EE 791D
Data Converter Design 2
Introduction
1
Data Converters
Signal
Conditioning
-Amplification
-Anti-aliasing
filter
ADC
MCU
DAC
Post
Processing
ex. Smoothing filter
• Analog-to-Digital Converters (ADCs) provide an interface from
the outside world to a computing system
• Digital-to-Analog Converters (DACs) provide an interface from a
computing system to the outside world
2
Why This Course on Data Converters?
• Needed to interface with the physical world
• Data converters are everywhere – huge market
• Demand for increasing data converter
performance keeps growing
• System-on-a-chip applications mean that data
converters are in truly mixed-signal applications
• Data converters are typically the bleeding edge of
analog/mixed-signal design
• Data converters are notoriously difficult to design
3
Why is data converter design difficult?
• Need high precision from imprecise parts
• Very large, complicated systems, so simulation is difficult (and sometimes
impossible)
– Many, many transistors – simulations can last hours/days
– Convergence problems
• These are mixed-signal systems
– Noise
– Coupling
• Often require advanced processing and/or post-fabrication correction
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–
–
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Laser trimming
Fuses
Interaction with DSPs
These techniques complicate design/simulation
• Different from other analog systems
– Deal with large signals (not small-signal modeling)
4
Tentative Schedule
Week
1
2
Date
8/21
8/28
3
9/4
4
9/11
5
6
7
9/19
9/25
10/2
8
9
10
11
10/9
10/16
10/23
10/30
12
13
14
11/6
11/13
11/20
15
Final
11/27
12/4
Topic
Class Policies
Review of Data Converter Subcircuits
Review of Data Converter Fundamentals
Review of DACs and ADCs
Review of Oversampled Converters
Quiz
Project Selection Presentation
Noise in Analog/Mixed-Signal Circuits
Noise in Analog/Mixed-Signal Circuits
Quiz
Verilog-A Simulation Presentations
Topic 2
Topic 2
Topic 2
Quiz
FPAA Implementation Presentations
Data Converter State of the Art
Data Converter State of the Art
Data Converter State of the Art
Design Review Presentations
Thanksgiving Break (No Class)
Quiz
Final Project Presentations
5
Expectations Coming into Class
•
•
•
•
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That you will participate!
That you will actually do the reading
Emphasis on doing, simulating, and creating
That you remember (or can relearn) Cadence
That we will be able to find a time to meet
outside of class time for brief project updates (for
the final project)
• A willingness to experiment and search for
answers
6
CLASS MECANICS
7
Reading Assignments/Synopses
• Reading synopses
– Short write-ups on what you read
– I would expect these to be approximately 2-3 pages of text
• Longer more if you include figures
– I would highly recommend that you retain a copy of your summaries
• Very useful for preparing for quizzes
• Use the provided coversheet
– Statement saying that you actually did the reading
• Not applicable for the first two weeks – since review only
• First two weeks is purely review
– No required reading
– Allen and Holberg chapters 8 and 10 (second edition, available online through
the library website) will likely prove useful
– Any way that you can refresh yourself with the information will be acceptable
– We will be using these ideas all semester long and will be assuming you know
them
8
Class Presentations
•
•
•
•
Presentation covers a portion of the reading assignments
Typically one presentation per person every other week, or so
Due midnight the night before the presentation is to be made
Target presentation time = 10-15 minutes (if no discussion)
– 10-15 minutes should be your guide as to how much detail to include
– If you are much shorter, then it means you have left out too much
detail
– If you are much longer, then it means that you have included too much
detail
• You should become an expert on this subject matter – you are
leading the discussion
• This is a time for discussion!
– Bring your ideas and questions
• Please, minimize the bullet points. (Do the exact opposite of this
presentation)
– Pictures are much better
9
Participation in Class
• This class is a group effort, so participation is
necessary
– Talking, adding ideas, asking questions are all
encouraged
10
Quizzes
• Targeted 4 quizzes for the semester
• The week after the last associate reading assignment was
discussed in class
• Usually around 20-30 minutes
• Focus on understanding concepts, as opposed to solving
problems
• There will be questions related to the journal paper
readings
• Example questions
– What does INL stand for, and what does this concept mean?
– Draw the block diagram of a ramp ADC. Explain the basic
operation of this ADC in as much detail as possible.
– What was the main contribution by [authors] in [paper name]?
• This is a time for you to show what you know about what
we read and discussed the previous couple of weeks.
11
Mini Projects
• A few smaller projects, mostly leading up to
the Final Project
• Most of these will be useful stepping stones or
largely related to the final project
• Reports are in the form of slides
• You will present your mini projects during
class time
12
Final Project
• A complete ADC design!
• Work in teams of 2
• Due during Finals week
– Presentation
– Simulation
– Layout
• These designs will be fabricated
• This project will encompass the entire semester, so we
will be starting very soon
• I’m open to suggestions for particular topics, but
otherwise, I can help create project ideas
13
Topic 2
14