An Honest Attempt to make you Real Engineer

Very Large Scale

Integration
Week 2

DRMZ SYSTEMS INNOVATION PVT. LTD.

Contents
1

Counters ................................................................................................................................................ 3
1.1

Asynchronous Counters ................................................................................................................ 3

1.2

Synchronous counters .................................................................................................................. 5

1.2.1
1.3

UP/DOWN Counter ............................................................................................................... 6

1.3.2

UP/DOWN Ripple Counters................................................................................................... 6

Digital Shift Registers ............................................................................................................................ 9

2.1

Serial In Serial Out Register (SISO) .............................................................................................. 10

2.2

Parallel In Serial Out Registers (PISO) ......................................................................................... 10

Back end designing.............................................................................................................................. 12

Stick Diagram .............................................................................................................................. 12

3.1.1

Stick diagram properties ..................................................................................................... 12

3.1.2

Rules of Stick Diagram......................................................................................................... 12

3.1.3

Rule 1. ................................................................................................................................. 12

3.1.4

How to draw stick diagram ................................................................................................. 15

Microwind ........................................................................................................................................... 16
4.1

Classification of Counters on the basis of Counting Progress....................................................... 6

1.3.1

3.1

2-BIT SYNCHRONOUS UP COUNTER...................................................................................... 5

Example Designs ......................................................................................................................... 18

4.1.1

NAND gate........................................................................................................................... 18

4.1.2

AND gate ............................................................................................................................. 19

W/L ratio ............................................................................................................................................. 20

Figure
Figure 1 Logic Diagram of 2-bit Asynchronous Counter_________________________________________________ 3
Figure 2 Logic Diagram of 2 Bit synchronous Counters _________________________________________________ 5
Figure 3 Logic Diagram of Up/Down Counter ________________________________________________________ 7
Figure 4 an asynchronous up counter_______________________________________________________________ 9
Figure 5 Timing diagram of SISO register ___________________________________________________________ 10
Figure 6 4-Bit PISO register ______________________________________________________________________ 11
Figure 7 Layers used in Stick diagram______________________________________________________________ 12
Figure 8 Rule 1 representation ___________________________________________________________________ 12
Figure 9 Rule 2 representation ___________________________________________________________________ 13
Figure 10 Rule 3 Representation __________________________________________________________________ 13
Figure 11 Rule Representation ___________________________________________________________________ 13
Figure 12 P diffusion inside N well ________________________________________________________________ 15
Figure 13 an N well ____________________________________________________________________________ 15
Figure 14 A PMOS _____________________________________________________________________________ 15
Figure 15 An N diffusion layer ____________________________________________________________________ 15
Figure 16 An N-MOS ___________________________________________________________________________ 15
Figure 17 NOT gate ____________________________________________________________________________ 16
Figure 18 NOT Gate Stick Diagram ________________________________________________________________ 16
Figure 19 Pallet _______________________________________________________________________________ 16
Figure 20 Design in the Microwind ________________________________________________________________ 17
Figure 21 NAND gate CMOS_____________________________________________________________________ 18
Figure 22 NAND gate __________________________________________________________________________ 18
Figure 23 Timing Diagram of the NAND gate________________________________________________________ 18
Figure 24 AND gate using CMOS _________________________________________________________________ 19
Figure 25 AND gate by CMOS ______________________________________________Error! Bookmark not defined.
Figure 26 Clock wizard _________________________________________________________________________ 20
Figure 27 Timing diagram of AND gate ____________________________________________________________ 20

1 COUNTERS
Counter is a sequential circuit. A digital circuit which is used for a counting pulses is known counter.
Counter is the widest application of flip-flops. It is a group of flip-flops with a clock signal applied. Counters
can be classified into following types:-

Counters

Based on Clock
input

Synchronus
Counters

Asynchronous
Counters

Based on counting
Progress

Up Counter

Down Counter

Up Down Counter

1.1 ASYNCHRONOUS COUNTERS

The logic diagram of a 2-bit ripple up counter is shown in figure. The toggle (T) flip-flop are being used.
But we can use the JK flip-flop also with J and K connected permanently to logic 1. External clock is applied
to the clock input of flip-flop A and QA output is applied to the clock input of the next flip-flop i.e. FF-B.

