Introduction to Analog IC Design Course at Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)
0:01 Course Overview: The speaker introduces an analog integrated circuit (IC) design course he is teaching at NTNU, emphasizing its practical approach and open-source nature.
0:52 Project-Based Learning: Students undertake a challenging project, designing a temperature sensor with digital readout, which constitutes 45% of the course grade.
1:25 Instructor Background: The speaker, an IC scientist at Nordic Semiconductor with 22 years of experience, shares his motivation for teaching and his expertise in analog design.
2:26 Role of a Professor: The instructor views his role as guiding students to distinguish between the impossible, the known, and the unknown in physics and circuit design.
4:43 Motivation for Teaching: The speaker aims to pass on his accumulated knowledge before retirement, emphasizing the importance of analog circuits in a fundamentally analog world.
6:38 Design Process: The course covers schematic design, layout, simulation, and manufacturing considerations, utilizing open-source tools like Xschem, Ngspice, and Magic.
8:51 Future of Analog Design: The speaker speculates on potential improvements in analog design methodologies, suggesting a combination of pre-designed cells, automated layout, and system-level digital tools.
11:55 Analog and Digital Design Flow: An overview of a typical chip design process is presented, highlighting the use of open-source tools and the interaction between analog and digital components.
14:44 Tiny Tapeout Opportunity: Students are encouraged to participate in the Tiny Tapeout project, with the instructor offering to sponsor NTNU students' submissions.
16:07 Course Resources: The course website (analogicus) provides lecture notes, videos, a detailed syllabus, and a downloadable book covering the course material.
20:44 Skills for Analog Design: A broad range of competences required for IC design is highlighted, emphasizing the need for teamwork in industrial settings.
21:39 Philosophy of Analog Design: The speaker shares his guiding principles for analog design, advocating for simplicity, readability, and a focus on solving real-world problems.
25:18 Course Goals: The instructor aims to introduce topics, facilitate learning from the textbook and papers, and provide personalized guidance to students.
26:41 Course Structure: Lectures are held on Thursdays, followed by mandatory project work sessions where group selection (determined by the instructor) takes place.
28:46 Compulsory Exercise: A tutorial in week three is mandatory, covering essential skills for project execution, including simulation setup and execution.
30:47 Project Details: The project, codenamed "Janeway," involves designing an integrated temperature sensor, with milestones focusing on simulation, digital value conversion, and optional layout.
36:22 Grading: The project grade is based on milestones (simulation, documentation, layout) and a final report, with an individual report required due to group work dynamics.
38:31 Software Tools: The course utilizes open-source tools, including Xschem, Ngspice, and the Skywater 130A PDK, with a focus on practical application and potential customization.
41:32 Conclusion: The speaker expresses enthusiasm for the course and invites both NTNU students and external learners to participate in the project.