ELEC6231 VLSI Design Project
Module Overview
To provide students with hands-on experience of the complete integrated circuit design process from specification through to fruition.
To provide students with hands-on experience of the complete integrated circuit design process from specification through to fruition.
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to:
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to:
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to:
| Activity | Description | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 12 | |
| Computer Lab | 60 |
| Method | Hours | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Milestone Submissions | - | 20% |
| Design Submission | - | 75% |
| Individual Reflection | - | 5% |
Referral Method: By set coursework assignment(s)
The aims of this module are:
Your research project will enable you to explore in depth some aspect of your specialist subject area. You will agree a multidisciplinary project supervisory team with whom you will meet and agree a project brief and plan. These must be submitted to, and agreed by, the project coordinator. You will thereafter have weekly meetings, either in person or electronically, with your supervisor or, if your supervisor is unavailable, a delegated deputy. The dissertation is due in the first week of September, unless an extension is agreed or you are taking referral examinations.
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to:
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to:
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to:
The topic or topics covered will be agreed by negotiation between yourself and the supervisor who is allocated to support you with your project.
| Activity | Description | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Project supervision | 14 |
| Method | Hours | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|---|
| 15,000 word dissertation | - | % |
Referral Method: By re-write of the project report and re-viva (the original progress report mark will be carried forward)
The aims of this module are:
Your research project will enable you to explore in depth some aspect of your specialist subject area. You will be allocated a project supervisor with whom you will meet and agree a project brief and plan. These must be submitted to, and agreed by, the project coordinator. You will thereafter have weekly meetings, either in person or electronically, with your supervisor or, if your supervisor is unavailable, a delegated deputy. The dissertation is in the first week of September, unless an extension is agreed or you are taking referral examinations.
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to:
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to:
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to:
The topic or topics covered will be agreed by negotiation between yourself and the supervisor who is allocated to support you with your project.
| Activity | Description | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Project supervision | 14 |
| Method | Hours | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|---|
| 15,000 word dissertation | - | 100% |
Referral Method: By set coursework assignment(s)
The Individual Research Project is a 7.5 ECTS credit masters level module undertaken by independent study that allows students to demonstrate mastery of an advanced aspect of their discipline, including critical evaluation of current research and research methods, and an awareness of the current limits of knowledge in this aspect of their discipline.
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to:
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to:
This project is not required to have a practical element, but the highest scoring projects typically do. It might be appropriate, for example:
| Activity | Description | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Project supervision | You will be assigned a supervisor, based on your declared interests. Regular supervision meeting are recommended, it is during these supervision session that you will obtain formative feedback on your ideas, progress and report. | 12 |
You must agree a suitable area to research with your supervisor, and should use the skills developed in your earlier modules to locate a group of 15 or so significant articles, 150 pages or so, relevant to the chosen topic. Ideally these articles should span a period of time, range of publication methods, and research institutions.
You should read and summarise these articles, producing a 8 page (using a two-column format) survey article indicating the background to the problem, the methods and results presented in your group of articles, a comparison and evaluation of approaches, and an indication of the outstanding or unsolved issues and problems.
On the basis of this you must also prepare a poster based on your research, to be given at an end of semester research-style conference.
| Method | Hours | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Literature search, interim and final report | - | 75% |
| Poster | - | 25% |
Referral Method: By set coursework assignment(s)
This module provides an introduction to intensive group project work in collaboration with an industrial or academic customer. Students work in groups of four or five on a challenging project iwhich will be typically based on an idea from an industrial partner, or from a research project looking to transfer technology to industry or build a demonstrator/proof of concept.
The aim of the group design project is to encourage both innovation and engagement with the broader engineering context (financial, economic, social, environmental). The use of ‘real world’ engineering problems requires students to actively engage with their customers to determine the scope and requirements of their project, in order to provide a realistic simulation of the sort of challenges that they are likely to face as engineering graduates.
