Analog Circuits and Systems through SPICE Simulation

This course is supposed to provide a comprehensive design example, utilizing (and building upon) the basic concepts covered in a UG Analog Circuits course. All the essential circuit fundamentals, like-DC biasing, small signal analysis, signal-swing, linearity, noise, frequency-response, single-stage, multi-stage and differential amplifier topologies, feedback topologies, stability and oscillation, operational-amplifier circuits (transistor level), will be applied to a practical design example. In the beginning of each module, the required theoretical background will be covered in brief, before going towards the circuit design and simulation. The course will start with the description of the overall target system to be simulated, namely, an Analog Frontend for ECG signal acquisition. Higher level specification of the entire system will be discussed and linked to the specifications of the essential building blocks. The initial modules will start from components like basic amplifier topologies, where the basic circuit concepts will be demonstrated through simulation. The course will then move towards the design of building blocks of the target system, making use of all the concepts covered during the initial phase. Finally some interesting design challenges will be addressed, which may be particular to the target application.

This course is expected to be a very comprehensive supplement to course on Analog Circuits and can be instrumental in stimulating interest and developing aptitude among the participants. Open source simulation platforms like PSPICE or LT-SPICE will be used, so that all participants can carry out the simulations described in the course. In line with the present industry scenario, we will mostly rely on MOSFET circuits. In the simulation examples, a clear distinction between bred-board circuit design (commonly practiced in a UG course) and integrated circuit design will be made at all stages.

This course can be very useful for UG as well as PG students, along with research scholars in the initial phases of their PhD study and course work. We expect this course to be also very valuable for teachers willing to utilize the presented content in for their class.

INTENDED AUDIENCE : Electronics/Electrical Engineering students interested in developing deeper insight into Analog Circuit Design, by applying all they learn in Analog Circuit Course in building an entire application. This course should also be helpful for teachers who wish to use this material for their courses.PRE-REQUISITES :

• Basic Understanding of Analog Electronic Circuits

• MOSFET device operation
• Basics of signal processing
• Basics of digital logic circuits.

INDUSTRY SUPPORT

• SCL
• Chandigarh
• SAC Ahemadabad (ISRO)
• Sankalp Semiconductor
• Maxlinear (tentative)
• Texas Instruments (Tentative)

COURSE LAYOUTWeek 1: (a) System Description, and Block and Circuit Level Specifications. (b) GUI based SPICE simulation for basic Single stage amplifiers. Week 2: (a) Differential amplifier (fully differential and current mirror load) (b) 2-stage OPAMP (with single ended and fully differential outputs). Week 3: (a) Feedback Amplifiers Circuits using OPAMP. (b) Stability and compensation Week 4: Design of common-mode feedback for fully differential OPAMP Week 5: Noise analysis for frontend amplifier. Week 6: Transistor level design for frontend amplifier and VGA Week 7: Design of Gm-C filters Week 8: Single Slope ADC specifications and building blocks Week 9: Comparator design considerations Week 10: Design and description of digital control Week 11: Transistor level implementation of Digital building blocks Week 12: Dynamic offset cancellation using servo loop