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EE30121: Microelectronic systems

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2013/4
Further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering
Further information on credits Credits: 6
Further information on unit levels Level: Honours (FHEQ level 6)
Further information on teaching periods Period: Semester 1
Further information on unit assessment Assessment: CW 20%, EX 80%
Further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment: EE30121 Reassessment Examination (where allowed by programme regulations)
Further information on requisites Requisites: Before taking this unit you must take EE20004 and take EE20021 or equivalent.
Further information on descriptions Description: Aims:
This course covers all aspects of the realisation of integrated circuits, including digital, analogue and mixed-signal implementations. Consideration is given to the original specification for the circuit which dictates the optimum technology to be used also taking account of the financial implications. The various technologies available are described and the various applications, advantages and disadvantages of each are indicated. The design of the circuit building blocks for both digital and analogue circuits are covered. Computer aided design tools are described and illustrated and the important aspect of testing is also covered.

Learning Outcomes:
After completing this module the student should be able to take the specification for an IC and, based on all the circuit, technology and financial constraints, be able to determine the optimum design approach. The student should have a good knowledge of the circuit design approaches and to be able to make use of the computer aided design tools available and to understand their purposes and limitations. The student should also have an appreciation of the purposes and methods of IC testing.

Skills:
Students will learn the principle and techniques of modern integrated circuit design and realisation and be able to demonstrate these skills through simple circuit design and analysis examples. Taught, facilitated and tested.

Content:
Design of ICs: the design cycle, trade-offs, floor planning, power considerations, economics. IC technologies: CMOS and specialist applications using bipolar transistors. Transistor level design for analogue circuits and systems. IC realisation: ASICs, memory structures, FPGAs, standard cells, full custom design. CAD: schematic capture, hardware description languages, device and circuit modelling, simulation, design synthesis, layout, circuit extraction, verification and production test. Soft and hard IP cores.
Further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

EE30121 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering
  • UEEE-AFB10 : BEng Electrical and Electronic Engineering (Full-time) - Year 3
  • UEEE-AKB10 : BEng Electrical and Electronic Engineering (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 4
  • UEEE-AFB13 : BEng (hons) Computer Systems Engineering (Full-time) - Year 3
  • UEEE-AKB13 : BEng (hons) Computer Systems Engineering (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 4
  • UEEE-AFB01 : BEng (hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering (Full-time) - Year 3
  • UEEE-AKB01 : BEng (hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 4
  • UEEE-AFB05 : BEng (hons) Electronic and Communication Engineering (Full-time) - Year 3
  • UEEE-AKB05 : BEng (hons) Electronic and Communication Engineering (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 4
  • UEXX-AFB02 : BEng (hons) Integrated Mechanical and Electrical Engineering (Full-time) - Year 3
  • UEXX-AKB02 : BEng (hons) Integrated Mechanical and Electrical Engineering (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 4
  • UEEE-AFM13 : MEng (hons) Computer Systems Engineering (Full-time) - Year 3
  • UEEE-AKM13 : MEng (hons) Computer Systems Engineering (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 4
  • UEEE-AFM01 : MEng (hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering (Full-time) - Year 3
  • UEEE-AKM01 : MEng (hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 4
  • UEEE-AFM05 : MEng (hons) Electronic and Communication Engineering (Full-time) - Year 3
  • UEEE-AKM05 : MEng (hons) Electronic and Communication Engineering (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 4
  • UEXX-AFM02 : MEng (hons) Integrated Mechanical and Electrical Engineering (Full-time) - Year 3
  • UEXX-AKM02 : MEng (hons) Integrated Mechanical and Electrical Engineering (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 4

Notes:
* This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2013/4 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2014/15 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2013/14.
* Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.
* Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.