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to:
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to:
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to:
| Activity | Description | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Lecture | Two briefing sessions in Semester 1. Six briefing sessions and guest lectures in Semester 2. | 12 |
| Project supervision | Twelve group meetings with your supervisor in Semester 1. | 12 |
| Seminar | Three student presentations in Semester 1. | 3 |
| Seminar | Student poster conference after Semester 2 exams. | 6 |
Group Report
The largest element of the assessment is the group report, which gives the group the opportunity to report on their planning; their allocation of responsibilities; their design, implementation and testing, including any innovative solution; their relationship with their industrial "customer"; and to justify their chosen approach. The group report must indicate clearly the individual contributions of all partners and should contain at most 4000 words per group member. The group report is submitted in semester 2 and counts for up to 75% of the total module mark (at the discretion of the examiners).
20% of the marks from the group report derive from the writing and presentation of the report, and the remaining 80% derive from the technical contribution made by the project, including the team work aspect. The 'team work aspect' will also take into account delivery of the 'customer' requirements as well as effective project management.
Group Presentations and Poster
The presentations give the group an opportunity to describe what they are planning to accomplish, and to demonstrate what they have achieved. There are three presentations. The group also create a poster, summarising their project. This poster and the final presentation are assessed and together contribute at least 5% towards the final mark for the GDP (at the discretion of the examiners).
Individual Reflection
Each student will also produce a critical appraisal of their project, including the rationale for any design or implementation decisions they were responsible for, and an evaluation of the achievements of the group, how well everyone worked together, and the effectiveness of the planning and development process. Up to 2000 words. The individual reflection contributes 5% towards the final mark for the GDP.
Individual Report
The individual report requires each student to write a report that demonstrates their understanding of technology exploitation, including its business, social and environmental impact, by analysing the broader issues arising from their project, using evidence provided by external speakers, considering associated issues in current research and development activities, and the possibility for enhancing current knowledge and practice. Up to 3000 words.
The individual report contributes 15% towards the final mark of the GDP
| Method | Hours | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Group Report | - | 75% |
| Group Presentations | - | 5% |
| Individual Reflection | - | 5% |
| Individual Report on Technology Exploitation | - | 15% |
Referral Method: By set coursework assignment(s)
Due to the nature of this module in that the majority of the assessment is based on group work referral is by internal resit only. It is not possible to refer in the same academic year.
The aim of this module is to prepare students for undertaking large software projects. It introduces the students to the high-level strategies required for managing projects from their genesis to completion. This includes decision making regarding the overall project strategy, staffing levels, development environment etc. The module also aims to expose the students to modern development techniques such as XP and Scrum and Test-Driven Development. The module is compulsory for MSc Software Engineering students. Experience of Object-Oriented programming is assumed.
On successful completion of this module you will :
Be able to demonstrate understanding of formal management for software projects
Be able to demonstrate understanding of quality assurance practices for software projects
Be able to describe a number of modern software development methods
Be able to select appropriate modern software development methods for a variety of software projects
Managing the software development process -
Estimating software projects
Contracts, planning and monitoring
Costing and budgeting
Models of Software Projects
Quality assurance -
Concepts in QA
Capability Maturity Modelling
ISO 9000 standards
Metrics
Testing strategies
Risk management
Development methods -
Iterative and incremental development
Agile Development techniques
Test-driven development
Manual vs Automated Testing
Refactoring
| Activity | Description | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Lecture | Lectures covering the course material | 36 |
| Tutorial | Exercise class to consolidate the learning of the course material | 12 |
| Method | Hours | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Project Management Plan | - | 25% |
| Exam | 2 hours | 75% |
Referral Method: By examination
This module will ensure that all students on the MSc Wireless Communications programme have the skills and fundamental knowledge that is prerequisite to all the other modules in the programme. The focus will be on using Matlab as a simulation tool for implementing and characterising various wireless communication schemes.
