ECE 474A

Computer-Aided Logic Design

Fall

Required Course:

Course Level

Undergraduate

Units

Prerequisite(s)

ECE 274A and ECE 275

Course Texts

No required textbook: instructor provides class notes and slides sourced from various books.

Schedule

150 minutes lecture per week

Course Description

Tabular minimization of single and multiple output Boolean functions, NMOS and CMOS realizations, synthesis of sequential circuits, RTL description, laboratory exercises.

Identical to CSC 474A. May be convened with ECE 574A.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, the student will be able to:

Understand the difference between heuristic and exact optimization methods, and be able to classify a variety of algorithms into these categories
Use the Quine-McCluskey tabular minimization technique for identifying all the prime implicants, and solve the covering problem using Petrick's method to find an optimal two-level implementation for both completely specified and incompletely specified logic functions
Use Quine-McCluskey with iterative and recursive consensus methods for identifying all the prime implicants (complete sum) and solve the covering problem using row/column dominance to find a minimal gate, two-level implementation for both completely specified and incompletely specified logic functions
Understand how generalized optimization algorithms can be adapted to the logic minimization problem
Use branch and bound along with MIS to solve the covering problem
Understand Espresso's representation of Boolean functions and basic operations on compact cubical format
Use Espresso's unate complement, complement and expand subprocedures
Understand a variety of scheduling algorithms, including ASAP, ALAP, Hu, LIST_L, LIST_R and force-directed
Understand a variety of methods used for resource sharing and binding
Understand the role of verification in CAD along with the different testing methods
Design logic minimization tools in C/C++ and output the resulting circuit implementation in Verilog or equivalent textual representation

Course Topics

Design and implementation of sequential circuits
Register-transfer level (RTL) design
Optimization and tradeoffs of combinational and sequential circuits
Exact and heuristic minimization of two-level circuits

Relationship to Student Outcomes

ECE 474A contributes directly to the following specific electrical and computer engineering student outcomes of the ECE department:

Ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science and engineering (high)
Ability to design a system, component or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints, such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability and sustainability (medium)
Ability to identify, formulate and solve engineering problems (low)
Ability to use the techniques, skills and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice (high)

Syllabus Prepared By

Roman Lysecky, 03/16/16