Figure 1 Logic Diagram of 2-bit Asynchronous Counter

S.N. Condition
1

Operation

Initially let both the FFs be in the reset state QBQA = 00................initially

After 1st negative clock edge

As soon as the first negative clock edge is

applied, FF-A will toggle and QA will be equal to
1.
QA is connected to clock input of FF-B. Since
QA has changed from 0 to 1, it is treated as the
positive clock edge by FF-B. There is no change
in QB because FF-B is a negative edge triggered
FF.
QBQA = 01................After the first clock pulse

After 2nd negative clock edge

On the arrival of second negative clock edge, FFA toggles again and QA = 0.
The change in QA acts as a negative clock edge
for FF-B. So it will also toggle, and QB will be 1.
QBQA = 10................After the second clock pulse

After 3rd negative clock edge

On the arrival of 3rd negative clock edge, FF-A

toggles again and QA become 1 from 0.
Since this is a positive going change, FF-B does
not respond to it and remains inactive. So
QB does not change and continues to be equal to
1.
QBQA = 11................After the third clock pulse

After 4th negative clock edge

On the arrival of 4th negative clock edge, FF-A

toggles again and QA become 1 from 0.
This negative change in QA acts as clock pulse
for FF-B. Hence it toggles to change QB from 1
to 0.
QBQA = 00................After the fourth clock pulse

1.2 SYNCHRONOUS COUNTERS

If the "clock" pulses are applied to all the flip-flops in a counter simultaneously, then such a counter is
called as synchronous counter.
1.2.1 2-BIT SYNCHRONOUS UP COUNTER
The JA and KA inputs of FF-A are tied to logic 1. So FF-A will work as a toggle flip-flop. The JB and KB
inputs are connected to QA.

Figure 2 Logic Diagram of 2 Bit synchronous Counters

S.N.

Condition

Operation

Initially let both the FFs be in the reset state

QBQA = 00................initially

After 1st negative clock edge

As soon as the first negative clock edge is applied,

FF-A will toggle and QA will change from 0 to 1.
But at the instant of application of negative clock
edge, QA, JB = KB =0 Hence FF-B will not change
its state. So QB will remain 0.

QBQA = 01................After the first clock pulse

After 2nd negative clock edge

On the arrival of second negative clock edge, FF-A

toggles again and QA change from 1 to 0.
But at this instant QA was 1. So JB = KB=1 and FFB will toggle. Hence QB changes from 0 to 1.
QBQA = 10................After the second clock pulse

After 3rd negative clock edge

On application of the third falling clock edge, FF-A

will toggle from 0 to 1 but there is no change of state
for FF-B.

QBQA = 11................After the third clock pulse

After 4th negative clock edge

On application of the next clock pulse, QA will

change from 1 to 0 as QB will also change from 1 to
0.
QBQA = 00................After the fourth clock pulse

1.3 CLASSIFICATION OF COUNTERS ON THE BASIS OF COUNTING PROGRESS

Depending on the way in which the counting progresses, the synchronous or asynchronous counters are
classified as follows: Up counters
Down counters
Up/Down counters
1.3.1 UP/DOWN Counter
In the up/down counter, when up counter and down counter combined together to obtain an UP/DOWN
counter. A mode control (M) input is also provided to select either up or down mode. A combinational
circuit is required to be designed and used between each pair of flip-flop in order to achieve the up/down
operation.
Type of up/down counters
UP/DOWN ripple counters
UP/DOWN synchronous counters
1.3.2 UP/DOWN Ripple Counters
In the UP/DOWN ripple counter all the FFs operate in the toggle mode. So either T flip-flops or JK flip-flops
are to be used. The LSB flip-flop receives clock directly. But the clock to every other FF is obtained from
(Q = Q bar) output of the previous FF. UP counting mode (M=0) - The Q output of the preceding FF is
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connected to the clock of the next stage if up counting is to be achieved. For this mode, the mode select
input M is at logic 0 (M=0). DOWN counting mode (M=1) - If M =1, then the Q bar output of the preceding
FF is connected to the next FF. This will operate the counter in the counting mode.
EXAMPLE:

3-bit binary up/down ripple counter.

