For about five decades, integrated circuits (IC, microchips) have now been the key technologies for electronic systems in many application areas, ranging from data processing to telecommunication and automobile electronics. In this domain, an unprecedented development has taken place from the assembly of the first planar ICs with two transistors in the year 1961 to today’s integrated processor components with up to a billion transistors on a single chip.
An ending of this development is not yet foreseeable and Very Deep Submicron (VDSM) fabrication technologies (with structure sizes that are smaller than 14 nm) will offer the possibility to integrate even more complex systems.
These developments are not merely the prerequisite for even more reliable and cost-efficient system solutions, yet they will also open up a lot of new application possibilities. Due to the new requirements and especially due to the enormous complexity of such solutions, not only new fabrication technologies have to be developed, but also new challenges in the design of integrated systems and circuits have to be faced. Among these challenges are modeling on different levels of abstraction, system level verification, low-power design, circuit design in new technologies, high frequency circuits, intelligent solutions for power electronics as well as an increase in design efficiency. The master degree program ISCD - Integrated Systems and Circuits Design provides the necessary knowledge to master these challenges.
Curriculum
Applied R&D and cooperations with national and international academic and industrial partners guarantee, that education at Carinthia University of Applied Sciences is up to date and students will be well prepared for their career.
Semesters 1 - 3 offer 70 ECTS of mandatory courses in the fields of integrated systems design and modeling, design methodology, analog and digital circuit design, integration and fabrication technology as well as a mixed-signal project. Semester 3 offers a selection of advanced courses from which 20 ECTS have to be selected.
The practical aspect of this master degree program is emphasized by a project module, spanning semester 1 to 3. Students design an integrated circuit in small teams and implement a testchip. After fabrication, samples of the testchip will be evaluated in the lab using state of the art test equipment.
The master thesis is done in cooperation with industry or at Carinthia University of Applied Sciences in semester 4. Work on the thesis is accompanied by regular thesis seminars.
Engineering & IT is an unbelievably fascinating field of applied sciences. This area is characterized mainly by creativity, innovation and design. Engineering & IT is furthermore a rapidly developing area, crucial for the economic development of a region.
The students of the School of Engineering & IT should demonstrate strengths in the following areas:
- technical understanding,
- reasoning power,
- good English, mathematics and computer skills,
- creativity,
- enjoyment of innovative developments.
The Bachelor Degree Programs of the CUAS School of Engineering & IT can generally be sought without subject-specific educational background. Lots of interest, commitment and of course the possession of a general university entrance qualification are sufficient.
Graduates of the master degree program Integrated Systems and Circuits Design:
- have broad knowledge in the design and modelling of highly complex integrated systems;
- have detailed knowledge of the principle design methodologies for integrated circuits using modern CAD tools;
- have special knowledge in circuit design of analog, digital and mixed signal integrated circuits using state of the art Very Deep Submicron (VDSM) CMOS fabrication technologies;
- have knowledge in special elective topics in integrated systems and circuits like RF CMOS design, integrated sensors, smart power technologies, arithmetic circuits or system on chip architectures;
- have had practical experience in the IC development: all graduates have designed a mixed-signal IC from specification to evaluation of fabricated testchip samples in the lab.
