Excel Methods to Design and Validate in Microelectronics (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor, CMOS) for...

Area of Science:

• Electrical Engineering
• Microelectronics Engineering
• Applied Physics

Background:

• Modern CMOS microelectronics design faces challenges with short-channel devices (<1000 nm).
• Traditional design cycles involve complex iterations and simulations, demanding accurate initial estimations.
• Developing a robust thinking model for device operation is crucial before extensive simulation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present an open science strategy for hand calculations in CMOS microelectronics design.
• To provide a method for verifying designs before computer simulation and layout.
• To facilitate the teaching of CMOS microelectronics and the design of analog integrated circuits.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing Microsoft Excel for performing hand calculations in CMOS microelectronics design.
• Developing methodologies for designing passive components and CMOS amplifiers.
• Illustrating the design process with a low-voltage operational transconductance amplifier (OTA) and an instrumentation amplifier.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated a practical approach to verify CMOS analog integrated circuit designs using accessible tools.
• Successfully applied the methodology to design an instrumentation amplifier from an OTA.
• Validated the approach through implementation in a front-end signal conditioning device for CMOS-MEMS biomedical applications.

Conclusions:

• The proposed Excel-based hand calculation strategy enhances the CMOS design process by enabling early verification.
• This method is effective for teaching electronic engineering students and fostering industrial collaboration.
• The approach supports the development of integrated circuits for advanced applications like biomedical sensing.