Calendar

LEC # TOPICS KEY DATES
1 Challenges in Digital IC Design
Course Overview
 
2 CMOS Inverter I
MOS Device Model with Sub-micron Effects 
VTC Parameters - DC Characteristics
Problem Set #1 Out
3 CMOS Inverter II
CMOS Propagation Delay 
Parasitic Capacitance Estimation 
Layout of an Inverter 
Supply and Threshold Voltage Scaling 
SPICE Simulation Techniques
 
  Tutorial on Design Tools - Layout of a CMOS Gate, Extraction, SPICE, IRSIM  
4 CMOS Inverter III
Components of Energy and Power 
Switching, Short-Circuit and Leakage Components 
SPICE Simulation Techniques
 
5 Combinational Logic I 
Static CMOS Construction 
Ratioed Logic
Problem Set #1 Due 
Problem Set #2 Out
6 Combinational Logic II 
Pass Transistor / Transmission Gate Logic 
DCVSL 
Introduction to Dynamic Logic
 
7 Combinational Logic III
Dynamic Logic Design Considerations 
Power Dissipation in CMOS
 
8 Combinational Logic IV
Power Consumption in CMOS Logic (cont.) 
Leakage Power Dissipation 
Logical Effort Sizing - Performance Optimization of Digital Circuits
Problem Set #2 Due 
Problem Set #3 Out
9

Arithmetic Structures / Bit Slice Design
Adders, Multipliers, Shifters 
Design Methodology 
Layout Techniques and Mapping

Project Schedule and Guidelines

 
10 Evening Session on Exploring Project Ideas
Finish Arithmetic Structures and Project Ideas
 
11 Guest Lecture by Prof. Tayo Akinwande
Integrated CMOS Processing
 
12 Sequential Circuits I
Classification / Parameters 
Static Latches and Register
Problem Set #3 Due 
Problem Set #4 Out
13 Sequential Circuits II
Race Condition 
Dynamic Latches and Registers 
Two Phase vs. Single Phase
1-Page Project Proposal Due
  Quiz #1
Covers Inverter, Combinational Logic
 
14 Sequential Circuits III
Pulse Based Registers 
Latch vs. Register Systems 
Metastability
 
15 Interconnect
Capacitance Estimation 
Buffer Chains 
Low Swing Drivers 
Power Distribution
Problem Set #4 Due 
Problem Set #5 Out
16 Interconnect (cont.)
Issues in Timing - Impact of Clock Skew and Jitter
 
17 Clock Distribution
Origins of Clock Skew / Jitter and Impact on Performance 
Clock Distribution Techniques 
Self-timed Circuits
 
18 Memory I: ROM / EPROM / PLA Design 
Organization / Architecture 
Cell Design 
Sense-amplifiers 
PLA Folding Techniques 
Self-timing
Problem Set #5 Due
19 Memory II: SRAM Design
Cell Design 
Differential Sense Amplifiers 
Self-timing
 
20 Memory III
DRAM Design 
Single Ended Sense Amplifier 
CMOS Scaling
 
  Quiz #2
Covers Arithmetic Structures, Inter-connect, Sequential Circuits and Memory
 
21 Advanced Voltage Scaling Techniques
DC-DC Converter Design 
Performance Feedback 
Dynamic Voltage / Frequency Scaling
 
22

Power Reduction Through Switching Activity Reduction

Testing in VLSI 
Defects, Fault Models, Path Sensitization 
Scan, Built-in-self Test, IDDQ

 
23 Presentation of Final Projects Project Report Due
24 Presentation of Final Projects (cont.)  

Course Info

As Taught In
Fall 2003
Level
Learning Resource Types
Problem Sets
Exams with Solutions
Projects