Course Title: Integrated Circuit Design (PG)

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Integrated Circuit Design (PG)

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

EEET2036

City Campus

Postgraduate

125H Electrical & Computer Engineering

Face-to-Face

Sem 2 2010,
Sem 2 2011,
Sem 2 2012,
Sem 2 2013,
Sem 2 2014,
Sem 2 2016

EEET2363

RMIT University Vietnam

Postgraduate

125H Electrical & Computer Engineering

Face-to-Face

Viet1 2012,
Viet3 2012,
Viet1 2013,
Viet3 2013,
Viet1 2014,
Viet2 2014

Course Coordinator: Paul Beckett

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 99255301

Course Coordinator Email: pbeckett@rmit.edu.au


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

No formal courses. Knowledge of electronics, analogue and digital hardware design at undergraduate level is assumed.


Course Description

The course introduces the basic concepts and techniques used in modern Digital IC design, focussing specifically on CMOS technology. These cover the complete range of digital integrated circuit design from concept to implementation on silicon. A significant part of the course is taken up by a group design project in which students design a small part of an integrated circuit on advanced graphics workstations. The main topics covered include: design methodology; behavioural, logic and circuit simulation; floorplanning; geometric layout; circuit structures and techniques; testing and design for test, etc.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Generally, the capabilities you will acquire include:
• Technical competence in Digital Integrated Circuit design (DICD) and Implementation.
• Ability to formulate and solve problems in Digital Integrated Circuit design and implementation.
• DICD design skills.
• Teamwork and leadership skills through the project.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing (both textually and graphically).
• Lifelong learning skills, in particular the ability to undertake self-directed study.


In this course you will learn about Digital IC design, including the following topics:
• Static and Dynamic logic
• Sequential Logic in ICs
• Datapaths and Memories
• Testing and Design for Test

You will also learn about the tools required for IC design including:-
• SPICE simulations (transistor level)
• Logic simulations (design capture)
• Physical design tools (layout & extraction)

Specific topics include:
• Design and Manufacture of VLSI chips
• nMOS, CMOS, mixed signal...
• Architectural decisions
• Full custom design
• Cell based design
• Use of macro cells


Overview of Learning Activities

This course provides you with a number of learning opportunities:
Weekly lectures will guide you to important concepts and give you many practical hints for the design of digital systems.
The laboratory work will help you to connect theory with practice.
The project is a problem based learning activity that will require you to exercise many of the skills required for the design of digital systems.
The course resources, also accessible from the Web, have links to on-line resources for you to access and expand your knowledge of the topics.
The lab project will develop your team skills and give you experience in industry relevant tasks and ways of working.


Overview of Learning Resources

The learning resources for this course include:
Lecture Notes prepared by the Teaching staff.
Recommended reference books: See the course guide Part B available at the start of classes for the list of references.
Relevant embedded equipment and software will be made available in laboratories and for loan where possible.
Course content will made available on-line.


Overview of Assessment

SPICE Exercise
Major Project: oral assessment + report;
Final examination.