[2026] CT-SAR ADC for Direct Digitization in Neural Recording [open]

High-density neural recording systems require readout interfaces that are highly scalable, power-efficient, and compact. Conventional architectures, however, rely on Instrumentation Amplifiers (IAs) that typically dominate the power and area consumption of the analog front-end. Furthermore, these analog-intensive circuits face significant scaling bottlenecks in advanced CMOS nodes due to reduced voltage headroom and intrinsic gain.

This project explores the possibility of connecting the ADC directly to the recording electrode without pre-amplification to achieve better area efficiency and scalability, while maintaining competitive power efficiency.

Assignment

You will explore and design new architectures for a Nyquist-rate ADC that can be directly connected to the sensor in a neural interface and handle a very small full-scale range (few mV). You will implement the ADC in 28-nm CMOS technology. 

Requirements

MSc student in Microelectronics with an interest in Analog/mixed signal IC design.

Required courses:

• Analog Circuit Design Fundamentals (EE4C10)

• Analog CMOS Design I (ET4295)]

• Nyquist-Rate Data Converters (ET4369)

• Analog IC Design (ET4252)

Contact

Last modified: 2026-03-18