Course detail

CAD in Electronic Circuits

FEKT-BREOAcad. year: 2016/2017

Students become familiar with basic principles of computer-aided design of electronic circuits. They will learn to use the CADENCE PSpice simulator for circuit analysis and characterization in DC, AC, and time domains; analysis of influence of device parameter tolerances on circuit behavior; and optimization. Further, models of passive and active circuit elements and blocks, creation of new model and part libraries are explained. The methods and procedures are demonstrated on computer-aided design of elementary electronic circuits with operating amplifiers and transistors (amplifiers, oscillators, filters). In frame of an individual project, students will design and characterize a given electronic circuit.

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

5

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

prof. Dr. Ing. Zdeněk Kolka

Department

Department of Radio Electronics (UREL)

Learning outcomes of the course unit

The graduate is able to (1) apply basic methods for analysis of electronic circuits in the DC, AC, and time domains; (2) use advanced methods for tolerance design and optimization; (3) completely design an electronic circuit and perform its characterization.

Prerequisites

Fundamentals of electronic devices (passive and semiconductor devices) and electronic circuits (basic laws, elemental circuits) are the pre-requisites.

Co-requisites

Not applicable.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Teaching methods depend on the type of course unit as specified in the article 7 of BUT Rules for Studies and Examinations. The methods include lectures and computer laboratories. Course is taking advantage of e-learning (Moodle) system. Students have to write a single project/assignment during the course.

Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes

Students can obtain 35 points for the activity in computer labs. An individual project is honored by 35 points (maximally), and the midterm test is honored by additional 30 points (maximally).

Course curriculum

1. Spice language: syntax, part definition, subcircuits, models, libraries.
2. Methods for circuit simulation in DC, AC, and time domains, initial conditions, parameters.
3. Advanced function of post-processor.
4. Tolerance and sensitivity analysis, Monte Carlo, worst case analysis.
5. Optimization. Symbolic analysis.
6. Modeling of electronic devices and structures.
7. Behavioral models of complex structures, operational amplifier.
8. Analysis of feedback, stability, and compensation.
9. Design of oscillators.
10. Design of analogue frequency filters.
11. Analysis of influence of parasitic elements of active devices.
12. Design and optimization transistor circuits.

Work placements

Not applicable.

Aims

Lectures are aimed to present basic methods and software tools for computer simulation, design, and optimization of electronic circuits and systems; creation of simulation models of basic elements and more complex subsystems; design of elemental circuits with transistors and operational amplifiers.

Specification of controlled education, way of implementation and compensation for absences

Evaluation of activities is specified by a regulation, which is issued by the lecturer responsible for the course annually.

Recommended optional programme components

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

KOLKA, Z. Simulace elektronických obvodů v PSpice. Skriptum VUT v Brně, 2012. (CS)
MALIK, N. R. Electronic Circuits: Analysis, Simulation, and Design. Prentice Hall, 1995. (EN)

Recommended reading

Not applicable.

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme EECC Bc. Bachelor's

    branch B-EST , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective specialised

  • Programme EEKR-CZV lifelong learning

    branch EE-FLE , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective specialised

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

13 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

prof. Dr. Ing. Zdeněk Kolka

Syllabus

Historical overview of computer analysis of electronic circuits, survey of present most popular programs and their features. Relation between physical system and its model.

Basic methods for circuit analysis: DC operating point, transient analysis, steady state analysis, and symbolic analysis.

Advanced analyses, post processing, sensitivity and tolerance analysis, Monte Carlo.

The Spice language, device definition, subcircuit, models. Basics of electronic device modeling: Categorization of models. Semiconductor devices - model equation, parameters, identification.
Models of operating amplifiers. Block and formal models, HF models.

Selected parts of circuit design with respect to simulator employment: Feedback - basic conception, influence on circuit parameters, compensation. Practical methods for stability determination. Basic blocks with bipolar and unipolar transistors and operational aplifiers- operating point, analysis, design.

Exercise in computer lab

39 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

prof. Dr. Ing. Zdeněk Kolka

Syllabus

1. Introduction into PSpice design system. Basics of operation exercised in analysis of simple nonlinear circuit.

2. Transistor characteristics, design and verification of DC operating point, small-signal parameters, harmonic distortion, time domain power analysis.

3. Tolerance and sensitivity analysis in the DC and AC domain. Monte Carlo and Worst-Case analyses. Determination of maximum allowable tolerances.

4. Modeling of tantalum capacitor by means of optimization.

5. Functional model of operating amplifier derived from datasheet. Its transformation into netlist and insertion into library.

6. Feedback, stability, compensation in a circuit with operating amplifier.

7. Design of transistor amplifier. DC operating point. Approximate symbolical analysis. Tolerance and temperature analysis.

8. Design and optimization of two-transistor amplifier.

9. RC oscillator.

10. Design of analog frequency filter.

11. Nonlinear functional block with operating
amplifier.

12. Simple PCB design in OrCAD.