EE 425 VLSI Circuits Design

Course Specifications

Institution Taibah University Date June 2022

College/Department College of Engineering – Electrical Engineering Department

A. Course Identification and General Information

1. Course title and code: EE 425 VLSI Circuits Design

2. Credit hours 3 Hours

3. Program(s) in which the course is offered. Electrical Engineering
(If general elective available in many programs indicate this rather than list programs)

4. Name of faculty member responsible for the course

5. Level/year at which this course is offered 9th, 10th Level / 5th Year
6. Pre-requisites for this course (if any)
EE363
7. Co-requisites for this course (if any)
-----------
8. Location if not on main campus

9. Mode of Instruction (mark all that apply)

a. traditional classroom X What percentage? 100%

b. blended (traditional and online) ---- What percentage? ----

c. e-learning ---- What percentage? ----

d. correspondence ---- What percentage? ----

f. other ---- What percentage? ----

Comments:
B Objectives

1. What is the main purpose for this course?

 To provide the student with the necessary background to complete CMOS designs.
[ABET 1]
 To enable the student to assess which particular design style to use on a given design,
from Field Programmable Gate Arrays to full custom design. [ABET 1]
 To learn the concepts of Technology Scaling of MOS transistors [ABET 1]
 To understand the concepts of testing of combinational and sequential circuits and also
the scan of design techniques. [ABET 2]
 Develop the ability to be involved in a team work. [ABET 5]
 Cultivate the practices of safety and professional ethics. [ABET 4]
 Build up the written and oral communication skills. [ABET 3]

2. Briefly describe any plans for developing and improving the course that are being
implemented. (e.g. increased use of IT or web based reference material, changes in content as
a result of new research in the field)
 Offer some laboratory sessions to illustrate the performance of different types of power
electronics' converters.
 Offer some tutorial sessions for problem solving.

C. Course Description (Note: General description in the form used in Bulletin or handbook)

Course Description:
Structured design methodologies for VLSI systems. Topics include switching models, device
equations, combinational and sequential systems design, simulation, timing, verification, and tools
for computer-aided design.

1. Topics to be Covered

List of Topics No. of Contact hours

Weeks

Review of microelectronics and Introduction to MOS technology

Introduction MOS and related VLSI technology – NMOS-CMOS- 2 6
BICMOS-Gas Technologies – thermal aspects of processing – production
of E beam masks.

MOS and BICMOS circuit design process:

MOS layers – stick diagrams – design rules and layout – 2 µm meter – 1.2 2 6
µm meter CMOS rules – Layout diagrams – Symbolic diagrams.

Basic Circuit Concepts:

2 6
Sheet resistance – Area capacitance of layers – delay UNIT – wiring
capacitances – choice of layers.
Scaling of MOS circuits:
3 9
Scaling models – Scaling function for device parameters – Limitation of
Scaling.

Subsystem design process:

Architectural issues – switch logic – examples of structural design 3 9
(Combinational logic)– design of ALU subsystem – commonly used
storage elements – aspects of design rules.
Test and Testability:
Design for testability built in self test (BIST) – teaching
3 9
combinational logic – testing sequential logic – practical design for
test guide lines – scan design techniques.

2. Course components (total contact hours and credits per semester):

Lecture Tutorial Laboratory Practical Other: Total

or Studio
Contact
45 0 0 0 0 45
Hours
Credit 3 0 0 0 0 3

3. Additional private study/learning hours expected for students per week.

4

4. Course Learning Outcomes in NQF Domains of Learning and Alignment with Assessment
Methods and Teaching Strategy
On the table below are the five NQF Learning Domains, numbered in the left column.

First, insert the suitable and measurable course learning outcomes required in the appropriate
learning domains (see suggestions below the table). Second, insert supporting teaching
strategies that fit and align with the assessment methods and intended learning outcomes.
Third, insert appropriate assessment methods that accurately measure and evaluate the
learning outcome. Each course learning outcomes, assessment method, and teaching strategy
ought to reasonably fit and flow together as an integrated learning and teaching process.
(Courses are not required to include learning outcomes from each domain.)

Code NQF Learning Domains Course Teaching Course Assessment

# And Course Learning Outcomes Strategies Methods
1.0 Knowledge

1.1 Describe the characteristics and  Knowledge is  Exam, homework,

performance of different power delivered through and quizzes are used
semiconductor devices the course lectures. to assess the acquired
 Interactive learning knowledge on the
 process through
questions and
answers in lecture. subject.
1.2 List different types of power semiconductor  Interactive learning  Short quizzes at the
converters end of each topic are
process in labs and
used to evaluate the
class.
student
 Periodic follow up understanding.
for students in their
homework.
2.0 Cognitive Skills

2.1 Analyze different types of power electronics Lectures include

converters numerous examples,  Exams, Quizzes and
some of which are homework will
practical in nature, include problems of
to illustrate different which requires
theories and steps thinking and solving
involved in skills for
evaluating the analyzingpower
analysis of different electronics
types of power converters.
electronics  Evaluate the students'
converters. performance through
2.2 Explain the characteristics of different types Engage students in their thinking and
of power electronics converters classroom work carried out in
interaction with the class.
questions and
answers.
3.0 Interpersonal Skills & Responsibility

