Advanced Analog Electronics (3 op)

Tavoitteet

Knowledge and understanding:

Learning a number of important advanced analog technologies used in modern-day electronics. This includes analog power amplifiers, Current Feedback OpAmps (CFO), Operational Transconductance Amplifiers (OTA), Phase Locked Loops (PLL) and Radio Receiver Architectures. Simulation examples in Microcap will be treated for each of these topics.

Understanding the trade-offs involved in the circuit design and acquiring insight into the details of operation. Understanding the unique possibilities created by certain advanced analog technologies.

Skills:

Simulation and analysis of circuits in Microcap (free software). Theoretical analysis of circuit properties, comparison to simulation, insightful interpretation of results.

Sisältö

Power amplifiers:
Class A amplifiers
- Theoretical maximum efficiency derivation
Class B amplifiers
- Derivation of theoretical maximum efficiency
- Lab demonstration
Class D amplifiers
- Use of power MOSFETs as switches. Properties and limits.
- Extensive overview of the principles of operation of class D amplifiers
* Half bridge and full bridge configuration
* Boost voltage for high-side NMOS
* Pulse width modulation (PWM)
* Power supply pumping effects
* Dead time and its tradeoff with distortion specifications
* Efficiency
* Output filter requirements
* DC offset problems
* Types of distortion
- Example of industry-standard fully integrated class D amplifier IC
- Lab demonstration

Current Feedback OpAmps (CFO’s):
- Model for Voltage Feedback OpAmp (VFO) and Current Feedback OpAmp (CFO)
-Derivation of frequency behavior for a non-inverting feedback amplifier with VFO versus CFO
- Why gain and bandwidth can be set independently from each other with a CFO.
- Stability issues with CFO’s.

Operational Transconductance Amplifiers (OTA’s):
- Internal workings and model of an OTA
-Use of OTA’s in the linear region or in saturation
- Many circuit examples with OTA’s, such as:
* Variable gain amplifiers
* Analog multipliers
* Voltage controlled oscillators
* Voltage controlled resistors
* Voltage controlled filters
* Schmitt-trigger with adjustable hysteresis

Phase Locked Loops (PLL’s):
- Working principles of a PLL
- Stability of crystal reference oscillators
- Derivation of loop control equation
- Properties of loop filters
- Different types of phase detectors
- Use of a PLL for signal detection
- Use of a PLL for FM or PM demodulation
- Examples of PLL IC’s
- GPS disciplined oscillators (GPSDO)
- Lab demonstration of a PLL

Radio Receiver Architectures:
- Direct Conversion Receivers
* Different examples and their benefits
* Drawback of direct conversion receivers
- Super-heterodyne receivers
* Basic principles
* Fixed frequency crystal, ceramic and SAW filters and their advantages
* Double and triple conversion superheterodyne receivers
* Mirror frequencies
* Use of PLL’s versus Direct Digital Synthesizers (DDS) in radio receivers
* Properties of mixers, IP3 and 1 dB compression point
- Super-regenerative receivers

Arviointiasteikko

0-5

Arviointikriteeri, hyväksytty/hylätty

Students’ active attendance to the classes and to the simulation exercises in Microcap.

Written theory exam at the end of the course. The handouts of the slides can be used for the exam, as the exam will focus on insight and application instead of memorization.

Esitietovaatimukset

Good understanding of electrical circuit theory.

Basic academic knowledge of diodes, OpAmps, bipolar transistors and MOSFETs.

Basic engineering mathematics: complex numbers, algebra.
For some parts: limits, derivatives, integrals, Laplace transform (analysis in the S-domain).