UWA Handbooks 2010 - Units
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UWA Handbooks 2010 - Units

Unit details


ELEC4302 Digital Microelectronics Systems Design [UG]

Credit 6 points
Availability Semester 1 (see Timetable)
Old unit code 620.436, ENGT4302
Outcomes This unit develops in-depth technical competence in the design of CMOS digital integrated circuits and digital systems in general. It includes individual projects in MOSFET characterisation and IC design. Students obtain a sound understanding of silicon integrated circuit technology, including both MOSFET device operation and the VLSI design methodology, and are able to apply their knowledge of electronics and engineering fundamentals in the design of CMOS integrated circuits and large-scale digital systems. Students also gain skills in the identification, formulation and solution of problems relating to the design of digital integrated circuits; learn to function effectively as individual designers or as members of a design team; develop documentation and report writing skills; and form a firm foundation for continued self-learning. In the design project, students achieve a level of competency in the use of computer-aided engineering (CAE) tools and a systems approach to design.
Content This unit includes digital system implementation; custom and semi-custom integrated circuits; programmable logic devices; silicon CMOS fabrication process, design rules; structured design methodology, circuit and layout design, circuit extraction and design verification; performance estimation, transistor and gate sizing; static, dynamic and pre-charged logic; sub-system design; system partitioning, communication, timing, clock distribution, clock skew; MOS device physics including band structure and device characteristics; MOS capacitors; technology scaling, benefits and limitations; small geometry effects; sub-threshold effects; two-dimensional modelling, high-field effects, hot electron damage, reliability, and yield.
Assessment This is based on a written examination, in-class tests and assignments. The written examination along with in-class tests assess students' understanding of the silicon integrated circuit technology, its potential and limitations, integrated circuit design techniques and systems approach to design. In-class tests also serve to provide feedback to students on their progress in the unit. Device assignments assess students' understanding of the practical aspects of device performance. Design assignments assess students' ability to apply their knowledge and problem-solving skills in a design situation, their understanding of the design methodology, their ability to use design and simulation tools, as well as their documentation and report writing skills.

Supplementary assessment is not available in this unit except in the case of a bachelor's pass degree student who has obtained a mark of 45 to 49 and is currently enrolled in this unit, and it is the only remaining unit that the student must pass in order to complete the course.
Location UWA (Crawley)
Mode on-campus
Unit Rules
Prerequisites: ELEC2304 Physical Electronics 2
Advisable prior study: ELEC3301 Circuits and Electronic Systems 3 and ELEC2301 Digital System Design
Contact hours—56 (lectures: 36 hrs; practical classes: 12 hrs; labs: 8 hrs)
Unit Outlinehttp://www.ecm.uwa.edu.au/students/outlines/eece
Unit web page http://student.ee.uwa.edu.au/units/elec4302
[Some unit web pages are still under construction and will be available in 2010.]


  • The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of going to press but may be subject to change.
  • Assistance with study skills, including English language skills, is available free of charge from Student Services for all enrolled students (see http://www.studentservices.uwa.edu.au/ss/learning). Student Services location: Second Floor, South Wing, Guild Village; telephone: 6488 2423.
  • Books and other materials wherever listed may be subject to change. Book lists relating to 'Preliminary Reading', 'Recommended Reading' and 'Textbooks' are, in most cases, available at the University Co-operative Bookshop (from early January) and appropriate administrative offices for students to consult. For first-year units the Bookshop will endeavour to make available photocopies of book lists for individual units. Books marked with an asterisk (*) are available in paperback.
The University of Western Australia
University information CRICOS Code: 00126G
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Wednesday, 2 September, 2009 at 2:59 PM
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