VLSI

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Credits
6
Types
Specialization complementary (Computer Engineering)
Requirements
  • Prerequisite: AC
Department
AC
Web
http://docencia.ac.upc.edu/FIB/grau/VLSI
En l'assignatura de VLSI, l'alumne aprendrà el procés de disseny i fabricació dels microprocessadors com a exemple de circuit integrat. Els continguts de l'assignatura cobreixen les àrees de disseny VLSI i de circuits integrats. En concret, els temes tractats seran el de tecnologia CMOS, disseny de circuits (seqüencials i combinacionals), avaluació del retard i consum dels dissenys, metodologia i fases del disseny i impacte de la tecnologia en el disseny. L'avaluació de l'assignatura es farà mitjançant dos exàmens durant el curs (o opcionalment un final) i l'elaboració de les pràctiques del curs.

Teachers

Person in charge

  • Ramon Canal Corretger ( )

Weekly hours

Theory
2
Problems
1
Laboratory
1
Guided learning
0
Autonomous learning
6

Competences

Transversal Competences

Sustainability and social commitment

  • G2 [Avaluable] - To know and understand the complexity of the economic and social phenomena typical of the welfare society. To be capable of analyse and evaluate the social and environmental impact.
    • G2.3 - To take into account the social, economical and environmental dimensions, and the privacy right when applying solutions and carry out project which will be coherent with the human development and sustainability.

Technical Competences of each Specialization

Computer engineering specialization

  • CEC1 - To design and build digital systems, including computers, systems based on microprocessors and communications systems.
    • CEC1.2 - To design/configure an integrated circuit using the adequate software tools.
  • CEC3 - To develop and analyse hardware and software for embedded and/or very low consumption systems.
    • CEC3.2 - To develop specific processors and embedded systems; to develop and optimize the software of these systems. 

Objectives

  1. Understand the steps of VLSI circuit design. Get to know the tools available at each point.
    Related competences: CEC1.2,
  2. Evaluate the VLSI circuits according to a set of figures of merit which include the economic and environmental evaluation
    Related competences: CEC1.2, G2.3,
  3. Get to know Hardware Description Languages. Be able to program simple structures in one of them
    Related competences: CEC3.2, CEC1.2,
  4. Describe the operation and programming simple memory structures.
    Related competences: CEC3.2, CEC1.2,
  5. Describe the operation and programming simple combinational structures.
    Related competences: CEC3.2, CEC1.2,
  6. Implement at the physical level an optimization of certain memory blocks and combinational structures.
    Related competences: CEC3.2, CEC1.2,
  7. Understand the evolution of circuit manufacturing technology, be able to understand the economic and social impact.
    Related competences: G2.3,

Contents

  1. 1. Introduction to VLSI technology
    Historical perspective of VLSI manufacturing technologies and IC design. Current situation and forecast.
  2. 2. Steps of VLSI Design
    Description of the steps and tools used in VLSI design, from system specification to the implementation in an integrated circuit
  3. 3. Figures of merit
    Description of the figures of merit (area, delay and consumption) of integrated circuits and how to get an estimate before having made ​​the circuit.
  4. 4. Introduction to HDLs
    Description of existing hardware description languages​​, comparative advantages and disadvantages. Programming of small structures.
  5. 5. Microprocessor structures: Memories
    Description of existing memory structures for microprocessors. HDLs description and evaluation in the figures of merit.
  6. 6. Microprocessor structures: ALUs and combinational elements
    Description of existing combinational structures in microprocessors. HDLs description and evaluation.
  7. 7. Layout and full-custom design
    Introduction to full-custom design and layout.

Activities

Activity Evaluation act


Final Exam

Final Exam in case the student fails the mid-term exams
Objectives: 1 2 3 4 5 6
Week: 15 (Outside class hours)
Theory
2h
Problems
0h
Laboratory
0h
Guided learning
0h
Autonomous learning
8h

2nd Mid-term Exam

2nd Midterm Exam
Objectives: 1 2 3 4 5 6
Week: 14
Theory
2h
Problems
0h
Laboratory
0h
Guided learning
0h
Autonomous learning
10h

1st Mid-term exam

1st mid-term exam
Objectives: 1 2 3 4
Week: 7
Theory
2h
Problems
0h
Laboratory
0h
Guided learning
0h
Autonomous learning
10h

