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227-0148-00L 6 Credits MSC D-ITET , D-PHYS
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VLSI 4: Practical VLSI: Measurement and Testing

Lecturers & Examiners: Frank Kagan Gürkaynak, Prof. Dr. Luca Benini
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:22:21

Abstract

In this revamped course, we will concentrate on practical aspects of modern integrated circuit testing with an emphasis on hands-on-experience on an IC tester. This will help students to better understand several aspects that have been highlighted in previous VLSI lecture series and allow them to test their own ICs designed during prior semester/bachelor theses.

Objective

In this course, students will: - Get hands-on experience working in a modern IC Test laboratory and learn the steps needed to bring-up, characterize and test digital integrated circuits. - Develop problem solving skills and get experience in approaching issues that involve many different engineering steps. - Gather first hand experience how Design-For-Test (DFT) methodologies help for IC Design, and understand the trade-offs between performance and testability. - Learn about challenges of IC Manufacturing process, and what kind of failures can be encountered, and get a deeper understanding of IC Design process - For students that have worked on a prior bachelor/semester thesis on an IC design project, allow them to test their own IC.

Content

If you want to earn money by selling ICs, you will have to deliver a product that will function properly with a very large probability. This lecture will be discussing how this can be achieved. The main point of emphasis will be hands-on-exercises on a state-of-the-art automated test equipment (Advantest SoC V93000) where students will work in groups of two (or maximum three). Students will be able to schedule their exercises so that it fits their individual schedule. There will also be concentrated classroom lectures that will convey the necessary information that students will need for the exercises which will cover aspects of - Economics of testing - CMOS manufacturing and fault models, stuck at faults - Automated Test Equipment - Measuring timing and power - Testing of memories - Built in Self-Test (BIST) There will be 10 lectures (some weeks will be lecture free, exact schedule to be communicated) and 8 exercises. The final exercise will involve individual work where students test an IC with the knowledge they gained from previous exercises. Students that complete this exercise and present a test report (4-10 pages) will pass the course. Please note that the exercises in this class are involved and will require you to make preparations in advance. Expect to spend at least 4 hours of your own time for exercise preparations, and expect at least three individual half day sessions for the final exercise where you test the IC to qualify for a passing grade. It will be possible to finish the exercises until the end of July.

Resources

Lecture Notes

The following book will accompany students during the lecture: "Essentials of Electronic Testing for Digital, Memory and Mixed-Signal VLSI Circuits" by Michael L. Bushnell and Vishwani D. Agrawal, Springer, 2004. This book is available online within ETH throughhttp://link.springer.com/book/10.1007%2Fb117406

Literature

Course website: https://vlsi4.ethz.ch

Learning Materials (Links)

General Information

Language
English
Levels
MSC
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
ungraded semester performance
The final exercise of the class will require each student to test an individually assigned digital IC on the IC tester. Students that successfully complete this exercise and present a report on the test results (4-10 pages) will pass the course. While not mandatory, the remaining exercises contain essential information that will allow students to complete this final exercise.The exercise series can be completed until the end of July.

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture with exercise VLSI 4: Practical VLSI: Measurement and Testing
In addition to the lectures, exercises will be planned individually.
  • Thu 09:15-12:00 (ETZ J 91)
4 h weekly

Offered In

  • Electrical Engineering and Information Technology Master
    • Master Studies (Programme Regulations 2018)
      • Communication (The core courses and specialization courses below are a selection for students who wish to specialize in the area of "Communication", see . The individual study plan is subject to the tutor's approval.)
        • Specialization Courses (These specialization courses are particularly recommended for the area of "Communication", but you are free to choose courses from any other field in agreement with your tutor. A minimum of 40 credits must be obtained from specialization courses during the Master's Programme.)
      • Electronics and Photonics (The core courses and specialization courses below are a selection for students who wish to specialize in the area of "Electronics and Photonics", see . The individual study plan is subject to the tutor's approval.)
        • Core Courses (These core courses are particularly recommended for the field of "Electronics and Photonics". You may choose core courses form other fields in agreement with your tutor. A minimum of 24 credits must be obtained from core courses during the MSc EEIT.)
    • Master Studies (Programme Regulations 2008)
  • Physics Master
    • Electives
      • General Electives (Students may choose General Electives from the entire course programme of ETH Zurich - with the following restrictions: courses that belong to the first or second year of a Bachelor curriculum at ETH Zurich as well as courses from GESS "Science in Perspective" are not eligible here. The following courses are explicitly recommended to physics students by their lecturers. (Courses in this list may be assigned to the category "General Electives" directly in myStudies. For the category assignment of other eligible courses keep the choice "no category" and take contact with the Study Administration ( ) after having received the credits.))