Training Course: Analog IC Design (Amplifiers and DC references)

This training course deals with the design of custom-specific integrated circuit amplifiers and DC references.

course objective
target group
starting level
target level
final assignment
duration
description
course contents

course objective

Being capable to specify and design an analog integrated circuit comprising an application-specific amplifier and/or DC reference.

target group

IC designers and technical project managers who have to manage outsourcing of IC design.

starting level

Participants should have the knowledge implied by the courses:

At the end of the course the participants will be able to specify application-specific analog integrated circuits. They also will be able to design amplifiers, level shifts and references in BiCMOS technology.

final assignment

The final exercise comprises the design of an application-specific amplifier in BiCMOS technology. Attention needs to be paid to the following aspects:

Desired type of amplifier regarding the application
Noise behavior
Load drive capability, linearity and overdrive recovery
Dynamic behavior and frequency stability
Temperature stability
Minimization of the influence of interference signals

duration

This course lasts eleven days:

Seven days theory and design-oriented exercises
Three days guidance during working on the final assignment
One day for the final presentation by the participants

description

This course deals with the design of application-specific amplifiers, operational amplifiers, and references using IC technology. Instead of standard solutions, the participants learn one design method, which can be applied at any stage of the design process.

course contents

IC processes and device modeling
1. BiCMOS technology
2. Modeling of semiconductor devices
  1. Device operation and simulation models
  2. Models for hand calculations
Principle of amplification
1. Available power gain and biasing of active components
2. Biasing techniques
  1. Principle
  2. AC and DC coupling
  3. Negative-feedback biasing
  4. Model-based biasing
  5. Auto-zero biasing
  6. Chopper stabilized biasing
CE and CS amplifier stages
1. Available power gain
2. Noise behavior
3. Linearity
4. Dynamic behavior
5. Output drive capability
Application of balancing techniques
1. Differential stages
2. Push-pull stages
Application of negative feedback
1. Balanced and unbalanced local-feedback stages
2. Balanced and unbalanced model-based feedback amplifier stages
  1. Current mirrors
  2. Voltage mirrors
  3. Variable-gain stages
Design of multiple-stage amplifiers
1. Overview amplifier properties and design techniques (see also Embedded Analog Electronics 1)
2. Design of cascaded amplifiers
3. Design of over-all feedback
DC References
1. Design method for voltage- and current references
2. Design of current references
3. Design of voltage references

Training Course: Analog IC Design (Amplifiers and DC references)

table of contents