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Microelectronics

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Although vast majority of electronic signal processing and computing is now performed digitally, signal and power generation and delivery remain fundamentally analog. Interfaces between sensors such as microphones, temperature, motion or optical sensors and digital computers involve analog signal conditioning and analog-to-digital conversion. Similarly, digital computer outputs, such as audio or communication signals, must be ultimately converted to real-world analog signals via digital-to-analog converters. All electronic systems require efficient, tightly regulated power supplies. Advances in power electronics have enabled improved operating life of battery powered electronics, significant energy savings and reductions in size and cost in all electronic systems, as well as more effective utilization of renewable energy sources such as wind or solar. Performance of systems ranging from cell phones to audio or video players, to medical instrumentation, measurement devices, or renewable energy systems is often determined by the noise, bandwidth or efficiency of analog and power microelectronics.

Basic understanding of transistors and other semiconductor devices, as well as circuit analysis techniques in time and frequency domains, are necessary to learn about circuit design techniques in microelectronics. Circuits 1, 2, and 3 (ECEN 2250, ECEN 2260, and ECEN 3250) are therefore essential prerequisites for the senior power electronics and analog integrated circuit design courses. In Introduction to Power Electronics and the Power Electronics Laboratory, we address analysis, modeling and design of switched-mode power conversion circuits capable of supplying arbitrary tightly regulated voltages and currents at very high efficiencies. The lab culminates with a project where students design, build and test power electronics for a complete solar power system. Analog Integrated Circuits Design addresses transistor-level circuit design of current and voltage references, amplifiers, comparators, analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converters with numerous applications in audio, video, radio-frequency and sensor interfaces. Microelectronics is a good area for those who enjoy hands-on circuit design, experimentation, and applications.

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