Mariusz Jankowski

Dedicated thermal emulator for analysis of thermal coupling in many-core processors

Abstract This paper discusses the problem of thermal coupling in many-core processors manufactured in non-planar FinFET technologies. Our work focuses on two research goals. Firstly, the results obtained from the thermal simulations allow the investigation of mutual thermal influence between neighboring cores in such processors, what can be used to develop thermal models of such architectures. Secondly, we describe a test integrated circuit designed specifically to mimic the thermal behavior of microprocessors manufactured in various technologies. In particular, this paper describes its design and presents selected simulation results obtained using Green׳s function-based thermal software.

Current-mode signal processing implementation in HV SoI integrated systems

Abstract The paper presents and discusses possibilities and potential of current-mode based signal processing in high-voltage (HV) integrated systems, including current-mode functional block implementation into signal path of HV voltage-mode circuits. The paper is mostly focused on analog circuitry, implemented with the use of SoI processes. Discussion is based on the range of circuit solutions previously devised by authors and presently combined to present cumulated potential of current-mode approach in high-voltage (HV) integrated circuits. Analysis of the referenced research conducted by the authors of the paper, points out that in HV integrated systems, there are application areas well suited for current-mode processing implementation rather than the classic voltage-mode approach. Simplicity and consistency of HV current-mode functional blocks are presented, along with fitness of current-mode circuits for convenient implementation into HV SoI integrated circuits, with very limited loss of operation quality as compared to corresponding low-voltage functional blocks. Means of implementing current-mode circuits into HV voltage-mode systems are discussed.

Mixed signal ASIC controller for satellite medium power DC/DC converters

The objective of this paper it to present a work concerning a proposed design and development of an analog Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) with built-in analogue control loop and PWM for DC/DC power converters used in space applications. The described circuit can be used in avionics, aerospace devices and vehicles. The paper presents the general requirements that are needed for such component and shows its advantages over traditional. Finally, the paper discusses the way of the ASIC implementation, elaborated ASIC architecture and introductory works on its components. Means and ways of reaching space grade level are also presented.

Microelectronics in Poland - from accelerators to space technology

The paper presents achievements of the Department of Microelectronics and Computer Science of Lodz University of Technology in field of microelectronic design for applications in extreme environments. The presented achievements diverge from projects devoted to particle accelerator control, analysis and simulation of electromagnetic interference effects in 3-D integrated systems, up to space technology applications of integrated electronics intended for lifetime operation with no maintenance.

High-voltage trapezoidal waveform generator with edge-rounding functionality implementations

An approach to design high-voltage trapezoidal waveform generators with edge-rounding ability is described. The paper presents circuits able to produce edge-rounded trapezoidal waveforms, with numerous means of waveform parameter adjustments. What is important, signal paths in the circuits are very short, as auxiliary circuitry is placed mainly outside signal paths. Circuit solutions as well as simulational test results are presented and discussed.

Monte-carlo and transient-noise simulational analysis of rolling-shutter binary readout pixel circuit

A non-typical approach to extended simulational analysis for rolling-shutter (switching power) binary readout pixel circuit is presented. Circuit solutions as well as simulation test results are presented and discussed. Previously undetected phenomenon is detected, its cause tracked down and the issue removed, solely by means of control signal sequence modifications, with no hardware modification required.

Current-controlled switches for HV SoI processes

Abstract The paper presents an approach for the design of high-voltage (HV) current-controlled switches. HV switch structures, properties, application possibilities as well as ways of merging these switches into structure of HV signal processing components, are discussed. New HV switch structures are specialized and modified for specific applications. The switch applications include voltage switching with minimized current-load imposed on circuitry attached to input and output side of the proposed switches, as well as current switching with minimal or no current load to the current-mode signal-path, in HV power and smart-power integrated systems, like DC/DC converters or output power stages. The switch structures and modes of operation are introduced, simulated and discussed.

