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M-TECH in Vlsi Design And Embedded Systems at Global Academy of Technology
Bengaluru, Karnataka
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About the Specialization
What is VLSI Design and Embedded Systems at Global Academy of Technology Bengaluru?
This VLSI Design and Embedded Systems program at Global Academy of Technology focuses on equipping students with advanced knowledge and practical skills in designing complex integrated circuits and embedded systems. With India emerging as a global hub for semiconductor design and manufacturing, the program is tailored to meet the escalating demand for highly skilled professionals. It differentiates itself through a blend of theoretical depth and hands-on lab experience, preparing graduates for high-impact roles in the Indian and global electronics industry.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for engineering graduates with a B.E./B.Tech in ECE, EEE, CSE, or related fields, seeking to specialize in chip design, embedded software, and IoT. It attracts fresh graduates aiming for entry into core R&D roles as well as working professionals from hardware or software backgrounds looking to pivot or upskill in the rapidly evolving semiconductor and embedded technology landscape, leveraging their prerequisite foundational knowledge.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates of this program can expect to pursue lucrative India-specific career paths such as VLSI Design Engineer, Verification Engineer, Embedded Software Developer, Firmware Engineer, and IoT Architect. Entry-level salaries typically range from INR 6-10 LPA, with experienced professionals earning upwards of INR 15-30 LPA in top Indian and multinational companies. The skills acquired align with industry demands, fostering growth trajectories into technical leadership and specialized research roles within India''''s booming electronics sector.
Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Master Digital Design Fundamentals- (Semester 1-2)
Dedicate significant time to understanding core concepts of Advanced Digital System Design and VLSI. Utilize online platforms like NPTEL courses on VLSI design and digital electronics, actively participate in lab sessions to apply theoretical knowledge using FPGA kits, and practice HDL coding regularly. Form study groups to discuss complex topics and work through design problems, solidifying your foundational understanding.
Tools & Resources
NPTEL (Digital Circuits & VLSI Design), FPGA kits (e.g., Xilinx, Altera), Verilog/VHDL simulators (e.g., ModelSim, Vivado), GeeksforGeeks for fundamental concepts
Career Connection
A strong foundation is crucial for excelling in technical interviews for design and verification roles, allowing you to quickly grasp advanced concepts and contribute effectively to initial project phases.
Build Programming Proficiency for Embedded Systems- (Semester 1-2)
Focus on enhancing C/C++ programming skills, particularly for embedded environments. Practice micro-controller programming (e.g., ARM Cortex) using development boards. Engage in mini-projects that involve sensor interfacing, data acquisition, and real-time operating system (RTOS) concepts. Leverage online coding challenges and participate in university-level coding competitions to sharpen problem-solving abilities.
Tools & Resources
ARM Cortex Development Boards, Keil MDK, STM32CubeIDE, Online coding platforms (e.g., HackerRank, LeetCode for C/C++), FreeRTOS/Zephyr documentation
Career Connection
Proficiency in embedded C/C++ and RTOS is a primary requirement for embedded software developer and firmware engineer roles, directly impacting your employability and performance in project-based assignments.
Engage in Technical Seminars and Literature Review- (Semester 1-2)
Actively participate in technical seminars and workshops organized by the department or professional bodies. Develop a habit of regularly reading research papers and industry whitepapers in VLSI and Embedded Systems. Choose topics for your internal seminars that are cutting-edge and align with your interests, focusing on effective presentation and critical analysis of existing research.
Tools & Resources
IEEE Xplore, ACM Digital Library, Google Scholar, Departmental seminar series, VLSI/Embedded Systems conferences (e.g., DAC, ISSCC proceedings)
Career Connection
This practice fosters research acumen, keeps you updated with industry trends, and hones communication skills, all of which are vital for R&D roles, higher studies, and technical leadership positions in India.
