VLSI Design


Book Description

Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) has become a necessity rather than a specialization for electrical and computer engineers. This unique text provides Engineering and Computer Science students with a comprehensive study of the subject, covering VLSI from basic design techniques to working principles of physical design automation tools to leading edge application-specific array processors. Beginning with CMOS design, the author describes VLSI design from the viewpoint of a digital circuit engineer. He develops physical pictures for CMOS circuits and demonstrates the top-down design methodology using two design projects - a microprocessor and a field programmable gate array. The author then discusses VLSI testing and dedicates an entire chapter to the working principles, strengths, and weaknesses of ubiquitous physical design tools. Finally, he unveils the frontiers of VLSI. He emphasizes its use as a tool to develop innovative algorithms and architecture to solve previously intractable problems. VLSI Design answers not only the question of "what is VLSI," but also shows how to use VLSI. It provides graduate and upper level undergraduate students with a complete and congregated view of VLSI engineering.




VLSI Risc Architecture and Organization


Book Description

With the expectation that architectural improvements will play a significant role inadvancing processor performance, it is critical for readers to maintain an up-to-date,unified overview of technological advances in this vital research area.Gathering into one place material that had been scattered throughout the literaturemakingit difficult to obtain detailed information on computer designs-this importantbook describes the main architectural and organizational features of modem mini- andmicrocomputers. In addition, it explains the RISC philosophy by supplying historicalbackground information and excellent examples of several commercially available RISCmicroprocessors.Limiting attention to VLSI implementations of RISC processors, VLSI RISCArchitecture and Organization offers insight into design issues that arose indeveloping a RISC system, using the VLSI RISC chip set developed at AcornComputers Limited as an example ... discusses options considered during the designprocess, the basis for the decisions made, and implementation details . . . describescontemporary RISC architecture, comparing and contrasting different designs ... andlooks at future trends in RISC research.Discussing the topic cohesively and comprehensively-from initial study into reducedinstructions sets to the widespread introduction of RISC architectures into mainstreamcomputer products-VLSI RISC Architecture and Organization is aninvaluable reference for electrical, electronics, and computer engineers; computerarchitects and scientists; hardware systems designers; and upper-level undergraduate andgraduate students in computer science and electrical engineering courses.




VLSI Design for Manufacturing: Yield Enhancement


Book Description

One of the keys to success in the IC industry is getting a new product to market in a timely fashion and being able to produce that product with sufficient yield to be profitable. There are two ways to increase yield: by improving the control of the manufacturing process and by designing the process and the circuits in such a way as to minimize the effect of the inherent variations of the process on performance. The latter is typically referred to as "design for manufacture" or "statistical design". As device sizes continue to shrink, the effects of the inherent fluctuations in the IC fabrication process will have an even more obvious effect on circuit performance. And design for manufacture will increase in importance. We have been working in the area of statistically based computer aided design for more than 13 years. During the last decade we have been working with each other, and individually with our students, to develop methods and CAD tools that can be used to improve yield during the design and manufacturing phases of IC realization. This effort has resulted in a large number of publications that have appeared in a variety of journals and conference proceedings. Thus our motivation in writing this book is to put, in one place, a description of our approach to IC yield enhancement. While the work that is contained in this book has appeared in the open literature, we have attempted to use a consistent notation throughout this book.




Simulated Annealing for VLSI Design


Book Description

This monograph represents a summary of our work in the last two years in applying the method of simulated annealing to the solution of problems that arise in the physical design of VLSI circuits. Our study is experimental in nature, in that we are con cerned with issues such as solution representations, neighborhood structures, cost functions, approximation schemes, and so on, in order to obtain good design results in a reasonable amount of com putation time. We hope that our experiences with the techniques we employed, some of which indeed bear certain similarities for different problems, could be useful as hints and guides for other researchers in applying the method to the solution of other prob lems. Work reported in this monograph was partially supported by the National Science Foundation under grant MIP 87-03273, by the Semiconductor Research Corporation under contract 87-DP- 109, by a grant from the General Electric Company, and by a grant from the Sandia Laboratories.




Modern VLSI Design


Book Description

For Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering courses that cover the design and technology of very large scale integrated (VLSI) circuits and systems. May also be used as a VLSI reference for professional VLSI design engineers, VLSI design managers, and VLSI CAD engineers. Modern VSLI Design provides a comprehensive “bottom-up” guide to the design of VSLI systems, from the physical design of circuits through system architecture with focus on the latest solution for system-on-chip (SOC) design. Because VSLI system designers face a variety of challenges that include high performance, interconnect delays, low power, low cost, and fast design turnaround time, successful designers must understand the entire design process. The Third Edition also provides a much more thorough discussion of hardware description languages, with introduction to both Verilog and VHDL. For that reason, this book presents the entire VSLI design process in a single volume.




High-Speed VLSI Interconnections


Book Description

This Second Edition focuses on emerging topics and advances in the field of VLSI interconnections In the decade since High-Speed VLSI Interconnections was first published, several major developments have taken place in the field. Now, updated to reflect these advancements, this Second Edition includes new information on copper interconnections, nanotechnology circuit interconnects, electromigration in the copper interconnections, parasitic inductances, and RLC models for comprehensive analysis of interconnection delays and crosstalk. Each chapter is designed to exist independently or as a part of one coherent unit, and several appropriate exercises are provided at the end of each chapter, challenging the reader to gain further insight into the contents being discussed. Chapter subjects include: * Preliminary Concepts * Parasitic Resistances, Capacitances, and Inductances * Interconnection Delays * Crosstalk Analysis * Electromigration-Induced Failure Analysis * Future Interconnections High-Speed VLSI Interconnections, Second Edition is an indispensable reference for high-speed VLSI designers, RF circuit designers, and advanced students of electrical engineering.




