Learning objectives
Knowledge:
the main goal of the course is to provide the students the knowledge of both theoretical and practical aspects required to design an analog integrated circuit in CMOS technology. In particular:
-theory: advanced analog electronics and architectures of analog circuits in CMOS
-practical: usage of EDA-CAD tools, design techniques and guidelines for analog circuits
Provided skills:
At the end of the course the student is able to:
-find out the most appropriate architecture of the analog block to be designed
-size (W/L,L,R,C, etc.) the device of an analog circuits from the spec.s table
-plan and implement a verification strategy for the designed circuit with advanced EDA-CAD tools
In particular in the part of the course dedicated to the design-lab. each student is required to implement
the theory learned in the oral lessons in the design of analog circuits (i.e. from a single-transistor amplifier to a quartz oscillator).
Communication skills:
in the lab. activity the student will improve its ability to:
-write a brief report of a design
-present a project with the related design choices and issues and the achieved simulation results
Soft skills
-developing a project working in a group of 2-3 units.
Prerequisites
Electronic devices (MOS transistor)
Basic analog electronics (the concept of circuit linearization, single-transistor amplifiers, differential amplifier, black-box operational amplifier)
Noise in electronic devices (resistor and MOS transistor)
Course unit content
THEORY (42 hours):
1 CMOS technology: integrated passive devices and non-idealities (4 hours)
2 MOS transistor for analog circuits (2 hours)
3 High-precision current mirrors (2 hours)
4 Integrated CMOS amplifiers (14 hours)
4.1 single-transistors amplifiers
4.2 Operational Amplifiers
4.3 Differential amplifiers
5 Analog design technique based on gm/Id and inversion factor (2 hours)
6 Noise in CMOS amplifiers: low-noise design guidelines (3 hours)
7 Output stages for CMOS opamps (2 hours)
8 Switched-capacitor circuits: theory, architectures and design techniques. (4 hours)
9 Voltage and current references (4 hours)
10 Crystal oscillators (2 hours)
11 Circuit simulators for analog circuits (3 hours)
11.1 Simulation algorithms: DC and TRAN analysis
11.2 Single-ended and differential opamp: simulation techniques
LABORATORY (21 hours)
1. CAD for electronic design (EDA-CAD): Cadence Design Framework
2. Design of analog cells in CMOS technology
3. Layout of analog integrated circuits: basic theory and example
Full programme
THEORY:
1 CMOS technology: integrated passive devices and non-idealities
2 MOS transistor for analog circuits
3 High-precision current mirrors
4 Integrated CMOS amplifiers
4.1 single-transistors amplifiers
4.2 Operational Amplifiers
4.3 Differential amplifiers
5 Analog design technique based on gm/Id and inversion factor
6 Noise in CMOS amplifiers: low-noise design guidelines
7 Output stages for CMOS opamps
8 Switched-capacitor circuits: theory, architectures and design techniques.
9 Voltage and current references
10 Crystal oscillators
11 Circuit simulators for analog circuits
11.1 Simulation algorithms: DC and TRAN analysis
11.2 Single-ended and differential opamp: simulation techniques
LABORATORY
1. CAD for electronic design (EDA-CAD): Cadence Design Framework
2. Design of analog cells in CMOS technology
3. Layout of analog integrated circuits: basic theory and example
Bibliography
B. Razavi, ``Design of Analog CMOS Integrated Circuits'', Mc Graw Hill
P. E. Allen, D. R. Holdberg , "CMOS Analog Circuit Design", 2nd edition, Oxford University Press
K. S. Kundert, “The Designer's Guide to Spice and Spectre”, Kluwer Academic Publ.
Slides available at the www pages of the course (access to lea.unipr.it portal)
Teaching methods
The course is based on:
-oral lessons, providing advanced knowledge in the field of analog integrated circuits in CMOS technologies.
-analog design laboratory
The design lab activity is based on:
-training for the usage of the advanced EDA-CAD tool (Cadence Design Framework) to be used for the design projects in the course
-Projects in working groups (2-3 students) of analog circuits presented and analysed in the oral lessons. Teacher is available for assistance.
The projects activity is mandatory to access to the final exam.
Assessment methods and criteria
The final exam is oral and is focused on:
-theory (CMOS technology for I.C. analog design, analog I.C. design in CMOS, simulators for analog circuits and simulation techniques. The impact of this part on the final rank is about 65%.
-presentation of the reports on the design projects (all or a few of) carried out in the lab. activity. The impact of this part on the final rank is about 35%.
Students must obtain a minimum rank (18/30) in both parts to pass the exam.
The working groups are registered at the beginning of the lab. activity and are required to send to the teacher the report of each assigned project (pdf format) within the communicated deadline.
The reports are written by the working group, while the presentation of the reports is carried out by each student, individually, during the exam.
Participation to the lab. activity is mandatory for getting access to the exam.
Other information
WWW pages of the course at the http://elly.dii.unipr.it portal (a key provided by the teacher is required for access; registration is mandatory)
-slides
-projects guidelines
-teacher-to-student communications
