Course Catalogue

MSc SIS Edinburgh Course - Data Converter Design in Simulink 5 PHYS5090

  • Academic Session: 2026-27
  • School: School of Physics and Astronomy
  • Credits: 10
  • Level: Level 5 (SCQF level 11)
  • Typically Offered: Semester 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: No
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No
  • Curriculum For Life: No

Short Description

This course will equip the student with an understanding of sigma-delta data converters using theoretical analysis and high level macromodel simulation.

The course will briefly review the basics of discrete-time signals and systems, before looking at block diagrams and signal flow graph implementations of modulator structures. Saturation, stability and limit cycle behaviour of modulator loops will be described and related to circuit structure.

The course will be illustrated throughout with MATLAB, Simulink examples linking to laboratory sessions and a design exercise issued at the start of semester.

Timetable

None

Requirements of Entry

None

Excluded Courses

None

Co-requisites

PHYS5044 Fundamentals of Sensing

Assessment

Coursework.

Main Assessment In: April/May

Are reassessment opportunities available for all summative assessments? No

It is the default expectation that all courses will offer opportunities for reassessment or deferred assessment. Where it is not possible to offer this in some assessment components, the grade achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade, and any exceptions for this course are described below.

[No exceptions]

Course Aims

The course aims to teach students the following topics:


Basics of discrete-time signals and systems, sampling, aliasing, interpolation, reconstruction, quantization modelled as noise, and the effects of sampling jitter. General block diagram of oversampled system (ADC and DAC, decimation and interpolation). Frequency domain representation of signals and noise. Fourier series, Fourier transforms and computer-based computational techniques, including the Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT), Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), windowing and coherent sampling principles. Power spectral density (PSD). Averaging to reduce quantisation noise. The principles of delta-sigma modulation. Principle of oversampling to reduce the effects of quantization noise, followed by noise-shaping to enhance performance. Block diagram of 1st order modulator. Time-domain model using a first-order lowpass system then followed by a frequency-domain description. Z-transfer function of NTF and STF. In-band and filtered noise. Power of noise and signal, SNR formula. Quantiser gain. Simulink examples. Time domain simulation. Limit cycles, idle tones and dither. Dead zone. Simulink examples. Second-order modulator block diagrams. Z-transfer function of NTF, STF. MASH implementation. Single loop implementation. Comparison of 1st and 2nd order. Saturation. Dynamic range scaling equalisation at internal nodes. Limit cycles. Formula of SNR with modulator order and oversampling. Boser-Woolley, Silva-Steensgaard. Error feedback. Simulink examples. Higher-order block diagram. Implementation of higher order modulator as MASH or single loop. Instability. General higher order modulator. Placement of zeros in NTF. Feedback/feedforward to improve THD. NTF comparison. CIFF, CIFB, CRFF, CRFB structures. Matlab SD toolbox for design. Simulink examples. Multi-bit feedback. Multi-bit quantisers. Effects on SQNR and stability. Simulink examples.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

1. Understand the operating principles of sigma delta converters.

2. Choose the order, structure and coefficients of sigma delta modulators at a block level.

3. Employ SIMULINK and MATLAB to simulate and design the modulator coefficients.

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

No exceptions