IC Design - Analog-to-Digital Converter (AC118-71-0)

SynopsisThe need of an interface between the "analog" environment and the digital signal processing is mandatory in our modern life. In practically all applications, data converter is used to digitally control and improve our living comfort and reduce cost. As the processing power in microprocessors and signal processors increases tremendously, tasks in electronic systems, which were in the past performed in the analog domain, are shifted to digital signal processors.

It is the intention of this course to introduce to the participant a basic understanding of the various functional principles of A-to-D and D-to-A converters. The performance limits of ADC and DAC, the complexity and tradeoffs in data converters design will be explained. Without references, biasing and building blocks like op-amps and comparator, the system is not complete. Basics of building block design will be explained and circuit schematics discussed. Layout for matching will be discussed. A section on the testing of data converters will also be included.

The 2-day design course comprises of lecture sessions on the basics of data converters, building blocks required, testing of data converters, hands-on sessions using SPICE simulator and a complete 8 bit SAR-based ADC project will be explained. To conclude the course, a layout example of an 8-bit ADC will also be discussed.

At the end of the course, the participant should be able to design a complete ADC using basic building blocks at circuit level.

Course Highlight
The course includes hands-on sessions using SPICE simulator and a fully-guided project in which a complete 8-bit SAR-based ADC is designed. In addition, a layout example of an 8-bit ADC will also be discussed in details. At the end of the course, the participant should be able to design a complete ADC using basic building blocks at circuit level.

What previous participants say about this course
Answers to the question 'what did you like most about the course'

• "Circuit examples & improvement to circuit. Detail explanation of circuit adv & dis-adv" - 26 Jun 08
• "Circuit discussion" - 26 Jun 08
• "Very detail explanations on the transistor level" - 26 Jun 08
• "Derivation of formula. Few options to same application" - 26 Jun 08
• "Design with examples" - 26 Jun 08
• "Transistor level design, receiver design, DAC design, thermal sensor" - 26 Jun 08
• "Many circuit examples, good axamples" - 26 Jun 08

What You Will Learn

• Specifications of data converters
• Overview of different types of DAC: R-2R ladder, current steering, charge - scaling, pipeline
• Overview of different types of ADC: Integrating, flash, 2-step flash, pipeline, SAR, oversampling
• Design of basics building blocks for data converter: reference, operational amplifier, comparators
• Testing methodologies employed for data converters
• System/Circuit simulation and verification of designs with SPICE simulator
• Industrial-standard design software for the design of an analog design from the target specifications
• Layout consideration and discussion on a SAR-based ADC.

Who Should Attend

• Fresh graduates who are looking forward to join the analog IC design professions /semiconductor industries.
• Layout/mask designers who are interested to understand the "why" and "how" of their layout.
• Designers and engineers who would like to use analog ICs or would like to gain knowledge on SPICE simulator
• Designers and engineers who have been working or involving in analog IC design and analog board-level system design.

PrerequisiteBasic Electronic and Analog circuit knowledge is necessary.

Course MethodologyThis course is presented in classroom style with hand-on practical sessions using industrial-standard software and hardware.

Course Duration2 days, 9am - 5pm

Course StructureDay 1
1) Discussion on specifications of data converters 
2) Introduction to functional principle of data converters

• DAC: Resistor based, Current steering, Charge scaling, Pipeline
• ADC: Integrating, SAR, Pipeline, Over-sampling

3) Design and analysis of building blocks

• Reference
• Operational Amplifier
• Comparator

4) Design Review of a SAR-based ADC

• Block-by-block discussion

Day 2
5) System/Circuit simulation of an 8-bit ADC 

• Verification on building blocks (Current mirror/Voltage reference/Bias circuits and etc.) using EDA tool (SPICE) 
• System verification on the entire design

6) Testing methodologies for data converter

• DC performances 
• AC/Dynamic performances 

7) ADC Layout

• Design consideration for data converter
• Case study of ADC layout