Intermediate Stage
Undertake Industry-Relevant Mini Projects- (Semester 2-3)
Apply theoretical knowledge by developing practical mini-projects, potentially using SystemVerilog for verification or implementing IoT solutions. Focus on projects that solve real-world problems or mimic industry use cases. Collaborate with peers and seek guidance from faculty. Document your work meticulously and build a strong project portfolio to showcase your skills.
Tools & Resources
SystemVerilog simulators (e.g., QuestaSim, VCS), FPGA/ASIC design tools, IoT platforms (e.g., Arduino, Raspberry Pi, AWS IoT, Azure IoT), Git for version control
Career Connection
A robust portfolio of industry-relevant projects is a key differentiator in placements, demonstrating your ability to apply concepts, troubleshoot, and deliver functional designs, making you a desirable candidate for VLSI and Embedded roles.
Pursue Industry Certifications and Online Courses- (Semester 2-3)
Enroll in relevant industry certifications offered by companies like Cadence, Synopsys, or Arm, focusing on specific tools or methodologies (e.g., UVM, advanced SystemVerilog, RTOS specialization). Supplement your curriculum with online courses from platforms like Coursera or Udemy on advanced topics such as Analog/Mixed-Signal Design, ASIC Design Flow, or advanced embedded Linux.
Tools & Resources
Cadence/Synopsys training programs, Coursera, edX, Udemy courses on VLSI/Embedded, NPTEL advanced modules
Career Connection
Industry certifications validate your expertise in specific tools and domains, making your resume stand out to recruiters in India''''s competitive job market, especially for specialized roles in chip design and verification.
Network and Participate in Technical Competitions- (Semester 2-3)
Actively participate in national-level technical competitions, hackathons, and design challenges related to VLSI, embedded systems, and IoT. Attend industry events, webinars, and conferences to network with professionals and gain insights into emerging technologies and job opportunities in India. Engage with alumni and industry guest speakers.
Tools & Resources
LinkedIn for professional networking, Hackerearth, TechGig for competitions, Semiconductor India, IESA events, College''''s alumni network portal
Career Connection
Networking opens doors to internships and job opportunities, while competition participation sharpens problem-solving skills and provides practical experience, both highly valued by Indian companies during recruitment.
Advanced Stage
Secure and Excel in a High-Quality Internship- (Semester 3)
Prioritize securing an internship in a reputable semiconductor company, design house, or embedded product firm in India. Focus on contributing meaningfully to live projects, learning industry best practices, and building strong professional relationships. Treat the internship as an extended interview, aiming for a Pre-Placement Offer (PPO) by demonstrating strong technical skills and a proactive attitude.
Tools & Resources
Company career portals, Internship platforms (e.g., Internshala), Faculty and alumni referrals, Mentors within the company
Career Connection
A successful internship is often the most direct route to a full-time job offer in core engineering companies in India, providing invaluable experience and a verified skill-set.
Conduct Thorough Project Work and Thesis Writing- (Semester 3-4)
For your M.Tech project, choose a complex, research-oriented problem aligned with industry needs or emerging technologies. Conduct in-depth literature surveys, develop a robust methodology, and rigorously test your solutions. Focus on clear and concise thesis writing, ensuring proper documentation and scientific presentation of your findings. Aim for a publication in a reputed conference or journal.
Tools & Resources
Research papers, journals (IEEE, ACM), Simulation tools (e.g., Cadence Virtuoso, Synopsis Design Compiler), LaTeX for thesis writing, Academic advisors and mentors
Career Connection
A high-quality thesis demonstrates your ability to conduct independent research and solve complex engineering problems, which is highly regarded for R&D positions, further academic pursuits (Ph.D.), and advanced technical roles.
Intensive Placement Preparation and Skill Refinement- (Semester 4)
Engage in rigorous placement preparation focusing on company-specific technical interview questions for VLSI, embedded software, and digital design roles. Practice mock interviews, solve aptitude tests, and review core concepts thoroughly. Prepare a compelling resume highlighting projects, certifications, and internship experiences. Develop soft skills for group discussions and HR rounds.
