Teaching

Introduction: ASIC design is taught with emphasis on industrial preparation. Topics include ASIC technologies, design entry, simulation, and synthesis. Advanced design methods and techniques are studied for cell based and gate array ASICs.
In this class, we will use Intel FPGA DE1-SOC with embedded ARM Cortex A9 core to prototype and verify the functionality of the ASIC chip. We will implement an ARM Cortex M0 core using Intel FPGA. Further, we will design an ASIC 8051 microprocessor with a 45nm technology process using Cadence, Synopsys, and Mentor Graphics CAD tools.
Prerequisites: CSCE 4213 Computer Architecture or ELEG 3924 Microprocessor Systems Design (C or higher)
Textbook: There is no required textbook for this course. Course notes for all lectures will be used. However, the following books are recommended:

CMOS VLSI Design: A Circuits and Systems Perspective, Neil Weste and David Harris, 2011, ISBN 978-0321547743
Hands-on Experience with Altera FPGA Development Boards, Jivan S. Parab, Rajendra S. Gad, G.M. Naik, Springer, ISBN 978-8132237679
A Practical Introduction to Hardware/Software Codesign, Patrick R. Schaumont, Springer 2013, ISBN 978-1441959997
Digital VLSI Chip Design with Cadence and Synopsys CAD Tools, Erik Brunvand, Pearson, 2010, ISBN 978-0321547996

Course Goal: The goal is for students to learn advanced learn advanced ASIC design concept and the practical aspects of Hardware-Software Codesign techniques, including FPGA prototyping with embedded ARM Cortex-A9 IP core, circuit analysis and logic design, data path elements design and memory block usage, architecture and SOC design, ASIC design techniques for timing optimization and low power computing, and ASIC processor design including 8051 processor design.