Analogue and Mixed-Signal System-On-Chip Design

Course Overview:

This specialisation course has two main goals:

  1. To build on your existing VLSI knowledge from earlier electronics courses by introducing key advanced concepts and practical insights into analog and mixed-signal circuit design.
  2. To help you understand the critical challenges involved in designing complete mixed-signal integrated circuits, especially at submicron and nanometer scales.

What You’ll Learn:

We’ll start by reviewing advanced transistor models—like subthreshold operation, continuous models, second-order effects, and noise behavior—as well as the properties of integrated components such as transistors, capacitors, and resistors.

Next, you'll learn a structured approach to designing key building blocks like transconductors and operational amplifiers (OpAmps). We’ll explore circuits including Miller, symmetrical, and folded-cascode OTAs, and cover important topics like fully differential amplifiers (FDA), common-mode feedback, and rail-to-rail input/output solutions.

In the final part of the course, we’ll dive into mixed-signal circuit blocks such as:

  • Current and voltage comparators
  • Translinear circuits
  • Charge pumps
  • Delay-locked loops (DLLs)
  • Time-to-digital converters (TDCs)

You’ll also explore data converters, including:

  • Analog-to-digital (A/D) and digital-to-analog (D/A) converters
  • Sampling techniques
  • Sigma-delta modulation

By the end of the course, you’ll have a solid understanding of how to design and analyse complex analogue and mixed-signal systems—skills that are essential for cutting-edge VLSI and IC design work.

Offering main image
Any further Information?

This course requires physical presence. Please copy this link into your browser to learn more about the application procedures for Unite! partner university students.
https://telecos.upc.edu/en/mobility/foreign-students

University Origin (UPC) Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya
Tuition Fees https://telecos.upc.edu/en/study-programs/masters/masters-degree-in-electronic-engineering-mee?set_language=en
Course Start Date 2026-02-12
Link to more Information

Website

Language Offered English
Format Physical
Field of Study Microelectronics
Course End Date 2026-06-19
End of Application Period 2025-12-01
Credits (ECTS) 5
Beginning of Application Period 2025-10-01
Academic Cycle Master's