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227-0147-00L 6 Credits BSC , MSC D-ITET , D-PHYS , D-INFK

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VLSI 2: From Netlist to Complete System on Chip

Lecturers & Examiners: Frank Kagan Gürkaynak, Prof. Dr. Luca Benini

VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-06-01 11:33:22

Abstract

This second course in our VLSI series is concerned with how to turn digital circuit netlists into safe, testable and manufacturable mask layout, taking into account various parasitic effects. Starting in 2025, the course will rely on pre-dominantly open-source tools and put more emphasis on hands-on design. All students will be expected to complete their own design (in groups of two).

Objective

- Understand how VLSI circuits are designed - Gain practical experience in IC Design using open source tools - Qualify to take part in semester/master theses that involve practical IC Design - Develop your own System-on-Chip based on the examples in exercises

Content

The course begins with an overview refresher on front-end design (HDL, Synthesis) and then covers - Basic manufacturing steps - Standard cells, routing layers - Floorplanning, I/O ring, packaging - Timing in IC design and clock dsirtribution - Parasitic effects in IC Design - Placement and routing - Power analysis - Testing of IC circuits - Assessing the performance of ICs. The most important part of the lecture is that the exercises, which will make use of open-source tools (as much as possible) and work on a System-On-Chip design. The exercises are essential for the lecture as the grading will be done based on a project based on the exercises.

Resources

Lecture Notes

Course www site:http://vlsi.ethz.chH. Kaeslin: "Top-Down Digital VLSI Design, from Gate-Level Circuits to CMOS Fabrication", Lecture Notes Vol.2 , 2015.All written documents in English.

Literature

H. Kaeslin: "Top-Down Digital VLSI Design, from Architectures to Gate-Level Circuits and FPGAs", Elsevier, 2014, ISBN 9780128007303.

Learning Materials (Links)

Main link
Information

General Information

Language: English
Levels: BSC , MSC
Frequency: Yearly recurring

Examination

Type: graded semester performance

Students will be asked to complete their own System-On-Chip design with an improvement based on the example design used in exercises, and they will be graded on the quality/timeliness of the design.As the final project is based on the exercises, we strongly suggest that students visit all exercises.The students will work in groups of 1 or 2 people, they will take the exercise design, and will be given a larger area to make one addition/improvement in the design. Submissions will be made electronically, grade will depend on timeliness (respecting the submission deadlines), functionality, performance and originality.Up to 5 best designs will be actually fabricated.

Registration & Places

Max Places: 72

Course Components

Type	Title	Time & Place	Hours
lecture with exercise	VLSI 2: From Netlist to Complete System on Chip Lecture: Tuesday, 14:00 - 16:00 Exercises: Wednesday, 09:00 - 12:00	Tue 14:15-16:00 (LFW B 1) Wed 09:15-12:00 (ETZ D 61.1) Wed 09:15-12:00 (ETZ D 61.2)	5 h weekly

Offered In

Informatik Bachelor
- Ergänzung
Elektrotechnik und Informationstechnologie Bachelor
- Wahlfächer (Dies ist nur eine kleine Auswahl. Als Wahlfächer können aber auch weitere Fächer aus dem Angebot der ETH belegt werden, siehe dazu die "Richtlinien zu Projekten, Praktika, Seminare", .)
  - Ingenieurswissenschaftliche Wahlfächer
Elektrotechnik und Informationstechnologie Master
- Master-Studium (Studienreglement 2018)
  - Vertiefung: 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.)
    - Kernfächer (These core courses are particularly recommended for the field of "Communication". 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.)
      - Advanced Core Courses
  - Vertiefung: 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.)
    - Kernfächer (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.)
      - Foundation Core Courses
  - Vertiefung: Signal Processing and Machine Learning (The core courses and specialization courses below are a selection for students who wish to specialize in the area of "Signal Processing and Machine Learning ", see . The individual study plan is subject to the tutor's approval.)
    - Vertiefungsfächer (These specialization courses are particularly recommended for the area of "Signal Processing and Machine Learning", but you are free to choose courses from any other field in agreement with your tutor. Semester / Research Projects are not allowed in this category. A minimum of 40 credits must be obtained from specialization courses during the MSc EEIT.)
- Master-Studium (Studienreglement 2008)
  - Fächer der Vertiefung (A total of 42 CP must be achieved form courses during the Master Program. The individual study plan is subject to the tutor's approval. Semester / Research Projects are not allowed in this category.)
    - Communication
      - Kernfächer (Diese Fächer sind besonders Empfohlen, um sich in "Communication" zu vertiefen.)
    - Electronics and Photonics
      - Kernfächer (Diese Fächer sind besonders Empfohlen, um sich in "Electronics and Photonics" zu vertiefen.)
    - Signal Processing and Machine Learning
      - Empfohlene Fächer
Physik Master
- Wahlfächer
  - Allgemeine Wahlfächer (Den Studierenden steht das gesamte Lehrangebot der ETH Zürich zur individuellen Auswahl offen - mit folgenden Einschränkungen: Lehrveranstaltungen aus den ersten beiden Studienjahren eines Bachelor-Curriculums der ETH Zürich sowie Lehrveranstaltungen aus GESS "Wissenschaft im Kontext" sind nicht als allgemeines Wahlfach anrechenbar. Die Dozierenden folgender Lehrveranstaltungen empfehlen sie ausdrücklich den Studierenden der Physik. (Für die Lehrveranstaltungen in dieser Liste können Sie die Kategorie "Allgemeine Wahlfächer" direkt in myStudies zuordnen. Für die Kategoriezuordnung anderer zugelassener Lehrveranstaltungen lassen Sie bei der Prüfungsanmeldung "keine Kategorie" ausgewählt und wenden Sie sich nach dem Verfügen des Prüfungsresultates an das Studiensekretariat ( ).))
Neural Systems and Computation Master
- Wahlfächer
Quantum Engineering Master
- Wahlfächer (This is a selection of courses particularly suitable for the MSc QE. In agreement with the tutor, students may choose other courses from the ETH course catalogue.)