Course Overview
This graduate-level course offers an in-depth exploration of modern digital Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) design. It covers the principles, methodologies, and tools essential for the design and analysis of complex digital integrated circuits. The course is structured to provide both theoretical knowledge and practical skills, preparing students to tackle real-world VLSI design challenges. To expose students to the modern aspects of the digital VLSI world, emerging progresses will be covered alongside each main topic. In addition to walking through the key elements and design approaches that enable today’s large-scale complex chips, this course also emphasizes critical thinking approaches for analyzing trade-offs, which serve an essential role in engineering research.
Textbook
CMOS VLSI Design: A Circuits and Systems Perspective (4th Edition), Neil Weste, David Harris, ISBN-10 : 0321547748/ISBN-13 : 9780321547743, Publisher : Pearson, Edition: 4, No. of Pages : 864 (Recommended)
Course Prerequisite(s)
- ECE3120J Digital Integrated Circuit (Required) or Instructor Approval
- ECE3200J Introduction to Semiconductor Devices (Preferred)
- ECE3700J Introduction to Computer Organization (Preferred)
Credits
3 Credits
Course Objectives
- Equip students with a deep understanding of modern VLSI design techniques, including logic design, circuit optimization, and design automation techniques.
- Teach students to critically evaluate and optimize key design metrics such as power consumption, delay, area, and reliability in digital circuits and systems.
- Introduce students to cutting-edge VLSI architectures, such as System-on-Chip (SoC), heterogeneous integration, and low-power design strategies, along with recent advancements like 3D integration and hardware accelerators.
- Encourage critical thinking and innovation by discussing recent research developments in the field of digital VLSI design, preparing students to make meaningful contributions to both academic research and industrial applications.
Offerings
Fall 2024