MEng Mechatronic Engineering with Industrial Experience / Course details

Year of entry: 2024

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Course unit details:
High Speed Digital and Mixed Signal Design

Course unit fact file
Unit code	EEEN30171
Credit rating	10
Unit level	Level 3
Teaching period(s)	Semester 1
Available as a free choice unit?	No

Overview

PCB Design fundamentals

PCB construction and layout

CAD tool design flow

Crosstalk

Inductance effects

Power and ground distribution

Layer stacks

High speed digital design

What is meant by ‘high speed’?

Signal propagation in distributed lines

PCB transmission lines and termination

Signal integrity

Mixed-signal design

What is meant by ‘mixed signal’?

Crosstalk management by design partitioning

Selection and use of data converters

Data converter support circuits

Clocking and jitter requirements for data converters

Introduction to electronic product design at the system level

Architectures, grounding in distributed systems, EMC

Aims

Introduce students to modern PCB design, including more advanced layout practices.

Enable students to recognise and apply appropriate techniques for the design of high speed digital circuits and systems

Enable students to recognise and apply appropriate techniques for the design of mixed signal circuits and systems, including selection and use of data converters and associated components

Learning outcomes

ILO 1 Recognise common PCB features, structures, and parts, including trace types (transmission lines), layer stacks and routing techniques. [Developed and Assessed]

ILO 2 Describe the properties of analogue and digital signals, and both qualitatively and using calculations, how these properties can impact the design of high speed and mixed signal devices. [Developed and Assessed]

ILO 3 Explain the rationale behind key design concepts, including partitioning, use of PCB transmission-line techniques, layer stack usage, and clock generation and distribution quality. [Developed and Assessed]

ILO 4 Select and justify appropriate data converters for given requirement using common data converter parameters and specifications. [Developed and Assessed]

ILO 5 Design simple high speed digital and mixed signal PCBs using best practice methods, both at the conceptual level and using the CAD tools for schematic capture and PCB layout. [Developed and Assessed]

ILO 6 Use learning resources and methods appropriate to continuing professional development (articles from the professional press, technical textbooks, vendor training materials). [Developed]

Teaching and learning methods

20 hours of lectures: Largely PowerPoint based but including the use of pre-recorded videos of practical demonstrations and live demonstrations using an industry-standard CAD tool.

2 hours of small group teaching: Students discuss design problems in preparation for related coursework assignments, supported by instructor/demonstrator questioning.

3 × 3 hour laboratory classes: Practical CAD exercises, requiring deeper engagement with concepts introduced in the lectures – coursework assignments are associated with sessions 2 and 3.

Up to 30 hours (depending on previous experience of PCB CAD tools) of directed private study: Familiarisation with the design environment and basic workflows (file creation and management, schematic and layout editing). Study of book chapters and articles from the professional press describing good practice in PCB design.

Assessment methods

Method	Weight
Other	20%
Written exam	80%

Coursework

Duration of Lab assignment 4 hours (2x5%)

Duration of Tutorial assignment 4 hours (2x5%)

The coursework forms 20% of the total unit assessment.

Feedback methods

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Lectures	24
Practical classes & workshops	9
Tutorials	4

Independent study hours
Independent study	63

Teaching staff

Staff member	Role
Paul Wright	Unit coordinator
Michael O'Toole	Unit coordinator

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