1. Syllabus and Course Information

1.1. Course Information

1. Textbook

   1. Operation and modeling of the mos transistor, by Tsividis and McAndrew, 3rd edition.

2. References

   1. Fundamentals of Modern VLSI Devices, Taur and Ning, 2nd edition.

3. Grading

   1. Homework 20%
   2. Two class projects 40%
   3. Final exam 40%

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

• Build upon 6710 knowledge develop in-depth understanding of the physics, operation, modeling and experimental characterization of modern CMOS transistors
• Introduction to state-of-the-art CMOS technology and concepts (e.g. multicore)

1.3. Course Outline

1. Overview
2. Review of semiconductor basics, pn junctions
3. Everything about 2-terminal MOS, we will develop our own simulator
4. Everything about 3-terminal MOS, we will develop our own simulator
5. 4-terminal MOS, we will write a MOSFET model applicable to all regions of operation and symmetric
6. Short channel effects, reverse short channel effects, DIBL, well proximity effect
7. Strain and stress
8. Reliability, hot carrier effects, oxide breakdown
9. Scaling and technology trends
10. Low and medium frequency response, charge partitioning
11. RF CMOS
12. Compact modeling for circuit simulation
13. Compact model quality assurance
14. Compact model implementation in circuit simulators
15. Test structures
16. On-chip measurements at low frequencies
17. Intro to on-chip RF and Microwave measurements, error correction and de-embedding
18. Lots of Sentaurus device simulations
19. Lots of spice (multisim, ads, or cadence) simulations
20. Lots of practice with matlab or python

1.4. Class material and online access

I will be using slides + hand written notes in 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