Research Centre for Integrated Microsystems [RCIM], at the University of Windsor, is a Cadence University Program Member. We rely heavily on Cadence EDA CAD tools for almost all aspects of our research. Cadence tools have been configured for use with all of our available ASIC fabrication technologies as well as for both Xilinx and Altera FPGA platforms.


Ongoing Research Projects include:

 

A Built-in Self Test for Capacitive MEMS Devices

CMOS-MEMS integration [1], which involves building MEMS structures within a CMOS process, is considered to be a major breakthrough. This integration will significantly improve the performance of Microsystems while reducing the fabrication cost of new generation of monolithic devices. It enables single-chip integration of electro-mechanical systems with analog and digital modules to produce high performance systems on a single chip. Such system integration creates a significant need for robust test methods. Microsystems present some unique test challenges and require considerable advancements in test methods to address the complexities arising from multi domain nature of these devices. The main objective of this project is to develop a new Built-in Self-Test (BIST) method for capacitive MEMS devices using a charge-control method.

Primary Researcher: Iftekhar Ibne Basith, M.A.Sc. Student             Supervisors: Dr. R. Rashidzadeh and Dr. M. Ahmadi

A High Speed, High Density, and Scalable Digital Artificial Neural Network Architecture

Artificial Neural Network (ANN) is a type of computer architecture that was inspired by the biological brain, and excels at performing certain tasks such as voice recognition and stock market prediction. Unlike traditional computers, it consists of many simple processing elements, rather than a single, large central processing unit. A drawback to ANNs is that they perform slowly in software, rendering them unsuitable for use in embedded devices. The aim of this research is to design a small, fast, and efficient ANN architecture that is scalable, enabling their use on embedded systems and large-scale computing engines alike.

Primary Researcher: Karl Leboeuf, Ph.D. Candidate             Supervisors: Dr. M. Ahmadi, Dr. R. Muscedere 


A High Gain Scanning Patch Antenna for RFID Passive Tags

The objective of this work is to design a passive RFID tag antenna and associated circuitry to focus the electromagnetic energy in a particular direction. An array of five patch antennas has been employed to support higher gain and increase the communication range. The direction of the antenna pattern can be controlled through phase shift of the input current. This adds a valuable scanning capability to the tag antenna allowing communication over longer distances.


Primary Researcher: Amar Sawadi, M.A.Sc. Student     Supervisors: Dr. S. Erfani and Dr. R. Rashidzadeh


A Low Power CMOS Analog Multiplier

Analog multiplier is an important component for many analog applications such as adaptive filters and frequency modulators. The proposed CMOS multiplier has extremely low power consumption with comparable linearity and noise performance, making it very attractive for implementation of large-scale circuits.


Primary Researcher: Zheng Li, M.A.Sc. Student     Supervisors: Dr. C. Chen


Graduate Level course work within which students have access to Cadence tools include:

 

1.          Dr. S. Erfani                                  06-88-557: Network Security

2.          Dr. S. Erfani                                  06-88-523: System Theory

3.          Dr. M. Ahmadi                              06-88-521  Digital Signal Processing

4.          Dr. M. Ahmadi                              06-88-590  Motion Estimation

5.          Dr. E. Abdel-Raheem                    06-88-551: Advanced Digital Signal Processing

6.          Dr. M. Khalid                                06-88-560: Reconfigurable Computing

7.           Dr. M. Khalid                                06-88-590: Physical Design Automation for VLSI and FPGAs

8.          Dr. R. Muscedere                          06-88-531: VLSI Design

9.          Dr. C. Chen                                   06-88-541: Low Power CMOS Design

10.       Dr. H. Wu                                     06-88-555: Computer Arithmetic

11.       Dr. H. Wu                                     06-88-529: Discrete Transforms & Number Theoretical

12.       Dr. S. Chowdhury                         06-88-552: Advanced Topics in MEMS

13.       Dr. R. Rashidzadeh                       06-88-567: Advanced Analog Circuit Design

14.       Dr. R. Rashidzadeh                       06-88-564: RF Integrated Circuit Design

15.       Dr. Majid Ahmadi                         06-88-525 : 2-Dimensional Digital Signal Processing    

 


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© 2012 University of Windsor

            Last updated: May 24, 2012
            Maintained by: R. Rashidzadeh