// Remove Clearing button
Skip to main content

Module

EEE8124 : Low-Power VLSI Design

  • Offered for Year: 2024/25
  • Module Leader(s): Professor Alex Yakovlev
  • Owning School: Engineering
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 2 Credit Value: 20
ECTS Credits: 10.0
European Credit Transfer System

Aims

To provide knowledge of the fundamentals of power-efficient VLSI design, so that in the future the students will be able to apply this knowledge in industry or research.

To provide knowledge of the importance of design for low power in modern systems-on-chip.

To explain design methods for achieving energy-efficient solutions in ubiquitous computing applications such as Internet of Things.

To explain basic concepts of asynchronous circuits and their role in designing energy-efficient electronics. .

Outline Of Syllabus

This module introduces the important subject of low-power VLSI design and different modelling, analysis, synthesis and validation techniques that can be used to develop industrial strength microelectronic circuits and systems. The emphasis will be on three main levels of abstraction in IC design, namely transistor, logic and architectural levels, and the role of different stages in the design of an integrated chip using VLSI design software will be presented. Important aspects of power consumption, involving modelling, analysis and design for low power will be introduced, as well as timing and voltage scaling techniques. Additionally, the module will introduce asynchronous design methodologies for low power design and power-modulated computing, including description languages such as Signal Transition Graphs and Petri nets. Seminars will provide the opportunity for students to use design CAD tools, including Newcastle’s open source tools such as Workcraft and interfaces to commercial tools.

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Structured Guided LearningLecture materials460:3023:00Non-synchronous recordings to support lectures.
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion361:0036:00Revision for final exam
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture122:0024:00In-person lectures.
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion13:003:00Final Exam in Assessment Period
Structured Guided LearningStructured research and reading activities82:0016:00Reading activity to supplement knowledge of material taught in each week.
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesWorkshops61:006:00One-hour online synchronous tutorial after the completion of each set of lecture notes.
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study169:0069:00Reviewing lecture notes; general reading
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study460:3023:00Student study time of non-synchronous pre-recorded material
Total200:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Non-synchronous videos and face-to-face lectures provides the core material and synchronous review sessions give students the opportunity to query material taught in that week. Face-to-face lectures can be replaced with online synchronous sessions support by non-synchronous videos if the public health situation requires it.

Problem solving is introduced and practiced through synchronous tutorial sessions.

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Exams
Description Length Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Written Examination1802A100Choice of 4 question from 3 from VLSI Design and 3 from Low Power
Formative Assessments

Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.

Description Semester When Set Comment
Written exercise2MTutorial Question on VLSI Design set in the middle of the semester
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Lectures provide the core material as well as guidance for further reading. Problem practice is integrated into lecture structure, examples given in the use of the software tools.

The examination provides the opportunity for the students to demonstrate their understanding of the course material and their ability to apply critical thinking. The problem solving aspects of the assessment enable the student to demonstrate that they are able to apply this understanding and their analysis and synthesis skills to novel situations.

Reading Lists

Timetable