in this paper we discuss a possibility to simplify and speed up testing of high-resolution SD mod... more in this paper we discuss a possibility to simplify and speed up testing of high-resolution SD modulators. The methodology could be used for production testing as well as for real time built-in self-tests. We show that a pseudo-random signal is a good option for a signal source and that test method leads to efficient and cost-effective production testing that can also be used for real time built-in self-tests. The method is theoretically analyzed and verified using Matlab simulations. The models of DUT and reference digital circuits are simulated and the difference is demonstrated with simple area-efficient algorithm/hardware. I. INTRODUCTION Continuous advances in IC processing technologies offer a possibility to produce integrated circuits with increased complexity and performance for almost the same cost. Testing technology has not advanced at the same rate and the consequence is increased test time and associated cost, which could be as high as 30% of the total cost of the device (1). Design and test of digital integrated circuits have been highly automated, while design and test of analog and mixed- signal circuit lag behind. The development cycle is prolonged and the quality of the test is problematic. Sometimes fail-safe reasons dictate the use of a BIST operating in real time in parallel with the function; in that case, the tester is not available, which complicates the matter. Companies have developed many ad hoc methods to tackle the problem of efficient testing of analog and mixed-signal circuits. To optimize test time, several strategies have been used ((2), (3), (4), (5), (6)). Many applications require high resolution A/D and/or D/A converters operating at high frequency (like S-D converters) and testing such embedded modules requires expensive tester hardware and a long test time for production testing, therefore more cost-efficient alternatives are necessary. If a module is used in a fail-safe electronic system then real time monitoring of its performances are necessary; in that case, precision signals and test hardware are not available. The best choice for precision and efficient signal generator is a Pseudo-Random Signal (PRS), which is simple to generate, requires very small silicon area and can be tested during digital tests. The rest of the paper is organized as follows. In section II basic idea for efficient testing of high-resolution DS modulators is presented. In section III, the theoretical basis of pseudo-random tests is discussed. Section IV presents possible classification algorithm implementation, while section V presents an example. In section VI we discuss the efficiency of presented approach and provide suggestions for further work.
The most critical part of design automation of mixed analog digital circuits is layout related de... more The most critical part of design automation of mixed analog digital circuits is layout related dependency of electrical characteristic of precision and sensitive analog parts of the ASIC. Circuit compilation principles and layout compilation principles are discussed. Design methodology, previously introduced, is refined to accommodate a wide variety of designs. A few design examples illustrating the capabilities of an expert
In this article we present part of the design methodology, modeling and efficient simulation of h... more In this article we present part of the design methodology, modeling and efficient simulation of high performance microelectromechanical ΣΔ modulator. The method is based on converting continuous-time model of the MEMS sensor and eventual analog loop filter into discrete time equivalent using impulse invariant transformation. The methodology is valid for any “MEMS based cantilever” sensor operating in a closed loop, where mechanical transfer function does not provide adequate noise shaping to reach high accuracy and resolution. Using proposed methodology makes possible to efficiently design, predict the behavior and stability of the loop and perform efficient system level simulations.
The article presents miniature detection system and its associated signal processing electronics,... more The article presents miniature detection system and its associated signal processing electronics, which can detect and selectively recognize vapor traces of different materials including explosives. It is based on surface-functionalized COMB capacitive sensors and extremely low noise analog integrated electronic circuit, hard-wired digital signal processing and additional software running on the PC. The instrument is sensitive and selective, consumes minimum amount of energy, is very small (few mm3) and cheap to produce in large quantities, and is insensitive to mechanical influences. Using electronic detection system built of low noise analog front-end and hard-wired digital signal processing, it is possible to detect less than 3ppt of TNT molecules in the atmosphere (3 TNT molecules in 10 molecules of the air) at 25 C in 1 Hz bandwidth using very small volume and approx. 10 mA current from 5 V supply voltage. The sensor is implemented in modified MEMS process and analog electronic...
A bandpass sigma delta modulator is proposed with a noise transfer function that is tunable by me... more A bandpass sigma delta modulator is proposed with a noise transfer function that is tunable by means of one parameter only. The centre frequency can be tuned in the range between DC to half the sampling frequency. The modulator stability and nearly constant ...
In this paper we present a hybrid, third order, sigma-delta modulator used in an optical color de... more In this paper we present a hybrid, third order, sigma-delta modulator used in an optical color detection system. The third order modulator produces a dynamic range of 120 dB with a 22-bit resolution output, and is used as an analog-to-digital converter for the detection of the intensity and color of incident light. The modulator combines continuous and discrete time integrators with a combination of feedback digital -to-analog circuits that are needed to ensure low noise in the first integrator. The modulator was realized in a 180 nm, double well, 6-metal CMOS technology and is able to convert the current, generated with the on-chip photo-diodes in the range from pA to 300 nA. The article presents the circuit design and simulation results of the modulator, and compares the results to the system level simulation results. The article also presents some preliminary measurements of the optical system and its response to the ambient light changes in intensity and colour.
