Innovation and Excellence in Analog IC Design

Article by Thesa Lluisma – Vergara

Today’s generation walks in pace with the continuous growth and fast development of technology. The widespread advancement in electronics technology is experienced in mobile and telecommunications, biomedical implants, power management, wireless sensor networks, energy harvesting and other various applications. And it has been the bottleneck of economic development in some newly-industrialized countries in Asia.

Slowly, the Philippines is developing and aiming to become one of the countries with Integrated Circuits (IC) design activities. With the increasing number of multi-national semiconductor companies operating in the country the demand for skilled human resource also rises. Efforts have been made thru the Philippine Institute for Integrated Circuits (PIIC) to realize the country’s call to strengthen the electronics and semiconductor technology through the development of skilled R&D personnel by improving microelectronics education through the Integrated Circuits Design Training.

The Microelectronics Laboratory of Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology has been tasked by PIIC to establish network to other universities in Mindanao in sharing the standard IC design EDA tools through faculty trainings to strengthen the microelectronics education. This is also in support to CHED’s endorsed curriculum (CMO 13 and CMO24, series of 2008) introducing electives related to microelectronics track. In support with this advocacy, a 5-day training on Introduction to Analog IC Design was conducted at the Microelectronics Laboratory of the College of Engineering, MSU-IIT last July 27- August 1, 2015 in cooperation with Philippine Institute for Integrated Circuits (PIIC) and the Institute of Electronics Engineers of the Philippines (IECEP) - Iligan Bay Chapter. Electronics and Communications Engineering (ECE) professors from Mindanao University of Science and Technology and Xavier University – Cagayan de Oro City, La Salle University – Ozamis City, Caraga State University – Butuan City, Agusan del Sur State College of Agriculture and Technology, Jose Rizal Memorial State University – Dapitan City, and Notre Dame University – Cotabato attended the training to learn and experience Analog IC Design.

The course provides the trainees with background on MOS transistor physics, how it operates and its characteristics, and how it can be used to implement basic analog building blocks such as single stage amplifiers, bias circuits, and differential amplifiers. With basic understanding on MOS transistor characteristics and operations, the trainees are able to design and implement their own basic analog blocks to build more complex circuits and integrate it into a single system. 

To reinforce the training, a thorough course component is prepared consisting of lectures, quizzes, laboratory exercises and a design project. Each lecture intends to discuss the theories and concepts for analysis and design of operational amplifiers including the design issues. After each lecture, a laboratory exercise follows to supplement and emphasize the important points through actual design and simulation using the Synopsys IC Design tool. A quiz then follows to test the understanding of the concepts presented during the lectures and lab exercises. To conclude the course, the trainees have to design their own common-source amplifier with current mirror load and meet the design specifications by applying the fundamental design concepts they have learned on the previous discussions.

On the onset of the course the trainees had a little difficulty acquainting with the IC Design tool but they were diligent and keen enough to learn and experience actual simulation of their designs and yes, the training was a great success. Moreover, it is an affirmative note to receive positive feedbacks during the course of the training with an eager eye on the next phase. Indeed, it has been a privilege to extend our country’s objective towards development of semiconductor and microelectronics. This is just one of the many steps we have to take in realizing our country’s goal, but with continuous and collaborative efforts, technological advancement is always within our reach.

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