In order to do the required measurements for the lab several practical preparations is required. Ideally we should do measurements on real microelectronic circuits, but both cost and practical considerations prevents us from this. We will therefore use a component with a number of MOS transistors. These transistors is to be used together with other required components.
The labs are expected to be carried out as follows:
- The required components are identified (available in the lab).
- A suitable piece of soldering board (VERO) should be used.
- Components are soldered on the PCB and wired up with wires.
Carefully break required onboard connections with a suitable tool.- Pins for connecting instruments should be soldered on the board.
- Carefully inspect the wiring for shorts, especially between the power leads.
- Carefully power up the circuit by gradually increasing the applied voltage and monitor the drained current.
- If OK, set your pot-meter controlled biasing voltages with a meter connected.
- Prepare measurement script in MATLAB.
- Run your script without circuit connected (like make sure you are sweeping the correct voltage interval).
- Turn off you power and hook up instruments.
- Turn on power and proceed with measurements.
Always be carefull with excessive voltages and currents.
INF 3410 Lab Hints
Lab Hints (PDF) Instructions for usage of lab-equipment, CAD-tools and component datasheet. A copy is available in the lab.
Matlab script: Take1.m
Lab work hints:
- Make appointment with your lab-companion when to meet for the lab.
- Lab time is limited, and lab work takes a lot of time, so prepare thoroughly before each lab session.
- Split your scripts in two: measure.m (perform measurement and save to file) and plot.m (load from file and make plot). This allows you to fine-tune the plotting script without performing the measurements again and again.
Lab report hints:
- Use LaTeX (recommended), OpenOffice, Word or whichever software you prefer.
- Try to insert plots and figures as vector graphics (PDF, EPS, etc.). Avoid raster graphics (JPEG, PNG, etc.).
- Plots:
- Set proper axis labels (e.g. "Time (s)", "Signal (mV)").
- "Current (A): 0, 1, 2, 3, ... * 10^-8" is a bit cumbersome to read. Instead, use:
"Current (nA): 0, 10, 20, 30, ...".
This should not be used for logarithmic axes, though.- To make it easier to compare related graphs, use the same axis setup for them. (E.g.: Set the axis to 0-5V even if you only have data for 2-5V for a graph.)
- Display a legend when necessary (explaining what each of the curves are).
- Make sure the text in the plots does not become too small when you insert the plots into the document.
- The plot should be readable as black/white printout (use stapled lines and/or line markers rather than color to distinguish curves).
- You don't need to include your Matlab scripts in the report unless the lab text asks for it.
- The report can be written in English or Norwegian. English is recommended - it's nice practice for master thesis and paper writing.
- Make sure you answer the entire question, but don't write more than necessary.
- Try to keep related text and graphs close, so that it's easier to read the report on a computer. You can for instance insert a page break before each question.