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M-TECH in Microelectronics And Vlsi Design at Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpur
Howrah, West Bengal
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About the Specialization
What is Microelectronics and VLSI Design at Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpur Howrah?
This M.Tech VLSI Design & Embedded System program at IIEST Shibpur focuses on advanced concepts in microelectronics, integrated circuit design, and real-time embedded systems. It addresses the growing demand for skilled engineers in India''''s semiconductor and embedded electronics industry. The program emphasizes both theoretical foundations and practical application, preparing students for cutting-edge roles in device development and system integration.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for engineering graduates with a B.E./B.Tech in ECE, Electrical, CSE, or related fields, especially those with a valid GATE score. It caters to fresh graduates seeking entry into chip design or embedded software roles, as well as working professionals looking to upskill in areas like ASIC/FPGA design, IoT, or advanced microcontrollers. A strong aptitude for hardware-software co-design is beneficial.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates of this program can expect diverse career paths in India, including VLSI design engineer, embedded software developer, ASIC verification engineer, and IoT solutions architect. Entry-level salaries range from INR 6-12 LPA, with experienced professionals earning significantly more. The strong curriculum aligns with industry demands, fostering growth in major Indian tech hubs like Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Noida.
Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Master Core VLSI and Embedded Fundamentals- (Semester 1-2)
Dedicate significant time to thoroughly understand digital and analog VLSI design principles, CMOS technology, and embedded system architectures. Utilize online resources like NPTEL courses, Coursera specializations, and textbooks to supplement classroom learning and build a strong theoretical base.
Tools & Resources
NPTEL courses (VLSI Design, Embedded Systems), Circuit Simulation Software (SPICE, Cadence/Tanner), Textbooks (e.g., Sedra/Smith, Kang & Leblebici), YouTube Channels (e.g., EEVblog, educative.io)
Career Connection
A robust understanding of fundamentals is critical for cracking technical interviews for design and verification roles, particularly for semiconductor companies. It forms the bedrock for advanced topics and practical application.
Hands-on Lab Skill Development with EDA Tools- (Semester 1-2)
Actively engage in all lab sessions, striving to go beyond basic exercises. Gain proficiency in industry-standard EDA tools like Cadence Virtuoso, Synopsis Design Compiler, Xilinx Vivado/ISE, and embedded IDEs (e.g., Keil, IAR). Experiment with small design projects using FPGAs and microcontrollers outside curriculum.
Tools & Resources
Cadence Virtuoso, Synopsys Design Compiler/VCS, Xilinx Vivado/ISE, Altera Quartus, Keil uVision IDE, Arduino/Raspberry Pi kits
Career Connection
Practical skills with EDA tools are highly valued by recruiters. Demonstrating hands-on project experience significantly boosts employability for roles like ASIC/FPGA design, verification, and embedded firmware development.
Form Study Groups and Peer Learning Networks- (Semester 1-2)
Collaborate with peers to discuss complex concepts, solve problems, and prepare for exams. Teaching others reinforces your own understanding. Participate in department-level workshops and tech fests to showcase skills and learn from seniors.
Tools & Resources
Dedicated study rooms, Online collaboration platforms (e.g., Google Meet, Discord), Departmental technical clubs
Career Connection
Effective teamwork and communication skills developed through peer learning are essential in professional engineering environments. Networking with seniors can provide valuable insights into internships and career paths.
Intermediate Stage
Undertake Industry-Relevant Mini Projects- (Semester 2-3)
Apply theoretical knowledge to design and implement mini-projects that solve real-world problems. Focus on areas like IoT device prototyping, custom SoC design using FPGAs, or embedded system optimizations. Document all projects meticulously.
Tools & Resources
GitHub for version control, Project planning tools, Online forums (Stack Overflow, EDABoard), Hardware components (sensors, actuators)
Career Connection
A portfolio of well-executed projects demonstrates problem-solving abilities and practical application, making you stand out to recruiters for internships and full-time positions in core VLSI and embedded domains.
Seek Internships and Industry Exposure- (After Semester 2 (Summer) and Semester 3)
Actively search for summer/winter internships in semiconductor companies, EDA tool vendors, or embedded product development firms. Gaining direct industry experience provides invaluable exposure to professional workflows, tools, and best practices. Leverage university placement cells and LinkedIn.