Current courses - Integrated Systems and Circuits Design
| Lecture | Type | SPPS | ECTS-Credits | Course number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basics in Systems and Circuits Theory | ILV | 2,0 | 2,5 | M-ISCD-1.06 |
| Design of Analog Integrated Circuits | ILV | 5,0 | 7,5 | M-ISCD-1.04 |
| Design of Digital Integrated Circuits | ILV | 4,0 | 6,0 | M-ISCD-1.02 |
| Integrated Circuits Technology | ILV | 2,0 | 3,0 | M-ISCD-1.03 |
| Introduction to Computer Aided Design | ILV | 4,0 | 6,0 | M-ISCD-1.01 |
| Introduction to Project | PT | 2,0 | 3,0 | M-ISCD-1.05 |
| Compulsory optional subject: Foreign Language 1 | Type | SPPS | ECTS-Credits | Course number |
| German 1 | SE | 2,0 | 2,0 | M-ISCD-1.07c |
| Lecture | Type | SPPS | ECTS-Credits | Course number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IC Evaluation | PT | 1,5 | 2,5 | M-ISCD-3.02 |
| System Modeling and Verification - Analog | ILV | 2,0 | 3,0 | M-ISCD-3.07 |
| Testing of Integrated Circuits | ILV | 3,5 | 4,5 | M-ISCD-3.01 |
| Compulsory optional subject: Elective Courses 1 | Type | SPPS | ECTS-Credits | Course number |
| Analog and Mixed Signal ICs for Communication Systems | ILV | 3,5 | 5,0 | M-ISCD-3.03 |
| Integrated Data Converters | ILV | 3,5 | 5,0 | M-ISCD-3.05 |
| Special Topics in VLSI/SoC/SiP Design - 1 | ILV | 3,5 | 5,0 | M-ISCD-3.06 |
| Compulsory optional subject: Elective Courses 2 | Type | SPPS | ECTS-Credits | Course number |
| Integrated Sensors for Automotive Applications | ILV | 3,5 | 5,0 | M-ISCD-3.09 |
| Special Topics in VLSI/SoC/SiP Design - 2 | ILV | 3,5 | 5,0 | M-ISCD-3.11 |
| Lecture | Type | SPPS | ECTS-Credits | Course number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced Topics in Analog Integrated Circuits | ILV | 5,0 | 7,5 | M-ISCD-2.01 |
| Computer Aided Design | ILV | 2,0 | 3,0 | M-ISCD-2.03 |
| Digital Design with HDL | ILV | 5,0 | 7,5 | M-ISCD-2.04 |
| IC Design and Implementation | PT | 4,0 | 5,5 | M-ISCD-2.05 |
| System Modeling and Verification - Digital | ILV | 3,0 | 4,5 | M-ISCD-2.02 |
| Lecture | Type | SPPS | ECTS-Credits | Course number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Master Thesis | MT | 0,0 | 24,0 | M-ISCD-4.01 |
| Master Thesis - Seminar | ILV | 4,0 | 6,0 | M-ISCD-4.02 |
| Lecture | Type | SPPS | ECTS-Credits | Course number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basics in Systems and Circuits Theory | ILV | 2,0 | 2,5 | M-ISCD-1.06 |
| Design of Analog Integrated Circuits | ILV | 5,0 | 7,5 | M-ISCD-1.04 |
| Design of Digital Integrated Circuits | ILV | 4,0 | 6,0 | M-ISCD-1.02 |
| Integrated Circuits Technology | ILV | 2,0 | 3,0 | M-ISCD-1.03 |
| Introduction to Computer Aided Design | ILV | 4,0 | 6,0 | M-ISCD-1.01 |
| Introduction to Project | PT | 2,0 | 3,0 | M-ISCD-1.05 |
| Compulsory optional subject: Foreign Language 1 | Type | SPPS | ECTS-Credits | Course number |
| German 1 | SE | 2,0 | 2,0 | M-ISCD-1.07c |
| Italian 1 | SE | 2,0 | 2,0 | M-ISCD-1.07b |
| Spanish 1 | SE | 2,0 | 2,0 | M-ISCD-1.07a |
| Lecture | Type | SPPS | ECTS-Credits | Course number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IC Evaluation | PT | 1,5 | 2,5 | M-ISCD-3.02 |
| System Modeling and Verification - Analog | ILV | 2,0 | 3,0 | M-ISCD-3.07 |
| Testing of Integrated Circuits | ILV | 3,5 | 4,5 | M-ISCD-3.01 |
| Compulsory optional subject: Elective Courses 1 | Type | SPPS | ECTS-Credits | Course number |
| Analog and Mixed Signal ICs for Communication Systems | ILV | 3,5 | 5,0 | M-ISCD-3.03 |
| Integrated Data Converters | ILV | 3,5 | 5,0 | M-ISCD-3.05 |
