Efficient optimization of the integrity behavior of analog nonlinear devices using surrogate models

A novel technique to analyze and optimize the integrity behavior of nonlinear analog devices in the presence of noise is proposed. The technique leverages surrogate models, as such reducing the simulation time, avoiding time-consuming and expensive measurements after tape-out and hiding the original netlist of the circuit, while maintaining high accuracy. Easy integration of the surrogates into a circuit simulator together with pertinent subcircuits representing, e. g., board and package, allows mimicking the integrity behavior of a complete setup while still being in the design phase. In this contribution, the method is applied to a case study, being a voltage regulator designed for automotive applications

Implementation Aspects of a Transmitted-Reference UWB Receiver

In this paper, we discuss the design issues of an ultra wide band (UWB) receiver targeting a single-chip CMOS implementation for low data-rate applications like ad hoc wireless sensor networks. A non-coherent transmitted reference (TR) receiver is chosen because of its small complexity compared to other architectures. After a brief recapitulation of the UWB fundamentals and a short discussion on the major differences between coherent and non-coherent receivers, we discuss issues, challenges and possible design solutions. Several simulation results obtained by means of a behavioral model are presented, together with an analysis of the trade-off between performance and complexity in an integrated circuit implementation

A programmable microsystem using system-on-chip for real-time biotelemetry

A telemetry microsystem, including multiple sensors, integrated instrumentation and a wireless interface has been implemented. We have employed a methodology akin to that for System-on-Chip microelectronics to design an integrated circuit instrument containing several "intellectual property" blocks that will enable convenient reuse of modules in future projects. The present system was optimized for low-power and included mixed-signal sensor circuits, a programmable digital system, a feedback clock control loop and RF circuits integrated on a 5 mm × 5 mm silicon chip using a 0.6 μm, 3.3 V CMOS process. Undesirable signal coupling between circuit components has been investigated and current injection into sensitive instrumentation nodes was minimized by careful floor-planning. The chip, the sensors, a magnetic induction-based transmitter and two silver oxide cells were packaged into a 36 mm × 12 mm capsule format. A base station was built in order to retrieve the data from the microsystem in real-time. The base station was designed to be adaptive and timing tolerant since the microsystem design was simplified to reduce power consumption and size. The telemetry system was found to have a packet error rate of 10<sup>-</sup><sup>3</sup> using an asynchronous simplex link. Trials in animal carcasses were carried out to show that the transmitter was as effective as a conventional RF device whilst consuming less power

Waveform Optimization for Large-Scale Multi-Antenna Multi-Sine Wireless Power Transfer

Wireless power transfer (WPT) is expected to be a technology reshaping the landscape of low-power applications such as the Internet of Things, machine-to-machine communications and radio frequency identification networks. Although there has been some progress towards multi-antenna multi-sine WPT design, the large-scale design of WPT, reminiscent of massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) in communications, remains an open problem. Considering the nonlinear rectifier model, a multiuser waveform optimization algorithm is derived based on successive convex approximation (SCA). A lower-complexity algorithm is derived based on asymptotic analysis and sequential approximation (SA). It is shown that the difference between the average output voltage achieved by the two algorithms can be negligible provided the number of antennas is large enough. The performance gain of the nonlinear model based design over the linear model based design can be large, in the presence of a large number of tones.Comment: To appear in the 17th IEEE International Workshop on Signal Processing Advances in Wireless Communications (SPAWC 2016

Autonomous Volterra algorithm for steady-state analysis of nonlinear circuits

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An assessment of technology alternatives for telecommunications and information management for the space exploration initiative

On the 20th anniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar landing, President Bush set forth ambitious goals for expanding human presence in the solar system. The Space Exploration Initiative (SEI) addresses these goals beginning with Space Station Freedom, followed by a permanent return to the Moon, and a manned mission to Mars. A well designed, adaptive Telecommunications, Navigation, and Information Management (TNIM) infrastructure is vital to the success of these missions. Utilizing initial projections of user requirements, a team under the direction of NASA's Office of Space Operations developed overall architectures and point designs to implement the TNIM functions for the Lunar and Mars mission scenarios. Based on these designs, an assessment of technology alternatives for the telecommunications and information management functions was performed. This technology assessment identifies technology developments necessary to meet the telecommunications and information management system requirements for SEI. Technology requirements, technology needs and alternatives, the present level of technology readiness in each area, and a schedule for development are presented

Hardware simulation of Ku-band spacecraft receiver and bit synchronizer, volume 1

A hardware simulation which emulates an automatically acquiring transmit receive spread spectrum communication and tracking system and developed for use in future NASA programs involving digital communications is considered. The system architecture and tradeoff analysis that led to the selection of the system to be simulated is presented