Introduction to VLSI technology

Introduction of the history of circuit fabrication technology, circuit design; as well as, state-of-the art and future projections.
  • Theory: Presentation of the historical perspective on VLSI manufacturing technologies and integrated circuit design. Current situation and forecast.
  • Autonomous learning: Understanding of theoretical concepts of the topic, solve problems and exercises of this chapter.
Objectives: 7
Contents:
Theory
2h
Problems
0h
Laboratory
0h
Guided learning
0h
Autonomous learning
4h

Steps of VLSI design

Study the theoretical concepts of the chapter and solve exercises and the problem set.
  • Theory: Lectures on the topics covered in this chapter.
  • Autonomous learning: Understanding of theoretical concepts of the topic, solve problems and exercises of this chapter.
Objectives: 1 7
Contents:
Theory
2h
Problems
0h
Laboratory
0h
Guided learning
0h
Autonomous learning
4h

Figures of Merit

Study the theoretical concepts of the chapter and solve exercises and the problem set.
  • Theory: Lectures on the topics covered in this chapter.
  • Problems: Solve the proposed problems and exercises.
  • Autonomous learning: Understanding of theoretical concepts of the topic, solve problems and exercises of this chapter.
Objectives: 1 2 7
Contents:
Theory
2h
Problems
2h
Laboratory
0h
Guided learning
0h
Autonomous learning
4h

Introduction to HDLs

Study the theoretical concepts of the chapter and solve exercises and the problem set.
  • Theory: Lectures on the topics covered in this chapter.
  • Problems: Solve the proposed problems and exercises.
  • Laboratory: Introduction to design tools and development of small structures.
  • Autonomous learning: Understanding of theoretical concepts of the topic, solve problems and exercises of this chapter.
Objectives: 2 3
Contents:
Theory
4h
Problems
2h
Laboratory
5h
Guided learning
0h
Autonomous learning
8h

Microprocessor structures: Memories

Study the theoretical concepts of the chapter and solve exercises and the problem set.
  • Theory: Lectures on the topics covered in this chapter.
  • Problems: Solve the proposed problems and exercises.
  • Autonomous learning: Understanding of theoretical concepts of the topic, solve problems and exercises of this chapter.
Objectives: 3 4
Contents:
Theory
4h
Problems
4h
Laboratory
4h
Guided learning
0h
Autonomous learning
12h

Microprocessor structures: ALUs and combinational elements

Study the theoretical concepts of the chapter and solve exercises and the problem set.
  • Theory: Lectures on the topics covered in this chapter.
  • Problems: Solve the proposed problems and exercises.
  • Laboratory: Construction of combinational circuits and integration of combinational and memory modules.
  • Autonomous learning: Understanding of theoretical concepts of the topic, solve problems and exercises of this chapter.
Objectives: 2 3 5
Contents:
Theory
6h
Problems
5h
Laboratory
4h
Guided learning
0h
Autonomous learning
20h

Layout and full-custom design

Study the theoretical concepts of the chapter and solve exercises and the problem set.
  • Theory: Lectures on the topics covered in this chapter.
  • Problems: Solve the proposed problems and exercises.
Objectives: 1 2 6
Contents:
Theory
4h
Problems
2h
Laboratory
2h
Guided learning
0h
Autonomous learning
10h

Teaching methodology

Lectures will cover the fundamentals, the participation of the student is scarce.
Problem classes will develop the concepts learnt in the lectures. The student is actively participating.
Lab sessions will give a hands-on experience on the concepts developed in the problem sessions and explained in the lectures. The student is actively participating and working in a group.
The course is based on the previous courses taught in this specialization. At each point the course, the student will build on top of his previous knowledge.

Evaluation methodology

Mid-term1: Review of first 5 chapters
Mid-term2: Review of last 3 chapters
Final: final exam
Lab Review: evaluated on the basis of reports submitted in each of the sessions and, if appropriate, a personal interview

Final mark (NF) = 0.8 x max (final, 0.5 x Mid-term1 + 0.5 x Mid-term2) 0.2 x Lab

The level of achievement of the generic competence is assessed indirectly from the final mark as follows:
A if (NF>8.5), B if (NF>7), C if (NF>5), D otherwise

Bibliography

Basic:

Complementary:

Previous capacities

Those listed in IC, EC, PE and AC.