520.490: Analog and Digital VLSI Systems and Architecture

http://bach.ece.jhu.edu/gert/courses/490

Fall Semester 2003

 

Silicon models of information and signal processing functions, implemented in analog and digital CMOS integrated circuits.  Structured design, scalability, parallelism, low-power consumption, and robustness to process variations.  Topics include digital-to-analog and analog-to-digital data conversion, delta-sigma modulation, vector quantization, continuous-time and switched-capacitor analog filters, and adaptive neural computation.

An advanced design project is part of the course.  Students (in groups of two or three) design a complete VLSI system-on-a-chip using the Cadence CAD tools, including layout and verification.  Chips will be fabricated through MOSIS and laboratory facilities will be available for testing after the course.  Students choose projects according to their ideas and field of interest. Example projects done by students in the past include D/A data converters, delta-sigma modulators, delta modulators, focal-plane active imagers, and cochlear filterbanks.

Prerequisite: 520.216 and 520.345, or equivalent.

Grading: 50% homework and midterm; 50% design project.

Classes: ThF, 1-2:30pm, Barton 114.

Office hours: F, 11am-1pm, or by appointment.

Instructor:

Prof. Gert Cauwenberghs
E-mail: gert@jhu.edu
Office: 209 Barton; x65180
Lab: 400B Barton; x67701


Course Outline:

A. Classes:

1. 9/4 - 9/5: VLSI technology and device characterization
2. 9/11 - 9/12: Analog and digital CMOS circuit design
3. 9/18 - 9/19: Memory and logic
4. 9/25 - 9/26: Data conversion
5. 10/2 - 10/3: Sigma-delta modulation
6. 10/9 - 10/10: Review and midterm
7. 10/16 - 10/17: Linear filters
8. 10/23 - 10/24: Vector quantization
9. 10/30 - 10/31: Structured modular design
10. 11/6 - 11/7: Low-power techniques
11. 11/13 - 11/14: Dynamic techniques
12. 11/20 - 11/21: Scaling and robustness
13. 12/4 - 12/5: Final project presentations

B. Homework and midterm:

Homework: 4 total, week 1 - 4
Midterm: week 6 (10/10)

C. Design project (groups of 2-3 persons each):

Definition and group formation: by 10/16
System Outline: by 10/23
Circuit cells and simulations: by 10/30
Complete schematic: by 11/6
Cell layout: by 11/13
Complete layout within pad frame: by 11/20
Final check, and final report: by 12/4

Evaluation: Project breakpoints; final design and layout
Final report (2 pages) and presentation (10 min.)

D. Ethics statement: Please read carefully.



Recommended books and references:

1. Analog Integrated Circuit Design
D.J. Johns and K. Martin
Wiley, 1997 (ISBN 0-471-14448-7)

In-depth coverage of analog VLSI design, with emphasis on high-performance and industrial applications.

2. Design of Analog-Digital VLSI Circuits for Telecommunications and Signal Processing, 2nd Edition
J.E. Franca and Y. Tsividis, Eds.
Prentice-Hall, 1994 (ISBN 0-13-203639-8)

Collection of chapters by "the experts" on the principles of analog and digital VLSI design. Brief reviews of circuit techniques and system examples.

Compare prices.


Further Suggested Reading: (or browsing, for project ideas)

1. IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits: special issues on micro-electronic systems, conference issues of ISSCC, VLSI Symposium, ESSCC, GaAs Symposium, etc.

2. IEEE Transactions on Circuits and Systems, I and II.

3. IEEE Transactions on Neural Networks: special issues on neural hardware.

All available on-line (over the campus network) through IEEEXplore!


Last updated 9/5/2003 by Gert Cauwenberghs