Learning outcomes

Participants will learn how to utilise the GM-ID design methodology with open source Python tools to design a fully differential Folded Cascode OTA from scratch. Benefits include: A) accurate initial design, B) shorter analog circuit design times and  C) circuits can be optimised for Bandwidth, Power or Area.

Who is the course for?

Schedule

Consists of a twice weekly 4-hour live online lecture over two weeks. Participants will receive access to the Python based GM ID tool for 2 supported homework exercises.

Day 1:
a) Introduction to GM ID motivations: limitations of square law, weak inversion, strong inversion
b) Python based GM ID tool: designing a common source stage
c) Interactive session: setup of online tool and replicate sweeps from lectures

Day 2:
a) OTA design using the GM ID tool: building blocks and design trade offs
b)Interactive session: help with Homework 1 (designing OTA building blocks)
This can be done in the students time but we will setup a 2 hour session to ensure participants have the tool working correctly

Day 3:
a) Differential OTA: differential pairs, current mirrors, single stage amplifiers and recap of OTA building blocks
b) Optimisation: optimising the design for power, bandwidth
c) Interactive session: running sweeps

Day 4:
a) The folded cascode OTA: analysis and design equations, biasing, introduction to Common Mode Feedback
b) Interactive session: help with Homework 2 (designing a fully differential folded cascode OTA)

Trainer Profile

Trainers: Dr. Daniel O’Hare and Cian O’Donnell:  Dr. Daniel O’Hare is a Principal Investigator in the Microelectronics Circuits research group at Tyndall www.mcci.ie. His research is in low-noise sensor interface circuits and integrated circuits to enable medical systems. He has on-going research projects in multi-sensor interfaces using Time to digital converters, Current to digital converters and integrated sensor systems to make surgical procedures safer, quicker and less expensive. His project partners include the Bio-photonics group and the Bio-electronics cluster at Tyndall. He works with Industry partners Analog Devices, Infineon and ST Microelectronics. Danny received the BE degree in Electronic Engineering from University College Dublin in 2000 and completed his PhD at the University of Limerick in 2017. He joined Motorola Semiconductor 2000 and from 2004 to 2008 he was with Freescale Semiconductor designing ADCs and DACs for Cellular transceivers. From 2008 to 2012 he was Analogue Design lead with M4S NV a spinout of IMEC and from 2013 to 2017 he was an ADC researcher in the Circuits and Systems group at the University of Limerick. Since 2017 he is a Researcher in MCCI based at the Tyndall National Institute. He lectures ‘Advanced Analog IC Design’ to UCC Masters in Electronic Engineering students. Cian O’Donnell is currently a Ph.D. Student / Researcher in MCCI, Tyndall National Institute. He received his B.E. degree in Electronic Engineering in 2021 from University College Dublin. His current Ph.D. research involves integrated circuit design for wireless powering of biomedical implants. He is tutor for the UCC 4th year Analogue Circuits class.