Azrul Ghazali

Design of a 4-bit adder using reversible logic in quantum-dot cellular automata (QCA)

Both quantum-dot cellular automata (QCA) and reversible logic are emerging technologies that are promising alternatives to overcoming the scaling and heat dissipation issues, respectively, in the current CMOS designs. Here, the fundamentals of QCA and reversible logic are studied; the feasibility of incorporating reversible logic in QCA designs is also demonstrated. Based on two existing designs, an improved version of the reversible gates, namely the Feynman Gate and the Toffoli Gate, were implemented in QCA technology using QCADesigner. The proposed design of the QCA-based Feynman Gate is faster by ½ cycle as compared to the existing design; while the proposed Toffoli Gate has the same latency as the existing design but it is readily to be cascaded into a more complex design. A 4-bit ripple carry adder in QCA is then designed using the proposed Feynman and Toffoli gates to realize a reversible QCA full adder. This 4-bit QCA adder with reversible logic consists of 2030 QCA cells, has a latency of 7 clock cycles and 8 garbage outputs.

Performance analysis of full adder (FA) cells

Since full adders play a vital role in electronics design, new ideas, investigations and study cases for constructing full-adders are required. This paper presents a comprehensive study of 24 different single-bit full adder (FA) topologies. All FA cells are designed using 0.18μm Silterra transistor models. Each FA cell is analyzed in terms of power and delay. The design and simulation of each FA cell are performed using Hspice simulator. The results of this paper are expected to assist designers to select the appropriate FA cell that meets their specific applications.

Teaching introductory level VLSI Design course to UNITEN undergraduate students

VLSI design is a field which involves integrating very small devices on a very small piece of substrate. In Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN), an introduction to this field is offered as an elective course in the Bachelor of Electrical and Electronics Engineering program. The course is aimed to provide students a solid foundation in digital integrated circuit (IC) design. The content of this paper focuses mainly on course development, teaching methodologies and course assessment. The course outcomes are properly presented and they are reflected through discussions on the course contents and course assessment such as project, assignments and examinations.

A Conceptual Framework for Procurement Decision Making Model to Optimize Supplier Selection: The Case of Malaysian Construction Industry

This paper intends to fathom the current state of procurement system in Malaysia specifically in the construction industry in the aspect of supplier selection. This paper propose a comprehensive study on the supplier selection metrics for infrastructure building, weight the importance of each metrics assigned and to find the relationship between the metrics among initiators, decision makers, buyers and users. With the metrics hierarchy of criteria importance, a supplier selection process can be defined, repeated and audited with lesser complications or difficulties. This will help the field of procurement to improve as this research is able to develop and redefine policies and procedures that have been set in supplier selection. Developing this systematic process will enable optimization of supplier selection and thus increasing the value for every stakeholders as the process of selection is greatly simplified. With a new redefined policy and procedure, it does not only increase the companys effectiveness and profit, but also make it available for the company to reach greater heights in the advancement of procurement in Malaysia.

An Evaluation on Factors Influencing Decision making for Malaysia Disaster Management: The Confirmatory Factor Analysis Approach

For the past few years, natural disaster has been the subject of debate in disaster management especially in flood disaster. Each year, natural disaster results in significant loss of life, destruction of homes and public infrastructure, and economic hardship. Hence, an effective and efficient flood disaster management would assure non-futile efforts for life saving. The aim of this article is to examine the relationship between approach, decision maker, influence factor, result, and ethic to decision making for flood disaster management in Malaysia. The key elements of decision making in the disaster management were studied based on the literature. Questionnaire surveys were administered among lead agencies at East Coast of Malaysia in the state of Kelantan and Pahang. A total of 307 valid responses had been obtained for further analysis. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) were carried out to analyse the measurement model involved in the study. The CFA for second-order reflective and first-order reflective measurement model indicates that approach, decision maker, influence factor, result, and ethic have a significant and direct effect on decision making during disaster. The results from this study showed that decision- making during disaster is an important element for disaster management to necessitate a successful collaborative decision making. The measurement model is accepted to proceed with further analysis known as Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and can be assessed for the future research.

Encapsulation of a Decision-Making Model to Optimize Supplier Selection via Structural Equation Modeling (SEM)

This paper proposes a conceptual framework to compare criteria/factor that influence the supplier selection. A mixed methods approach comprising qualitative and quantitative survey will be used. The study intend to identify and define the metrics that key stakeholders at Public Works Department (PWD) believed should be used for supplier. The outcomes would foresee the possible initiatives to bring procurement in PWD to a strategic level. The results will provide a deeper understanding of drivers for suppliers selection in the construction industry. The obtained output will benefit many parties involved in the supplier selection decision-making. The findings provides useful information and greater understanding of the perceptions that PWD executives hold regarding supplier selection and the extent to which these perceptions are consistent with findings from prior studies. The findings from this paper can be utilized as input for policy makers to outline any changes in the current procurement code of practice in order to enhance the degree of transparency and integrity in decision-making.

Conceptualization of a Collaborative Decision Making for Flood Disaster Management

Flooding is the utmost major natural hazard in Malaysia in terms of populations affected, frequency, area extent, flood duration and social economic damage. The recent flood devastation towards the end of 2014 witnessed almost 250,000 people being displaced from eight states in Peninsular Malaysia. The affected victims required evacuation within a short period of time to the designated evacuation centres. An effective and efficient flood disaster management would assure non-futile efforts for life-saving. Effective flood disaster management requires collective and cooperative emergency teamwork from various government agencies. Intergovernmental collaborations among government agencies at different levels have become part of flood disaster management due to the need for sharing resources and coordinating efforts. Collaborative decision making during disaster is an integral element in providing prompt and effective response for evacuating the victims.