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Reviewer: Albert Alkins Mullin

Recall that Very Large Scale Integrated (VLSI) systems pervade many of the products of the cybernetic marketplace, e.g., advanced computers, high-speed communication systems, and super industrial controllers. Further, VLSI systems and their sister systems, the Very High Speed Integrated (VHSI) systems, are indispensible for solutions to the pressing command, control, and communications problems of the modern cybernetic battlefield, among other problem areas. Indeed, VLSI and VHSI systems are expected to contribute significantly to the performance of ultra-complex signal processing, data processing, sensors, and communications requirements for the emerging “Star Wars” efforts. Here is an outstanding introductory textbook and research reference on the engineering foundations of integrated systems design, working in the VLSI medium of Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) technology. The authors' approach is an evolution from the approach used in the earlier classical work on VLSI systems by Mead and Conway [1], where significant emphasis was given to nMOS technology. In recent years, there has been a major shift in the technological medium used for the design of high complexity and high speed digital microelectronics from nMOS to CMOS. The authors give no special emphasis to the physics of VLSI design or to structured VLSI design. On the other hand, the book clarifies the similarities and differences among various CMOS processes and their influences on system design. In order to keep the level of technical expertise high, several of the sections (e.g., system case studies) were written by the authors' colleagues. Indeed, the authors could even be called editors. Further, the value of the book is enhanced by the inclusion of several multicolored plates depicting various processes, structures, layouts, and design aids. The nine chapters include such basic topics as: (1)an introduction to CMOS circuits; (2)MOS transistor theory; (3)CMOS processing technology; (4)circuit characterization and performance estimation; (5)CMOS circuit and logic design; (6)structured design and testing; (7)symbolic layout systems; (8)CMOS subsystem design; and (9)system case studies. Each of the first eight chapters includes a section of student exercises. Overall, the textbook is clearly written and comprehensive. It will especially appeal to the silicon chauvinist. One must look elsewhere for gallium arsenide technology, so useful for flux hardening. There is precious little on the crucial area of system timing problems (e.g., synchronization failures due to metastable operation), for systems of ultra-high-speed and concurrency. Much experimental work has been done on the defining parameters for metastable operation with nMOS technology. Many systems limitations can be found here, if only the experimenter does not reject too much, too soon, or discriminates too severely. Finally, as we push toward quantum-theoretical limits, circuit switching techniques will be replaced with field switching techniques. The book is highly recommended for students and professionals in computer engineering who are interested in the capabilities and limitations of chip-based CMOS super systems.