Bridging Courses in Integrated Circuit Design

Digital IC Design Theory

Step into the future with our meticulously crafted course, tailored for engineers and professionals poised to excel in the manufacturing, digital electronics, integrated circuit (IC) Design, and design automation realms. Equally relevant for diverse industries, this course ignites your potential for career growth and transformation.

With a focus on acquiring basic knowledge in digital electronics and design, the course focuses on combinational and sequential schemes using regular ICs, programmable logic devices (PLDs), application specific ICs (ASICs), and very large-scale integration (VLSI). The design of digital units, memory modules and other sequential circuits shall equip learners with the necessary concepts and know-how in the design of logic circuits.

Immersing yourself in this course comprising 39 hours of lectures ensure mastery at both conceptual and application levels. This transformative experience moulds you into a proactive and adaptive thinker, primed for the challenges and innovation-driven demands of advanced manufacturing.

This course, perfectly aligned with the Industry 4.0 wave, stands as a beacon for individuals aspiring to carve their niche in entering or transitioning within the electronics sector in the digital electronics industry. Join us and emerge not just with knowledge but with the mindset to thrive in a rapidly evolving landscape.

At the end of the course, learners will be able to:

• Describe the techniques and methods used in analysing and designing digital electronic circuits including number systems, logic manipulation and minimisation as well as state table and state diagram
• Manipulate logic functions and logic circuits based on an understanding of logic signals, logic operations and logic gates
• Recognise the logic functions of CMOS logic circuits, and construct CMOS logic circuits for complex logic functions with an understanding of the CMOS electrical behaviours including the noise margins and fanout
• Perform logic design of combinational circuits such as adders, comparators, decoders/encoders, multiplexers/demultiplexers, and the applications of these devices
• Describe and utilise the basic constructs of sequential logic circuits such as state table, state diagram and flip-flops
• Conduct logic design of synchronous sequential circuits including state machines, counters and registers, based on an understanding of the synchronous design methodology
• Use some basic combinational and sequential functional blocks to design more complex systems, based on their design and operation principles
• Realise logic functions using programmable logic devices (PLDs)
• Identify and explain the structures and operations of ROM and RAM
• Identify, analyse and find solutions for complex digital system and solution
• Apply the learnt knowledge and theories to real problems in digital circuits and systems
• Establish a basic foundation which will serve as platform for lifelong learning and self-education in order to keep abreast advances in digital electronics

Digital IC Design with CAD

This course expands digital IC design training in EEE and bridges the gap between academic learning and current industry practices. It prepares students for Singapore’s growing semiconductor sector by providing practical skills across the complete digital IC design flow. Topics include IC design methodologies, digital design flow challenges, Linux fundamentals, scripting for automation, static timing analysis, timing closure strategies, and design verification. Students gain hands-on experience interpreting timing reports, applying constraints, and optimising design performance. The course concludes with an integrated view of ensuring design quality and efficiency. By the end, students will understand the RTL-to-GDSII flow and be equipped with essential skills for modern digital IC design roles.

At the end of the course, learners will be able to:

• Explain the complete digital IC design flow from RTL to GDSII
• Apply scripting languages to automate design tasks
• Perform static timing analysis and interpret timing reports
• Understand design constraints and timing optimisation methods
• Apply verification methodologies
• Integrate knowledge to manage design quality, efficiency, and reliability

Digital IC Design Theory

TBD

Upon course completion and fulfilling all requirements, participants will be awarded an NTU e-Certificate of Completion, demonstrating their proficiency in the essential areas of the course. 

Jong Ching Chuen

Instructor for:

Digital IC Design Theory

Dr. Jong Ching Chuen obtained his BSc(Eng) and PhD in Electronic Engineering from Queen Mary, University of London, U.K. He has worked in the area of high-level synthesis of digital systems for more than 3 years both in the academics and the industries in the U. K. before he joined Nanyang Technological University as a faculty member. He is now an Associate Professor in the School of Electrical & Electronic Engineering. Dr. Jong is a Chartered Engineer (CEng), a Chartered IT Professional (CITP) and a member of the British Computer Society (BCS). His current technical interest includes arithmetic circuits, VLSI architectures, digital IC design and fast-prototyping of digital systems with FPGA.

Natalie Kong Zhi Hui

Instructor for:

Digital IC Design with CAD

Dr. Natalie Kong Zhi Hui is currently a Senior Lecturer in the School of EEE, NTU. She has over 15 years of experience in higher education. She obtained her PhD from Nanyang Technological University, and her Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). Prior to her current appointment, Dr. Natalie served as an Assistant Professor, contributing actively to teaching, research, and academic service.

Dr. Kong continued to engage in part-time university teaching and remote research work, maintaining close ties with academia while balancing family commitments. She remains deeply committed to high-quality teaching, curriculum development, and student mentoring, and is passionate about bridging theory and practice to prepare graduates for evolving industry and societal needs.