3-bit: hence three FFs are required.
UP/DOWN: So a mode control input is essential.
For a ripple up counter, the Q output of preceding FF is connected to the clock input of the next
one.
For a ripple up counter, the Q output of preceding FF is connected to the clock input of the next
one.
For a ripple down counter, the Q bar output of preceding FF is connected to the clock input of the
next one.
Let the selection of Q and Q bar output of the preceding FF be controlled by the mode control
input M such that, If M = 0, UP counting. So connect Q to CLK. If M = 1, DOWN counting. So connect
Q bar to CLK

Figure 3 Logic Diagram of Up/Down Counter

S.N.

Condition

Case 1: With M = 0 (Up counting mode)

Case 2: With M = 1 (Down counting mode)

Operation

If M = 0 and M bar = 1, then the AND gates 1 and 3 in

fig. will be enabled whereas the AND gates 2 and 4 will
be disabled.

Hence QA gets connected to the clock input of FF-B and

QB gets connected to the clock input of FF-C.

These connections are same as those for the normal up

counter. Thus with M = 0 the circuit work as an up
counter.

If M = 1, then AND gates 2 and 4 in fig. are enabled

whereas the AND gates 1 and 3 are disabled.

Hence QA bar gets connected to the clock input of FF-B

and QB bar gets connected to the clock input of FF-C.

These connections will produce a down counter. Thus

with M = 1 the circuit works as a down counter.

Figure 4 an asynchronous up counter

2 DIGITAL SHIFT REGISTERS

Flip-flop is a 1 bit memory cell which can be used for storing the digital data. To increase the storage
capacity in terms of number of bits, we have to use a group of flip-flop. Such a group of flip-flop is known
as a Register. The n-bit register will consist of n number of flip-flop and it is capable of storing an nbit word. The binary data in a register can be moved within the register from one flip-flop to another. The
registers that allow such data transfers are called as shift registers. There are four mode of operation of a
shift register.

Serial Input Serial Output

Serial Input Parallel Output
Parallel Input Serial Output
Parallel Input Parallel Output

Shift
Registers

Serial input

Serial In
Serial Out
9

Serial in
Parallel Out

Parallel
input
Prallel In
Serial Out

Parallel In
Parallel Out

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2.1 SERIAL IN SERIAL OUT REGISTER (SISO)

As shown on Figure 4 a Serial Input Serial output digital register, the input is given in serial fashion and
output is taken in serial fashion as well.

Figure 5 Timing diagram of SISO register

As shown above in Figure 5 a timing diagram of SISO register, the first wave form is of clock, second one
is data and the last is the output, as you can see, whatever the data is given is reflecting in output after
sometime, this is because of the delay of the register, in the figure the data is 1010 which is reflecting in
the output after the data entry is completed.

2.2 PARALLEL IN SERIAL OUT REGISTERS (PISO)

In this type of register the input data is given in parallel fashion, and the output is taken in the serial
fashion. There are two modes on which this register works:

Shift Mode => This mode is for shifting the data from one register to another

Load Mode => this mode is for loading the data into the register

S.N. Condition

Operation

A 4bit PISO register and is time flow diagram is shown below in the figures:10

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With M = 1 : Shift right operation

If M = 1, then the AND gates 1, 3, 5 and 7 are enable whereas the remaining
AND gates 2, 4, 6 and 8 will be disabled.