3.1 Evaluate the performance of different types  Special attention

of power electronics converters and mark rewards
are pointed to the
submitting of
accurate results and
professional reports.  Class attendance of
 Assignment is given students at lectures is
to the students at recoded.
regular intervals to  Recording of
solve and submit. submission of
5% of the final assignments and the
grade is allocated to grades.
the assignments.
Late or no
submission of
assignments carries
penalties or loss of
grade points.
3.2 Choose the proper type of power electronics Participation of Participation of
converter for different industrial students in students in lecture
 applications classroom discussion is evaluated
discussion and at the end of the
presentations. semester.
4.0 Communication, Information Technology, Numerical

4.1 Illustrate the properties of different types of Training and Assessments of

power electronics converters encouraging students' assignment
students for include expectation of
submitting their adequate use of
assignments in neat numerical and
and professional communication skills.
way.
4.2 Assess the performance of different types of Assist the students Special portion of
power electronics converters in classes for any marks are dedicated for
difficulties they face achieving professional
in analyzing power standards in
electronics assignments and
converters. reports.
4.3 Perform simulation programs for different Assist the students
types of power electronics converters during classes for
any difficulties they
face in simulating
Evaluate the students'
power electronics
performance through
converters.
their thinking and
4.4 Examine results obtained from the Assist the students
work carried out in the
simulation of power electronics converters for any difficulties
class.
they face in
simulating power
electronics
converters.
5.0 Psychomotor
Not Applicable

5. Map course LOs with the Program LOs. (Place course LO #s in the left column and
Program LO #s across the top.)
Program Learning Outcomes/ Student Outcomes
Course
Outcome
s (COs) SO1 SO2 SO3 SO4 SO5 SO6 SO7 SO8 SO9
1.1 1
1.2 0.5 0.5
2.1 0.4 0.2 0.4
2.2 0.4 0.2 0.4
3.1 0.5 0.5
3.2 0.5 0.5
4.1 0.5 0.5
4.2 0.5 0.5
 4.3 0.5 0.5
4.4 0.5 0.5

6. Assessment task (e.g. essay, test, group project, examination, Proportion of Total
speech, oral presentation, etc.) Assessment
1
Midterm Exam 30%
2
Quizzes 15%

4 Homework 15%
4
Final Exam or Final Projects 40%

D. Student Academic Counseling and Support

1. Arrangements for availability of faculty and teaching staff for individual student
consultations and academic advice. (include amount of time teaching staff are expected to be
available each week)
Teaching staff offer 6 office hours per week allocated for this course.

E Learning Resources

1. List Required Textbooks

[1] Issa Batarseh, Ahmad Harb, Power Electronics circuit analysis and design, 2nd Edition, Springer,
2018.

2. List Essential References Materials (Journals, Reports, etc.)

IEEE Transaction on Power Electronics

3. List Recommended Textbooks and Reference Material (Journals, Reports, etc)

Robert W. Erickson, Dragan Maksimovic , Fundamentals of power electronics, 2nd Edition,
Springer, 2004.

4. List Electronic Materials, Web Sites, Facebook, Twitter, etc.

http://www.powerelectronics.com/

5. Other learning material such as computer-based programs/CD, professional standards or

regulations and software.
Matlab, Labview Software for simulation of power electronics' converters.
F. Facilities Required

Indicate requirements for the course including size of classrooms and laboratories (i.e. number
of seats in classrooms and laboratories, extent of computer access etc.)
1. Accommodation (Classrooms, laboratories, demonstration rooms/labs, etc.)

 Classrooms with capacity of a minimum of 25 students with relaxed seats.

 Classrooms should be equipped with a white screen and mounted head projector for slide
show presentations
 Classrooms need to be equipped with a fixed computer linked directly to the head
projector.

2. Computing resources (AV, data show, Smart Board, software, etc.)

Data show and Smart Board are available in the classrooms.

3. Other resources (specify, e.g. if specific laboratory equipment is required, list requirements
or attach list)

Basic types of power electronics converters are needed for demonstrations.

G Course Evaluation and Improvement Processes

1 Strategies for Obtaining Student Feedback on Effectiveness of Teaching

Student course evaluation at the conclusion of the course.

2 Other Strategies for Evaluation of Teaching by the Instructor or by the Department

 Faculty assessment of the course and effectiveness of teaching delivery.

 Periodic self- assessment of the program.

3 Processes for Improvement of Teaching

 Undergraduate Committee will review deficiencies based on the student evaluation,

faculty input, course file, and program assessment.
 Feedback from emSOyers and alumni surveys and graduating students’ input are used to
identify any deficiencies in students’ ability in applying knowledge of power electronics.
 Organize workshop on effective teaching methods to enable instructors to improve their
teaching skill.
 Teaching method will focus on students’ learning and on course learning outcomes.
 4. Processes for Verifying Standards of Student Achievement (e.g. check marking by an
independent member teaching staff of a sample of student work, periodic exchange and
remarking of tests or a sample of assignments with staff at another institution)

None

5 Describe the planning arrangements for periodically reviewing course effectiveness and
planning for improvement.

Self- assessment at every two years and the external assessment by the invited faculty member at every
four years will be carried out. The feedback received from these assessments will be used to plan for
further improvement in the course syllabus, teaching method, and delivery of course materials.

Name of Instructor: Dr. Mohammed Alsolami

Signature: Date Report Completed: June 2022

Name of Field Experience Teaching Staff _____________________________________

Program Coordinator:_____________________________________________________

Signature: __________________________ Date Received:___________________