35148 - Electronics for analogic signal processing (2nd cycle)

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, the student has competence in the design of analog electronic modules and systems for signal synthesis and processing. Specifically: - He knows how to design different types of signal synthesis modules, including sinusoidal oscillators, relaxation oscillators, generators for some classes of spread spectrum waveforms and aperiodic waveforms, crystal oscillators, timers, etc; - He is able to design signal processing blocks based both on continuous and discrete time approaches. Particularly, he can design switched capacitors and switched current circuits; - He has basic knowledge on how to encode information in low depth formats, suitable for: switched mode power converters operating with a high energy efficiency; as an intermediate representation in data conversion; or in frequency synthesis systems such as fractional PLLs.

Course contents

• Introduction to signal processing and synthesis using analog circuits
• Circuit design for signal generation
  • Tools for analysis and synthesis of quasi-sinusoidal oscillators
  • Quartz oscillators
  • Relaxation oscillators
    • Astable multivibrators
    • Monostable multivibrators and timers
  • Circuits for the generation of aperiodic and chaotic signals
  • Introduction to Phase-Locked-Loop (if course schedule allows)
• Non-linear analog functional blocks
  • Logarithmic and antilogarithmic circuits
  • Rectification circuits and piecewise linear function implementations
  • Multipliers
• Design techniques for signal processing circuits without resistors:
  • gm-C architectures
  • Discrete-time analog circuits
    • General considerations
    • Switched-capacitor circuits
    • Switched-current circuits
• Modulation techniques for low-depth encoded signal synthesis
  • PWM (Pulse-Width Modulation) and PDM (Pulse-Density Modulation)
  • Delta-sigma modulation
    • Applications in waveform encoding.
    • Applications in high-energy efficiency power conversion.

Readings/Bibliography

The main written material that students should refer to consists of the lecture notes. Since the course covers and compiles various topics, there is no single textbook that can be referenced. However, during the course, the instructor will indicate:

• useful texts for further exploration of specific topics;
• recently published articles in international scientific journals.

Additionally, the instructor will provide a portion of the educational material directly through the AMS Campus website, which includes:

• PDF files with the slides used during the lectures (each file will be available only after the corresponding lecture)
• Demonstrative code for all simulations and experiments conducted during the lectures
• Documentation related to seminars that may be included in the course
• Articles and other materials useful for delving deeper into the subjects covered in the course.

Some texts that might be interesting for further study of fundamental concepts are:

1. L. O. Chua, C. A. Desoer, E. S. Kuh, "Linear and Nonlinear Circuits," McGraw-Hill.
2. Calzolari P. Ugo, Graffi Sergio, “Elementi di Elettronica,” Zanichelli.
3. A. V. Oppenheim, R. W. Schafer, “Discrete Time Signal Processing,” Prentice-Hall.
4. A. Antoniu, “Digital Filters: Analysis, Design and Applications,” McGraw-Hill.

Teaching methods

The course consists of:

• theoretical lectures held in the classroom;
• computer-based demonstrations;
• in-class exercises.

During the course, students are encouraged, with the help of the instructor, to conceive a small project and develop it using formal methods, simulations, and possibly even prototyping and laboratory measurements. They are then invited to produce a brief report on the project. This activity is optional.

Assessment methods

The assessment of the level of competence achieved is carried out through a final oral examination.

The exam aims to evaluate both the understanding of the theoretical aspects of the course and the acquired ability to apply them to solve practical problems. It consists of three questions, two of which focus on theoretical aspects, and one, more applied in nature, where students are asked to set up the solution to an analysis or design problem.

If the number of students participating in the course exceeds 25, the final oral exam may be replaced by a written test.

Given the availability of an oral exam, students who wish to do so can replace the applied question of the oral exam with the discussion of a report they have written on a topic of their choice from those covered in the course.

Teaching tools

During the course, the following teaching aids will be used:

• Personal computer and simulation/assisted-design software to demonstrate the fundamental concepts
• Circuit level simulators (Spice-like: LT Spice)
• System level simulators (Matlab/Simulink-like: Scilab/Xcos; Python based: scipy)
• Design assistants (Python based: scipy, pydsm)
• Video projector and slides
  

Office hours

See the website of Sergio Callegari