The data at DR is shifted to right bit by bit from FF-3 to FF-0 on the
application of clock pulses. Thus with M = 1 we get the serial right shift
operation.

When the mode control M is connected to 0 then the AND gates 2, 4, 6 and
8 are enabled while 1, 3, 5 and 7 are disabled.

The data at DL is shifted left bit by bit from FF-0 to FF-3 on the application
of clock pulses. Thus with M = 0 we get the serial right shift operation.

With M = 0 : Shift left operation

Figure 6 4-Bit PISO register

In this type of register a multiplexer is used, so as to switch between the output of Flip-Flop and the input
data, the switch decides the mode of the register. This is made by using 3 multiplexer and 4 flip flop.

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3 BACK END DESIGNING

The back end designing refers to design the particular circuit verified by the HDL or Verilog finally in the
silicon wafer, there are several EDA tools available for designing, like Microwind, cadence, L edit etc. we
will use Microwind for this purpose.

3.1 STICK DIAGRAM

Stick diagram is the representation of the layout of the digital circuit on the silicon wafer, it uses different
colors to represent different layers of whole layout.

Metal 1
Poly
Poly
N-diffusion
P diffusion
Figure 7 Layers used in Stick diagram

3.1.1

Stick diagram properties

Does show all components/Vias.
It shows relative placement of components.
Goes one step closer to the layout
Helps plan the layout and routing

In essence we can say that a stick diagram is a cartoon of the circuit diagram.
3.1.2

Rules of Stick Diagram

3.1.3 Rule 1.
When two or more sticks of the same type cross or touch each other that represents electrical contact

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Figure 8 Rule 1 representation

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3.1.3.1 Rule 2
When two or more sticks of different type cross or touch each other there is no electrical contact.
(If electrical contact is needed we have to show the connection explicitly).

Figure 9 Rule 2 representation

3.1.3.2 Rule 3
When a poly crosses diffusion it represents a transistor.

Figure 10 Rule 3 Representation

3.1.3.3 Rule 4
In CMOS a demarcation line is drawn to avoid touching of P-diffusion with N-diffusion. All P-MOS must lie
on one side of the line and all N-MOS will have to be on the other side.
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3.1.4 How to draw stick diagram
As we know CMOS abbreviated for Complementary Metal oxide semiconductor, it means it contain both
NMOS and CMOS in one substrate, so as to make circuit diagram some steps have to be considered, these
steps are
3.1.4.1 Steps to draw a PMOS
For implementing a PMOS

Step1:- Design an N-well

Step2:- Insert a P-diffusion in the well
Step3:- draw a polyvinyl gate
Step4:- finally allocate source and drain

N well

P diffusion inside the

N- well

Figure 13 an N well

Figure 12 P diffusion inside N well

As in Figure 14 a PMOS having a Source,

Drain and a Gate is shown, the layers
are shown in Figure 7. The source and
Drain can be interchange accordingly.

Figure 14 A PMOS

3.1.4.2 Steps to Draw a NMOS

For Implement a NMOS

Step1:- Draw an N-diffusion

Step2:- draw a polyvinyl gate
Step3:- finally allocate source and drain

N Diffusion
Figure 15 An N diffusion layer

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Figure 16 An N-MOS

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3.1.4.3 Example
Designing stick diagram of a Not gate:-

P-MOS

Shorted
Gates

P-MOS

Shorted
Gates

Shorted
drain
N-MOS

Figure 17 NOT gate

Shorted
drain
N-MOS

Figure 18 NOT Gate Stick Diagram

This is how a Stick diagram can be designed.

