Design of integrated circuits

Course objectives

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING. Analog processing techniques applied to high data rate systems; architectures and circuital solutions for wideband mixed-signal systems; clock recovery circuits analysis; understanding of integrated design flow in CMOS and/or BiCMOS technologies; layout techniques for analog and mixed-signal IC’s CAPABILITY TO APPLY KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING. Design capability for high-speed signal processing chains up to GHz bandwidths; design capability at system level of high complexity systems such as PLL and CDR; development capability of elementary functions in an integrated design flow in CMOS and/or BiCMOS technology up to the layout level MAKING AUTONOMOUS JUDGEMENTS. Capability of carrying out autonomously the design of an electronic circuit or sub-system COMMUNICATE SKILLS. Capability of document and discuss the design work in a clear, concise and exhaustive way LEARNING SKILLS. Capability of using the acquired knowledge as a starting point to study the issues that come out during the autonomous design work

Channel 1
FRANCESCO CENTURELLI Lecturers' profile

Program - Frequency - Exams

Course program
PULSE ELECTRONICS High frequency wideband electronic design Wideband matching FIBER OPTIC DIGITAL COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS Structure of a fiber optic serial link Transmitter and receiver architecture Direct and indirect laser modulation; Mach Zehnder modulator Photodiode PHASE_LOCKED LOOP Linear analysis of PLL Phase detector: multiplier, XOR Phase-frequency detector and its limits at high frequencies VCO and phase noise PLL behavior in tracking CLOCK RECOVERY Edge detection SAW vs. PLL Frequency acquisiton (PFD vs dual loop) Cordell CDR Richman Quadricorrelator Phase detector for NRZ data: DRML, PD-sampler, bang-bang, Alexander, Hogge Transition density loop Frequency detector: rotational FD Pottbacker PFD Jitter: jitter classification, specifications, system design CML LOGIC CML Logic: levels & swings Elementary logic gates (NOT, AND, XOR) Latch and flipflop Asynchronous frequency divider MUX and DEMUX LINEAR AMPLIFICATION AND LIMITING Noise analysis of transimpedance amplifier Power budget; AGC vs limiting Topologies for the transimpedance amplifier Offset compensation and input matching of the main amplifier Bandwidth expansion techniques (fT-doubler, TasTis, Wakimoto, positive capacitive feedback) INTEGRATION ISSUES Layout of analog circuits Parasitic effects and interconnects Substrate effects ESD protection CAD FLOW Schematic design, analysis, layout design with Cadence (Virtuoso, Spectre) Layout verification Calibre (DRC, LVS) Parasitic extraction and post-layout simulation (StarRCXT) The course includes the design of an analog or mixed-signal circuit or sub-system, to be performed as student autonomous work (usually as team work)
Prerequisites
Advanced knowledge of analog and RF electronics
Books
Razavi, Design of integrated circuits for optical communications, McGraw-Hill Additional material (books and research papers) is available from the teacher
Teaching mode
lectures + lab experience (group design work)
Frequency
This class includes lectures in the CAD lab, thus presence in classroom is required.
Exam mode
evalation of group design work + oral examination
Bibliography
B. Razavi, Monolithic phase-locked loops and clock recovery circuits, Wiley A. Buchwald, K. Martin, Integrated fiber-optic receivers, Kluwer Academic Publishers D. A. Johns, K. Martin, Analog integrated circuit design, Wiley
Lesson mode
This class includes lectures in classroom and in the CAD lab, and a small project carried out by students in small groups.
  • Lesson code1021866
  • Academic year2025/2026
  • CourseElectronics Engineering
  • CurriculumIngegneria Elettronica (percorso valido anche ai fini del conseguimento del doppio titolo italo-statunitense o italo-francese)
  • Year2nd year
  • Semester1st semester
  • SSDING-INF/01
  • CFU6