Graduate Calendar Archives: 2001 / 2002

Electronics

The Department

In addition to University and Graduate Faculty regulations, all Engineering departments share common procedures that are described in Section 18 of the General Regulations (see p. 69).

Programs of study and research leading to the master's and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering are offered through the Ottawa-Carleton Institute for Electrical and Computer Engineering. The Institute, established in 1983, combines the resources of Carleton University and the University of Ottawa. For further information, including admission and program requirements, see p.158.

The Department of Electronics is concerned with the fields of applied and physical electronics. Effort is strongest in four broad areas: computer-aided design for electronic circuits; physics and fabrication technology for solid-state electronic and photonic devices; VLSI and high-speed analog integrated circuits; and microwave and photonic subsystems and circuits. Specific areas of specialization include:

Computer-Aided Circuit Design

Development of hierarchical simulators for mixed analog/digital circuits; analysis and design of switched-capacitor networks; analysis and design of high speed circuits; optimization techniques; synthesis of VLSI circuits using both algorithmic and knowledge-based approaches; analysis and simulations of communications systems links; layout synthesis and module generation.

Photonic Devices

Waveguides and holographic optical elements for optical interconnects; electro-optic modulators and switches; waveguides for sensing applications.

Solid State Devices

Fundamental semiconductor device physics; device design and novel device structures; device modelling for CAD; new fabrication processes; submicron and quantum effect devices; photovoltaics; semiconductor sensors and transducers.

Integrated Circuit Engineering

Design and development of linear and digital integrated circuits; fabrication processes and test techniques; MOS, bipolar and BiCMOS ICs; VLSI; computer-aided circuit design.

Analog Signal Processing

Switched-capacitor filters, transversal filters, operational amplifiers and radio frequency functions in analog signal processing applications, particularly for integrated circuit realization.

Circuits

Active filters; linear and nonlinear circuit design; computer-aided circuit design; phase-locked circuits, carriers and clock synchronizers; mixers, modulators and demodulators.

Microwave Electronics

Microwave amplifiers, oscillators, modulators, frequency converters, phase-shifters; use of FET and bipolar transistors, Schottky barrier, varactor, step recovery and PIN diodes; design using finline, microstrip, stripline, coax, and waveguide; monolithic microwave ICs in GaAs; miniature hybrid microwave ICs.

Communications and Radar Electronics

Circuits for terrestrial and satellite communications; circuit implementation of digital modulation techniques; antenna and array design; communication channel characterization; optical communications circuits; radar transmitter and receiver design.

Biomedical Electronics

Cochlear prosthesis.

NSERC/BNR Chair in CAD

The joint Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council/Bell Northern Research Chairs in Computer-Aided Design are currently held by Dr. Michel Nakhla and Dr. Q.J. Zhang. This is part of a planned expansion of the department in the area of CAD for VLSI.

CITO

The Department is part of the CITO (Communications and Information Technology of Ontario) Centre of Excellence. Current research areas of the Centre with major participation from the Department are: integrated services digital networks, mobile and portable wireless networks, VLSI in communications, and millimetre wave/optical antennas and circuits for personal communications.

Micronet

The Department is a member, along with seven other Canadian universities and several major industrial organizations, of Micronet, the federally-sponsored network on Microelectronic Devices, Circuits and Systems for ULSI (ultra-large scale integration). Within the Department Micronet supports research on: device structures, modelling and fabrication processes for submicron CMOS and BiCMOS ICs; high-speed filters, phase detectors, A-to-D converters, frequency synthesizers and other circuit elements for silicon ICs operating at radio frequencies; analysis and optimization of interconnects for high-speed ICs; and automated generation of custom cells for VLSI design.

