Biomedical Electronic Systems

Code:

EBE0236

Acronym:

ESB

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Biomedical Engineering

Instance: 2019/2020 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Bioengineering

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MIB	5	Syllabus	4	-	6	56	162

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

The students will complement the previously acquired knowledge in the semiconductors domain with the study of the physics and models of CMOS technology devices, as well as will familiarized with the eletronic circuits fabrication process, in order to better know the capabilities and limitations of the technologies with which an engineer has to deal with when designing implantable electronic microsystems. After a deeper study of the feedback and of frequency analysis and compensation techniques, made in the context of the study of analog and mixed-signal fundamental blocks, the students acquire the essential knowledge and competences to analyze and design signal capture and conditioning and stimuli generation circuits in implantable biomedical microsystems.

Learning outcomes and competences

Once the students had previously acquired basic knowledge on analogue and mixed-signal circuits and acquired experience in the acquisition and processing of physiological signals using instrumentation and dedicated software tools, the contents of this curricular unit allow complementing the knowledge in the domain of design of signal amplification and processing circuits. Being the treatment of these contents made at the transistor level and being eletronic circuits prototyping processes studied, conditions are met to allow students to assume the design and characterization of biomedical microsystems at a more advanced level.

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

Knowledge of circuits analysis, systems and signal theory. Analysis of circuits with bipolar and MOS transistors. Previous attendance of Signals and Eletronics and Biomedical Instrumentation courses.

Program

- Review of solid-state physics concepts and of low and high frequency models of semiconductor devices: PN junction diode, field effect transistor in MOS technology.

- Review of feedback, frequency response and amplifiers stability concepts: general properties of feedback amplifiers; classification of feedback circuits; performance characteristics of voltage sampling and current comparison circuits; positive feedback circuits; analysis of the frequency response of single and multi-stage amplifiers; analysis of amplifiers stability and frequency response compensation. Analysis of amplifiers noise performance.

- Other fundamental cells of analogue and mixed-signal circuits: switch, current sources and mirrors, voltage references, comparators, multipliers, Gm-C circuits.

- Tuned amplifiers: Analysis of LC loaded amplifiers; topologies of tuned amplifiers.

- Oscillators circuits: fundamental principles of harmonic oscillating circuits; topologies of oscillator circuits; multivibrator circuits: monostable, bistable, and astable.

- Modulation and demodulation of bioelectric signals: modulation of sinusoidal carrier in the frequency domain; modulation and demodulation of sinusoidal carriers; modulation and demodulation of digital carriers; phase and frequency modulation and detection. Lock-in amplifier.

- Case studies: E.g., neuromorphic circuits – implementation of neuronal functions, applications of neuromorphic electronic circuits and biomimetic circuits; cochlear implants, cardiac stimulating circuits, wireless power supplying of electronic implants.

Mandatory literature

Baker R. Jacob; CMOS circuit design, layout, and simulation. ISBN: 0-7803-3416-7
Northrop, R. B. ; Analysis and application of analog electronic circuits to biomedical instrumentation., CRC Press, 2003. ISBN: 978-1439866696

Complementary Bibliography

Iniewski Krzysztof 340; VLSI circuits for biomedical applications. ISBN: 978-1-59693-317-0

Teaching methods and learning activities

The methodology to be followed is that of complementing the theoretical study with the lab approach in order to complement the cycle of specification, design, functional analysis, physical design, and optimization of the circuits. In the tutorial classes the topics are presented with reference to the adopted study material. Examples are also studied and problems are solved. In the lab classes bench work involving simulation, making use of CAD tools, and experiments will be made. The first assignments will be of a tutorial type, being progressively adopted an approach that calls for the autonomous design capacity of the student. The final work will be the project of a circuit after a set of specifications which feature common requirements of biomedical microsystems.

The tutorial classes will be dedicated to the presentation of the different contents seeking in each topic to relate the presented electronic circuits with their versions and characteristics in the specific field of biomedical systems. In the final classes dedicated to the study of specific cases, each group will be in charge of preparing the study and presentation in the class of the case it has been assigned with.

The lab work will be carried out by groups of two students in order to stimulate the team cooperation in the study, analysis and realization. The assignments will be defined so that the presentation of the different topics in the tutorial classes is complemented with the simulation and experimental verification. For each one of the assignments the students will prepare a short report where the raised questions are answered and a critical analysis of the obtained results is made.

In the final development project each group will have to resort to a review of pertaining literature in order to obtain the best solution to comply with the specifications of the assigned problem and will have to prepare, besides the report, an oral presentation to be made in a dedicated session, of all developed work as well as of the obtained results.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Exame	40,00
Participação presencial	24,00
Trabalho laboratorial	36,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	50,00
Frequência das aulas	59,00
Trabalho laboratorial	53,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

The continuous assessment component is based on the individual  interaction with students in the lab classes and in the assessment of the practical assignments. To be admitted to exams, students have to reach a minimum average grade of 8/20 in the continuous assessment component. Laboratorial classes are mandatory and students cannot miss them in a number higher than that allowed by the rules.
All students will be assessed with this procedure, even those with a special status (working students, students’ association leaders…). Any situation, in which students cannot attend to classes will be analysed on a case by case basis in order to minimize drifting from this process.

Calculation formula of final grade

Final Grade = 60%*Continuous Assessment + 40%*Exam- Students have to reach a minimum grade of 8 out of 20 in the exam and a minimum grade of 9.5 out of 20 in the final grade .

The distributed assessment comprises the evaluations of the individual aptitude in the realization of the lab work (20%), of the results and submitted reports (60%), as well as that of the final project presentation (20%).

Students who attended this course in a previous year and reached a minimum grade of 8 in the Continuous Assessment component, do not need to attend lab classes. Final grade will be calculated as above.

Examinations or Special Assignments

All students have to fully and objectively complete all assessment components, being not foreseen, in a first instance, other criteria for extraordinary situations. These will be subject to individual analysis.

Internship work/project

Development of a small project in the last third of the lective period.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

All students have to fully and objectively complete all assessment components, being not foreseen, in a first instance, other criteria for extraordinary situations. These will be subject to individual analysis.

Classification improvement

1. Final Grade: exam
2. Continuous Assessment (in a next year): subject to individual evaluation taking into consideration the accomplished components.