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to:
| Activity | Description | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Lecture | Wk1: 2-hour lecture Wk2: 2-hour lecture | 12 |
| Computer Lab | Wk1: 3-hour lab Wk2: 3-hour lab Wk3: 3-hour lab | 9 |
| Method | Hours | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Algorithmic techniques in Matlab | - | 40%% |
| Carrier simulations | - | 30%% |
| Baseband simulations | - | 30%% |
Referral Method: By set coursework assignment(s)
Organisational development and practice is increasing in complexity. The need for effective teams and the ability of employees to contribute to high standards of teamwork within complex environments is an essential dynamic informing organisational development.
This module aims to provide you with an awareness of the impact of Collaborative working on organisational performance and an understanding of the research which informs such practice. It encourages you to critically analyse your own competencies and skills in team environments.
Knowledge and understanding
Having successfully completed the module, you will be able to:
A1 demonstrate knowledge and understanding the theories of groups, teams and leaders
A2 communicate issues between diverse social groups, applying psychological models for interaction in teams and groups using evidence based research studies.
A3 use persuasion and negotiation strategies to present ideas to group and team members, in different events and environments.
Intellectual skills
Having successfully completed the module, you will be able to:
B1 critically analysis and reflect upon your own skills and practices, particularly in relation to your contribution to group processes.
B2 apply different models of leadership and be able to analyse appropriateness to different teamwork and group environments.
B3 apply knowledge and skills (particularly regarding communication and teamwork) in future work environments.
Subject Specific skills
Having successfully completed the module, you will be able to:
C1 using effective communication strategies in team-working environments
C2 evaluate your own personal skills and values in a team-working context in light of the theories.
C3 work effectively as part of a team, including taking leadership roles.
Employability /Transferable (key) skills
D1 work effectively with others to achieve a common goal.
D2 reflect and think critically as a component of practice, independent learning and professional development.
D3 to develop oral and written communication skills appropriate to team-working environments.
Introduction to collaborative working and its organisational context.
People at work, in particular behaviour, intention, attitude.
The self at work, in particular self-awareness and communication.
Understanding others at work, in particular how problems are attributed, and how to interview.
Self-presentation at work, in particular assertive behaviour.
Communicating at work, in particular what makes for good communication, and what bars communication.
Persuading at work, in particular what makes a good persuasive presentation.
Using power.
Relationships at work, in groups and teams.
Working across cultures.
Leadership, management, influences.
Problem solving and troubleshooting.
| Activity | Description | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 36 |
The field trip (team sailing) will take place in either week 6 or week 7. There is no charge for this trip. The first coursework assignment depends upon undertaking the team sailing field trip.
| Method | Hours | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Individual report on group working 1, reflection on sailing event. | - | 60% |
| Individual report on group working 2, leadership and group work. | - | 40% |
Referral Method: By set coursework assignment(s)
Understand the role of information systems in organisations as and explore the life cycle of information systems development
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to:
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to:
| Activity | Description | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Lecture | This is main activity in which the subject matter material is delivered. Attendance is advisable. | 33 |
| Tutorial | These session give you an opportunity to discussion a case study, this allows you to get clarification on any misunderstanding of the lecture material. These are assessed and therefore attendance is compulsory. | 11 |
| Method | Hours | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Report | - | 25% |
| Exam | 2 hours | 75% |
Referral Method: By examination
• To introduce the students to fundamental concepts of low frequency electromagnetics with examples from electrical power engineering.
• To present and develop the concepts of high frequency fields radiated from open and
directional antenna systems and wave guides.
• To give the students an appreciation of the importance of computational electromagnetics in the context of engineering.
• To introduce the students to fundamental numerical techniques for solving field problems.
• To equip the students with basic programming, computing and CAD skills.
• To increase the awareness of the students of the role of mathematics in engineering applications.
