Students

ELEC870 – High Performance IC Design

2018 – S2 Day

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convener
Surya Sharma
surya.sharma@mq.edu.au
Contact via Email
7WW
Wednesday 10:00-12:00
Sourabh Khandelwal
sourabh.khandelwal@mq.edu.au
Sudipta Chakraborty
sudipta.chakraborty@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
4
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MEng and 12cp at 600 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:

  • 1. Develop understanding of different semiconductor technologies
  • 2. Ability to perform IC design in multiple semiconductor technologies
  • 3. Develop proficiency in using standard EDA tools for IC design with multiple technologies
  • 4. Develop proficiency in circuit simulator to understand technology tradeoffs
  • 5. Demonstrate self-learning, time-management, technical report writing, and project management, individually and in a group setting

General Assessment Information

Late submission of project report will lose 10% marks per day after the deadline

In order to pass this unit a student must obtain a mark of 50 or more overall to obtain a passing grade P/ CR/ D/ HD.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Mid Term Exam 25% No TBA
Final Design Project 60% No Week 14
Lab performance 15% No TBA

Mid Term Exam

Due: TBA
Weighting: 25%

In-class 1 hour mid-term exam
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • 1. Develop understanding of different semiconductor technologies

Final Design Project

Due: Week 14
Weighting: 60%

Design project will include a demo, report and power point presentation of the achieved results.

Demo: 30%

This will include the demonstration of a working circuit and ability to answer questions related to the work done

Report: 20%

Must include the following

Theory of device technology and its understanding

Theoretical calculation on the design 

Simulation results and discussion

Conclusions

Presentation: 10%

Must demonstrate the ability to explain design and technology trade-offs in presentation

Must demonstrate the ability to convey the ideas and communicate the design strategy used in the project

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • 1. Develop understanding of different semiconductor technologies
  • 2. Ability to perform IC design in multiple semiconductor technologies
  • 3. Develop proficiency in using standard EDA tools for IC design with multiple technologies
  • 4. Develop proficiency in circuit simulator to understand technology tradeoffs
  • 5. Demonstrate self-learning, time-management, technical report writing, and project management, individually and in a group setting

Lab performance

Due: TBA
Weighting: 15%

Lab participation will carry 15% marks which will be based on the following - 

1. Attendance in each session - A prior notice (with proof) is required when student is unable to attend, in which case average marks for that lab will be allotted to the student.

2. Ability to solve/explore the problem given on their own 

3. Take initiatives - When a task is given student is encouraged to think out of the box for solutions. 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • 1. Develop understanding of different semiconductor technologies
  • 2. Ability to perform IC design in multiple semiconductor technologies
  • 3. Develop proficiency in using standard EDA tools for IC design with multiple technologies
  • 4. Develop proficiency in circuit simulator to understand technology tradeoffs

Delivery and Resources

Course will have content from multiple sources including books and research papers.

Reference Books:

Microelectronic Circuits by Sedra and Smith

Design of Analog CMOS integrated circuits, Razavi

Other material:

Series of engineering journal references

EDA tools which will be used :

Spectre circuit simulator by Cadence

 

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:

Undergraduate 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 shown in iLearn, 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.

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 improve your marks and take control of your study.

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

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.

Graduate Capabilities

PG - Capable of Professional and Personal Judgment and Initiative

Our postgraduates will demonstrate a high standard of discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgment. They will have the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • 1. Develop understanding of different semiconductor technologies
  • 4. Develop proficiency in circuit simulator to understand technology tradeoffs
  • 5. Demonstrate self-learning, time-management, technical report writing, and project management, individually and in a group setting

Assessment tasks

  • Mid Term Exam
  • Final Design Project
  • Lab performance

PG - Discipline Knowledge and Skills

Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • 1. Develop understanding of different semiconductor technologies
  • 2. Ability to perform IC design in multiple semiconductor technologies
  • 3. Develop proficiency in using standard EDA tools for IC design with multiple technologies
  • 4. Develop proficiency in circuit simulator to understand technology tradeoffs
  • 5. Demonstrate self-learning, time-management, technical report writing, and project management, individually and in a group setting

Assessment tasks

  • Mid Term Exam
  • Final Design Project
  • Lab performance

PG - Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • 1. Develop understanding of different semiconductor technologies
  • 2. Ability to perform IC design in multiple semiconductor technologies
  • 3. Develop proficiency in using standard EDA tools for IC design with multiple technologies
  • 4. Develop proficiency in circuit simulator to understand technology tradeoffs
  • 5. Demonstrate self-learning, time-management, technical report writing, and project management, individually and in a group setting

Assessment tasks

  • Mid Term Exam
  • Final Design Project
  • Lab performance

PG - Research and Problem Solving Capability

Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • 1. Develop understanding of different semiconductor technologies
  • 2. Ability to perform IC design in multiple semiconductor technologies
  • 3. Develop proficiency in using standard EDA tools for IC design with multiple technologies
  • 4. Develop proficiency in circuit simulator to understand technology tradeoffs
  • 5. Demonstrate self-learning, time-management, technical report writing, and project management, individually and in a group setting

Assessment tasks

  • Mid Term Exam
  • Final Design Project
  • Lab performance

PG - Effective Communication

Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • 5. Demonstrate self-learning, time-management, technical report writing, and project management, individually and in a group setting

Assessment task

  • Final Design Project

PG - Engaged and Responsible, Active and Ethical Citizens

Our postgraduates will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their professional responsibilities and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and country and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their professional roles for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues

This graduate capability is supported by:

Assessment task

  • Final Design Project