ACIT4740 Microelectronic Circuits and Systems Course description

Knowledge of microelectronic circuits and systems and associated design flows continue to play a crucial role in the research and development of integrated energy efficient electronics. The topic is particularly important in sustaining the growth required in the global electronics industry to satisfy the requirements of many strategic sectors including energy efficient and smart sensory, computing and communication systems in bioelectronics, automation and robotics.

The course covers fundamentals of microelectronic systems with emphasis on contemporary building blocks and architectures. In-class discussions highlight primary design metrics such as delay, power dissipation, energy, performance, noise, integration, cost, and cover the challenges of robust design flows. The theoretical learning will be supported by practical design assignments using Computer Aided Design (CAD) tools.

Individual written report of between 1800 and 2200 words.

The exam can be appealed.

New/postponed exam: In case of failed exam or legal absence, the student may apply for a new or postponed exam. New or postponed exams are offered within a reasonable time span following the regular exam. The student is responsible for applying for a new/postponed exam within the time limits set by OsloMet. The Regulations for new or postponed examinations are available in Regulations relating to studies and examinations at OsloMet.

No formal requirements over and above the admission requirements.

After completing this course, the student will have the following learning outcomes, defined as knowledge, skills, and general competence.

Knowledge

On successful completion of the course, the student has knowledge of:

• design flows in microelectronics,
• steady state and transient response of microelectronic building blocks,
• fundamental design metrics used for comparing microelectronic solutions.

Skills    

On successful completion of the course, the student can:

• interpret specifications of digital and analog microelectronic circuits and systems,
• analyze microelectronic circuits of medium to high complexity using paper-and-pencil method as well as CAD simulations for robust functionality, performance, power and energy dissipation,
• determine a method for delivering microelectronic circuit design based on specifications,
• provide a microelectronic circuit solution to a mixed-signal electronics problem,
• use CAD tools to design and verify microelectronic circuits and systems,
• consider implications of design and fabrication technologies on the operating characteristics of the microelectronic circuits and systems.

General competence   

On successful completion of the course, the student is capable of:

• resolving the functional and electrical characteristics of microelectronic circuits from specifications, whitepapers and datasheets,
• determining a method to analyze the characteristics of original digital and analog circuits in microelectronics,
• designing microelectronic systems using recurring topologies,
• verifying the functionality and performance of microelectronic circuits through standard analysis techniques as well as CAD based simulations.

All aids are permitted, provided the rules for plagiarism and source referencing are complied with.

This course will feature weekly lectures. This will be supplemented by reading and problem solving assignments, which will include design and verification using CAD tools. The project will be carried out in groups of a size suited for the chosen project.

The following coursework requirements must have been approved for the student to sit the exam:

• completion of 3 assignments with a submission for each that includes calculations, schematics and simulation-based verification.
• a group project to design and verify microelectronic circuits for a problem related to biomedical engineering applications with a maximum of 2000 word written report and a presentation as a team.

All requirements must be passed to take the written exam.

This course is an introduction to the area of global engineering communication. It provides students with an overview of the main histories, theories, practices and methods of engineering communication in global contexts. The main emphasis is given to developing a research-based understanding in students of the importance of communication and communication skills for global engineering work, the typical frameworks and organizational structures used by global companies and organizations to plan, organize, and execute professional communication. Students engage in guided writing and research projects relevant to the topics of the course.

This course is designed and run in collaboration with Louisiana Technology University.

No formal requirements over and above the admission requirements.

By the end of the course, the students have:

Knowledge

On successful completion of this course the student has:

• an understanding of the role communication plays in international engineering work

• familiarity with the current theories, practices, and methods of global engineering communication, from current research in the field of engineering communication
• Be able to engage in guided research on the topic of global engineering communication
• knowledge of the main communication technologies used for global engineering communication and skills in the use of those technologies

Skills

By the end of the course, the students are able to:

• apply the acquired knowledge to the design, implementation, and assessing the success of global engineering communication projects and tasks
• use the knowledge of research literature in professional communication to name, explain, and discuss main theories, methods, and practices in global engineering communication
• critically evaluate and apply communication technologies used for global communication, to international engineering communication contexts.

General competence

On successful completion of this course the student can:

• demonstrate knowledge of the main frameworks, theories, methods, and practices in global engineering communication
• critically evaluate competing views on those topics, as evidenced in research literature, and generate frameworks and approaches to own communication projects based on such evaluation.

This course is run in collaboration with Louisiana Technology University. During the 2024-2025 academic year, the course will be offered online (digitally). The majority of the instruction will take place asynchronously (in Canvas), with periodic 1-hour long synchronous meetings, in Zoom or Teams.

In line with best teaching practices from the field of professional communication, the following teaching methods will be used (listed here in order of priority and frequency of use):

• Active learning and flipped classroom methods

• Peer review and peer-learning
• Short lectures and presentations by instructor(s), followed by discussions and informal assessments

The role of the teacher is to be a facilitator and an expert-coordinator of course work, who guides the students through the content of the course

1. Three written assignments, written individually and in teams.

1. Weekly reading response and peer-review assignments. A minimum of 75% (9 out of 12) out of the reading response and peer-review assignments must be approved.

Detailed description of all assignments will be provided to the students in Canvas.