Course detail

Methods of Analog Integrated Circuits Design

FEKT-MKC-NAIAcad. year: 2021/2022

The course deals with moderately advanced methods of analog integrated circuits with respect to a more detailed understanding of the parasitic effects in terms of accuracy and noise. Used technologies (bipolar, CMOS and BiCMOS).
The course content is:
- Design and simulation of a small analog system
- Methods for accurate design, calculation of matching (Matching Analysis)
- Noise analysis in theory and in practice

Practically-oriented exercises on real precision low-noise design of analog circuits.
Computer exercises with usage of the advanced software packages (Cadence).

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

6

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

Ing. Roman Prokop, Ph.D.

Department

Department of Microelectronics (UMEL)

Learning outcomes of the course unit

After the course the student is able to:
- design a simple analog system (trained on analog circuitry for a switching power supply source controller)
- understand, explain and perform design and analysis of accurate analog integrated circuit (precise operational amplifier, precise voltage reference, precise current reference)
- design, analyze and optimize analog integrated circuit with regard to low noise requirements
(Emphasis will be placed on practical skills (engineering calculation, verification simulation).

Prerequisites

The knowledge on the Bachelor´s degree level is requested. Students should be able to explain and work with the basic electrical engineering principles and laws, in particular the theory of circuits (circuit variables, Ohm's law, Kirchhoff's laws). The advantage is the prior completion of the course MAIO (design and analysis of current mirrors, operational amplifiers, voltage bandgap references, etc.)

Co-requisites

Not applicable.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Techning methods include lectures and numerical laboratories including computer simulations.

Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes

Requirements for completion of a course are specified by a regulation issued by the lecturer responsible for the course and updated for every.
usually:
- 30 points for two written tests during semester
- 70 points for the final exam (written test + oral correction)

Course curriculum

1) PWM OSCILLATOR CONTROLLER BLOCK

- BG reference
- Current reference
- Vcc clamp (parallel controller)
- V-> I converter with thermally stable offset
- Double-ramp oscillator with VCO characteristics
- Vcc reset
- Vcc management (UVLO circuits)
- Error circuits


2) THE BASIS OF THE PRECISION CIRCUITS DESIGN

- The main concept of the precise design
- Basic equations for error calculation in analog circuits
- Method of Monte Carlo
- Precise transistor pair
- Accurate current mirror
- The precise differential stage (MOS / bipolar, resistive/active load)
- Accurate two-stage operational amplifier
- Error Calculation using the match nomogram



3) NOISE

- Definition of noise density and integral noise value and their relationship
- Correlated and uncorrelated noise contribution
- Noise characterization of active element
- Resistor noise and BJT noise
- The equivalent bipolar transistor input noise
- MOS transistor noise, equivalent MOS transistor input noise
- Basic concept of low-noise design
- Designl of a low-noise differential stage (MOS, bipolar)
- Noise of the differential stage with active load



4) DESIGN OF THE PRECISE LOW NOISE BG REFERENCE

- Basic principle of accurate BG reference
- Identification of dominant error contributions
- Multiple dVbe principle
- Precise low-noise BG reference without additional filtration
- Precise low-noise BG reference with bypass capacitance
- Bypass capacitance pre-charge circuits

5) DESIGN OF THE PRECISE LOW-NOISE OPERATIONAL AMPLIFIER

- Calculation / simulation of the precise OPAMP minimum offset in MOS and BJT process
- Calculation / simulation of the precise OPAMP minimum noise in MOS and BJT process
- Design of the precise OPAMP second stage (parallel / Miller frequency compensation)
- Calculation of the noise and errors of the OPAMP second stage
- Design of the precise OPMAP first stage
- Frequency compensation, phase margin optimization

Work placements

Not applicable.

Aims

The aim is to provide students with the orientation of advanced design methods of modern analog functional blocks for integrated circuits. Emphasis is put on the design of the precise low noise circuits. Students also learn to work with a professional design environment CADENCE at such a level that they will be able to design and draw a basic analog circuits and simple systems and simulate them using basic types of analysis.

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

The content and forms of instruction in the evaluated course are specified by a regulation issued by the lecturer responsible for the course and updated for every academic year.
Usually: Credit is conditional upon attendance in computer labs

Recommended optional programme components

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

Baker, J.R.:"CMOS circuit design, layout and simulation", IEEE Press a Wiley Interscience, ISBN 0-471-70055-X, 2005 (EN)
Razavi:"Design of analog integrated circuits", McGraw-Hill, ISBN 0-07-238032-2, 2001 (EN)

Recommended reading

Not applicable.

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme MPC-EKT Master's 2 year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

26 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

Ing. Roman Prokop, Ph.D.

Syllabus

Distribution of IC, design process, design software tools. Technologies (bipolar, CMOS, HBiCMOS).
Current mirrors, voltage and current references for integrated circuits. Circuit design, layout.
Differential stage, operational amplifier, basic structures and behaviour. Circuit design, optimalization, compensation techniques and layout.
Modern trends. Current- and mixed-mode circuits. Principle, performance and comparation against klassical techniques. SC and SI principle.
Transconductance and transimpedance amplifiers. Structures and performance. Design, optimalisation and layout.
Current and voltage follower. Basic structures for modern functional blocks. Circuit design, layout.
Current and voltage conveyors. Block structures. Special types. Classification, circuit structures and applications. Design of basic types, optimalisation and compensation.
Operational amplifier with current feedback. Current conveyor based opamps. Performance and design. Comparison with classic opamp structures.
Switch-current basic function blocks. Converters. Switch-current desig techniques problems. Layout design rules for SI circuits.
Low-power and low-voltage design techniques. Performance and requirements. Principles and strategies for low-power and low-voltage design.
Design of RF analog integrated circuits. Problems and requirements. RF layout techniques.
Design of high-power integrated structures. Design rules, layout. Temperature compensation.
Modern trends in field of integrated circuits production.

Exercise in computer lab

39 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

Ing. Roman Prokop, Ph.D.

Syllabus

Design software tools (CADENCE, Mentor Graphics). Design rules.
Used technologies. Layout correction and compensation of technology process errors.
Current mirrors. References for integrated circuits. Circuit design, layout.
Differential pair. Operational amplifier. Block structures. Design and layout.
Current and voltage followers. Circuit design, layout.
Transconductance and transimpedance amplifiers. Design, optimalisation and layout.
Current and voltage conveyors. Design, optimalisation and compensation. Layout.
Current conveyor based opamps. Performance and design.
Switch-current basic function blocks. Layout design rules for SI circuits.
Low-power and low-voltage design techniques. Principles and strategies for low-power and low-voltage design.
Design of RF analog integrated circuits. RF layout techniques.
Design of high-power integrated structures. Design rules, layout.
Modern trends in field of integrated circuits production.