ECE 4540 - VLSI Circuit Design (3C)

Introduction to the design and layout of Very Large Scale Integrated Circuits (VLSI). Emphasis is placed on digital CMOS circuits. Static and dynamic properties of MOSFET devices, along with integrated circuit fabrication are examined. Computer-aided design tools are used to produce working integrated circuit designs.

This course will provide students with the ability to design state-of-the-art digital CMOS circuits. The course introduces students to what is becoming a fundamental design technique. The ability to design integrated circuits or to at least be able to analyze other’s designs is becoming a necessity for many computer engineering students entering the work force or pursuing an advanced degree. In addition, this course allows students to see how physically to implement some of the designs or design techniques they have learned in other classes. This course is modeled after the existing course ECE 5545. This proposal presents a restructuring of 5545’s course content to make it appropriate for seniors. The content of 5545/46 is being revised to reflect the shifting of material into 4540.