Students

ELEC8870 – High Performance IC Design

2020 – Session 2, Weekday attendance, North Ryde

Notice

As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group learning activities on campus for the second half-year, while keeping an online version available for those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.

To check the availability of face to face activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.

General Information

Download as PDF
Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convener
David Niven
david.niven@mq.edu.au
Contact via appointment via email
Michael Heimlich
michael.heimlich@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MEngElecEng and 30cp at 3000 level or above
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
From modern telecommunications to tablet computing and from mobile handsets to the cloud, the limits of integrated circuit technology are being pushed to the limits of what is possible in terms of speed, size, and power. Beyond the IC itself, packaging concerns, both electrical and thermal, provide additional constraints in the design of the modern high performance integrated circuit. This unit will be taught from the research of both resident and visiting staff as well as from the latest research around the world.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: Develop an understanding of different semiconductor technologies
  • ULO2: Develop proficiency in using standard electronic design automation (EDA) tools for IC design
  • ULO3: Perform integrated circuit (IC) design in a commercially used semiconductor technology
  • ULO4: Develop an understanding of the technical concept required for implementing various high frequency on-chip active and passive circuits
  • ULO5: Demonstrate self-learning, time-management, technical report writing, project management (individually and as a group)

General Assessment Information

Conditions required to pass the unit: eg:

Grading and passing requirement for unit

In order to pass this unit a student must obtain a mark of 50 or more for the unit (i.e. obtain a passing grade P/ CR/ D/ HD).

For further details about grading, please refer below in the policies and procedures section.

Each unit guide where there is a final exam must provide information on supplementary exams. Please include this wording:

If you receive special consideration for the final exam, a supplementary exam will be scheduled by the faculty during a supplementary exam period, typically about 3 to 4 weeks after the normal exam period. By making a special consideration application for the final exam you are declaring yourself available for a resit during the supplementary examination period and will not be eligible for a second special consideration approval based on pre-existing commitments. Please ensure you are familiar with the policy prior to submitting an application. Approved applicants will receive an individual notification one week prior to the exam with the exact date and time of their supplementary examination.

All information are here in: https://wiki.mq.edu.au/pages/viewpage.action?spaceKey=engineering&title=Unit+Guides%3A+Preparing+and+Checking

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Lab participation 10% No 30/10/2020
Assignment 20% No 23/10/2020
Final examination 30% No TBA
Quizzes 20% No 16/10/2020
Lab report 20% No 30/10/2020

Lab participation

Assessment Type 1: Design Task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 0 hours
Due: 30/10/2020
Weighting: 10%

 

Active and passive circuit implementation in the practical activities. Participation workload is assumed to take place inside the schedule teaching activity.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Develop proficiency in using standard electronic design automation (EDA) tools for IC design
  • Perform integrated circuit (IC) design in a commercially used semiconductor technology
  • Demonstrate self-learning, time-management, technical report writing, project management (individually and as a group)

Assignment

Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 23/10/2020
Weighting: 20%

 

Demonstrate problem solving capabilities and critical thinking - (two assignments)

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Develop an understanding of different semiconductor technologies
  • Perform integrated circuit (IC) design in a commercially used semiconductor technology
  • Demonstrate self-learning, time-management, technical report writing, project management (individually and as a group)

Final examination

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 28 hours
Due: TBA
Weighting: 30%

 

Final examination held in the formal exam period.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Develop an understanding of different semiconductor technologies
  • Develop an understanding of the technical concept required for implementing various high frequency on-chip active and passive circuits
  • Demonstrate self-learning, time-management, technical report writing, project management (individually and as a group)

Quizzes

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 16/10/2020
Weighting: 20%

 

Multiple choice questions based on the content taught in lectures. A total of two quizzes.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Develop an understanding of different semiconductor technologies
  • Develop an understanding of the technical concept required for implementing various high frequency on-chip active and passive circuits
  • Demonstrate self-learning, time-management, technical report writing, project management (individually and as a group)

Lab report

Assessment Type 1: Lab report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 30/10/2020
Weighting: 20%

 

Two lab reports on design works

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Develop proficiency in using standard electronic design automation (EDA) tools for IC design
  • Perform integrated circuit (IC) design in a commercially used semiconductor technology
  • Develop an understanding of the technical concept required for implementing various high frequency on-chip active and passive circuits
  • Demonstrate self-learning, time-management, technical report writing, project management (individually and as a group)

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

AWR software is required for this unit. The labs will have access to the software and copies for personal laptops can be obtained.

No textbooks are required. There are a number of reference books available: • I. D. Robertson and S. Lucyszyn (Eds), "RFIC and MMIC Design and Technology," The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), 2011. • David M Pozar, "Microwave Engineering," Wiley • Michael Steer, “Microwave and RF Design, A Systems Approach”

Other useful readings: ― Sedra & Smith, “Microelectronic Circuits,” Cambridge University Press. ― iLearn links: Technical Papers, Application Notes. ― IEEE Xplore: The most reliable source for technical papers.

Unit Schedule

Refer to iLearn and lecture notes for the unit schedule.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct​

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to help you improve your marks and take control of your study.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/. 

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.