Tools & Resources
Interview preparation books (e.g., Cracking the Coding Interview for problem-solving), Online technical interview platforms (e.g., LeetCode, InterviewBit), College placement cell resources, Resume and cover letter workshops
Career Connection
Comprehensive preparation maximizes your chances of converting interviews into job offers with top semiconductor and embedded systems companies, securing a strong start to your career in India''''s technology sector.
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- Candidates who have passed B.E./B.Tech. Examination in ECE / EEE / CSE / ISE / Telecommunication / Instrumentation / Medical Electronics / Computer & Communication Engineering / M.Sc. in Computer Science / Information Science or equivalent Degree with a minimum of 50% (45% for SC/ST/CAT-1 candidates) aggregate marks from any recognized University / Institution are eligible to apply.
Duration: 2 years / 4 semesters
Credits: 74 Credits
Assessment: Internal: Continuous Internal Evaluation (CIE) - 50 marks for theory/lab/project, External: Semester End Examination (SEE) - 50 marks for theory/lab; Project Dissertation SEE - 100 marks
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23MVE11 | Advanced Embedded System Design | Core | 4 | Embedded System Components, ARM Processor Architecture, Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS), Device Drivers and Interrupts, Embedded Networking Protocols, IoT in Embedded Systems |
| 23MVE12 | Advanced VLSI Design | Core | 4 | CMOS Technology and Fabrication, VLSI Design Flow and Methodologies, HDL for VLSI (Verilog/VHDL), Logic Design with MOSFETs, Memory Design and Architectures, Low Power VLSI Techniques |
| 23MVE13 | Advanced Digital System Design | Core | 4 | Review of Digital Logic Design, Combinational and Sequential Circuit Design, Finite State Machines (FSM), Algorithmic State Machines (ASM), Hardware Description Languages (Verilog/VHDL), Timing Analysis and Synchronization |
| 23MVE14 | Computer Architecture and Parallel Processing | Core | 4 | Instruction Set Architectures, Pipelining and Instruction-Level Parallelism, Memory Hierarchy Design, Multiprocessors and Cache Coherence, Shared Memory and Distributed Memory Architectures, Vector Processors and GPUs |
| 23MVEL15 | Advanced Embedded Systems and VLSI Lab | Lab | 2 | ARM Processor Programming, RTOS Task Management, Interfacing Peripherals, FPGA Design and Synthesis (Verilog/VHDL), Design Verification using Simulation, Embedded System Project Implementation |
| 23MVE16 | Technical Seminar-I | Seminar | 1 | Literature Survey, Technical Report Writing, Presentation Skills, Current Trends in VLSI and Embedded Systems, Research Topic Selection, Public Speaking |
| 23MVE17 | Research Methodology and IPR | Audit Course | 1 | Research Problem Formulation, Data Collection and Analysis, Report Writing and Presentation, Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), Patents, Copyrights, Trademarks, Research Ethics and Plagiarism |
| 23MVE18 | Universal Human Values | Audit Course | 1 | Self-Exploration and Self-Investigation, Harmony in the Individual, Harmony in the Family, Harmony in the Society, Harmony in Nature/Existence, Ethical Human Conduct |
Semester 2
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23MVE21 | System Verilog | Core | 4 | Verification Methodologies, SystemVerilog Data Types and Constructs, Classes and Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) for Verification, Randomization and Functional Coverage, Testbench Architecture and Automation, UVM Basics and Verification Flow |
| 23MVE22 | Real-Time Operating Systems | Core | 4 | RTOS Fundamentals and Concepts, Task Management and Scheduling, Inter-Process Communication (IPC), Memory Management in RTOS, Synchronization Mechanisms, Case Studies (e.g., VxWorks, FreeRTOS) |
