CSCE 613
Fundamentals of VLSI Chip Design
Department Course Description
The following link will take you to the existing departmental syllabus for this course. This reflects the course content in semesters' past, and is a starting point for our revamping of the course structure, objectives, contents and expected outcomes. Namely, my emphasis is on an understanding of the theory and engineering assumptions made regarding the scaling of the "abstraction ladder", from MOS transistor models, to the switch-level (P-, N- and C-switches and their characteristics), to the level above this, where we can combine switch-level elements into combinational and sequential logic elements--the basic building blocks for higher-level VLSI systems.
613—Fundamentals
of VLSI Chip Design.
(3) (Prereq: ELEC 371) Design of VLSI circuits, including standard processes,
circuit design, layout, and CAD tools. Lecture and guided design projects.
(Note, there is no web link currently for this page on the department's web site.)
I approach this material from both a top-down and bottom-up perspective. Namely, from the standpoint of the VLSI systems designer, we make certain assumptions about the behaviors of lower levels (gate-level and below), but as component designers or library builders, we are concerned about the inner workings of behaviors and component construction and verification--such that building blocks can be available for the systems designer. Where the two realms meet is at the digital logic level--the systems design pushes downward from the systems and register-transfer levels, and the component engineer pushes up from the transistor and switch levels. Both meet at the digital logic/gate level. Therefore, I place great emphasis on the ability of electrical and computer engineering students being able to "conceptualize" a VLSI component or system at any level of abstraction in the abstraction hierarchy.
The Importance of This Course for Computer Engineering
A key aspect of computer engineering design is the use of an iterative enhancement style of design method, allowing us to explore the space of possible architectures and designs to realize the algorithms and protocols under study. The practice of engineering design in our discipline involves the use of a number of design methods, tools, and processes. It is the systematic use of these--along with the use of your creative minds---that enable one to rise to the level of excellence in practicing computer engineering design. It is my hope that--through observation and direct experience in this course--that you will be able to start on the road to mastery of the principles and best practices of the computer engineering discipline.
Course Content Materials
My Course Syllabus & Text (Click this link)
Course Lecture Notes & Resources (Click this link, and save it as a bookmark in your browser)
Homework Assignments (Click this link, and save it as a bookmark in your browser)
Course Pages Content - Change History
05/29/03 New!! I have added this page, so that prospective students know the texts to be used, how the course will be graded, and the overall structure of it. More information on the course subject materials and projects will be posted soon, along with a more detailed outline of the materials to be covered (I am still working on this).