Faculty Research Interests and
Selected Publications

Paul Van Halen Associate Professor

Phone: 503.725.5395
Fax: 503.725.3807
Email: vanhalen@ece.pdx.edu
Office: FAB 160-09
Web site: http://www.ece.pdx.edu/~vanhalen/

Research Interests
My research interests are in the general areas of device physics, modeling and characterization and how the models impact the design and simulation of analog ICs. More recently our interests have shifted towards system level modeling and simulation.

This shift has been driven by the growing interest in convergence product mixed-signal ASICs, where analog interface circuitry is integrated with high-speed digital signal processing and control systems in the same IC. Mixed-signal ASICs are now the fastest growing market segment in most electronic areas.

Personal Communications Systems are but one of a series of new products which signal a convergence of technologies and disciplines: communications, computing and audio and video signal processing.

Complex high speed mixed mode systems need a fast and flexible evaluation of concepts and feasibility.

Taking advantage of the flexibility and expandability of Tektronix Analog Design System simulation platform, circuit simulation, and measurement.

I am currently working on functional simulation models of nonlinear dynamic systems: phase-locked loops, Sigma-Delta and other digital modulation schemes. These functional models are characterized through parameter extraction from transistor level simulation and data acquired from measurements, and interfaces with traditional transistor models in critical areas, allow for accurate and fast system simulation of large mixed mode systems.

Selected Publications
A. Sunardi, G. Boyle, B. Biehl, P. Van Halen, "A Novel Approach for Evaluating Electromigration Effects in Large Analog Integrated Circuits or Reducing the Field Failure Rate of IC's," Tektronix Symposium, 2005.

B. Willoughby, Y. Fu, P. Van Halen, "Design of a Behavioral, SPICE-Compatible Charge-Pump Phase Detector Simulation Model," IEEE Transactions on Circuits and Systems, 2005.

P. Van Halen, G. Boyle, "A Noise Source for Transient Nonlinear System Simulation," IEEE Transactions on Circuits and Systems, 2005.

P. Van Halen, "Automated Modeling of Interconnect Properties for Current and Future IC Tool Development for ASIC Designs," Tektronix Technical Report, 2003.

P. Van Halen, "Development of an Interconnect Centric Backplane Data Format and API for High Speed ASIC Designs," Tektronix Technical Report, 2002.