Continuous advances in IC (integrated circuits) processing technologies offer the possibility to ... more Continuous advances in IC (integrated circuits) processing technologies offer the possibility to produce integrated circuits with increased complexity and capability at a reduced cost. In addition, integrated circuits are composed more and more of heterogeneous embedded ...
We used a 16-channel e-nose demonstrator based on micro-capacitive sensors with functionalized su... more We used a 16-channel e-nose demonstrator based on micro-capacitive sensors with functionalized surfaces to measure the response of 30 different sensors to the vapours from 11 different substances, including the explosives 1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazinane (RDX), 1-methyl-2,4-dinitrobenzene (DNT) and 2-methyl-1,3,5-trinitrobenzene (TNT). A classification model was developed using the Random Forest machine-learning algorithm and trained the models on a set of signals, where the concentration and flow of a selected single vapour were varied independently. It is demonstrated that our classification models are successful in recognizing the signal pattern of different sets of substances. An excellent accuracy of 96% was achieved for identifying the explosives from among the other substances. These experiments clearly demonstrate that the silane monolayers used in our sensors as receptor layers are particularly well suited to selecting and recognizing TNT and similar types of explosives from...
2012 International Conference on Synthesis, Modeling, Analysis and Simulation Methods and Applications to Circuit Design (SMACD), 2012
ABSTRACT In this paper we discuss a possibility to simplify modeling and simulation of testing st... more ABSTRACT In this paper we discuss a possibility to simplify modeling and simulation of testing strategy of high-resolution ΣΔ modulators. The methodology could be used for production as well as for real time built-in self-tests. We show that a pseudo-random signal is a good option for a signal source and that test method leads to efficient and cost-effective testing that can also be used for real time built-in self-tests. The method is theoretically analyzed and verified using Matlab simulations. The models of DUT (device under test) and reference digital circuits are simulated and the difference is demonstrated with simple area-efficient algorithm/hardware.
in this paper we discuss a possibility to simplify and speed up testing of high-resolution SD mod... more in this paper we discuss a possibility to simplify and speed up testing of high-resolution SD modulators. The methodology could be used for production testing as well as for real time built-in self-tests. We show that a pseudo-random signal is a good option for a signal source and that test method leads to efficient and cost-effective production testing that can also be used for real time built-in self-tests. The method is theoretically analyzed and verified using Matlab simulations. The models of DUT and reference digital circuits are simulated and the difference is demonstrated with simple area-efficient algorithm/hardware. I. INTRODUCTION Continuous advances in IC processing technologies offer a possibility to produce integrated circuits with increased complexity and performance for almost the same cost. Testing technology has not advanced at the same rate and the consequence is increased test time and associated cost, which could be as high as 30% of the total cost of the device (1). Design and test of digital integrated circuits have been highly automated, while design and test of analog and mixed- signal circuit lag behind. The development cycle is prolonged and the quality of the test is problematic. Sometimes fail-safe reasons dictate the use of a BIST operating in real time in parallel with the function; in that case, the tester is not available, which complicates the matter. Companies have developed many ad hoc methods to tackle the problem of efficient testing of analog and mixed-signal circuits. To optimize test time, several strategies have been used ((2), (3), (4), (5), (6)). Many applications require high resolution A/D and/or D/A converters operating at high frequency (like S-D converters) and testing such embedded modules requires expensive tester hardware and a long test time for production testing, therefore more cost-efficient alternatives are necessary. If a module is used in a fail-safe electronic system then real time monitoring of its performances are necessary; in that case, precision signals and test hardware are not available. The best choice for precision and efficient signal generator is a Pseudo-Random Signal (PRS), which is simple to generate, requires very small silicon area and can be tested during digital tests. The rest of the paper is organized as follows. In section II basic idea for efficient testing of high-resolution DS modulators is presented. In section III, the theoretical basis of pseudo-random tests is discussed. Section IV presents possible classification algorithm implementation, while section V presents an example. In section VI we discuss the efficiency of presented approach and provide suggestions for further work.