| Special Topics in VLSI/SoC/SiP Design - 1 | ILV | 3,5 | 5,0 | M-ISCD-3.06 |
| System-on-Chip Architectures | ILV | 3,5 | 5,0 | M-ISCD-3.04 |
| Compulsory optional subject: Elective Courses 2 | Type | SPPS | ECTS-Credits | Course number |
| Advanced Topics in Digital Integrated Circuits | ILV | 3,5 | 5,0 | M-ISCD-3.08 |
| Arithmetic Modules for VLSI/SoC Design | ILV | 3,5 | 5,0 | M-ISCD-3.10 |
| Integrated Sensors for Automotive Applications | ILV | 3,5 | 5,0 | M-ISCD-3.09 |
| Smart Power | ILV | 3,5 | 5,0 | M-ISCD-3.12 |
| Special Topics in VLSI/SoC/SiP Design - 2 | ILV | 3,5 | 5,0 | M-ISCD-3.11 |
| Lecture | Type | SPPS | ECTS-Credits | Course number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced Topics in Analog Integrated Circuits | ILV | 5,0 | 7,5 | M-ISCD-2.01 |
| Computer Aided Design | ILV | 2,0 | 3,0 | M-ISCD-2.03 |
| Digital Design with HDL | ILV | 5,0 | 7,5 | M-ISCD-2.04 |
| IC Design and Implementation | PT | 4,0 | 5,5 | M-ISCD-2.05 |
| System Modeling and Verification - Digital | ILV | 3,0 | 4,5 | M-ISCD-2.02 |
| Compulsory optional subject: Foreign Language 2 | Type | SPPS | ECTS-Credits | Course number |
| German | SE | 2,0 | 2,0 | M-ISCD-2.06c |
| Italian | SE | 2,0 | 2,0 | M-ISCD-2.06b |
| Spanish | SE | 2,0 | 2,0 | M-ISCD-2.06a |
| Lecture | Type | SPPS | ECTS-Credits | Course number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Master Thesis | MT | 0,0 | 24,0 | M-ISCD-4.01 |
| Master Thesis - Seminar | ILV | 4,0 | 6,0 | M-ISCD-4.02 |
ICDS graduates can work as specialists for Austrian as well as international companies in the field of semiconductor industry (foundries, fabless foundries, and engineering companies) as well as for businesses providing system solutions whose products contain highly integrated electronic components.
Their fields of activities include the
- design
- modeling
- verification
- implementation
- testing and
- technical support
of analog, digital and mixed-signal integrated circuits. Their activities also include the application support (e.g. PCB design), as well as test and product engineering.
Several companies working in the field of microelectronics are located in the south of Austria, in or within short distance of Villach. These are, in alphabetical order:
- ams AG in Unterpremstätten
- CISC Semiconductor in Klagenfurt
- Dialog Semiconductor in Graz
- Infineon Technologies Austria AG in Villach, Klagenfurt and Graz
- Intel Austria GmbH in Villach
- KAI-Kompetenzzentrum Automobil- und Indstrie-Elektronik GmbH in Villach
- Lam Research in Villach
- Maxim Integrated in Graz
- MaxLinear in Villach
- NXP Semiconductors in Gratkorn
- Silicon Austria Labs in Villach
A microelectronic cluster provides a network of companies, r&d as well as educational organisations
The author of this page is not responsible for the contents of any links given here.
Faculty and Staff - Integrated Systems and Circuits Design
FH-Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.
Johannes Sturm
Mag.a
Elizabeth Maggauer-Hoffmann
Carina Jellitsch
Dipl.-Ing.
Manfred Ley
Dongning Zhao, Ph.D.
Sahar Sarafi, Ph.D.
Dr.-Ing.
Michael Köberle
FH-Prof.in Mag.a
Sabine Spanz
Dr.in
Karin MARTIN
Mag.a
Katarina Gutownig Fürst
Sepideh Gholipourpicha
Mehdi MORADIAN BOVANLOO, MSc
Jagadish VAIBHAV, MSc
DI (FH)
Wolfgang Scherr
Dr.-Ing.
Santiago Martin Sondón
Cesare Buffa, Ph.D.
Dr.
Dirk Hammerschmidt
Ajinkya Kale
Dr.
Drago Strle
Dipl.-Ing.
Ewald Wachmann
Dipl.-Ing.
Heinz Zitta
Campus
Campus Villach
Europastraße 4
9524 Villach, Austria
+43 5 90500 7700
villachfh-kaerntenat
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