First and foremost, I am deeply indebted to my supervisor, Associate Professor Chang Chip Hong, for all of his invaluable guidance, continuous technical and personal support during my PhD candidature at Nanyang Technological University. His many years of research experience and unique sense in engineering research have led to a very effective and insightful guidance to my research work. In particular, I wish to thank him for teaching me the philosophies of research and intangible skills, which are the most important knowledge I have acquired in this research program. What I have learned from him will benefit me well beyond my graduation in my future career and personal life. Special thanks to Mrs. Chang for her continuous concern and kindness, from which I gained lots of wonderful memories. I really treasure the time spent with them. I would like to thank Dr. Gu Jiangmin and Dr. Hossam A. H. Fahmy for their valuable discussions, suggestions and support in the research work. I would also like to thank the fellow members from the Chip's Family for the long run friendship, and invaluable help pertaining to my research. To the staffs and other students in the Center for Integrated Circuits and Systems (CICS) and the Center for High Performance Embedded Systems (CHiPES), I wish to convey my appreciation to all of them for their kind and friendly i ATTENTION: The Singapore Copyright Act applies to the use of this document. Nanyang Technological University Library ii assistance. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would also like to express my gratitude to my previous supervisors and colleagues in the Institute of Microelectronics (IME). I would not have been here in Singapore if Dr. Xue Ping had not recruited me as a digital Ie designer in 2001. I would like to thank Ms. Doreen Yeo Lee Guek and Mr. Wang Zhongjun particularly for their guidance in the early stage of my career. I am grateful to my fiance Li Qiang for his devotion, understanding, and patience. I would never know whether I am able to go through the tough time without his support. He is the most important source of inspiration, encouragement, and happiness. My parents are always there for me and always have faith in me. It is never enough to say thanks to them. I dedicate this thesis to my parents with all my love.