Passive elements in hybrid technology (thick film or LTCC - low temperature cofired ceramics), like resistors, are well appreciated for high frequency applications. Our department has investigated using these structures in analog circuits for many years. These research projects include efforts to automate parts of the design process of such modules by using modern EDA systems from vendors like Mentor Graphics. The intent of this one-year course was to introduce students to a modern and complex CAE system and to teach them to design a hybrid circuit with Mentor Graphics' Hybrid Station.

The students learn to handle the system environment and work with special Mentor Graphics tools in the first part of the course. They perform the first steps of concurrent engineering in developing a project library. In the second part of the course, they realize a complete design, starting from schematic entry and finishing by preparing all necessary output data for manufacturing. They use the tools for an analog design process like Design Architect, Librarian, Package, Layout and FabLink. All tasks they solve during this course are related to hybrid technolgy except general working with the system, of course.

The paper will give an overview of the course, the topics and the exercises the students have to handle and a short introduction into hybrid technology.

Bio:
Torsten Tuschick is a scientific assistant in the Microperipheric Group at the Technical University of Ilmenau, Germany. He studied electrical engineering at the Technical University of Ilmenau, receiving his degree in engineering in 1994. He wrote his thesis on design automation for alternative technologies.