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Course Descriptions
NEEC 6501 Random Processes for Engineering Applications (3 sem. cr.)
Students learn about probability, random variables, stochastic processes, correlation functions, and spectra with applications to communications, control, and computers.
NEEC 6521 Communications Systems I (3 sem. cr.)
This course involves the study of digital communication systems. Various modulation formats and receiver designs are considered. Some topics in source coding and error-correcting coding are covered.
NEEC 6525 Wireless Networks (3 sem. cr.)
This course covers the fundamentals of wireless networks and design. Topics include cellular concepts and design, multiple access control protocols, wireless networking, handoff management, mobility management, resource allocation, and wireless systems and standards.
NEEC 6551 Digital Signal Processing I (3 sem. cr.)
This course introduces students to the concepts, techniques, and applications of digital signal processing (DSP) via the context of a real-time DSP system for the filtering of analog signals. The central relationship of a digital filter’s frequency response to the frequency response of an equivalent analog filter is established using time and frequency domain models for analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog conversion. A discussion of oversampling as a means of shifting the workload in a real-time DSP system from analog to digital filtering is used to introduce detailed time and frequency domain models of downsampling and upsampling. Techniques for the design of a digital filter’s frequency response are presented in view of the various tradeoffs (linear phase, arithmetic complexity, coefficient quantization, arithmetic quantization) between practically realizable implementations of infinite impulse response and finite impulse response filters. The Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) and Fast Fourier Transform algorithms are introduced as a practical means of frequency analysis, particularly in the context of examining a digital filter’s frequency response during the design process. The relationship of the DFT to the multidimensional DFT, the Discrete Cosine Transform, the Time Dependent Fourier Transform, and the Complex Cepstrum are also discussed.
NEEC 6552 Digital Signal Processing II (3 sem. cr.)
This course is an introduction to the advanced signal processing methods that are used in a variety of application areas.
NEEI 6301 Integrated Circuit Devices (3 sem. cr.)
This course covers basic solid-state physics concepts involving crystal structure and the principles of quantum physics as it applies to semiconductor devices. It covers the essentials of semiconductor physics, including band diagrams, electrons and holes, density of states, Fermi statistics, carrier drift, and diffusion. Students apply these concepts to pn junction diodes and metal semiconductor junctions. This course also provides an overview of MOS and bipolar devices in terms of current-voltage and capacitance-voltage behavior, as well as scaling issues. It covers basic circuit models and reliability physics. It also describes the operation and design issues of Si integrated circuits, points out applications, and discusses some process integration, reliability, and testing issues. It also describes the operation and design issues of optoelectronic detectors and sources.
NEEI 6311 Semiconductor Device Modeling (3 sem. cr.)
This course offers an introduction to numerical modeling of semiconductor devices. Today, computer-aided design has become an affordable and, in fact, necessary tool for designing contemporary semiconductor devices. With emphasis on numerical methods, this course provides basic concepts and design tools for analyzing discrete two-dimensional devices such as Schottky diodes, MESFETs, MOSFETs, BJTs, and HBTs.
NEEI 6321 Analysis of Electronic Circuits (3 sem. cr.)
This course emphasizes obtaining analytical approximations for maximum insight into circuit behavior. Students explore extra element theorem, feedback theorem, low-entropy design equations, frequency-domain measurement of loop gains, and impedances.
NEEI 6341 Introduction to Digital Integrated Circuits (4 sem. cr.)
This course covers CMOS devices and manufacturing technology along with CMOS inverters and gates. Other topics include propagation delay, noise margins, power dissipation, and sequential circuits. Students look at various design styles and architectures, as well as the issues that designers must face, such as technology scaling and the impact of interconnect. Examples presented in class include arithmetic circuits, semiconductor memories, and other novel circuits. The course starts with a detailed description and analysis of the core digital design block, the inverter. Implementations in CMOS are discussed. Next, students discuss the design of more complex combinational gates, such as NAND, NOR, and EXORs, looking at optimizing the robustness, speed, area, and/or power. Students apply the techniques they learn on more evolved designs, such as adders and multipliers. The influence of interconnect parasitics on circuit performance and approaches to cope with them are treated in detail. Substantial attention is devoted to sequential circuits, clocking approaches, and memories. The course concludes with an examination of design methodologies. CAD tools for layout, extraction, and simulation are used for assignments, labs, and projects.
NEEM 6431 Microelectronics Processing I (3 sem. cr.)
This course is an introduction to the bipolar and MOSFET semiconductor process. Students learn about the theory and practice of the major unit processes used in modern silicon device processing: oxidation; diffusion; ion implantation; Deep-UV, phase-shift, UV, electron and X-ray lithography; metal and oxide deposition; aqueous, plasma, and reactive ion etching; chemical mechanical polishing; and wet-cleaning for front-end- and back-end-of-the-line. Students explore issues relating to performance integration, the effects of subsequent and prior process steps on a fabrication sequence, and the limitation of process steps in producing devices for the Gigabit era.
NEEP 6221 Digital ASIC Design (3 sem. cr.)
The course covers modern digital design practices based on Hardware Description Languages Verilog and CAD tools, particularly logic synthesis. It emphasizes design practice and the underlying algorithms. Students are introduced to deep submicron design issues, particularly interconnect and low power, and to modern applications, including multimedia, wireless, telecommunications, and computing. Students must have access to a Verilog simulator and design synthesis tools (e.g. Synopsys Design Compiler and Synopsys Design Analyzer) to take this course.
NEEP 6271 Testing and Diagnosis of VLSI Systems (3 sem. cr.)
This course provides an overview of issues related to the testing and reliability of VLSI circuits. A wide range of VLSI testability analysis and design methods is covered to prepare students for the modern industrial and academic environments.
NEEP 8221 Advanced Digital Design (3 sem. cr.)
In this course, students examine the design of complex digital chip sets and systems using hardware description languages and CAD synthesis tools. They consider circuit simulation and design verification, with an emphasis on ultra high-density designs.
