Electrical Engineering 140 — Linear Integrated Circuits (4 Units)

Course Overview

Summary

This course extends the discussions of BJTs and MOSFETs from EE105 on various circuit configurations and applications. The course also introduces the design of CMOS circuits in op-amps and their derivative analog circuits, and allows students to design and verify their circuits using CAD and simulation tools.

Prerequisites

  • EE105

A good understanding of frequency response (EE16B, EE105) and basic knowledge of devices (EE105) will help.

Some versions/professors expect understanding of w- and s-domain analysis, in which case 120 is a recommended prerequisite or corequisite.

Topics Covered

  • BJT and MOSFET device models
  • Single and multiple stage transistor amplifiers
  • Operational amplifiers
  • Feedback and stability
  • 2-port formulation
  • Source, load, and feedback network loading
  • Frequency response of cascaded amplifiers
  • Gain-bandwidth exchange
  • Compensation
  • Dominant pole techniques
  • Root locus
  • Supply and temperature independent biasing and references
  • Selected applications of analog circuits such as analog-to-digital converters, switched capacitor filters, and comparators.

Workload

Course Work

The course consists of one midterm and a final. In some versions there are two midterms that are more straightforward, whereas the final is fairly in-depth. There are also weekly problem sets, along with 3-4 labs, including a team design project over the course of about 3 weeks.

Time Commitment

3 hours of lecture, 1 hour of discussion, and 3 hours of lab per week. Weekly problem sets should take 6-8 hours to complete. Some labs span across multiple weeks, and there are lab reports after each lab, which may take 4-6 hours or more to generate, depending on the particular lab.

Choosing the Course

When to take

Most people take this course right after EE105, as the materials are still fresh in the mind. For those interested in continuing to EE142, make sure not to defer this class since EE142 is not offered every semester.

EE 140 is not offered every semester, so, as a core class for the circuits track, one should not skip the opportunity to take it when it arrives.

What's next?

  • EE142
  • EE240B

These courses are not offered in both fall and spring, so make sure to plan out your schedule if you decide to advance to these courses.

Usefulness for Research or Internships

Experience designing and analyzing CMOS circuits proves invaluable in both research and internships. In research, the knowledge from this course will allow you to take on more technical roles on circuit verification and analysis. This applies to internships as well, as CMOS circuits exist everywhere.

Additional Comments/Tips

Don't fall behind! The materials in the course heavily build on each other. If certain concepts do not click, make sure to attend office hours and/or ask your peers to clarify them. Otherwise, they might hurt you during the exams. Also make sure the materials from EE105 do not fade away, since this course extends many of the concepts discussed in EE105. Review them if necessary.

Websites of Past Offerings:

Last edited: Summer 2020