| 23MVE2E1 | Low Power VLSI Design | Professional Elective - I | 3 | Power Dissipation in CMOS Circuits, Dynamic Power Reduction Techniques, Static Power Reduction Techniques, Architectural Level Low Power Design, Logic Level Low Power Design, Software Design for Low Power |
| 23MVE2E2 | Internet of Things | Professional Elective - I | 3 | IoT Architecture and Design Principles, IoT Communication Protocols (e.g., MQTT, CoAP), IoT Hardware Platforms, Cloud Computing for IoT, Data Analytics in IoT, IoT Security and Privacy |
| 23MVE2E3 | Analog and Mixed Mode VLSI | Professional Elective - I | 3 | MOSFET Physics and Models, Single Stage Amplifiers, Differential Amplifiers and Op-Amps, Current Mirrors and Bandgap References, Data Converters (ADC, DAC), Phase-Locked Loops (PLLs) |
| 23MVE2E4 | ASIC Design | Professional Elective - I | 3 | ASIC Design Flow, Front-End Design (RTL Coding, Synthesis), Back-End Design (Placement, Routing), Design for Testability (DFT), Timing Analysis and Signoff, FPGA vs. ASIC Design |
| 23MVE2E5 | MEMS | Professional Elective - II | 3 | MEMS Fundamentals and Materials, Microfabrication Techniques, MEMS Sensors (Pressure, Accelerometers), MEMS Actuators (Micromotors, Microvalves), Design and Characterization of MEMS Devices, Applications of MEMS |
| 23MVE2E6 | Advanced Microcontrollers | Professional Elective - II | 3 | Microcontroller Architectures (e.g., ARM Cortex-M), Peripherals and Interfacing (UART, SPI, I2C), Timers, PWM, ADC/DAC, Interrupt Handling and Exception Processing, Embedded C Programming, Debugging Techniques |
| 23MVE2E7 | Nano Electronics | Professional Elective - II | 3 | Introduction to Nanotechnology, Quantum Mechanics in Nanoscale, Carbon Nanotubes and Graphene, Nanowires and Quantum Dots, Nano-electronic Devices (SET, FinFET), Emerging Nanomaterials and Applications |
| 23MVE2E8 | Image Processing and Computer Vision | Professional Elective - II | 3 | Digital Image Fundamentals, Image Enhancement and Restoration, Image Segmentation, Feature Extraction and Representation, Object Recognition, Motion Detection and Tracking |
| 23MVL23 | Technical Seminar-II | Seminar | 1 | Advanced Research Topics in VLSI/Embedded, Deep Dive into Specific Technologies, Critical Analysis of Research Papers, Effective Technical Presentation, Question and Answer Handling, Developing Communication Skills |
| 23MVL24 | Mini Project | Project | 2 | Problem Identification and Scope Definition, Design and Methodology Development, Implementation and Testing, Project Report Writing, Presentation of Results, Teamwork and Project Management |
| 23MVE25 | Advanced VLSI Design Lab-I | Lab | 2 | SystemVerilog for Design and Verification, Testbench Development, Functional Verification Flow, FPGA-based System Design, Synthesis and Implementation Tools, Debugging Hardware Designs |
| 23MNCE26 | Environmental Studies | Audit Course | 1 | Ecosystems and Biodiversity, Environmental Pollution and Control, Natural Resources and Conservation, Climate Change and Global Warming, Environmental Ethics and Policies, Sustainable Development Goals |
Semester 3
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23MVE31 | Internship | Internship | 8 | Industry Exposure and Practical Application, Problem Solving in Real-world Scenarios, Professional Skill Development, Networking and Mentorship, Technical Report Writing, Project Management and Delivery |
| 23MVE32 | M.Tech Project Work Phase-I | Project | 8 | Literature Survey and Problem Identification, Defining Project Scope and Objectives, Methodology and Design Specification, Preliminary Results and Analysis, Ethical Considerations in Research, Technical Documentation |
Semester 4
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23MVE41 | M.Tech Project Work Phase-II | Project | 20 | Detailed Design and Implementation, Extensive Testing and Validation, Data Analysis and Interpretation, Thesis Writing and Presentation, Publication of Research Findings, Demonstration of Project Outcome |