4 MICROWIND
Microwind is an EDA tool to design Stick diagram of the CMOS circuits,
technically saying this software is used by Back End Designers to design a
digital CMOS circuit on a silicon wafer. We will be using Microwind v-3.5 and
22n rule to design the circuits.
This part of designing will be limited to simulation only because it not possible
to design an IC anywhere.
All the tools of the Micro-wind are same except its pallet, Pallet is a
replacement of symbol library in DSCH. Every option of Pallet is described
below: Starting from Down to up the functions are explained below: N-well: -When on the P substrate we create a hole of N type layer then it is
known as N well.
N+ diffusion: - Highly doped N element use to make N-MOS.
P+ diffusion: - Highly doped P element use to make P-MOS.
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Figure 19 Pallet

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Poly-silicon: - Used to make gate of CMOS device, 1 and 2 refers to the layers of gates.
Contact: -

Metal contacts.

Metal1-6: -

For make connection, 1 to 6 define layers.

Option layer: - To define our own layer.

The above symbols are for VDD, VSS, CLOCK and OUTPUT respectively. Out of all these things there one
more thing we need to know is about rules of VLSI. The rules of designing are categories by the level of
miniaturization of design. The latest is 22nm design rule and others are 45nm, 6m etc.
The latest version of Micro-Wind supports 22nm design rules. In Micro-Wind design rules are scaled by
lambda, Lambda is scaled such that it fulfill the requirement of all design rules. Design rules can be
changed as technology improved.
Now its the time for our first design, for that follow some screenshots and it is done.

Figure 20 Design in the Microwind

Note in upper left corner of fig 20 under the white circle there is rating of lambda, which informs about
current scale we are using, this changes as design rule changes. And besides that notice each and every
part of the design. The metal contacts on the left side of the gate of both N-MOS and P-MOS are source
and we are taking output from the drain which is short by the metal layer and now watch the design of
NOT GATE shown in Figure 17 and then co relate them in terms of source and drain this is the easiest way
to understand this as far as I think.

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4.1 EXAMPLE DESIGNS

4.1.1

NAND gate
A NAND gate is shown on the diagram
and its stick diagram is shown below
in Figure 22, note that how drain of
two PMOS is considered in one metal
contact, this is how space can be
reduces to the lowest level.

Figure 21 NAND gate CMOS

Drai
n

As shown in the figure the

input clock is given in gates,
now for checking its
performance
we
will
simulate is and have a look
on its timing diagram.

Figure 22 NAND gate

This is timing diagram of the

NAND gate, the green and
white graph are the clocks
and the one with red color is
our output.

Figure 23 Timing Diagram of the NAND gate

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4.1.2

AND gate
An AND gate using CMOS, its
layout is simple, though there are
some extra learnings to design
the layout as short as possible,
however there can be more ways
to make it more miniature then
the one is shown in Figure 24

Figure 24 AND gate using CMOS

The Figure shows the layout of

and gate, the thing to notice is all
the PMOSs are fabricated in the
single piece of P-well which
eliminate the need of making
another P well for another
device.

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Now lets look out its response and for that we have to configure the clock as shown below: -

Figure 26 Clock wizard

This is clock diagram of the AND

gate, you can see the timing
response of the red graph.

Figure 25 Timing diagram of AND gate

5 W/L RATIO
We can optimize this design too by varying W/L ratio of P and N MOS, this is the only factor a designer
can vary.

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W/L is the transistor length to width ratio. It basically the only transistor parameter that an IC designer
will ever be able to change. Its hard for me to write here the detailed equations so I will just give you
some rules of thumb

As W/L increases the current drain-to-source increases.

As W/L increases the response time increases.
W/L is roughly proportional to the transistors resistance.
The PMOS W/L should in any cmos circuit should always 2-3 times as big as the NMOS W/L.
If multiple MOS are in series make the ones furthest from the output larger (increase W/L) then the
ones closest to the output. This is called progressive sizing.

This is enough for back end designing, the thing worth notice is, and we make all our back end by
referencing DSCH designs (front end), in every case we had our front end and then we design back end,
but sometimes it becomes very hard to implement the logic and even if we did then no guarantee it is
going to work or not, so for sorting out this problem here is a software which implement hardware for us,
all we have to do is to write the logic. The logics are written in VHDL language, which is based in C script.
VHDL stands for (VLSI hardware description language).

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