Integrated circuit teaching through top-down design

This paper describes the organization, development, and results of an integrated circuit design course where the bottom-up teaching approach adopted in textbooks has been managed in conjunction with the top-down strategy of modern design methodologies. The deliverables and milestones established for the teaching, learning, and design activities have been successfully met up to the level of obtaining simulation results demonstrating the functional and/or electrical performance of a number of application specific integrated circuits for communication systems which not only exhibit some innovative solutions but also demonstrate potential practical applicability in industry