Design of Mixed-Signal Integrated Circuits

Code:

M.EEC053

Acronym:

PCIAD

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Systems Electronics and Digital Systems

Instance: 2024/2025 - 1S

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

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
M.EEC	19	Syllabus	2	-	6	45,5

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

The constant miniaturization made possible by semiconductor technology is responsible for virtually all modern technological developments. Microelectronics, associated with the design of integrated circuits (microchips), makes this reality possible and forms the fundamental basis of today's systems.

The objective of this course is to provide students with the ability to analyze and design integrated circuits using CMOS technology, taking into account specific specifications and constraints due to the limitations of the technologies. To achieve this, students need to understand the physics of the devices so that they can grasp the operating principles and functional models of transistors in order to use them effectively in the design and simulation of circuits.

Understanding the sources of parametric variation associated with manufacturing process variations and sensitivity to external factors allows students to understand the need to optimize functional performance and adopt best practices in design and structural layout for implementation on monolithic substrates.

This knowledge is applied to the design of devices for analog-focused integrated circuits, supported by digital auxiliary circuits to optimize the function to be implemented.

Learning outcomes and competences

By the end of this course, the student should be able to:

• Understand the underlying physical principles, limitations, capabilities, and manufacturing of circuits in submicrometer CMOS technologies;
• Understand the simulation models of active and passive devices implemented in CMOS technology;
• Analyze and design CMOS circuits following principles that promote “first-time right” solutions, considering behavioral limitations and the operational conditions of signal amplitude and frequency;
• Simulate and structurally design integrated circuits using advanced CAD tools;
• Write technical reports, present, and publicly defend the work developed.

Working method

Presencial

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

Knowledge of basic electronics (equivalent to undergraduate Electronics 1 and Electronics 2).

Program

Throughout the course program, and when appropriate, digital control methods are introduced to support the analog function, either to calibrate for process variation or to improve the characteristics of the circuit in operation.

1. Review of semiconductor physics and the MOS transistor;
2. Advanced models of MOS transistors;
3. Technology, manufacturing processes, and the effect of process variability on characteristics;
4. Implementation of active and passive devices on monolithic silicon substrates and their respective models;
5. Optimized structural design of mixed-signal CMOS circuits;
6. Circuit simulation, “corner” analysis, and Monte Carlo – evaluation of PVT (process, supply voltage, and temperature) sensitivities;
7. CMOS amplifiers;
8. Power management circuits;
9. Gm-C filters;
10. Switched-capacitor circuits;
11. A/D and D/A converters.

Mandatory literature

B. Razavi. ; Design of Analog CMOS Integrated Circuits., McGraw-Hill , 2016. ISBN: 9780072524932

Complementary Bibliography

R. Jacob Baker; CMOS: Circuit Design, Layout, and Simulation (4th Edition), IEEE Press & Wiley, 2019. ISBN: 9781119481515
T. Carusone, D. Johns, K. Martin; Analog integrated circuit design (2nd Edition). ISBN: 9780470770108

Teaching methods and learning activities

The following methodology attempts to strike a balance between theoretical exposition, conceptual analysis of functional blocks and sizing, and design using CAD tools:

• Theoretical classes: presentation of content, analysis of illustrative examples, and problem-solving. Student participation is encouraged through the preparation and presentation in class of short synthesis papers, monographs, and project results. Homework: (1) solving problems to deepen the delivered content, (2) preparation of assignments to be carried out in the laboratory;
• Laboratory classes: use of microelectronics CAD tools to apply the concepts learned in the design of mixed-signal circuits. Students are expected to write a technical report on their project and defend it in a classroom setting.

Software

Cadence
Matlab

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Exame	40,00
Trabalho prático ou de projeto	40,00
Trabalho escrito	20,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	64,50
Frequência das aulas	45,50
Trabalho laboratorial	52,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

The laboratory component is of utmost importance in the learning process; it is here that students have the opportunity to apply and practice the different concepts learned:

1. Attendance at the laboratory component is mandatory and subject to legislation regarding the maximum number of allowable absences.
2. Justifying an absence does not remove it from the count for the purpose of academic performance; students must make up the missed work in another class or during extracurricular time, provided that this is authorized by the instructor and in a manner that allows for verification of its completion.
3. Access to any exam requires a minimum of 10 out of 20 in the laboratory component.

Calculation formula of final grade

The grading comprises three components:

• Final Exam — Expected duration of two hours, which includes a closed book component and an open book component;
• Homework — exercises, possible essays, and their presentation;
• Laboratory Work — development of assignments and final project, including produced documentation and presentation.

CF	–	Final Grade;
E	–	Exam;
HW	–	Homework;
PL	–	Laboratory Work;

CF = 0.4×E + 0.2×HW + 0.4×PL

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

The lab component is mandatory for all students, with no exceptions, but with the caveat of absences as indicated in the Eligibility fo exams section of this course syllabus.

Classification improvement

The distributed component (HW and PL) retains its weight, both for the regular exam and for the "recurso", as well as in the case of improvement. The same applies to any special exam periods. This means that the final grade is always determined by:

CF	–	Final Grade;
E	–	Exam;
HW	–	Homework;
PL	–	Laboratory Work;

CF = 0.4×E + 0.2×HW + 0.4×PL