A Parameterized CMOS standard cell library and a full 8-bit grey scale morphological array processor

The creation of a parameterized, full custom CMOS VLSI design library is discussed. This library consists of a schematic component library that is integrated with both logic and circuit level simulators, as well as a corresponding layout cell library that is integrated with automatic place-and-route tools as well as several layout verification tools. The library enabled the design and implementation of a Morphological Array Processor (MAP). This VLSI chip fully implements the morphological operations of erosion and dilation using a 7x7 matrix. It will operate on a 512x512 image in real time (60 images per second). The chip is designed to be pipelined for multiple successive morphologic operations on a series of images. The MAP is implemented using an 2.0 micrometers N-well CMOS process which can be fabricated through the MOSIS program

Innovative teaching of IC design and manufacture using the Superchip platform

In this paper we describe how an intelligent chip architecture has allowed a large cohort of undergraduate students to be given effective practical insight into IC design by designing and manufacturing their own ICs. To achieve this, an efficient chip architecture, the “Superchip”, has been developed, which allows multiple student designs to be fabricated on a single IC, and encapsulated in a standard package without excessive cost in terms of time or resources. We demonstrate how the practical process has been tightly coupled with theoretical aspects of the degree course and how transferable skills are incorporated into the design exercise. Furthermore, the students are introduced at an early stage to the key concepts of team working, exposure to real deadlines and collaborative report writing. This paper provides details of the teaching rationale, design exercise overview, design process, chip architecture and test regime

Silicon compilation

Silicon compilation is a term used for many different purposes. In this paper we define silicon compilation as a mapping from some higher level description into layout. We define the basic issues in structural and behavioral silicon compilation and some possible solutions to those issues. Finally, we define the concept of an intelligent silicon compiler in which the compiler evaluates the quality of the generated design and attempts to improve it if it is not satisfactory

A discrete Fourier-cosine transform chip

An 8-point Fourier-cosine transform chip designed for a data rate of 100 Mbits/s is described. The top-down design is presented step by step, including algorithm modification for VLSI suitability, architectural choices, testing overhead, internal precision assignments, mask generation, and finally, verification of the layout. A high-level language (C) design tool was developed concurrently with the layout. This tool allows mimicking exactly the different representations of the algorithm: software, mask, and chip. This provides an automatic cross-checking at all design stages. The VLSI environment created by this tool, as well as existing powerful CAD tools, made a fast design-time possible

A procedural method for the efficient implementation of full-custom VLSI designs

An imbedded language system for the layout of very large scale integration (VLSI) circuits is examined. It is shown that through the judicious use of this system, a large variety of circuits can be designed with circuit density and performance comparable to traditional full-custom design methods, but with design costs more comparable to semi-custom design methods. The high performance of this methodology is attributable to the flexibility of procedural descriptions of VLSI layouts and to a number of automatic and semi-automatic tools within the system

MISSED: an environment for mixed-signal microsystem testing and diagnosis

A tight link between design and test data is proposed for speeding up test-pattern generation and diagnosis during mixed-signal prototype verification. Test requirements are already incorporated at the behavioral level and specified with increased detail at lower hierarchical levels. A strict distinction between generic routines and implementation data makes reuse of software possible. A testability-analysis tool and test and DFT libraries support the designer to guarantee testability. Hierarchical backtrace procedures in combination with an expert system and fault libraries assist the designer during mixed-signal chip debuggin

Automatic synthesis of analog layout : a survey

A review of recent research in the automatic synthesis of physical geometry for analog integrated circuits is presented. On introduction, an explanation of the difficulties involved in analog layout as opposed to digital layout is covered. Review of the literature then follows. Emphasis is placed on the exposition of general methods for addressing problems specific to analog layout, with the details of specific systems only being given when they surve to illustrate these methods well. The conclusion discusses problems remaining and offers a prediction as to how technology will evolve to solve them. It is argued that although progress has been and will continue to be made in the automation of analog IC layout, due to fundamental differences in the nature of analog IC design as opposed to digital design, it should not be expected that the level of automation of the former will reach that of the latter any time soon