Tools & Resources
University placement cell, LinkedIn Jobs, Internshala, Company career pages
Career Connection
Internships are often a direct pathway to pre-placement offers (PPOs) and provide a significant advantage in final placements. They help clarify career interests and build a professional network.
Participate in National Level Competitions and Workshops- (Semester 2-3)
Engage in technical competitions like Smart India Hackathon (SIH), IEEExtreme, or other design challenges focused on VLSI, embedded systems, or IoT. Attend workshops and seminars conducted by industry experts to stay updated with emerging technologies and network with professionals.
Tools & Resources
Competition websites (SIH, IEEExtreme), IEEE/IEI student chapters, Tech fest announcements
Career Connection
Participation in competitions hones problem-solving skills under pressure and provides recognition. It adds significant weight to your resume and interview discussions, showcasing initiative and practical expertise.
Advanced Stage
Focus on Specialization and Dissertation Excellence- (Semester 3-4)
Choose elective subjects and a dissertation topic aligned with your career aspirations (e.g., ASIC design, low-power VLSI, RTOS development). Work diligently on your dissertation, aiming for publishable quality research. Engage deeply with your supervisor for guidance and insights.
Tools & Resources
Research papers (IEEE Xplore, ACM Digital Library), Plagiarism checker tools, LaTeX for thesis writing, Statistical analysis software
Career Connection
A strong dissertation can lead to academic publications, which are highly valued by R&D roles and for higher studies. It also demonstrates advanced problem-solving, analytical, and independent research capabilities.
Intensive Placement Preparation and Skill Refinement- (Semester 3-4)
Begin rigorous preparation for placements by practicing aptitude tests, technical puzzles, and mock interviews. Brush up on core subjects, data structures and algorithms, and strengthen your communication skills. Tailor your resume and cover letter for specific job roles in VLSI/embedded.
Tools & Resources
Online coding platforms (LeetCode, HackerRank), Interview preparation books (e.g., Cracking the Coding Interview), Mock interview sessions, Career counseling services
Career Connection
Systematic preparation is key to securing desired job offers. A well-prepared candidate can articulate their skills and experience effectively, leading to successful placements in top companies.
Build a Professional Network and Personal Brand- (Semester 3-4 and beyond)
Attend industry conferences, tech talks, and alumni events. Connect with professionals on LinkedIn, sharing your project work and insights. Develop a strong online presence by contributing to open-source projects or maintaining a technical blog related to VLSI/embedded systems.
Tools & Resources
LinkedIn, Professional conferences (e.g., VLSI Design and Embedded Systems Conference), Alumni association network
Career Connection
Networking opens doors to job opportunities, mentorship, and collaborations. A strong personal brand can lead to recognition and career advancement, especially in niche technical fields.
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- B.E./B.Tech. in Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronics & Instrumentation Engineering, Computer Science & Engineering, Information Technology or equivalent disciplines with a minimum CGPA of 7.0 (or 65% marks) for UR/OBC and 6.5 (or 60% marks) for SC/ST/PwD category candidates. A valid GATE score in the appropriate subject is mandatory.
Duration: 4 semesters / 2 years
Credits: 72 Credits
Assessment: Internal: Typically 30% (Sessional/Internal Assessment), External: Typically 70% (End Semester Examination)
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MVL-101 | Digital VLSI Design | Core | 4 | Introduction to VLSI Design, MOS Transistor Theory and Characteristics, CMOS Technology and Design Rules, Combinational and Sequential Logic Design, Arithmetic Building Blocks, Low Power CMOS Logic Circuits |
| MVL-102 | Analog & Mixed Signal VLSI Design | Core | 4 | MOS Device Modelling, Single Stage Amplifiers, Differential Amplifiers and Current Mirrors, Operational Amplifier Design, Bandgap References, Data Converters (ADC/DAC) |
| MVL-103 | Advanced Digital Communication | Core | 4 | Digital Modulation Techniques, Channel Coding (Block/Convolutional), Spread Spectrum Communication, Multi-user Detection, MIMO Systems, Wireless Channel Models |