Course Offerings

The structure of the courses offered allows a well-integrated master's or Ph.D. program of study to be chosen that is appropriately related to the field of thesis research. Device- and integrated-circuit-oriented courses cover: fabrication, semiconductor device theory, semiconductor device design, integrated circuit design, and integrated circuit reliability. Circuit-oriented courses include: signal-processing electronics, micro-processor electronics, computer-aided circuit design, phase-locked circuits, filter circuits, RF and microwave circuits, antenna and array design. Systems-oriented courses cover: optical fibre communications and radar systems.

IC Fabrication Facilities

Excellent facilities are available for the fabrication of solid state devices and integrated circuits for research purposes. These include a class-100 clean room in which all basic processes required in silicon monolithic technology can be carried out. The clean room houses facilities for photomask generation and photolithography, modern diffusion furnaces, a rapid thermal annealer, low-pressure chemical vapour deposition systems, ECR and reactive ion etchers, e-beam, RF and magnetron sputtering systems for metal deposition, and a SEM. Equipment for thick film deposition, scribing, bonding, and automatic testing is also available. Comprehensive test facilities are available for IC characterization, including wafer probers, HP4145 Semiconductor Parameter Analyzers, and an automated C-V measurement station.

Computing Facilities

The Department has excellent computing facilities for software development and circuit design for integrated circuits and microwave circuits. IC designs using synthesis, standard cells and layout are supported for fabrication through the Canadian Microelectronics Corporation or in-house.

The graduate computer network consists of 90 SUN workstations and has access to the Internet. Industry standard software includes CADENCE, Mentor Graphics, SYNOPSYS, HSpice, ANACAD, VARILOG, SONNET, EESOF, SUPREM, SEDAN, MEDICI, MINIMOS, Franz COMMON Lisp, MATLAB, MATHEMATICA, FRAMEMAKER, and others.

Measurement Facilities

Advanced instrumentation is available supporting automated testing of both analog and digital integrated circuits at frequencies up to 2 GHz. Low noise test facilities include a phase noise measurement system, dynamic signal analyzers, spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, arbitrary waveform generators, digital sampling oscilloscopes, digital data analyzers and generators, and RF frequency synthesizers, all of which may be controlled using the IEEE 488 interface.

The Department has up-to-date facilities for circuit development and measurement at microwave frequencies ranging up to 22 GHz. There are also facilities for work at optical frequencies. Thin-film microwave integrated circuits can be fabricated in-house; there is provision for the fabrication of GaAs MMICs through foundry services. Special purpose microwave equipment includes automated network analyzers, spectrum analyzers and frequency synthesizers, and a complete microwave link analyzer. Data generators and error-detection equipment is available for work on digital communications. Industry standard software, such as SERENADE SUPERCOMPACT, HARMONICA) and ACADEMY (TOUCHSTONE, LIBRA) is available for the computer-aided design and layout of microwave integrated circuits.

The research laboratories maintain extensive collaboration with government and industrial research and development agencies in the Ottawa area.

Graduate Courses

Not all of the following courses are offered in a given year. For an up-to-date statement of course offerings for 2001-2002, please consult the Registration Instructions and Class Schedule booklet published in the summer.

F,W,S indicates term of offering. Courses offered in the fall and winter are followed by T. The number following the letter indicates the credit weight of the course: 1 denotes 0.5 credit, 2 denotes 1.0 credit.

The courses offered by the Department of Electronics are as follows:

Engineering 97.551F1 (ELG6351)

Passive Microwave Circuits

Characteristics of homogeneous and inhomogeneous transmission lines and waveguides. Planar transmission lines: stripline, microstrip, coplanar line, slotline. Coupled transmission lines. Modelling of discontinuities. Ferrite components. Microwave network analysis: s-parameters, CAD models. Design of impedance-matching networks, directional couplers, power splitters, filters. Applications in MICs and MMICs.

Engineering 97.552F1 or W1 (ELG6352)

Analog Integrated Filters

The fundamentals and details of analog continuous-time and SAW filters. Comparison to switched-capacitor filters. Review of filter concepts, types of filters, approximations, transformations. Building blocks such as op amps, transconductance amplifiers, and gyrators. Design using cascaded second-order sections, multiple loop feedback and LC ladder simulations.

