Theory of electronic circuits

Course objectives

ENG GENERAL The course covers the main techniques of systematic design of electronic circuits. The essential core of the course is the theory of the synthesis of linear active continuous-time and discrete-time circuits. The different technologies for the implementation of transfer functions (filters) and for the synthesis and transformation of impedance by means of active circuits are studied. SPECIFIC • Knowledge and understanding: to know the different technologies for the implementation of transfer functions (filters) and for the synthesis and transformation of impedance through active circuits. Starting from the classical technologies based on operational amplifiers, the most modern design methodologies of active circuits oriented to the implementation on CMOS integrated circuits will be explored. The final part of the course will deal with the implementation of IIR and FIR digital filters. • Applying knowledge and understanding: to apply active filter design methodologies, ability to perform the entire design flow from system level, to CMOS circuit implementation. • Making judgements: ability to make appropriate design choices based on the required specifications, also considering the required silicon area and power consumption requirements. • Communication skills: to be able to describe the design flow followed, justifying the choices made at the various design steps, through appropriate calculations or simulation results. • Learning skills: ability to independently carry out a project assigned by the teacher in which the main concepts studied in the theory lessons are applied. Ability to use the CAD software used during the course.

Channel 1
GIUSEPPE SCOTTI Lecturers' profile

Program - Frequency - Exams

Course program
• Introduction (historical notes and applications). • Implementation of transfer functions by means of active RC circuits o Filters implementation based on Operational Amplifiers o First and second order filters o Biquad cells  Single Amplifier Biquads (SAB): Sallen- Key (LP, HP), Deliyannis (BP,AP), Friend (Generalizzata).  Biquad based on the two integrators loop (KHN, Tow-Thomas, Generalized Tow-Thomas )  Sensitivity  Effects of operational amplifiers non-idealities o Immittance Simulation  Generalized impedante converters: NIC, PIC, Girator, Anthoniou GIC • Implementation of high order filters o criteria for selecting the type of implementation o Cascaded Biquad cells : coupling of poles and zeros, choice of the sequence in the cascade of biquad , gain distribution in the various biquad filter . o Multiple loop feedback filters:  “Follow the leader feedback” o Simulation of lumped LC networks:  Inductance substitution  GIC impedance transformation  Simulation of voltages and currents: “Leapfrog” filters • Gm-C Filters o OTA and elementary operations (amplification and sum of tensions , integration, simulation of resistors, gyrathors) . o Gm-C first and second order filters o Gm-C biquad cells  Gm-C biquad based on the two integrators loop: Biquad wo tuning with constant Q  Gm-C biquad based on lossy integrators: Biquad with wo and Q independent tuning  Integrators non-idealities and effects on the biquad response o Fully differential Gm-C integrators  MOSFET-C integrator  Gm-OTA-C integrator o Gm-C filters based on component substitution o Gm-C leapfrog filters o Transconductor topologies and linearization techniques. • Current mode Filters o Current mode processing o Voltage-current duality and the adjoint network principle o Current operational amplifiers Biquad o Building blocks based on current conveyors • Switched capacitors filters o Fundamental priciples of switched capacitor (SC) circuits o Switched capacitor integrators o First and second order SC filters. • Digital Filters o IIR Filters based on the bilinear transformation; o FIR Filters based on “windowing” techniques; • Lab Application examples
Prerequisites
Elettronica I e II, Teoria dei circuiti.
Books
• M. Balsi, "Teoria dei Circuiti Elettronici", Siderea, Roma, 2002 • T. Deliyannis et Al. “Continuous Time Active Filter Design,” CRC PRESS 1999. • L. Thede “Practical Analog and Digital Filters Design,” Artech House 2004. • Course slides
Teaching mode
Frontal Teaching and computer exercises.
Frequency
Attendance is not mandatory but highly recommended.
Exam mode
Design report and oral examination
Lesson mode
Frontal Teaching and computer exercises.
  • Lesson code1042023
  • Academic year2025/2026
  • CourseElectronics Engineering
  • CurriculumIngegneria Elettronica (percorso valido anche ai fini del conseguimento del doppio titolo italo-statunitense o italo-francese)
  • Year1st year
  • Semester2nd semester
  • SSDING-INF/01
  • CFU6