Summary

The first step is the design of the blocks that implement the low-pass and bandpass filter and the programmable gain amplifier: sizing of the passive devices and determining the main specs for the active elements, the Operational Amplifiers (OAs).

The second step is the analysis of the commercially available OAs with main parameters similar to the ones determined in the first step and the decision of choosing the proper OA that will be used for the physical implementation. The design will be validated through simulations using a model of the OA.

The third step is the physical implementation of the analog front-end on the Helpkit board.

The 4^th step is the characterisation through measurements of the filter and programmable gain amplifier and of the analog front-end.

Motivation

Figure 1. Block diagram of a data acquisition system

Sensors are widely used in electronic systems. The electrical characteristics of a sensor depend on the physical quantity that is measured. The electrical signal provided by the sensor is amplified and filtered, to remove unwanted signals and digitized to be further processed.

The analog front-end plays a key role in the sensor readout system.

Objectives

The general objective of this project is to acquire skills required to organize and complete design projects: understand top requirements and convert them into block-level specifications; analyze comparatively possible implementation solutions and identify design trade-offs, generate models able to reflect limitations/non-idealities inherent to circuit implementations; propose circuit implementations and verify their operations through simulations and testbenches for functional verification.

The specific objectives of this project are as the following:

• Acquire skills and abilities necessary to analyze, model, design and verify analog front-ends, analog filters and amplifiers implemented with OAs
• Acquire the knowledge and skills necessary for systematic design of analog front-ends, analog filters and amplifiers implemented with OAs
• Develop the skills and abilities necessary to design, implement and make use of testbenches for functional verification and characterization of analog front-ends, analog filters and amplifiers implemented with OAs

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