ELEC372/472: Integrated Circuit Design Assignment 1
Objectives:
• Understand the fundamental theory underlying internal and external capacitances of a MOSFET and simple CMOS inverter, and their effects on circuit performance as covered in ELEC372/472 in the context of design.
• Carry out basic calculations of such capacitances for a simple CMOS inverter so as to determine the value of the effective load capacitance. In later assignments, this load capacitance will be utilised in circuit simulations on a software package Multisim, to investigate how changes in device geometry affects the performance of CMOS-based circuits.
For guidance, a 15-credit module unit is meant to occupy 150 hours in total (including both private study and contact hours). You should aim to spend about 3-4 hours per week at the terminals. The remainder of the time will be taken up with background reading and research.
KEEP A LOG BOOK OF YOUR PROGRESS.
EFFECTIVE TIME MANAGEMENT IS A KEY SKILL THAT APPLIES TO ALL PROFESSIONS AND WORKING SITUATIONS. SO IF YOU GET STUCK, ASK – DO NOT WASTE TIME – STAY FOCUSED |
Introduction
This task requires you to write a simple programme to perform basic calculations on inverter speed, as defined by fall-time. Fall-time is the time taken for an n-channel MOSFET in a CMOS inverter to pull-down the output from 90% to 10% of the supply voltage. The theory is presented in the lecture notes and further instructions are provided in appendix A.
Such “ball-park” or “back of the envelope” calculations are essential when performing simulation tasks, as there is a need to cross-check the numbers obtained from complex simulations are reasonable. The values you obtain from your simple model will also inform you on how to set-up your simulations, i.e. establish the time frame of interest and allow you to set the frequency of the test signals so as to correctly observe all the anomalies on the voltage-time plots etc. Furthermore, if you set a very long time frame, you may overload your memory store on the server. This approach should be applied in all your simulation assignments.
Instructions
Write a simple model in Matlab, C, python or anything else you prefer.
You should think about which parameters to define as variables and constants; certainly the transistor width (W) needs to be defined as a variable (see below). Make sure you use sensible values for a 1.2 μm technology as used in this course. In this case, the long-channel theory applies (explain why in your report), and for the CMOS design, assume an n-well process.
To develop the model for the effective load capacitor (CL) refer to the lecture notes and instructions below. Tables 1 and 2 provide a summary of the SPICE models and values for the 1.2 μm technology that you will utilise within the Multisim environment. Use these values in your calculations. A more detailed SPICE model will be provided in later assignment, and you will be able to compare your calculated values. When using the values in Table 2, take great care with the units since values in SPICE are not always quoted in SI units. Also check that the values you obtain for the parameters are sensible e.g., what value do you expect for the built-in voltage of ap-n junction?
Once your simple (I continue to emphasise its simple – don’t look for complications!) programme is running and yielding sensible values, plot graphs of the following:
1. Fall time as a function of width, W – sensible range of values – you can not drive
many gates at high speed;
2. Fall time as a function of fan–out (i.e. attach an increasing number of inverters to
the test inverter); choose one value of W.
Submission
Download the Assignment 1 submission form on Canvas and fill-in all the sections below:
a) Provide basic description of the task. You can refer to the lecture notes for details of the derivation
b) Write a little on the APPROXIMATIONS assumed in that analysis.
c) Results/Graph and Comments from your programme for Fall time as a function of width.
d) Results Graph and Comments from your programme for Fall time as a function of fan-out.
e) Paste your source code.
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