1. Course Information and Introduction

Introduction notes of August 16, 2012 can be downloaded here

1.1. Course Information

1. Textbook

   1. No text book. Instead, detailed notes will be provided.

2. References

   1. 10. Cressler and G. Niu, Silicon-Germanium Heterojunction Bipolar Transistors, Artech House, 2003.
   2. 25. Taur and T. Ning, Fundamentals of modern VLSI devices, either 1st or 2nd edition will be fine.
   3. 13. Riesch, High frequency bipolar transistors, Springer.

3. Grading

   1. a series of small class projects of your choice from a selected set of topics 100%. These projects are designed to be challenging.

4. Office hours

   1. W, 4:00-5:00pm, or
   2. by appointment, email me if you need me and cannot find me, I will help you anyway I can
   3. right after class is the best time for quick questions

1.2. Objectives

1. An in-depth treatment of advanced semiconductor device topics targeting state-of-the-art industrial applications.

2. Gain practical experience of

   1. transistor measurement using semiconductor analyzer
   2. high frequency on-chip de-embedding using open/short as well as most advanced 4-port techniques developed by my research group
   3. extracting model parameters with real devices using ICCAP
   4. technology-computer-aided design (TCAD) with Synopsys tools
   5. low-frequency noise measurements
   6. developing compact models using Verilog-A
   7. circuit simulation with Cadence
   8. processing data files of various formats
   9. working with linux - many commercial tools in our profession are developed natively in Linux and run better in linux than their windows versions.
   10. working with python for solving semiconductor device problems

1.3. Course Outline

1. Overview
2. Review of semiconductor basics, pn junctions and transistors
3. Views of semiconductor device, from carrier transport to circuit symbols
4. Compact modeling
5. Building a compact model in verilog-A
6. Creating customized models in Cadence
7. On-chip transistor dc characterization
8. On-chip RF characterization, error correction and de-embedding
9. Sentaurus device simulations, building structures, physics, math, solver, mixed device-circuit simulation
10. Bridging the gap between devices and circuits
11. Cadence circuit simulation of transistor dc, ac, RF, linearity and noise characteristics.
12. Lots of practice with python and/or matlab

As the title indicates, the intention of this course is to cover “advanced” topics. You likely have come across some of these topics from my previous courses, Elec5700/6700, Semiconductor Fundamentals, Elec5710/6710 Semiconductor Devices, Elec7710 Field-Effect Transistors or Elec7750 Extreme Environment Electronics, but the coverage in this course is at a level that enables you to work with real devices.

Transistor theories you learned in previous course are helpful, we we also need to develop many other skills, and industry practice in about every aspect of semiconductor devices has been evolving in a very fast pace. I try my best to keep the material current.

1.4. Class material and online access

I will be using slides + hand written notes in Onenote and windows journal format + traditional on board illustration (which will not be in electronic format).

All notes will be posted on same day, typically a few hours after lecture, so check that often. Desktop video and additional tutorials will also be made for selected lectures (e.g. spice demo or CMOS complex logic gate designs).

Put all notes and handouts in a binder and bring them to class (at least recent ones)

1.5. Class Attendance

Based on past experience, class attendance should be viewed as mandatory for those desiring high grades.

Lectures will consist of a mixture of on-the-board notes, slides, discussion about the technical material, problem solving. Lecture will be considered by most to be fast paced. The course itself is definitely fast-paced! Keeping up will prove essential to your success. Solving all homework problems and reading your notes and assigned readings are key to good grades.

1.6. Exams

1. Exams will be open book, open notes.
2. Use of computer is encouraged. Use of Internet is allowed.

1.7. Academic Honesty

Students are expected to abide by Auburn’s Academic Honor Code.

Academic misconduct is not acceptable.

Incidents will be reported to the Administration.

While students are encouraged to work together on homework, individual solutions must be submitted for grading. Two identical copies of documents are not acceptable.

No collaboration in any form is permitted on exams.

1.8. Teaching Philosophy and Style

1. Complete learning experience: Theory -> Writing code and generating plots of your own -> Device simulation and Design -> Experimental measurements
2. Building on previous knowledge is the key
3. Practice and homework are absolutely necessary
4. Questions are encouraged in general, the only exception is you are asking questions simply because you missed previous lectures or did not review your notes or do your homework
5. Tech tools will be used to enhance the experience of learningm tablet pc, video for selected lectures
6. Your feedback is welcome. Just let me know