This course is an advanced introduction to the design of analog and mixed analog-digital integrated circuits for communication and instrumentation applications. An overview of bipolar and CMOS fabrication processes shows the differences between discrete and integrated circuit design. The bipolar and MOS transistors are reviewed with basic device physics and the development of circuit models in various operating regions. The use of SPICE simulation in the design process will be covered. Integrated amplifier circuits are developed with an emphasis on understanding performance advantages and limitation in such areas as speed, noise and power dissipation. Simple circuits are combined to form the basic functional building blocks such as the op-amp, comparator, voltage reference, etc. These circuit principles will be explored in an IC design project, which may be fabricated in a commercial analog process. Examples of possible topics include sample-and-hold (S/H) amplifier, analog-to-digital (A/D) and digital-to-analog (D/A) converters, phase-locked loop (PLL), voltage-controlled oscillator, phase detector, switched capacitor and continuous-time filters, and sampled current techniques.
Prerequisites
Background in analog circuits both at the transistor and functional block [op-amp, comparator, etc.] level. Also familiarity with techniques such as small-signal modeling and analysis in the s-plane using Laplace transforms. Undergraduate course equivalent background ECE 3204; ECE 4902 helpful but not essential