Analog/Digital System Design

Aim

The course provides theoretical and practical depth in the development of digital/analog systems with the aid of advanced Electronic Design Automation (EDA) software. The course reinforces and further develops analog and digital circuit theory, while it also gives a practical introduction to design and fabrication of Integrated Circuits (ICs) using CMOS technologies. Techniques for analog and digital design are presented. Design of a functional integrated circuit from specification to verification and optimization will be completed in form of an industrial-like project and a professional project report. After passing the course the student should know:

• Explain the main steps of a CMOS process.
• Understand and compare the analog and digital models of CMOS transistors.
• Describe the relationships between physical and electrical characteristics of a MOS transistor and explain their effect on different transistor parameters, such as time delay, maximum frequency of operation, power consumption.
• Analyze and compare advanced analog ICs based on CMOS techniques, such as different types of current sources, amplifiers, filters and comparators.
• Analyze and compare simple digital circuits based on different CMOS techniques.
• Explain the process of designing complex analog/digital systems starting from simpler analog/digital circuits.
• Present project results in written form (technical report) and oral presentation.

Content

CMOS transistor, from physical structure to electrical characteristics. Advanced analog ICs based on CMOS techniques, such as different types of current sources, amplifiers. Analog design techniques. Digital circuits based on different CMOS techniques. Combinational and sequential logic circuits. Digital design techniques. Mixed-signal circuits, such as comparators. Analog/digital systems design aspects. Design of Phase-Locked Loop (PLL) circuits and other PLL-based circuits. Using EDA-tools for modelling of analog/digital systems. Different types of simulations. The design project relays on team building, project planning, pre-study, independent project work in the lab. Moreover, the design of an analog/digital circuit will include circuit schematic capture, development of own simulation set-ups, verification and optimization of all subcircuits and, finally, of the entire system.