Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE MNE3109

 
TITLE Analogue VLSI Signal Conditioning

 
UM LEVEL 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course

 
MQF LEVEL 6

 
ECTS CREDITS 5

 
DEPARTMENT Microelectronics and Nanoelectronics

 
DESCRIPTION This study-unit aims at giving the student a comprehensive overview of the analogue building blocks typically encountered in advanced analogue signal processing carried out through the use of CMOS Integrated Circuits. The unit covers the following topics:

• Two stage CMOS OTAs: Miller OTA, design methods and properties, Fully differential topologies;
• Zero temperature-coefficient references: simple voltage reference, Widlar bandgap reference; Wilson bandgap reference; zero TC current source;
• Integrated output stages: Class A, Class B and Class AB amplifier design;
• Analogue Layout Techniques: layout of transistors, capacitors, resistors and inductors, matching issues and techniques: interdigitation and common centroid. Mixed mode ICs.

Aims:

The study-unit presents advanced building blocks used in analogue signal conditioning and gives an insight into layout techniques needed to physically produce these circuits.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge and Understanding:
By the end of the study unit the student will:

Have knowledge of the issues involved in designing advanced analogue blocks and the capability to use the parameters that are available to the IC design engineer in order to obtain enhanced specific technical properties of these advanced analogue building blocks

2. Skills:
By the end of the study unit the student will be able to:

Use layout techniques that would be needed to effectively obtain, after fabrication, the enhanced technical properties of an actual IC design, so that simulated and test properties are aligned as much as possible.

Textbooks:

• R.L. Geiger, P.E. Allen and N.R. Strader, "VLSI Design for Analog and Digital Circuits", McGraw-Hill, ISBN: 0-07-100728-8

 
RULES/CONDITIONS Before TAKING THIS UNIT YOU ARE ADVISED TO TAKE MNE1103 AND TAKE MNE2701

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture and Tutorial

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Assignment SEM1 Yes 10%
Examination (2 Hours) SEM1 Yes 90%

 
LECTURER/S Joseph Micallef (Co-ord.)

 

 
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit