Microelectronics

Overview

Week 1: Foundations

Monday: Introduction & Development Pipeline

Lecture:

• Overview of semiconductor chips and systems: microcontrollers, CPUs, DACs/ADCs/DSP, sensors
• From transistor to IC to board to system: why this matters
• Resources for study, tools, and low-cost tapeout options for hobbyists and independent designers
• Development pipeline: code, test, synthesize, physical, verification, manufacture, packaging, eval board, test
• Overview of tools and ecosystem
• PDK setup and configuration (Sky130, GF180, IHP)
• Version control basics with git for hardware projects

Project homework:

• Install course toolchain (instructions provided) or set up VM/container
• Run hello world synthesis on a simple design
• Verify tools work end-to-end before Thursday

Thursday: Analog Basics (JV)

Lecture:

• Wires: metal differences, tapeout considerations
• Passive components: inductance, capacitance, resistance
• Timing, noise, and signal fidelity implications
• Transistors as switches: comparators, flip-flops
• Transistors as amplifiers
• Device models and levels: complexity vs. simulation accuracy tradeoffs
• Power sources, grounding practices, and power grid basics
• Clock distribution fundamentals

Project homework:

• Simulate a PDK inverter in SPICE: measure delay from input to output
• Sweep the input slew rate - how does it affect delay and power?
• Look at the transistor-level schematic - identify PMOS and NMOS, understand sizing

Week 2: Schematic Capture & Fabrication

Monday: Schematic Design & Simulation (JV)

Lecture:

• Schematic capture process and workflow
• SPICE simulation (e.g., LTspice, ngspice)
• Libraries and PDKs: finding and configuring them
• Behavioral modeling and abstraction levels
• Layout process fundamentals
• Cell creation and common pitfalls

Project homework:

• Draw schematic for a 2-input NAND gate using PDK cells
• Simulate in SPICE: verify truth table, measure propagation delay
• Brainstorm: What do you want your chip to transmit? A message? Counter? Random numbers?

Thursday: Fabrication Basics (AW)

Lecture:

• Layout to manufacturing (GDS, KLayout)
• Design Rule Check (DRC)
• Layout vs. Schematic (LVS)
• Tapeout process and layout acceptance
• Fabrication process overview (including DIY microfab)
• Corner analysis and process variation

Project homework:

• Hand-draw layout for an inverter using PDK layers
• Run DRC - fix any errors
• Sketch block diagram for your UART project: data source + UART TX

Week 3: Digital Design

Monday: RTL Design & Verification (AO)

Lecture:

• HDL languages: SystemVerilog, Verilog, VHDL, Chisel, Python-based flows
• Design methodology: coding style, synchronous design principles, common mistakes
• Core concepts: flip-flops, latches, reset, state machines, pipelines
• Reset synchronization and clock domain considerations
• IP reuse, library design, and memory integration (OpenRAM)
• Development environment: editors (VS Code, Emacs)
• Linting tools: Verilator, pyslang
• Testbench development: Icarus Verilog, cocotb
• Waveform viewing: GTKWave

Project homework:

• Write Verilog for your data source module (10-30 lines)
• Connect to provided UART TX module, create top-level wrapper
• Simulate with testbench, view waveforms
• Run linter, fix any warnings

Thursday: Synthesis & Physical Design (AO)

Lecture:

• Logic synthesis with Yosys
• Place and route basics with OpenROAD
• Clock tree synthesis
• Power planning and grid design
• Static timing analysis with OpenSTA
• Interpreting timing reports, fixing violations

Project homework:

• Synthesize your design - review gate count, check for unintended latches
• Run place and route flow
• Check timing reports - any violations? Fix if needed
• Generate GDS, view layout - find your flip-flops, trace the clock

Week 4: Testing & System Integration

Monday: Packaging & Board Design (AW)

Lecture:

• Package design and wirebonding diagrams (KiCad)
• Evaluation board design (KiCad)
• I/O planning and constraints
• Simple testing: embedded design, FPGA, microcontrollers
• Production testing: ATE, scan chains, fault coverage
• Design-for-debug and silicon debug techniques

Project homework:

• Run DRC/LVS on final design - fix any errors
• Document: what your chip transmits, pin assignments, baud rate
• Create test plan: how to verify output works
• Prepare presentation for Thursday

Thursday: Presentations & Discussion

Lecture:

• Student project presentations
• Discussion and Q&A

Project homework:

• Present your design: what it transmits, block diagram, waveforms, layout screenshot
• Reflect on the process: what worked, what was difficult, ideas for future work