The most critical part of design automation of mixed analog digital circuits is layout related de... more The most critical part of design automation of mixed analog digital circuits is layout related dependency of electrical characteristic of precision and sensitive analog parts of the ASIC. Circuit compilation principles and layout compilation principles are discussed. Design methodology, previously introduced, is refined to accommodate a wide variety of designs. A few design examples illustrating the capabilities of an expert
In this article we present part of the design methodology, modeling and efficient simulation of h... more In this article we present part of the design methodology, modeling and efficient simulation of high performance microelectromechanical ΣΔ modulator. The method is based on converting continuous-time model of the MEMS sensor and eventual analog loop filter into discrete time equivalent using impulse invariant transformation. The methodology is valid for any “MEMS based cantilever” sensor operating in a closed loop, where mechanical transfer function does not provide adequate noise shaping to reach high accuracy and resolution. Using proposed methodology makes possible to efficiently design, predict the behavior and stability of the loop and perform efficient system level simulations.
The article presents miniature detection system and its associated signal processing electronics,... more The article presents miniature detection system and its associated signal processing electronics, which can detect and selectively recognize vapor traces of different materials including explosives. It is based on surface-functionalized COMB capacitive sensors and extremely low noise analog integrated electronic circuit, hard-wired digital signal processing and additional software running on the PC. The instrument is sensitive and selective, consumes minimum amount of energy, is very small (few mm3) and cheap to produce in large quantities, and is insensitive to mechanical influences. Using electronic detection system built of low noise analog front-end and hard-wired digital signal processing, it is possible to detect less than 3ppt of TNT molecules in the atmosphere (3 TNT molecules in 10 molecules of the air) at 25 C in 1 Hz bandwidth using very small volume and approx. 10 mA current from 5 V supply voltage. The sensor is implemented in modified MEMS process and analog electronic...
A bandpass sigma delta modulator is proposed with a noise transfer function that is tunable by me... more A bandpass sigma delta modulator is proposed with a noise transfer function that is tunable by means of one parameter only. The centre frequency can be tuned in the range between DC to half the sampling frequency. The modulator stability and nearly constant ...
In this paper we present a hybrid, third order, sigma-delta modulator used in an optical color de... more In this paper we present a hybrid, third order, sigma-delta modulator used in an optical color detection system. The third order modulator produces a dynamic range of 120 dB with a 22-bit resolution output, and is used as an analog-to-digital converter for the detection of the intensity and color of incident light. The modulator combines continuous and discrete time integrators with a combination of feedback digital -to-analog circuits that are needed to ensure low noise in the first integrator. The modulator was realized in a 180 nm, double well, 6-metal CMOS technology and is able to convert the current, generated with the on-chip photo-diodes in the range from pA to 300 nA. The article presents the circuit design and simulation results of the modulator, and compares the results to the system level simulation results. The article also presents some preliminary measurements of the optical system and its response to the ambient light changes in intensity and colour.
Continuous advances in IC (integrated circuits) processing technologies offer the possibility to ... more Continuous advances in IC (integrated circuits) processing technologies offer the possibility to produce integrated circuits with increased complexity and capability at a reduced cost. In addition, integrated circuits are composed more and more of heterogeneous embedded ...
We used a 16-channel e-nose demonstrator based on micro-capacitive sensors with functionalized su... more We used a 16-channel e-nose demonstrator based on micro-capacitive sensors with functionalized surfaces to measure the response of 30 different sensors to the vapours from 11 different substances, including the explosives 1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazinane (RDX), 1-methyl-2,4-dinitrobenzene (DNT) and 2-methyl-1,3,5-trinitrobenzene (TNT). A classification model was developed using the Random Forest machine-learning algorithm and trained the models on a set of signals, where the concentration and flow of a selected single vapour were varied independently. It is demonstrated that our classification models are successful in recognizing the signal pattern of different sets of substances. An excellent accuracy of 96% was achieved for identifying the explosives from among the other substances. These experiments clearly demonstrate that the silane monolayers used in our sensors as receptor layers are particularly well suited to selecting and recognizing TNT and similar types of explosives from...
2012 International Conference on Synthesis, Modeling, Analysis and Simulation Methods and Applications to Circuit Design (SMACD), 2012
ABSTRACT In this paper we discuss a possibility to simplify modeling and simulation of testing st... more ABSTRACT In this paper we discuss a possibility to simplify modeling and simulation of testing strategy of high-resolution ΣΔ modulators. The methodology could be used for production as well as for real time built-in self-tests. We show that a pseudo-random signal is a good option for a signal source and that test method leads to efficient and cost-effective testing that can also be used for real time built-in self-tests. The method is theoretically analyzed and verified using Matlab simulations. The models of DUT (device under test) and reference digital circuits are simulated and the difference is demonstrated with simple area-efficient algorithm/hardware.
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Papers by Drago Strle