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed the module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
A1. Basic concepts of electromagnetic theory
A2. Vector algebra in the electromagnetic field context
A3. Properties of static and time-varying electromagnetic fields
A4. Physical meaning of Maxwell's equations
A5. Mathematical description of fundamental laws of electromagnetism
A6. Electric and magnetic properties of matter
A7. Principles of electromagnetic radiation
A8. Fundamentals of modelling and simulation techniques applied to electromagnetics
A9. Dual energy bounds techniques
A10. Principles of finite difference and finite element formulations
A11. Advantages and limitations of various field modelling techniques
A12. Techniques of sparse matrices and compact storage schemes
Intellectual Skills
Having successfully completed the module, you will be able to:
B1. Appreciate the role of computational electromagnetics in engineering
B2. Identify different types of equations governing electromagnetic processes
B3. Derive equations describing electromagnetic phenomena
B4. Formulate fundamental laws of electromagnetism
B5. Solve differential equations using separation of variables
B6. Analyse simple electromagnetic systems
B7. Appreciate the complexity of CAD systems for electromagnetic design
B8. Distinguish between various stages associated with CAD
B9. Design models suitable to analyse performance of electromagnetic devices
B10. Relate field displays to fundamental concepts of electromagnetics
Subject SpecificSkills
Having successfully completed the module, you will be able to:
C1. Demonstrate electromagnetic theory applied to simple practical situations
C2. Explain the meaning and consequences of field theory
C3. Apply Maxwell's equations to problems involving simple configurations
C4. Interpret electromagnetic solutions
C5. Explain the operation of simple electromagnetic devices
C6. Applymathematical methods and vector algebra to practical problems
C7. Be familiar with running commercial finite element software
C8. Set up, solve and interrogate solutions to problems using FE software
Employability/Transferable/KeySkills
Having successfully completed the module, you will be able to:
D1. Write programs using C language
D2. Use electromagnetic CAD packages
D3. Write technical reports
D4. Work in a small team to conduct an experiment
Approximate methods of field solution (2 lectures)
o Geometrical properties of fields; method of ‘tubes and slices’.
• Flow of steady current (2 lectures)
o Potential gradient; current density; divergence; nabla operator; Laplace's equation.
• Electrostatics (3 lectures)
o The electric field vector; scalar electric potential; Gauss's theorem and divergence; conservative fields; Laplace and Poisson equations; electric dipole, line charge, surface charge; solution of Laplace's equation by separation of variables; polarisation; dielectrics, electric boundary conditions.
• Magnetostatics (4 lectures)
o Non-conservative fields, Ampere's law and curl; magnetic vector potential; magnetization and magnetic boundary conditions; magnetic screening with examples.
• Electromagneticinduction (2 lectures)
o Faraday's law; induced and conservative components of the electric field, emf and potential difference.
• Maxwell's equations (2 lectures)
o Displacement current; Maxwell's and constituent equations; the Lorentz guage; wave equation.
• Time-varying fields in conductors (3 lectures)
o Diffusion and Helmholtz equations; skin depth; eddy currents in slabs, plates and cylindrical conductors; deepbar effect.
• Computational aspects of approximate methods of field solution (1 lecture)
o The method of tubes and slices.
• Review of field equations (1 lecture)
o Classification of fields: Laplace's,Poisson's, Helmholtz, diffusion, wave equations; Vector and scalar formulations.
• Finite difference method (5 lectures)
o Five-point scheme,SOR; example; Diffusion and wave equations, explicit formulation,Crank-Nicholson implicit scheme, a weighted average approximation, alternating-direction implicit method;Convergence and stability; handling of boundary conditions; Alternative formulation of the finite-difference method.
• Finite element method (5 lectures)
o Variational formulation, first-order triangular elements, discretisation and matrix assembly; the art of sparse matrices; alternative approximate formulations (including Galerkin).
• Electromagnetic radiation (6 lectures)
o Current element; radiation resistance; plane waves; linear antenna;antenna arrays;
waveguides.
Note: the first 30 hours of lectures are common with ELEC2211 and ELEC2219, the last 6 hours are different.
| Activity | Description | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 36 | |
| Tutorial | 6 | |
| Specialist Lab | 9 |
| Method | Hours | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | - | 35% |
| Laboratories | - | 15% |
| Exam | 2 hours | 50% |
Referral Method: By examination