Master Analog Circuit Analysis | IIT Madras NPTEL Course Guide
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 66 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Elective |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 12 weeks |
| Categories | Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering, VLSI design |
| Credit Points | 3 |
| Level | Postgraduate |
| Start Date | 19 Jan 2026 |
| End Date | 10 Apr 2026 |
| Enrollment Ends | 02 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Registration Ends | 20 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Date | 25 Apr 2026 IST |
| NCrF Level | 4.5 — 8.0 |
Master the Foundational Math of Analog Design
For aspiring and practicing analog, mixed-signal, and RF circuit designers, a deep, intuitive understanding of circuit analysis is non-negotiable. It's the language in which performance, trade-offs, and limitations are articulated. The National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning (NPTEL) offers a seminal course titled "Circuit Analysis for Analog Designers", instructed by one of India's foremost authorities in the field, Prof. Shanthi Pavan of IIT Madras. This 12-week postgraduate journey is meticulously crafted to bridge the gap between textbook theory and the practical, daily analysis challenges faced by professional designers.
Meet the Instructor: Prof. Shanthi Pavan
The course is led by an educator and researcher of exceptional caliber. Prof. Shanthi Pavan is a Chair Professor of Electrical Engineering at IIT Madras, with a doctoral degree from Columbia University. His distinguished career is marked by prestigious accolades including the IEEE Darlington Best Paper Award and the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award. A co-author of the authoritative text "Understanding Delta-Sigma Data Converters" and a former Editor-in-Chief of the IEEE Transactions on Circuits and Systems, Prof. Pavan brings unparalleled industry-relevant insight and academic rigor to the curriculum. His teaching demystifies complex topics, making them accessible and applicable.
Who Should Enroll?
This course is designed for serious students and professionals aiming to excel in analog circuit design:
- Postgraduate Students: M.Tech, M.S., and Ph.D. scholars specializing in VLSI, analog, or RF design.
- Advanced Undergraduates: Ambitious B.Tech/B.E. students seeking a head start in advanced concepts.
- Industry Professionals: Engineers in analog, mixed-signal, and RF domains looking to solidify their theoretical foundations and learn advanced analytical techniques.
Prerequisites: A solid grasp of engineering mathematics, basic electrical circuits/networks, and signals and systems is essential to fully benefit from this advanced material.
Course Overview & Learning Objectives
Moving beyond introductory circuit theory, this course delves into the sophisticated analysis tools that are the daily bread of an analog designer. It begins with a refresher on linear-time invariant networks before progressing to advanced, critical topics often glossed over in standard curricula.
The course empowers you to:
- Formulate and solve complex circuit equations using Modified Nodal Analysis (MNA).
- Understand and apply concepts of reciprocity and inter-reciprocity, including the powerful adjoint network method for sensitivity analysis.
- Design and analyze analog filters (Butterworth, biquads), understanding practical limitations like op-amp non-idealities and dynamic range scaling.
- Master noise analysis using Bode's theorem and model input-referred noise in amplifiers.
- Analyze distributed circuits and transmission lines, utilizing Smith charts and scattering parameters (S-parameters) essential for RF design.
- Quantify and analyze weak nonlinearities in circuits, calculating key metrics like harmonic distortion (HD2, HD3) and intermodulation (IM2, IM3).
Detailed 12-Week Course Layout
| Week | Core Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Week 1-2 | Motivation, review of LTI networks, Tellegen's theorem, Reciprocity, Inter-reciprocal networks, Modified Nodal Analysis (MNA) formulation. |
| Week 3-4 | MNA stamps, Adjoint networks, Introduction to analog filtering, Butterworth approximation, Opamp-RC realizations. |
| Week 5 | Cascade of biquads, Dynamic-range scaling, Effect of non-ideal opamps (Q-enhancement), Gm-C filters. |
| Week 6-7 | Noise Analysis: Introduction, Noise in RLC circuits, Nyquist's theorem, Bode's Noise Theorem, Input-referred noise sources, Noise factor. |
| Week 8-9 | Distributed Circuits: Ideal transmission lines, Telegrapher's equations, Reflection coefficient, Smith chart introduction. |
| Week 10 | Scattering parameters (S-parameters), properties, measurement, Vector Network Analyzer principles. |
| Week 11-12 | Weak Nonlinearity Analysis: Harmonic & intermodulation distortion, Method of current injection, Distortion in feedback systems, Course summary. |
Industry Relevance & Career Impact
This course directly addresses the core analytical skills demanded by the semiconductor industry. Companies engaged in high-speed analog, data converters, RF transceivers, precision analog IP, and mixed-signal SoC design highly value engineers proficient in these areas. Mastery of the covered topics—especially noise, distortion, and high-frequency analysis—is critical for tape-out success and innovation. Completing this course provides a significant competitive edge for roles in IC design and research & development.
How to Access the Course
The "Circuit Analysis for Analog Designers" course is available for free on the NPTEL platform. Learners can access video lectures, assignments, and potentially a forum for discussion. While the course does not list specific textbooks, Prof. Pavan's lectures are comprehensive. Supplementary reading from classic texts like "Analysis and Design of Analog Integrated Circuits" by Gray, Hurst, Lewis & Meyer or "Design of Analog CMOS Integrated Circuits" by Razavi is highly recommended to reinforce concepts.
Embark on this 12-week journey to transform your understanding of circuits from a routine calculation to a powerful design intuition. Under the guidance of Prof. Shanthi Pavan, you will build the analytical toolkit that separates competent engineers from exceptional analog designers.
Enroll Now →