After reviewing MOS transistor physics and theory, the course explores design techniques for analog integrated circuits, with a focus on designing CMOS operational amplifiers and comparators for mixed analog-digital systems. Additionally, the course covers layout techniques specific to analog circuits. These circuits serve as the foundation for signal processing systems across a wide range of electronic applications. Beyond theoretical study, the course aims to familiarize students with industry-standard CAD design tools used by integrated circuit designers. By the end of the course, students will have mastered basic analog building blocks, learned how to combine them into complex functions (operational amplifiers, voltage comparators, bandgap circuits), acquired analog layout techniques, and gained hands-on experience with professional CAD tools.
Prerequisiti
Although these concepts are briefly reviewed at the start of the course, a basic understanding of MOS transistor theory is required to follow the material effectively.
Lectures combine digital presentations with blackboard explanations and numerical examples. Practical sessions involve designing and simulating basic analog building blocks at the transistor level using professional CAD tools.
Verifica Apprendimento
The final exam consists of an oral examination, with grades awarded on a 30-point scale. During the course, each student is assigned a design project to present and discuss during the oral exam alongside the theoretical topics. If a student chooses not to complete the design project, their maximum achievable grade is capped at 26/30. The oral exam evaluates the student's grasp of the course content. Students will be asked to draw schematic diagrams of circuits covered during the course and explain their key characteristics and operating principles.
Testi
F. Maloberti, "Analog Design for CMOS VLSI Systems", Kluwer Academic Publishers, 2001.
Contenuti
The MOS transistor: Review of properties and I-V characteristics, CMOS technology, equivalent circuits, noise, and layout.
Integrated resistors, capacitors, and switches: Accuracy, design considerations, and layout techniques.
Basic building blocks: Inverters with active load, cascodes, cascodes with cascode loads, differential stages, source followers, threshold-independent level-shifters, and improved output stages.
Current and voltage sources: Current mirrors, current references, voltage biasing, and voltage references.
CMOS operational amplifiers: Design principles and performance characteristics, basic architectures, two-stage amplifiers (differential gain, common-mode gain, offset, frequency response and compensation, slew rate), single-stage architectures (telescopic, mirrored, folded, and high-DC-gain single stages), class-AB amplifiers, and fully differential amplifiers.
CMOS voltage comparators: Design principles and performance characteristics, offset compensation, and latches.
