ADVANCED ELECTRONICS - MOD. 1

The course is one of the educational activities of the Master’s degree in Engineering Physics and allows the student to depend and exploit the basic knowledge of electronics, acquired with the Bachelor degree.
The lectures cover different topics regarding the analysis and the design of electronics and microelectronics circuits, measurement chains and detection systems based on semiconductor sensors.
By the end of the course, the student will have a solid understanding of the operation of operational amplifiers, including their characteristics and limitations. The student will be able to understand and design the main blocks of an integrated analog system and linear circuits containing operational amplifiers. Additionally, the student will gain knowledge of the main circuit techniques and architectures for analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog conversion
The course will enable the understanding of noise in electronic circuits and acquisition systems through the study of its physical sources and equivalent representations. The necessary tools for optimizing the signal-to-noise ratio, a key element in the design of measurement chains, will be provided, including an introduction to the main filtering techniques.
Depending on the progress of the class, the basic concepts of radiation detection systems based on semiconductor sensors will be introduced to address possible applications in the field of physical engineering. The student will be introduced to the basic concepts of radiation-matter interaction and the main architectures of silicon detectors with associated low-noise readout electronics.

Knowledge and understanding
• Thorough knowledge of the fundamental characteristics of operational amplifiers and their use in different configurations.
• In-depth understanding and utilization of feedback circuits. Evaluation of stability and key parameters such as ideal gain, real gain, loop gain, and frequency bandwidth.
• Knowledge of the main architectures of A/D and D/A converters.
• Understanding of noise sources in electronic circuits and knowledge of basic filtering techniques
• Understanding of combinatorial and sequential logic circuits.
• Depending on the progress of the class, understanding the operating principles of some of the main semiconductor radiation detectors and the associated readout electronics.


Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
• Analysis of an electronic circuit starting from the identification of the operating parameters of the individual components. Ability to understand the limits of the used approximations.
• Design of analog feedback circuits containing operational amplifiers.
• Verification of the analysis and dimensioning of the circuits through the use of a simulator. Knowledge and autonomous use of circuit simulation software (e.g. PSpice).
• Analysis and estimation of the figures of merit and performance of specific radiation detection system, taking into account the characteristics of the reading electronics.

Communication skills
• Knowing how to communicate the knowledge learned using appropriate terminology

Learning skills
• Knowing how to take notes, selecting and collecting information according to their relevance and priority

The course requires basic notions of electric circuits, electronic devices, and basic concepts of control systems. The student must be familiar with the concept of frequency response of a circuit and the Laplace transform. A brief review will be made at the beginning of the course. Basic knowledge of semiconductor physics is also recommended.

Introductory concepts and background
• Basic concepts of the theory of electric circuits
• Thevenin and Norton equivalent circuits.
• Time response and frequency analysis of elementary circuits.
• Bode plots.
• MOS diodes and transistors.

Operational Amplifiers (OpAmps)
• Main characteristics of ideal and real OpAmps.
• OpAmps in open loop: the comparator
• Characteristics of feedback systems. Concept of ideal gain, loop gain and real gain. Calculation of input and output impedances.
• Frequency response and stability of feedback amplifiers
• Circuits with operational amplifiers: the summing amplifier, the difference amplifier, the instrumentation amplifier, the Miller and approximate integrator amplifier, the differentiator amplifier and filters.
• Non-linear circuits with OpAmps
• Introduction to the internal structure of OpAmps: differential stage, current mirrors and output stages.

Digital-to-Analog (DAC) and Analog—to-Digital Conversion (ADC)
• If necessary, review of fundamentals of digital electronics
• Basic Circuits for DAC Conversion: binary-weighted resistors, R-2R ladders. Precision, errors and non-linearities.
• ADC converters. Transfer characteristic of an ADC, offset, gain error, INL and DNL, quantization error.
• Examples of the main ADC architectures: flash ADC, ramp-type ADC, tracking ADC, successive approximation (SAR) ADC
• Sample-and-Hold circuits

Noise in electronic devices and circuits:
• Physical sources of noise, electrical representation and mathematical description
• Thermal noise, shot noise and 1/f noise.
• Noise sources in transistors and equivalent input noise generators.
• Equivalent input noise generators in Operational Amplifiers.

Semiconductor detectors and associated electronics (Covered Based on Class Progress):
• Semiconductors as radiation detectors
• The readout chain: low noise architectures and optimum filtering.
• Main characteristics of Si sensors (eg PIN diodes, CCDs, Active pixels).
• Examples of applications.

• Sedra, Smith: Microelectronic Circuits, 7th Ed. Oxford University Press. There are several editions. All editions starting from the 5th are in principle ok.
• Richard Jaeger, Travis Blalock, Microelectronic Circuit Design, 6th Edition, ISBN10: 1259852687 | ISBN13: 9781259852688

Final Exam Structure and Weighting:
The final exam assesses students' applied knowledge and problem-solving abilities through exercises based on lecture material, focusing on practical analysis of devices and circuits, circuit design, and noise evaluation. Theoretical knowledge will also be assessed to gauge students' understanding of fundamental concepts.

• Practical Problem-Solving (≥70% of the exam): The majority of questions will evaluate applied knowledge in semiconductor devices and analog circuits, covering amplifiers (single/multiple transistors), operational amplifier configurations including feedback circuits, and Analog-to-Digital converters.
• Theoretical Knowledge (up to 9/30 of the final grade): Certain questions will assess in-depth theoretical understanding of key topics in the course.

Grading:
Each exercise is scored individually, with scores summed to determine the final grade. A minimum of 18 points is required to pass, while scores above 30 qualify for *cum laude* distinction.

Evaluation and Grading Criteria:
Grades reflect both practical understanding and the ability to communicate technical solutions effectively. The grading scale accommodates different approaches to achieving the same score, whether through comprehensive coverage or depth in specific topics.

Scores of 18-22 indicate:
• Basic problem-solving skills and foundational understanding of semiconductor devices and circuit principles.
• Limited analytical ability, with guidance required to interpret data and apply core concepts.
• Adequate communication skills, with accurate but basic use of technical terminology.

Scores of 23-26 reflect:
• Competent understanding of electronics principles, with good problem-solving skills covering the majority of course topics.
• Independent problem-solving abilities , with effective data interpretation and logical support for solutions.
• Clear and structured technical language , effectively communicating methods and conclusions.

Scores of 27-30 demonstrate:
• Advanced knowledge and strong problem-solving proficiency , applying engineering principles effectively across most or all course topics.
• High-level analytical skills and independent judgment, with well-supported and logical conclusions.
• Fluent, precise communication , using technical terminology accurately and conveying complex engineering concepts clearly.

Distinction (“Lode”) is awarded for:
• Exceptional analytical skill and comprehensive understanding , demonstrating mastery across all topics covered.
• Superior independent judgment and synthesis skills , tackling complex problems with precision.
• Exemplary communication skills , using professional language to present advanced concepts, analyses, and solutions with clarity and precision.

Frontal lectures. For most of the topics, the theoretical lessons will be followed by examples and exercises carried out in the classroom.

During the laboratory hours, the use of a circuit simulation software is foreseen. This will allow the student to verify the acquired knowledge and evaluate the impact of the approximations introduced for the analytical solution of some exercises.

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