Teaching top down design of analog/mixed signal ICs through design projects

Abstract

This paper describes a project course that focuses on the design of analog and mixed signal circuits through a systematic top down design flow. In the project, the student will be involved in the planning, modeling, circuit level design, physical level implementation and measurement verification of for example a successive approximation (SA) ADC or a class-D audio amplifier. Throughout the project, the project members will improve their design skills and create an understanding for the importance of a systematic top-down design methodology at the different levels of the design flow.