Engineering 97.553 (ELG6353)

Radio Frequency Integrated Circuit Design

Integrated radio front-end component design.Overview of radio systems, frequency response, gain, noise, linearity, intermodulation, image rejection, impedance matching, stability, and power dissipation. Detailed design of low-noise amplifiers, mixers, oscillators and power amplifiers.Use of on-chip inductors and baluns.Process variations, parasitics, and packaging.

Engineering 97.554F1 or W1 (ELG6354)

Analysis of High-Speed Electronic Packages and Interconnects

Introduction to modelling, simulation and optimization of high-speed VLSI packages; models for packages, interconnects and ground/power planes; lumped, distributed and EM models for interconnects; delay, crosstalk and switching noise; moment matching techniques; concurrent thermal/electrical analysis of IC packages and boards.

Engineering 97.555F1 (ELG6355)

Passive Circuit Theory

General description of networks leading to matrix representations. Elements of matrix algebra as applied to networks. Properties of network functions; poles and zeros of driving point and transfer functions. Foster and Cauer canonic forms. Synthesis of lossless two-ports, single and double-terminated.

Engineering 97.556W1 (ELG6356)

Simulation and Optimization of Electronic Circuits

Introduction to computer simulation and optimization of electrical circuits. Time- and frequency-domain formulations for sensitivity analysis and optimization. Optimization techniques for performance-, cost- and yield-driven design of electronic circuits. Optimization approaches to modelling and parameter extraction of active and passive elements.

Engineering 97.557W1 (ELG6357)

Active Circuit Theory

Characterization of negative resistance one-port networks, signal generation and amplification. Active two-ports; y, z, h, k, chain and scattering parameters. Measurement of two-port parameters. Activity and passivity; reciprocity, non-reciprocity, and anti-reciprocity. Stability, inherent and conditional; power gain of conjugate and mismatched two-port amplifiers.

Prerequisite: Engineering 97.555 or equivalent.

Engineering 97.558F1 (ELG6358)

Computer Methods for Analysis and Design of VLSI Circuits

Formulation of circuit equations. Sparse matrix techniques. Frequency and time-domain solutions. Relaxation techniques and timing analysis. Noise and distortion analysis. Transmission line effects. Interconnect analysis and crosstalk simulation. Numerical inversion techniques. Asymptotic waveform estimation. Mixed frequency/time domain techniques. Sensitivity analysis.

Engineering 97.559F1 (ELG6359)

Integrated Circuit Technology

Survey of technology used in silicon VLSI integrated circuit fabrication. Crystal growth and crystal defects, oxidation, diffusion, ion implantation and annealing, gettering, CVD, etching, materials for metallization and contacting, and photolithography. Structures and fabrication techniques required for submicron MOSFETs. Applications in advanced CMOS processes.

Engineering 97.560F1 or W1 (ELG6360)

Digital Integrated Circuit Testing

Production testing of digital integrated circuits. Outline of methods of testing used in production. Testing schemes and design for testability. Faults and fault models, yield estimates, testability measures, fault simulation, test generation methods, sequential testing, scan design, boundary scan, built-in self test, CMOS testing.

Engineering 97.562W1 (ELG6362)

Microwave Semiconductor Devices and Applications

Theory of operation for microwave diodes (varactor, p-i-n, Gunn, IMPATT) and transistors (BJT, MESFET, HBT, HEMT). Small-signal, large-signal, and noise models for CAD. Diode oscillators and reflection amplifiers. Design of transistor oscillators and amplifiers. Discussion of technology/fabrication issues and MMIC applications.

Engineering 97.563W1 (ELG6363)

Electromagnetic Wave Propagation

Review of groundwave, skywave and transionospheric propagation modes relevant to radar, communications and other systems operating in the medium to extra high frequency bands. Electromagnetic noise: physical principles involved, modelling and prediction techniques, and limitations of such techniques in practical situations.

