Analog and Digital Circuit and Component Design

10  RF and Microwave Filter Design with EM Simulation
Filters are one of the fundamental building blocks of RF and microwave systems, along with amplifiers, oscillators, mixers, and switches. Filter design and realization can be challenging for several reasons. No one technology or filter topology is suitable for all applications. There is also a fundamental limitation imposed by the relationship between unloaded Q and volume. 
Many of the simpler design procedures can sometimes arrive at geometries that are unrealizable, and the available literature is generally focused on theory rather than practical information on realization. However, with a few basic concepts in hand, even the non-specialist can achieve useful results. 
Electro-Magnetic (EM) simulation is also an essential component of modern filter design.We now have the ability to model and optimize complete filter structures in the EM domain. Current developments in cluster computing and multi-threading promise to enhance those capabilities as well. 
12  Embedded Data Converters
Powerful digital signal processing has been the key enabler of many technological breakthroughs during the last decades. So-called 'digital' communications brought us a worldwide wireless communications network and high-speed wireline internet access. Processor based mechatronical systems have increased efficiency, reduced waste, and raised security in nearly every application you may think of.
The interface between the "analogue" environment and the digital signal processing is the data converter. Steadily increasing resolution and bandwidth of the A-to-D and D-to-A converters, at no additional area or power consumption, were the other key enablers of this progress. 
Following the trend to ever higher integration levels today most data converters are embedded in a System-on-Chip together with a selection of RF, analog, and digital blocks, complete DSPs, µPs, or even MEMS. This defines another paradigm change, posing new chances and new challenges to the concept engineers and to the designers: now they have a complete system in their hands, with all chances for optimization, but also with the need to understand the complete system as well as the tradeoffs between the various blocks and solutions. 
19  RF and Microwave Circuit Design: Applications and Theory
Although RF circuits are generally considered to be circuits that operate from tens of MHz up to 1GHz, and microwave circuits at frequencies beyond that, boundaries based purely on frequency are rarely appropriate. Analog integrated circuits based on lower-frequency design methodologies can now operate well into the microwave range, purely because of smaller feature sizes that are now available in CMOS and silicon-germanium technologies. BiCMOS integrated circuits that operate in the microwave frequency range, designed using low frequency architectures, are now abundant. 
However, classical microwave circuit design techniques are still important to model and understand problems arising from noise, mismatch, circuit losses, and limited bandwidth. We will focus on circuits that are differentiated from their historically lower-frequency counterparts by several features. In RF and microwave design, the phase shift of the component is significant because its size is comparable with a wavelength, its reactances and parasitics must be accounted for, and reflections occur between elements. We need to consider circuit losses that degrade the Q of an element as well as introduce noise, and nonlinearities that introduce distortion into the signal path. Electromagnetic radiation and capacitive coupling will also be features of such circuits. With integrated circuits, these 'RF and microwave' effects are most commonly observed when assembling circuits together at higher frequencies into systems, or when using discrete or custom devices. 
24  Macromodeling, Simulation and Test of Data Converters
Data Converters suffer from a wide range of non-ideal effects such as mismatch, parasitics, finite gain / bandwidth / slew rate, offset, noise and so on and so forth. Many of these effects are random effects of statistical nature. They also depend on first and second order characteristics of the process technology, layout, packaging, pinout etc. It is practically impossible to describe all these effects for all possible architectures, sizings, layouts on device (“SPICE”) level and to compare all the simulation results to decide on the best implementation.
It is thus necessary to build higher level models which include all relevant effects, at least in the first order, but are still simple enough for quick modifications and efficient study of various layouts, topologies etc. Simulation times must not go beyond minutes. The relevant effects must, of course, be understood to be able to simplify and model them.

When Data Converter models are coded and simulated, when first hardware samples come in, and finally during production, they have to be analyzed and their performance determined. Even if the converter should not be directly measured during production test, direct access is required for first characterization, to establish correlations between analysis and production test, and in case of problems. Time versus frequency domain, static versus dynamic characterization – the test methodology must yield the specified variables. Without thorough understanding of the underlying basics misinterpretations and large errors are possible.
57  Synchronization and Interconnect in Multi-Clock Domain Systems-on-Chips, SoC
Larger and faster SoCs employ multiple clock domains on the same die for several reasons: Communications with external real-time or pre-defined clocks require chips to incorporate multiple, unrelated clock frequencies; it is more economical in very large chips to break down the system into independently clocked domains, saving some of the power required for clock distribution; and dynamic scaling of voltage and frequency creates multiple clock/voltage domains. This course teaches the science, engineering and art of synchronization.  

 
85  Phase Locked Loops for Wireless Communication Systems
Phase Locked Loop frequency synthesizers are key buildingblocks in wireless communication systems. Today, the industry is making huge progress towards total integration into one piece of silicon together with other building-blocks needed for a complete radio, all with the goal to make wireless products affordable and comfortable in use. This course enables engineers to understand the principles of PLL circuits and its applications and to design PLL synthesizers optimized for a given application. It introduces advanced technologies of frequency synthesis used in modern communication devices.
86  RF Component and System Measurements
Radio frequency and microwave techniques are of increasing importance to industrial, communication, home, and office applications. Production testing, design verification, and sometimes even the design itself require highly specialized measurement and test techniques. Accordingly, there is a rising demand for engineers who have a sound knowledge in RF and microwave laboratory measurement techniques.
We will focus on features and applications of signal generators, spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, and signal analyzers, including the most commonly used accessories. Practical examples will demonstrate the proper use of RF measurement equipment.
91  Applied Radio Design: From System Architecture to PCB Implementation
Wireless technology penetrates more and more applications in the industry, the home and the office. The semiconductor industry offers a wide range of IC devices for wireless transmitters and receivers. It is the charter of the RF circuit designer to implement these ICs on a PCB according to the system architecture. 
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