Module Code - Title:

EE6621 - ASICS 1 (DIGITAL ASICS)

Year Last Offered:

2025/6

Hours Per Week:

Lecture

2

Lab

2

Tutorial

0

Other

0

Private

6

Credits

6

Grading Type:

N

Prerequisite Modules:

Rationale and Purpose of the Module:

This module introduces issues relating to the design and implementation of application-speci?c integrated circuits (ASICS) for digital systems.

Syllabus:

Introduction to Design Methodology. Custom IC design. Standard cells. Programmable logic. Gate arrays. FPGAs. ASICs. VLSI Structures. CMOS, advanced CMOS, ROMs and RAMs. Introduction to UNIX. Manipulating ?les and directroies. Information processing. Printing. Using remote systems. Tailoring the envioromnent. Job control. Editors. Design entry and simulation. Schematic capture. Simulation. Verilog HDL. Module form general syntax. Data types. Constant assignment. Parameters. Arrays. Operators. Procedural statements. Using built-in functions in Verilog. Additional Verilog constructs. Two behavioural examples: gate level simulation, tri-state gates. Device layout and fabrication. The CMOS IC fabrication process. The CMOS inverter. Other CMOS Structures (in an n-well process).

Learning Outcomes:

Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)

Draw the design ?ow of a modern digital ASIC and list the inputs and outputs of each of the stages in such a design ?ow. Write a synthesizable hardware description language module for a digital system, along with a test bench for the system. Design and analyse CMOS inverter circuits driving capacitative loads based on the long channel model. system. Describe the limitations of the long channel model for deep submicron processes, and discuss the short channel model. Draw the schematic of any standard logic cell and design the schematic of any composite gate in the CMOS style.

Affective (Attitudes and Values)

None

Psychomotor (Physical Skills)

None

How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:

Lectures/Labs

Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):

Prime Texts:

Smith, M.J.S. (1997) Application-Specific Integrated Circuits , Addison-Wesley

Other Relevant Texts:

Smith, D.J. (1996) HDL Chip Design , Doone Publications

Shoji, M. (1988) CMOS Digital Circuit Technology , Prentice Hall

Hurst, S.L. (1998) VLSI Testing: Digital and Mixed Analogue/Digital Techniques , IEE Press

Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:

Semester(s) Module is Offered:

Module Leader:

karl.rinne@ul.ie