Integrated circuit design

This unit helps you build a solid understanding of the performance, specification, and fabrication of large-scale digital circuits, including MOS transistor principles, CMOS inverters, building blocks, and interconnects. You’ll explore how to design, simulate, verify, and debug complex digital circuits using a Hardware Description Language (HDL) and current CAD tools with FPGA development boards. You’ll also become familiar with very large-scale integrated (VLSI) circuit design flow methodologies, including layout placement, partitioning, floor planning, and routing.

Problem-based learning - This unit includes case-based teaching, where you will apply your knowledge and engage in analytical and reflective thinking to solve complex contextual scenarios. Activities are often designed so that there is no single clear answer, but you will work with your peers to examine, analyse and make decisions to resolve the situation.

The minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of 3-6 hours of scheduled learning activities and 6-9 hours of independent study per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher-directed learning, peer-directed learning and online engagement. Independent study may include associated readings, assessment and preparation for scheduled activities