Engineering 97.564W1 (ELG6364)

Radar Systems

Fundamentals; range equation, minimum detectable signal, radar cross-section, pulse repetition frequency, range ambiguities. Radar classes: CW, FM-CW, MTI, tracking, air surveillance, SSR, PAR, MLS, SAR, SLAR, OTH, 3D and bistatic radars. Radar subsystems; transmitters, antennas, receivers, processors, displays, detection criteria; CFAR receivers, noise, clutter precipitation.

Engineering 97.565F1 (ELG6365)

Optical Fibre Communications

Transmission characteristics of and design considerations for multi-mode and single-mode optical fibre waveguides; materials, structures, and device properties of laser light sources; properties and performance of p-i-n and avalanche photodiodes; types of optical fibre signal formats, preamplifier topologies, noise, receiver sensitivity, transmitter design, link design.

Engineering 97.566F1 (ELG6366)

Phase-Locked Loops and Receiver Synchronizers

Phase-locked loops; components, fundamentals, stability, transient response, sinusoidal operation, noise performance, tracking, acquisition and optimization. Receiver synchronizers: carrier synchronizers including squaring loop, Costas loop, and remodulator for BPSK, QPSK BER performance; clock synchronizers including early-late gate, in-phase/midphase, and delay line multiplier.

Engineering 97.567F1 (ELG6367)

Antennas and Arrays

Design projects are interspresed with live and video lectures. Lectures cover definitions, wire structures, mutual coupling, method-of-moments, array theory, photonic devices, frequency independent structures, reflectors, horns, feeds, slotted waveguide and microstrip arrays. Design projects include a printed dipole, yagi and series-fed microstrip patch array.

Engineering 97.568W1 (ELG6368)

Fourier Optics

The theory and applications of diffractive and non-diffractive coherent optics, with emphasis on holograms, tomography and high-speed optical computing. Mathematical basis: generalized 2-D Fourier transforms, transfer function of an optical system, 2-D sampling theory, Helmholtz equation, Green's theorem, and the classical diffraction theories.

Engineering 97.569W1 (ELG6369)

Nonlinear Microwave Devices and Effects

The physical basis and mathematical modelling of a variety of microwave/millimeter-wave devices, (some of which exhibit the most extreme nonlinear behaviour known), how they can be exploited in practical circuits and systems, and how the resulting device/circuit interactions can be analyzed.

Engineering 97.572F1 (ELG6372)

Optical Electronics

Electromagnetic wave propagation in crystals; review of geometric optics; Gaussian beam propagation; optical fibres; dielectric waveguides for optical integrated circuits; optical resonators; optical properties of materials; theory of laser oscillation; specific laser systems; electro-optic modulators; photorefractive materials and applications; holography; optical interconnects.

Engineering 97.573F1 or W1 (ELG6373)

Advanced Topics in Solid State Devices and IC Technology

Recent and advanced topics in semiconductor device physics, modelling, and integrated circuit fabrication technology. Topic varies from year to year according to departmental research interests. Students may be expected to contribute lectures or seminars on selected topics.

Engineering 97.574F1 or W1 (ELG6374)

Advanced Topics in CAD

Recent and advanced topics in computer-aided techniques for the design of VLSI and telecommunications circuits. Topics will vary from year to year according to the departmental research interests. Students may be expected to contribute lectures or seminars on selected topics.

Engineering 97.575F1 or W1 (ELG6375)

Advanced Topics in VLSI

Recent and advanced topics in the design of very large scale integrated circuits, with emphasis on mixed analog/digital circuits for telecommunications applications. Topic varies from year to year according to departmental research interests. Students may be expected to contribute lectures or seminars on selected topics.

Engineering 97.576F1 or W1 (ELG6376)

Submicron CMOS and BiCMOS Circuits for Sampled Data Applications

The analog aspects of digital CMOS and BiCMOS circuit design in submicron technologies including reliability; sampled analog circuits, including amplifier non-ideal characteristics and switch charge injection; CMOS/BiCMOS amplifier design considerations, leading up to standard folded-cascode and two-stage circuits.