| MVL-104 | Embedded Systems Design | Core | 4 | Embedded Processors and Microcontrollers, Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS), Interfacing Techniques (I/O, Memory), Device Drivers and Interrupt Handling, Embedded Software Development, Embedded System Design Methodologies |
| MVL-105 | VLSI Design Lab | Lab | 2 | Verilog/VHDL Programming, FPGA Based Design using Xilinx/Altera, CMOS Inverter/Gate Design using Cadence/Tanner EDA, Layout Design and Simulation, SPICE Simulation of Analog Circuits, Synthesis and Implementation |
| MVL-106 | Embedded Systems Lab | Lab | 2 | Microcontroller Programming (e.g., ARM, PIC), Sensor and Actuator Interfacing, RTOS Implementation and Task Management, Debugging Techniques for Embedded Systems, Firmware Development, Embedded System Project Development |
Semester 2
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MVL-201 | Computer Aided Design for VLSI | Core | 4 | VLSI Design Automation, Logic Synthesis and Optimization, Physical Design Automation (Placement/Routing), Design Verification and Testing, Timing Analysis, Electronic Design Automation (EDA) Tools |
| MVL-202 | Advanced Computer Architecture | Core | 4 | Pipelining and Hazards, Instruction Level Parallelism (ILP), Memory Hierarchy Design, Multiprocessors and Cache Coherence, Vector Processors and GPUs, VLIW/EPIC Architectures |
| MVL-203(A) | Digital Signal Processing for VLSI | Elective | 4 | DSP Architectures (FIR/IIR), Filter Design for Hardware Implementation, Fast Fourier Transform Architectures, Adaptive Filters, DSP Processors and Controllers, Image and Video Processing Hardware |
| MVL-203(B) | Low Power VLSI Design | Elective | 4 | Sources of Power Dissipation in CMOS, Dynamic and Static Power Reduction Techniques, Power Estimation and Optimization, Voltage and Frequency Scaling, Adiabatic Switching, Memory Design for Low Power |
| MVL-204(A) | Hardware Description Languages | Elective | 4 | Verilog and VHDL Syntax and Semantics, Behavioral, Dataflow, and Structural Modeling, Testbench Creation and Verification, Finite State Machines (FSM) Design, Synthesis and Simulation, Advanced HDL Features |
| MVL-204(B) | RF IC Design | Elective | 4 | RF Transceiver Architectures, Low Noise Amplifiers (LNAs), Mixers and Oscillators (VCOs), Power Amplifiers, PLL and Frequency Synthesizers, RFIC Layout Considerations |
| MVL-205 | VLSI & Embedded System Design Lab | Lab | 2 | ASIC Design Flow Implementation, FPGA Prototyping of Complex Systems, Real-time Operating System (RTOS) Projects, Embedded Linux and Device Tree, IoT Application Development using Embedded Platforms, Debugging and Performance Analysis |
| MVL-206 | Seminar & Term Paper | Project | 2 | Technical Literature Review, Research Proposal Development, Scientific Writing and Presentation, Critical Analysis of Research Papers, Current Trends in VLSI/Embedded Systems, Methodology for Research Projects |
Semester 3
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MVL-301(A) | Advanced Microelectronics | Elective | 4 | Advanced Semiconductor Devices, CMOS Process Technology and Fabrication, MEMS Devices and Technology, Nanoelectronics Fundamentals, Packaging and Testing of ICs, Emerging Materials for Microelectronics |
| MVL-301(B) | MEMS and Microsystems | Elective | 4 | Microfabrication Techniques, MEMS Sensors and Actuators, Microsystem Design and Modeling, Packaging and Testing of MEMS, Microfluidics, BioMEMS and Biomedical Applications |
| MVL-302(A) | Advanced Digital Signal Processing | Elective | 4 | Multirate Digital Signal Processing, Wavelet Transforms and Applications, Time-Frequency Analysis, Array Signal Processing, Linear Prediction and Optimum Filters, Estimation Theory |
| MVL-302(B) | Advanced Embedded System | Elective | 4 | Automotive Embedded Systems, Industrial IoT and Industry 4.0, Cyber-Physical Systems, Embedded System Security, Edge Computing and AI on Embedded Devices, Real-time Network Protocols |
| MVL-303 | Dissertation Part - I | Project | 8 | Problem Identification and Scope Definition, Comprehensive Literature Survey, Development of Research Methodology, Preliminary Design and Block Diagram, Simulation and Initial Results Analysis, Technical Report Writing and Presentation |
Semester 4
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MVL-401 | Dissertation Part - II | Project | 16 | Prototype Development and Implementation, Extensive Testing and Validation, Performance Evaluation and Optimization, Detailed Data Analysis and Interpretation, Thesis Writing and Documentation, Final Project Defense and Presentation |
