Analogue and Mixed-Signal System-On-Chip Design
Course developed by: Jordi Madrenas Boadas, Electronic Engineering Dept, UPC
Contact: jordi.madrenas@upc.edu
Course Description
The objective of this specialization course is two-fold. First, to complement the student VLSI background acquired in the previous core courses on electronics, stressing on important advanced concepts and providing designer insight in the area of VLSI analog and mixed-signal design. Second, to introduce the critical issues to take into account in the full design of a mixed-signal, submicron/nanometer-scale integrated circuit.
The course starts with a review of advanced transistor models (subthreshold, continuous; second-order effects; noise models) and integrated devices (transistors, capacitors and resistors). Next procedure for the systematic design of transconductors and OpAmps is presented, with focus on the Miller, symmetrical and folded cascade OTA circuits. Fully differential amplifiers (FDA), and common-mode feedback issues. Solutions for rail-to-rail input and output. Output stage configurations.
The last part of the course will review a variety of mixed-signal blocks (current and voltage comparators; translinear circuits; charge pumps; DLLs; time-to-digital converters) and A/D and D/A converters (sampling: digital-to-analog converters; analog-to-digital converters; sigma-delta modulation).
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, students are able to …
- Synthesize and solve problems related to the electronic engineering discipline, to apply learning techniques in complex and multiple contexts, to apply previous knowledge to new situations and contexts, as well as the ability to coordinate and work in a team.
- Analyze, design and evaluate microelectronic integrated circuits.
- Identify and model electronic complex systems. Ability to perform qualitative analysis and approximations, establishing the uncertainty of the results.
- Designs experiments and measurements to verify hypotheses or validate the operation of equipment, processes, systems or services in the field of Electronic Engineering.
- Perform an oral presentation and answer questions from the audience.
- Communicate clearly and efficiently in oral and written presentations on complex topics, being able to adapt to the situation, the type of audience and communication goals.
Course access (restricted to UPC enrolled students only)
Open access provided? No
Course duration: ~ 125 hours
Course type: In-class course
Target audience: Students at Masters level
Course language: English
Is this course free? No
Self-paced course? No
Is the certificate / are the credentials free? No
Assessment type: Exams, labs, final project