Engineering 97.577W1 (ELG6377)

Microelectronic Sensors

Fabrication and physical principles of operation of microelectronic sensors. A large variety of sensors will be studied and the basic fabrication methods used in their production reviewed. The devices discussed will include optical sensors, fibre optic sensors, magnetic sensors, temperature sensors and, briefly, chemical sensors.

Engineering 97.578F1 (ELG6378)

ASICs in Telecommunications

Modern ASIC technologies for Telecom will be introduced. Circuit level building blocks for typical wireline and wireless applications will be overviewed. Both analog and digital circuits will be considered. A topical literature study, circuit level design exercises and take home final exam will be required.

Engineering 97.579W1 (ELG6379)

Advanced Topics in Electromagnetics

Recent and advanced topics in electromagnetics, antennas, radar systems, microwave devices and circuits, or optoelectronics. The subject material will vary from year to year according to research interests in the department and/or expertise provided by visiting scholars or sessional lecturers.

Engineering 97.580F1 (ELG6380)

Theory of Semiconductor Devices

Equilibrium and non-equilibrium conditions in a semiconductor. Carrier transport theory. Physical theory of basic semiconductor device structures and aspects of design: PN junctions and bipolar transistors, field effect devices. Current transport relationships for transistors. Charge control theory. Modelling of device mechanisms. Performance limitations of transistors.

Engineering 97.582W1 (ELG6382)

Surface-Controlled Semiconductor Devices

Fundamentals of the MOS system; MOS capacitors. Long channel behaviour: theory, limitations and performance of the SPICE level 1 and 2 models. Small geometry effects. Subthreshold operation and modelling. Hot electron effects and reliability.

Engineering 97.583F1 (ELG6383)

Behavioural Synthesis of ICs

Various topics related to computer analysis and synthesis of VLSI circuits including: logic synthesis, finite state machine synthesis, design methodologies, design for reuse, testing, common VLSI functions, a review of Verilog.

Prerequisite: Some IC design knowledge such as given in Engineering 97.478.

Engineering 97.584F1 (ELG6384)

VLSI Design

An IC design course with a strong emphasis on design mechodology, to be followed by 97.585 in the second term. The design philosophies considered will include Full Custom design, standard cells, gate-arrays and sea-of-gates using CMOS and BiCMOS technology. State-of-the-art computer-aided design tools are used.

Engineering 97.585W1 (ELG6385)

VLSI Design Project

Using state-of-the-art CMOS and BiCMOS technologies, students will initiate their own design of an integrated circuit using tools in the CAD lab and submit it for fabrication where the design warrants.

Engineering 97.588F1 (ELG6388)

Signal Processing Electronics

CCDs, transveral filters, recursive filters, switched capacitor filters, with particular emphasis on integration of analog signal processing techniques in monolithic MOS Ics. Detailed op amp design in CMOS technology. Implications of nonideal op amp behaviour in filter performance. Basic sampled data concepts.

Engineering 97.590F1, W1, S1

Engineering Project I

A one-term course, carrying 0.5 credit, for students pursuing the course work M.Eng. program. An engineering study, analysis and/or design project under the supervision of a faculty member. Written and oral reports are required. This course may be repeated for credit.

Engineering 97.591F2, W2, S2

Engineering Project II

A one-term course, carrying full-course credit, for students pursuing the course work or co-op M.Eng. program. An engineering study, analysis and/or design project under the supervision of a faculty member. Written and oral reports are required. This course may be repeated for credit.

Engineering 97.596F1, W1, S1

Directed Studies

Various possibilities exist for pursuing directed studies on topics approved by a course supervisor, including the above listed course topics where they are not offered on a formal basis.

Engineering 97.599F4, W4, S4

M.Eng. Thesis

Engineering 97.699F, W, S

Ph.D. Thesis