Analogue Integrated Circuits and Systems Design

BASIC PRINCIPLES of Integrated circuit technologies, CMOS, BiCMOS and comparison. Active and passive devices available in base-core module of the CMOS technology and their models. 

Parameters and devices performance comparison with scaled down technologies to 100 nm and beyond. Basic lithographic steps for CMOS circuit fabrication. 

IC CIRCUIT DESIGN: overview of integrated circuit specifications, circuit geometry, design rules, process documentation. 

Professional CAD tool CADENCE overview for schematic and geometry entry, circuit simulation, analysis and optimization.  

Chip geometry design, constrains, design rules (DRC), technology limitations, mixed signal A-D circuit guidelines. Parametric analysis. 

DIGITAL BLOCKS: basic logic and sequential blocks on MOS device level (NAND, NOR, INV, D-FF).   

ANALOG BLOCKS: Circuit parameters, requirements and constraints, basic guidelines. Basic building blocks design as current mirrors, current and voltage references, bandgap reference sources, low noise amplifiers, power amplifiers, current and voltage comparators and their applications.  

I/O PERIPHERAL structures for electrostatic discharge (ESD), electromagnetic compatibility EMC, and robustness to latch-up. 

SENSORS ON ASIC: presentation of different sensors as a part of integrated circuit and their signal processing 

This lecture builds the foundation for understanding the analogue integrated circuit design. The objective is to become familiar with the many technology fundamentals required to design high-performance analog circuits. This is training for thinking and finding solutions. 

Lectures are prepared in Slovene language, projected and on board, literature in English and Slovene language; lab work in Linux environment, project oriented lab work on 180nm (supported by EUROPRACTICE and LNIV) in CADENCE environment. Lab work based on individual work – each student on individual workstation. 

 Lectures attempts to present the critical concepts of VLSI without complicated system analyses.