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EE30121: Microelectronic systems

[Page last updated: 04 August 2021]

Academic Year: 2021/2
Owning Department/School: Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering
Credits: 6 [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 120
Level: Honours (FHEQ level 6)
Period:
Semester 1
Assessment Summary: CW 20%, EX 80%
Assessment Detail:
  • Laboratory Report (CW 20%)
  • Examination (EX 80%)
Supplementary Assessment:
EE30121 Reassessment Examination (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites: Before taking this module you are advised to take EE20004 AND take EE20021 or equivalent.
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.

Programme availability:

EE30121 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering
  • UEEE-AFB15 : BEng(Hons) Electronic Systems Engineering (Year 3)
  • UEEE-AKB15 : BEng(Hons) Electronic Systems Engineering with Year long work placement (Year 4)
  • UEEE-AFM15 : MEng(Hons) Electronic Systems Engineering (Year 3)
  • UEEE-AKM15 : MEng(Hons) Electronic Systems Engineering with Year long work placement (Year 4)

EE30121 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering
  • UEEE-AFB13 : BEng(Hons) Computer Systems Engineering (Year 3)
  • UEEE-AKB13 : BEng(Hons) Computer Systems Engineering with Year long work placement (Year 4)
  • UEEE-AFB01 : BEng(Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering (Year 3)
  • UEEE-AKB01 : BEng(Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering with Year long work placement (Year 4)
  • UEXX-AFB02 : BEng(Hons) Integrated Mechanical and Electrical Engineering (Year 3)
  • UEXX-AKB02 : BEng(Hons) Integrated Mechanical and Electrical Engineering with Year long work placement (Year 4)
  • UEEE-AFM13 : MEng(Hons) Computer Systems Engineering (Year 3)
  • UEEE-AKM13 : MEng(Hons) Computer Systems Engineering with Year long work placement (Year 4)
  • UEEE-AFM01 : MEng(Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering (Year 3)
  • UEEE-AKM01 : MEng(Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering with Year long work placement (Year 4)
  • UEXX-AFM02 : MEng(Hons) Integrated Mechanical and Electrical Engineering (Year 3)
  • UEXX-AKM02 : MEng(Hons) Integrated Mechanical and Electrical Engineering with Year long work placement (Year 4)
  • UEEE-AFM16 : MEng(Hons) Robotics Engineering (Year 3)
  • UEEE-AKM16 : MEng(Hons) Robotics Engineering with Year long work placement (Year 4)
  • UEEE-AFB16 : BEng(Hons) Robotics Engineering (Year 3)
  • UEEE-AKB16 : BEng(Hons) Robotics Engineering with Year long work placement (Year 4)

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2021/22 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2022/23 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2021/22.
  • Programmes and units are subject to change 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.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.