[Germany] PhD Thesis / Doktorarbeit in Microelectronics / Integrated Circuits, University of Freiburg - (Postgraduate)
Background Correction of Continuous-Time Sigma-Delta A/D Converters Using Optimal Test Signal Injection
Analog to digital converters are a key functional block in modern mixed signal, integrated circuits. This is, since all real world signals are analog, while the common data processing is performed in flexible and capacious digital circuitry. Thus, no matter if sensor readout circuits, communications channels for mobile phone or many more is the application, the performance of the A/D converter is a bottleneck for the overall system.
The Sigma-Delta A/D converter has been successfully used for more than 2 decades, and its advantages are widely known: medium to high resolution and conversion rate at low power consumption and low susceptibility to analog circuit imperfections. The implementation of A/D converters with continuous-time filters even improved the low power advantage and concurrently pushed the conversion rates to unknown values, making the Sigma-Delta A/D very useful for nowadays applications. Nonetheless, the advantage of low sensitivity to parameter variations, compo-nent mismatch and others has increasingly vanished.
The goal of this PhD thesis is the architectural evaluation and integrated implementation for self corrected continuous-time Sigma-Delta A/D converters. Therefore, by evaluating optimal test signal injection, the non-ideal behaviour shall be monitored in the background and automatically corrected thereupon.
We expect: Willing to read into the topic of D A/D converters and existing methods for automatic correction. Organized and documented working and dedication to a successful work. Knowledge in integrated circuit design and control system theory as well as fluently spoken English or German are desired.
We offer: Strong supervision of the thesis, excellent working environment, most modern simulation tools as well as the possibility to work in a modern field of research. The position is limited to 3 years duration.
Contact:
Maurits Ortmanns, Assistant Professor for Interface Circuits
Laboratory for Microelectronics, University of Freiburg
Tel.: 0761-203 7588, Email: ortmanns@imtek.de
Website:
www.imtek.de
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