Adding Analog And Mixed Signal Concerns To A Digital Vlsi Course

Abstract

This paper describes a new approach to teaching a VLSI Systems Design course that integrates basic analog and mixed-signal design considerations into what was previously an all-digital course. VLSI chips increasingly contain both analog and digital components, making it important for students to have some familiarity with both topics. The revised course integrates analog concerns by building on the standard techniques for digital integrated circuit design and extending this coverage to include digital-analog and analogdigital conversion. Students design these elements in the course laboratory, producing a complete chip that is submitted for fabrication at the end of the semester. The resulting experience gives students a strong grounding in digital integrated circuit design, an understanding of some important analog concepts, and an appreciation for the relationship between digital design and analog design.