Semester.ly

Johns Hopkins University | EN.520.491

Cad Design of Digital Vlsi Systems I (Seniors)

3.0

credits

Average Course Rating

(4.04)

This course offers a comprehensive introduction to the design of application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) using modern VLSI CAD tools. Students will learn the complete ASIC design flow-from RTL design in hardware description languages (HDL) to layout and design rule checking-using industry-standard tools such as Cadence. Students need to know Verilog and Digital Hardware Design as prerequisites for this course. Through hands-on labs and projects, students will explore tradeoffs and challenges in designing large-scale chips, including performance, power efficiency, testability, and manufacturability. Key topics include: •RTL synthesis using standard cell libraries •Static timing analysis •Design for test and fault simulation •Physical design: floorplanning, placement, routing, and clock tree synthesis •Design rule checking and final GDSII generation Learning Objectives: •Understand the ASIC implementation flow and associated design challenges •Apply industry practices to optimize for power, performance, and area •Incorporate test structures and validate design correctness •Gain practical experience with CAD tools used in semiconductor industry

Fall 2012

(4.18)

Fall 2014

(3.9)

Fall 2012

Professor: Ralph Etienne Cummings

(4.18)

Students said the best parts of this course were the hands-on work, engaging lectures, and lessons in cadence. However, they felt they did not get enough guidance or feedback on assignments. They also said the professor was often hard to reach. Students suggested that the course would be improved if the professor spent more time teaching fundamentals of the software programs used. Students said that the course is a lot of work, especially the final project, but overall it teaches you a lot.

Fall 2014

Professor: Ralph Etienne Cummings

(3.9)

Students praised this course for having a passionate and engaging instructor who covered a significant amount of material through hands-on projects and tutorials. Students broadly perceived that topics were covered far too quickly during lectures to the point where multiple students thought that important topics weren’t covered in enough depth to ensure they had mastered them. Students thought the course could be improved by providing additional feedback and support; specifical y, students wanted equations to be worked through during class and for the instructor to provide additional feedback on returned homework and labs. Prospective students should know that students found the course involved a good amount of work and undergraduate students seemed to struggle in it.

Lecture Sections

(01)

No location info
T. Mohsenin
10:30 - 11:45