The three stages represent a third order system, which for stability requires compensation. The compensation is achieved by a compensation capacitor which also limit the slew rate and gain bandwidth of the opamp due to Miller effect. Opamp Special Circuits -Introduces various opamp special circuits that are important for sensor signal processing. Once students have the theoretical background in sensor and VLSI technology students begin their final projects. These projects consist of fabricating the sensors in our research laboratory, characterizing the device, and designing the VLSI circuitry to hybrid with the sensor.
Students work to fabricate a sensor.
Current sensor projects include a surface acoustic wave biosensor, a giant magnetoresistance tunneling sensor, an infrared pyroelectric sensor, and an ultra violet optical sensor. A library of standard analog cells is currently being developed to speed up the design process. We have developed a two semester course sequence on smart sensors and integrated devices that builds on our current research thrust areas. This course sequence covers general sensor physics and technology as well as new and novel state of the art sensor design. Students work on a design project to fabricate and test an actual sensor device.