ANALOGUE AND RF MICROELECTRONICS (UNIT 2)
Learning outcomes of the course unit
The course provides advanced knowledge required for approaching the design of Analog Integrated Circuits and RF circuits (with bothMMIC or RFIC techniques).
Course contents summary
Transceivers’ architectures and RF basics
Black box schematic of an RF transceiver; non linearity issues: desensitization, cross-modulation, CP and IIP3, cascaded of non-linearity; noise issue: NF. Receiver sensitivity, selectivity and dynamic range. Super-heterodyne receiver: architecture, advantages and issues. Homodyne receiver: architecture, advantages and issues. Image-rejection receivers: Hartley and Weaver solutions. Transmitter’s ACP. Transmitter architectures: direct-conversion and double conversion: advantages and issues..
Matching
Noise, power and line matching. Matching networks: using discrete components or microstrip. Stub: single and double stub matching techniques. Using the Smith chart in the design of the matching networks.
LNA (Low Noise Amplifier)
Gain consideration: power gain, transducer power gain and available power gain; Noise consideration. Stability consideration. Constant gain, noise and stability circles. Amplifier design: optimizing for power and noise. Design of integrated LNA.
VCO
Design of RF VCO. Phase noise and tuning range.
Simulation techniques
Harmonic-balance and SpectreRF.
CAD laboratory
Design and simulation of LNA using ADS.
Recommended readings
B. Razavi, “RF Microelectronics”, Prentice-Hall.
David M. Pozar, “Microwave Engineering, 2nd edition”, Wiley
Teaching methods
The exam comprises an oral part and two designs:
-an analog macro (opamp, bandgap, etc.) to be designed with Cadence
-a LNA to be designed with Agilent ADS
Design report and Cadence database for the Analog IC design part and a report on the design Activity with ADS for the RF Electronics part have to be provided to the Professor before accessing to the exam;
The oral part, if preferred, may be split in two parts: Analog IC design and RF Electronics.
