28651 - Electronics T-A

Learning outcomes

The course aims to provide basic knowledge of manufacturing processes, the operation of elementary electronic devices, and analog and digital circuit analysis.

Course contents

- Recommended Background 

A prerequisite for understanding the course topics is knowledge of linear electric circuit theory. In particular, students should be able to analyze the behavior of linear circuits under both steady-state and transient conditions.

- Fundamentals of Electromagnetism and Transport Theory

Insulating, conductive, and semiconductor materials.

- Semiconductor Devices

p–n junction. MOS transistor. Description of the operation of n-MOS and p-MOS transistors. Operating regions and constitutive equations.

CMOS inverter. Operating regions of the transistors, calculation of currents, and static input–output characteristics. Power consumption. Transient behavior of the CMOS inverter. Calculation of rise and fall transition times.

Parasitic components of n-MOS and p-MOS transistors: calculation of the input capacitance of the CMOS inverter.

CMOS logic. General characteristics of Pull-Up and Pull-Down networks. Gate topologies, analysis, and synthesis of logic functions.

Switching times and sizing of MOS transistors in CMOS logic.

- Signal Theory and Digital Processing

Analog, digital, and binary signals. Analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog conversion processes. Digital signal processing. Embedded systems, warehouse-scale computers, and data centers. “Non–von Neumann” architectures. Topology of electronic systems and computer architectures. Major technological and architectural trends. Quantitative principles of computer design. Fundamentals of memory hierarchies.

- Binary Number System and Logic Gates

Binary and hexadecimal representations. Conversion from decimal to binary and from binary to decimal. Operations on binary numbers: addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and two’s complement representation. - Combinatory Circuits Introduction to switching algebra. Logic variables and logic expressions. Synthesis of logic functions based on canonical forms. Karnaugh maps: adjacency rules and grouping. Coverage and normal forms. Network analysis using Karnaugh maps. Examples of combinational circuits.

- Sequential Circuits Bistable circuits.

D-type latches and D flip-flops. Examples of sequential circuit implementations. Analysis and synthesis of finite state machines. Timing of sequential circuits. Temporal parallelism.

- Arithmetic Circuits Implementation of a full adder.

Operation of a ripple-carry adder. Subtractor circuits. Operation of multipliers: serial ripple-carry multipliers and parallel multipliers.

- Memories

Memory classification: volatile and non-volatile memories. Matrix organization with row and column decoders. Operation of the 6-transistor SRAM cell. Read and write operations in SRAM. DRAM memory structure. Read and write operations of a DRAM cell and associated issues. Introduction to non-volatile memories. ROM, PROM, and Flash memories. NOR and NAND array architectures. Operation of Flash memory and electron injection into the floating gate.

- Microcontroller-Based Systems

Main low-power characteristics of microcontrollers.

Readings/Bibliography

M. Rudan, Tavole di Microelettronica, Pitagora, 3ª Ed., 2001.

M. Rudan, Physics of Semiconductor Devices, Springer, 1a edizione 2015, 2a edizione 2018 (l’errata corrige di questo libro è pubblicata in «Virtuale»).

D. M. Harris, S. L. Harris, Sistemi digitali e architettura dei calcolatori, Zanichelli, 2017, ISBN: 9788808920737

J. M. Rabaey, A. Chandrakasan, B. Nikolic, Circuiti integrati digitali, L’ottica del progettista, 2ª Ed, Pearson, 2020.

A. S. Sedra, K. C. Smith, Circuiti per la Microelettronica, EdiSES, 2019, ISBN: 978-88-3319-054-9

P. Spirito, Elettronica Digitale, McGraw-Hill, 2006.

F. Fummi, M. Sami, C. Silvano, M. Lora, Progettazione digitale, McGraw-Hill, 2007.

https://www.zanichelli.it/ricerca/prodotti/sistemi-digitali-e-architettura-dei-calcolatori

Diapositive e altro materiale, insieme con la registrazione audio delle lezioni, sono disponibili sulla piattaforma "Virtuale".

Teaching methods

The course is structured around in-class lectures that present the fundamental concepts of Electronics. In particular, the focus is on the basic circuits of Digital Electronics and their role within modern electronic systems. Each theoretical topic is followed by several sessions devoted to the solution of exercises and specific problems, highlighting the applied nature of the discipline and aiming to provide students with the methodology for the analysis and design of simple digital circuits.

Assessment methods

Assessment of learning outcomes is carried out through a final examination aimed at verifying the acquisition of the expected knowledge and skills. The examination consists of a written test with a duration of two hours.

The written test typically includes a combination of exercises and theoretical questions in multiple-choice format, with the objective of assessing the achievement of the learning outcomes specified in the course syllabus. The exam includes one or more exercises/questions for each teaching module and is designed to evaluate the ability to analyze circuits implemented with MOS transistors, the main circuit blocks composing the ALU, the operation of semiconductor memories, and the different types of computer systems, including their performance, cost, and power consumption characteristics.

Registration for the examination via the electronic notice board is mandatory and must be completed in accordance with the specified deadlines. Students who are unable to register by the deadline are required to promptly notify the academic office (and in any case before the official closure of the registration lists). Admission to the examination in such cases is at the instructor’s discretion.

Students may review their examination paper and request clarifications on the occasion of the grade recording session immediately following the exam date. Requests to review the examination paper during alternative office hours are limited to exceptional cases and must be supported by a valid justification.

Teaching tools

With the exception of copyrighted material, the teaching materials presented in class will be made available to students by uploading them in electronic format to the "Virtuale" platform.

Office hours

See the website of Davide Brunelli