hands-On Exam or Final Term Project
Class attendance and Others
Equivalent Grade
A
A-
92 – 100
87 – 91+
I. CLASSROOM POLICIES
J. CONSULTATION HOURS
B+
B
81 – 86+
76 – 80+
by appointment
15%
30%
25%
20%
10%