Cracking Digital VLSI Verification Interview


Book Description

How should I prepare for a Digital VLSI Verification Interview? What all topics do I need to know before I turn up for an interview? What all concepts do I need to brush up? What all resources do I have at my disposal for preparation? What does an Interviewer expect in an Interview? These are few questions almost all individuals ponder upon before an interview. If you have these questions in your mind, your search ends here as keeping these questions in their minds, authors have written this book that will act as a golden reference for candidates preparing for Digital VLSI Verification Interviews. Aim of this book is to enable the readers practice and grasp important concepts that are applicable to Digital VLSI Verification domain (and Interviews) through Question and Answer approach. To achieve this aim, authors have not restricted themselves just to the answer. While answering the questions in this book, authors have taken utmost care to explain underlying fundamentals and concepts. This book consists of 500+ questions covering wide range of topics that test fundamental concepts through problem statements (a common interview practice which the authors have seen over last several years). These questions and problem statements are spread across nine chapters and each chapter consists of questions to help readers brush-up, test, and hone fundamental concepts that form basis of Digital VLSI Verification. The scope of this book however, goes beyond technical concepts. Behavioral skills also form a critical part of working culture of any company. Hence, this book consists of a section that lists down behavioral interview questions as well. Topics covered in this book:1. Digital Logic Design (Number Systems, Gates, Combinational, Sequential Circuits, State Machines, and other Design problems)2. Computer Architecture (Processor Architecture, Caches, Memory Systems)3. Programming (Basics, OOP, UNIX/Linux, C/C++, Perl)4. Hardware Description Languages (Verilog, SystemVerilog)5. Fundamentals of Verification (Verification Basics, Strategies, and Thinking problems)6. Verification Methodologies (UVM, Formal, Power, Clocking, Coverage, Assertions)7. Version Control Systems (CVS, GIT, SVN)8. Logical Reasoning/Puzzles (Related to Digital Logic, General Reasoning, Lateral Thinking)9. Non Technical and Behavioral Questions (Most commonly asked)In addition to technical and behavioral part, this book touches upon a typical interview process and gives a glimpse of latest interview trends. It also lists some general tips and Best-Known-Methods to enable the readers follow correct preparation approach from day-1 of their preparations. Knowing what an Interviewer looks for in an interviewee is always an icing on the cake as it helps a person prepare accordingly. Hence, authors of this book spoke to few leaders in the semiconductor industry and asked their personal views on "What do they look for while Interviewing candidates and how do they usually arrive at a decision if a candidate should be hired?". These leaders have been working in the industry from many-many years now and they have interviewed lots of candidates over past several years. Hear directly from these leaders as to what they look for in candidates before hiring them. Enjoy reading this book. Authors are open to your feedback. Please do provide your valuable comments, ratings, and reviews.




VLSI Design


Book Description

This book provides insight into the practical design of VLSI circuits. It is aimed at novice VLSI designers and other enthusiasts who would like to understand VLSI design flows. Coverage includes key concepts in CMOS digital design, design of DSP and communication blocks on FPGAs, ASIC front end and physical design, and analog and mixed signal design. The approach is designed to focus on practical implementation of key elements of the VLSI design process, in order to make the topic accessible to novices. The design concepts are demonstrated using software from Mathworks, Xilinx, Mentor Graphics, Synopsys and Cadence.




Basic VLSI Design Technology


Book Description

The current cutting-edge VLSI circuit design technologies provide end-users with many applications, increased processing power and improved cost effectiveness. This trend is accelerating, with significant implications on future VLSI and systems design. VLSI design engineers are always in demand for front-end and back-end design applications.The book aims to give future and current VSLI design engineers a robust understanding of the underlying principles of the subject. It not only focuses on circuit design processes obeying VLSI rules but also on technological aspects of fabrication. The Hardware Description Language (HDL) Verilog is explained along with its modelling style. The book also covers CMOS design from the digital systems level to the circuit level. The book clearly explains fundamental principles and is a guide to good design practices.The book is intended as a reference book for senior undergraduate, first-year post graduate students, researchers as well as academicians in VLSI design, electronics & electrical engineering and materials science. The basics and applications of VLSI design from digital system design to IC fabrication and FPGA Prototyping are each covered in a comprehensive manner. At the end of each unit is a section with technical questions including solutions which will serve as an excellent teaching aid to all readers.Technical topics discussed in the book include: • Digital System Design• Design flow for IC fabrication and FPGA based prototyping • Verilog HDL• IC Fabrication Technology• CMOS VLSI Design• Miscellaneous (It covers basics of Electronics, and Reconfigurable computing, PLDs, Latest technology etc.).




Analog VLSI


Book Description

An introduction to the design of analog VLSI circuits. Neuromorphic engineers work to improve the performance of artificial systems through the development of chips and systems that process information collectively using primarily analog circuits. This book presents the central concepts required for the creative and successful design of analog VLSI circuits. The discussion is weighted toward novel circuits that emulate natural signal processing. Unlike most circuits in commercial or industrial applications, these circuits operate mainly in the subthreshold or weak inversion region. Moreover, their functionality is not limited to linear operations, but also encompasses many interesting nonlinear operations similar to those occurring in natural systems. Topics include device physics, linear and nonlinear circuit forms, translinear circuits, photodetectors, floating-gate devices, noise analysis, and process technology.