EDA Weekend Reader – Application-Specific Integrated Circuits
This book, by Michael John Sebastian Smith, is an excellent study book for those interested in all things ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuits).
Contents Review of ASICs by Michael John Sebastian Smith
At the start there is an introduction into ASICS (and programmable gate arrays), the different types of ASICS and gate arrays. The all important economics of the devices are considered. The book then moves onto CMOS logic and ASIC library design. Covered are design rules, drive strengths, latches, flip-flops, datapath elements, adders and multiplers.
The book goes into detail of various programmable devices from Xilinx, Altera and Actel. It’s a little dated now to be honest (my copy was published in 1997), but it’s still relevant to today’s technology. Logic synthesis is discussed before the book goes headlong into low-level design languages, VHDL and Verilog HDLs (hardware description languages).
Lots of VHDL and Verilog examples are listed in completeness for the student to read and understand more fully. The hardware description language examples and logic sythesis is described in detail here.
The book then moves onto simulation and its importance in relation to logic sythesis. The importance of formal verification is described too. Finally, SPICE modelling is covered with examples of transistor-level simulation.
The all important ASIC testing is covered next with descriptions of boundary-scan techniques. Also covered are the various circuit faults to expect. The test chapter goes on to ATPG (automatic test-pattern generation), and scan-chain insertion.
Physical attributes of an ASIC are then discussed: system partitioning and power dissipation. The reader is introduced to the various stages of physical design – partitioning, floorplanning, placement and routing. The remainder of the book is taken up with detailed analysis of each of these stages of the ASIC design process.
Concluding Note
This book was used much during my post-graduate studies whilst reading at Bolton University. It is one of most valued books in my collection and spends more time off the shelf than on! The book was opened again this weekend!