Polish electronics in high energy physics & aerospace technology

The paper presents the way that colour can serve solving the problem of calibration points indexing in a camera geometrical calibration process. We propose a technique in which indexes of calibration points in a black-and-white chessboard are represented as sets of colour regions in the neighbourhood of calibration points. We provide some general rules for designing a colour calibration chessboard and provide a method of calibration image analysis. We show that this approach leads to obtaining better results than in the case of widely used methods employing information about already indexed points to compute indexes. We also report constraints concerning the technique. Nowadays we are witnessing an increasing need for camera geometrical calibration systems. They are vital for such applications as 3D modelling, 3D reconstruction, assembly control systems, etc. Wherever possible, calibration objects placed in the scene are used in a camera geometrical calibration process. This approach significantly increases accuracy of calibration results and makes the calibration data extraction process easier and universal. There are many geometrical camera calibration techniques for a known calibration scene [1]. A great number of them use as an input calibration points which are localised and indexed in the scene. In this paper we propose the technique of calibration points indexing which uses a colour chessboard. The presented technique was developed by solving problems we encountered during experiments with our earlier methods of camera calibration scene analysis [2]-[3]. In particular, the proposed technique increases the number of indexed points points in case of local lack of calibration points detection. At the beginning of the paper we present a way of designing a chessboard pattern. Then we describe a calibration point indexing method, and finally we show experimental results. A black-and-white chessboard is widely used in order to obtain sub-pixel accuracy of calibration points localisation [1]. Calibration points are defined as corners of chessboard squares. Assuming the availability of rough localisation of these points, the points can be indexed. Noting that differences in distances between neighbouring points in calibration scene images differ slightly, one of the local searching methods can be employed (e.g. [2]). Methods of this type search for a calibration point to be indexed, using a window of a certain size. The position of the window is determined by a vector representing the distance between two previously indexed points in the same row or column. However, experiments show that this approach has its disadvantages, as described below. * E-mail: A.Nowakowski@ire.pw.edu.pl Firstly, there is a danger of omitting some points during indexing in case of local lack of calibration points detection in a neighbourhood (e.g. caused by the presence of non-homogeneous light in the calibration scene). A particularly unfavourable situation is when the local lack of detection effects in the appearance of separated regions of detected calibration points. It is worth saying that such situations are likely to happen for calibration points situated near image borders. Such points are very important for the analysis of optical nonlinearities, and a lack of them can significantly influence the accuracy of distortion modelling. Secondly, such methods may give wrong results in the case of optical distortion with strong nonlinearities when getting information about the neighbouring index is not an easy task. Beside this, the methods are very sensitive to a single false localisation of a calibration point. Such a single false localisation can even result in false indexing of a big set of calibration points. To avoid the above-mentioned problems, we propose using a black-and-white chessboard which contains the coded index of a calibration point in the form of colour squares situated in the nearest neighbourhood of each point. The index of a certain calibration point is determined by colours of four nearest neighbouring squares (Fig.1). An order of squares in such foursome is important. Because the size of a colour square is determined only by the possibility of correct colour detection, the size of a colour square can be smaller than the size of a black or white square. The larger size of a black or white square is determined by the requirements of the exact localisation step which follows the indexing of calibration points [3]. In this step, edge information is extracted from a blackand-white chessboard. This edge information needs larger Artur Nowakowski, Wladyslaw Skarbek Institute of Radioelectronics, Warsaw University of Technology, Nowowiejska 15/19, 00-665 Warszawa, A.Nowakowski@ire.pw.edu.pl Received February 10, 2009; accepted March 27, 2009; published March 31, 2009 http://www.photonics.pl/PLP

Application of microelectronics in high energy physics and space technology

Department of Microelectronics and Computer Science of Lodz University of Technology has long traditions and high expertise in field of design of electronic systems of various kinds and for several applications. DMCS has expertise in design of PCB (Printed Circuit Board) based and ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) based analog, mixed-signal and digital system designs. DMCS design teams participated in numerous national and international scientific research programs and grants. A series of commercial contracts was also conducted in DMCS. Many of these works finished with introduction of new systems into scientific installations or putting new product into general markets. Several DMCS achievements have been successfully patented. Such extensive experience in connection with wide field of scientific activities, enabled application of DMCS capabilities to quite different and even unusual electronic system applications aimed at work in extreme environments.

Considerations on selection of current sources and mirrors for current-based biasing of active-pixel matrix internal function blocks

In this paper considerations related to possibly best selection of current mirror architecture for current biasing of operational amplifier in pixel matrices are presented. Monte Carlo simulations focusing on global parameter variation are conducted, presented and discussed.