CHAPTER 2 - Fundamentals of CMOS design

Abstract

This chapter discusses a few basic and important concepts of complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology to aid in the learning process and facilitates greater understanding of the electronic design automation (EDA) subjects. An overview of the fundamental integrated-circuit technology and CMOS logic design is provided, and a few more advanced CMOS technologies that can be used to reduce transistor count, increase circuit speed, or reduce power consumption for modern VLSI designs are dealt with. The physical design aspects, how to translate a CMOS logic design to a CMOS physical design for fabrication are reviewed. CMOS technology has been the backbone of the many advances that have taken place in the past two decades, powering consumer appliances, automotives, personal and scientific computing, as well as many fascinating science and space explorations. Its advances have also made EDA tools possible and readily accessible to engineers. It is ironic that CMOS chips now power the computers on which engineers rely to design new chips. The chapter is intended to stimulate the reader's interest in the topic and provide background information for the reader to relate CMOS design to the EDA techniques. New CMOS circuit technologies are still being developed. Currently, major improvements center on three fronts: Transistors are used more efficiently to provide more computing and functionality, increasing circuit speed, and consuming less power. The chapter has provided some examples in all three of these improvements.