Recent advances in VLSI digital circuit design methods and the silicon foundry concept has put the design of such circuits within reach of students. This paper discusses the design of linear integrated circuits by students. The basic concepts, tools and techniques are reviewed. The areas of common ground and differences between analogue and digital design techniques are highlighted.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
MeadC. A. and ConwayL., Introduction to VLSI Systems, Addison Wesley (1980).
2.
MarshallM.WallerL. and WolffH., ‘The 1981 Achievement Award’, Electronics, 102–105 (20 October 1981).
3.
SheingoldD. H., (ed)., Non-Linear Circuits Handbook, Analog Devices Inc., Norwood Mars (1976).
MokhoffN., ‘Analog IC designers could soon become an endangered species’, The Institute, p. 4 (April 1981).
8.
ChuaL. O. and LinP. M., Computer Aided Analysis of Electronic Circuits, Prentice Hall (1975).
9.
NagelL. W. and PedersonB. O., SPICE2 (Simulation Program with Integrated Circuit Emphasis)University of California, Berkley Electronics Research Laboratory Report MEM ERL M520 (1975).
10.
SeevinckE., ‘Application of the translinear principle in digital circuits’, IEEE Journal of Solid State Circuits, SC-13, 528–530 (1978).
MorantM. J., ‘Low cost silicon device fabrication in degree courses’, Int. J. Elect. Eng. Educ.18(1), 57–65 (1981).
13.
PooleK. F., ‘A novel university approach to teaching microelectronics’, Int. J. Elect. Enging. Educ.18(1) 67–78 (1981).
14.
CurrentK. W., ‘Undergraduate instruction in bipolar integrated circuit design and fabrication using “Masterslice” integrated circuits’, IEEE Transactions on Education, EC-23, (2) (1980).
15.
MiddletonI. F., ‘The design of circuit building blocks using the uncommitted integrated circuit’, MSc(Eng) dissertation, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg (1977).
16.
ComerfordR. W., ‘Users want easier tests for VLSI’, Electronics, 89–90 (October 20, 1981).
17.
SmithK. C., IEEE Transactions on Education, EC-22, (2) 47 (1979).