WELCOME TO CE4940

This course introduces students to the design and fabrication of custom-made integrated circuits. The course draws on student 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. Algorithms are implemented in the C programming language.

This website serves as the official syllabus. Instructors may provide a supplemental syllabus to students. Use the links at the top of the page to learn about:

PREREQUISITE COURSES

Students enrolled in CE4940 should have successfully passed courses in combinational logic, sequential logic, electronics, physics of semiconductors, and C programming. Important topics covered in the prerequisite classes are:

Students that have not successfully completed the prerequisite work should talk to the instructor as soon as possible about continuing in the course.

WHY DO ELECTRICAL AND COMPUTER ENGINEERS STUDY VLSI DESIGN?

The integration of circuit components onto semiconductor materials revolutionized electronics and the computer industry. Microprocessors, microcontrollers and IC memories made computers smaller, more robust, and affordable. Most modern devices organize these chips on a motherboard to create a system that monitors and controls its environment. An introduction to transistor circuits and semiconductor fabrication can provide a student with a deeper understanding of how the actual electrical work is accomplished.

WHAT WILL STUDENTS LEARN IN CE4940?

This is an elective course in digital integrated circuit design and VLSI fabrication. Students will learn about:

The laboratory exercises reinforce the lecture material with required SPICE simulations of static CMOS, dynamic CMOS, pseudo-NMOS, static RAM and dynamic RAM circuits. Student also implement simple automated synthesis algorithms using the C programming language.

Homework exercises are assigned to help students practice the analysis and design of transistor circuits, VLSI layout rules, automated synthesis algorithsm, and explore industry trends.