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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 36 | 1:00 | 36:00 | Revision for final exam |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 16 | 2:00 | 32:00 | 4x2hr lectures per week over 4 weeks |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 3:00 | 3:00 | Final Exam in Assessment Period |
| Structured Guided Learning | Lecture materials | 36 | 0:30 | 18:00 | Non-synchronous recordings to support lectures |
| Structured Guided Learning | Structured research and reading activities | 8 | 2:00 | 16:00 | Reading activity to supplement knowledge of material taught in each week. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 8 | 1:00 | 8:00 | 1hr online synchronous tutorial per week, covering tutorial sheets. |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 69:00 | 69:00 | Reviewing lecture notes; general reading |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 36 | 0:30 | 18:00 | Student study time of non-synchronous pre-recorded material |
| Total | 200:00 |
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 Examination | 180 | 2 | A | 100 | Choice 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 exercise | 2 | M | Tutorial 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
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- EEE8124's Timetable