The VLSI Systems Center at Ben-Gurion University was founded in 1998 by Prof. Orly Yadid-Pecht. Since then the VLSI Systems Center has become a major research entity in Israel, recognized as the National CMOS (Complimentary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) Research Center in the country and as a leader in the field. Our main contributions are in the area of CMOS image sensors (see our works presented at IEEE ISSCC, IEEE ISCAS, IEEE Image Sensors Workshop and the SPIE Solid State Sensor Arrays conferences); we have pioneered and developed both sensors with wide dynamic range and with additional image processing on chip. These sensors are meant for biomedical applications as well as for star tracking and astronomy purposes. In addition, we work on modeling and optimizing these devices.

We also pursue research with analog and mixed-signal integrated circuit design: low-power mixed-signal design, VLSI implementation of models of visual attention found in biological systems, pattern recognition, image processing and reconstruction and neural networks. The center has made significant contributions to analog/mixed-signal research and has been involved in projects with major Israeli companies such as SCD, Elbit, El-Op, Scitex, Tower and government offices.

We design analog/digital chips at our lab. We use Orcad Spice for electrical simulations, VHDL Synopsys for digital simulations, and Tanner tools for chip layout and verification. In addition, the VLSI Systems Center has been a participant in the Europractice Program since 1999. We provide Cadence advanced EDA tools for students. We have the full suite of the following tools installed on our systems:

Cadence: Logic Design and Simulation - Custom Design and Verification - Static Timing Analysis - Automatic Place and Route - Circuit Simulation - VHDL and Verilog Synthesis - and more.
Synopsys: VHDL and Verilog Simulation and Synthesis, Test Synthesis, Behavioural Compiler.
Tanner Tools: Custom Layout Design and Verification, Standard Cell Design and Logic Simulation.

We send our chips for fabrication either at Tower, Agilent or TSMC through MOSIS. Our chips are tested at the VLSI test lab, operating since June 1999. This lab was initiated with the support of Motorola Semiconductor Israel Limited MSIL. Also, a VLSI design lab, in collaboration with Dr. Matya Katz from the CS department at BGU is also operating. This lab was initiated with the support of Intel. Our research is currently supported by the Ministry of Science, Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Defense in Israel.

Among its accomplishments, the Center has developed special abilities aimed for "smart" systems based on CMOS image sensors and accompanying analog/digital chips, enabling fast, small, cheap and lower-power systems. It has also developed a unique sub-micron scanning test system that permits comprehensive testing of imaging devices, evaluation of their performance and, subsequently, improvement and optimization of future sensor design.

Graduate research thesis and undergraduate final projects at the VLSI lab include the simulation and design of mixed digital/ analog chips, implementing sensors and image processing algorithms, such as neural nets for pattern recognition, image processing filters etc.

Since its establishment, the VLSI Systems Center has graduated over 400 undergraduate and graduate students that are highly sought after by companies in the field. The center has become recognized in conducting research work in collaboration with industry and in providing relevant and timely training to students, both graduate and undergraduates.