ELEC3285 Integrated Circuit Design
10 Credits Class Size: 100
Module manager: Dr Paul Steenson
Email: d.p.steenson@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running
2025/26
This module is not approved as a discovery module
Objectives
To provide students with a knowledge, understanding and hands-on experience of VLSI design, primarily from a logic-circuit perspective, but including an introduction to contemporary VLSI chips, such as CPLDs and FPGAs, and the associated hierarchical and top-down (HDL) design methodologies leading to increasing complexity.
Learning outcomes
On completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Explain the principles of complex VLSI design and systems.
2. Describe combinational and sequential logic representations and their circuit implementation.
3. Explain the electrical properties of silicon logic, MOSFET, gate-level and switch-level elements of VLSI systems.
4. Use mathematical models to understand and implement design decisions and trade-offs.
5. Apply the principles of physical design, layout and modularisation to a VSLI design problems.
6. Use a CAD tool to analyse the behaviour of complex VLSI system blocks.
7. Explain the operation of memory devices and circuits, including the principles of architectural and system level design using interconnects, data flow and synchronisation.
Syllabus
Topics may include, but are not limited to:
Introduction to logic design. CMOS physical structure and relation to IC performance limitations
Electrical representation of MOSFETs and gate primitives. SPICE, switch-level and gate-level modelling
Design hierarchy and RTL modelling
Study of some key building blocks; CAD and evaluation
Data flow and routing: interconnect, bus, and clock distribution overview
Memory circuits; devices leading to programmable logic
Teaching Methods
| Delivery type |
Number |
Length hours |
Student hours |
| Laboratory |
5 |
2 |
10 |
| Consultation |
5 |
1 |
5 |
| Examples Class |
4 |
1 |
4 |
| Lecture |
11 |
1 |
11 |
| Seminar |
2 |
1 |
2 |
| Independent online learning hours |
32 |
| Private study hours |
36 |
| Total Contact hours |
32 |
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) |
100 |
Private study
Students are expected to use private study time to consolidate their understanding of course materials, to undertake preparatory work for seminars, workshops, tutorials, examples classes and practical classes, and also to prepare for in-course and summative assessments.
Opportunities for Formative Feedback
Students studying ELEC modules will receive formative feedback in a variety of ways, including the use of self-test quizzes on Minerva, practice questions/worked examples and (where appropriate) through verbal interaction with teaching staff and/or post-graduate demonstrators.
Reading List
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 30/04/2026
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team