84529 - LABORATORY OF ELECTRONIC DESIGN

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, students learn to control the modern methods of electronic design on drawing analog and digital signals from experimental apparatus used in Physics. Students also acquire knowledge of the technological processes that are the basis of digital integrated circuits. In particular, they are able to design circuits with analog components and discrete digital circuits and verify their operation. Students are also able to design and test the operation of digital architectures. Finally, they possess the knowledge to design relatively complex virtual instruments.

Course contents

The course provides the basic skills, in relation to modern methods of electronic design and processing analog and digital signals, to treat signals from devices used in experimental physics. In particular are treated the operational amplifiers in the various configurations and negative-feedback amplifiers.

Study of the n and p-channel MOS transistor and its model for small signals. Study of configurations of amplifiers with common drain and common source.

Study of technological processes as base of the CMOS digital integrated circuits. Examples of MOS circuits used in microelectronics.

Study of transmission lines with equations, constants and termintion methods for good transmission of waveforms.

The course also provides skills to design and test relatively complex digital architectures through the use of VHDL. Technological parameters and characteristic times of the logic gates and sequential logic.

A laboratory experience is concentrated in the programming and testing of an FPGA device.

A part of the course is dedicated to the study of the high frequencies, of the transmission lines and the approach of all the experimental problems which emerge during the transmission of high frequency signals. We study the passive and active analog filters with operational.

An experience is dedicated to the measurement of the effects due to the high frequencies used.

Teaching methods

The course is divided into 32 hours of laboratory exercises and 32 hours of lectures.

Each student must make a lab experience, executing it alone and provide a final report, to be chosen among the proposed issues.

Assessment methods

The overall evaluation consists in:

- an oral evaluation on all matters of the course,

- an assessment of the laboratory made by the student

Teaching tools

Students will have the transparencies related to topics covered in the course and the material covered during the laboratory experiments.

Office hours

See the website of Alessandro Gabrielli

See the website of Gabriele Balbi

See the website of Ignazio Lax