ECE Faculty Research Interests
Advanced Logic Circuits and Systems
This research area includes Logic and System design of VLSI circuits,
Field Programmable Gate Array circuits and Quantum Computers. Particular recent projects include synthesis and test of quantum circuits, reversible
logic, quantum algorithms, Quantum Computational Intelligence, Evolutionary, Quantum-Inspired and Biologically-Motivated Algorithms for circuit design, and Multiple-Valued logic. Research is conducted in the Intelligent Robotics Laboratory.
Students interested in this area should enroll in:
- ECE 572 (Advanced Logic Synthesis)
- ECE 573 (Sequential Circuits)
- ECE 574 (High-Level Synthesis and Design Automation)
- ECE 590 (Digital Design Using Hardware Descriptive Languages)
- ECE 510 (Quantum Computing)
Top
Biologically Inspired Computing, Nanoelectronic (Molecular Scale) Architectures
As we move to deep submicron and on to molecular scale circuits, IC design is challenging designers with unacceptable power density, unreliable components, quantum side effects, expensive interconnect, probabilistic behavior, etc. Alleviating these shortcomings will require new architectures and computational models. Motivated by the fact that biological systems have successfully dealt with similar issues, we are using biological models as a guide to develop new models of computation and architectures that are more suitable to molecular scale electronics.
Students interested in this area should enroll in:
- ECE 555 (Neural Networks I)
- ECE 556 (Neural Networks II)
- ECE 566 (Digital Signal Processing)
- ECE 568 (Intro to Image Processing)
- ECE 587 (Advanced Computer Architecture I)
- ECE 588 (Advanced Computer Architecture II)
Top
Computational Intelligence
Evolutionary Computation (genetic algorithms, etc.), fuzzy systems and neural networks form the computational intelligence area. Active research explores the design and analysis of complex adaptive systems, reinforcement learning, intelligent control, robotics and evolvable hardware. Research is conducted in the Evolvable Systems Laboratory, Northwest Computational Intelligence Laboratory and in the Intelligent Robotics Laboratory.
Students interesting in studying computational intelligence must enroll in:
- ECE 559 (Genetic Algorithms)
- ECE 555 (Neural Networks I)
- ECE 556 (Neural Networks II)
- ECE 578 (Intelligent Robotics I)
- ECE 579 (Intelligent Robotics II)
A good mathematics background in graph theory and probability is also highly recommended.
 Prospective students should read this information before applying to the
graduate program.
Top
Design and Verification of Hardware/Software Systems
Current work in this area investigates effective design and verification methodologies for high performance system-on-chip (SoC) and embedded systems. Active research explores modeling, synthesis and verification issues.
Students interested in this area should enroll in:
- ECE 582/682 (Formal Verification of Hardware/Software Systems)
- ECE 483/583 (Low Power Digital IC Design)
- ECE 527/627 (High Performance Digital Systems)
Design Automation for VLSI IC and Bio/Nano Architectures
Current research focuses on optimization methods for physical (layout) and logic synthesis of VLSI ICs and Mixed-Signal SOCs. We develop methodologies, algorithms, and tools for early design planning, integration between logic and layout synthesis, and design for manufacturing (DFM) for below 100 micron technologies in the presence of statistical process parameter variations. Other application areas include: Lab-on-Chip, BioMEMS, Multifluidic devices, and New Nano-architectures. Research is conducted in the Vertically-Aware VLSI CAD Laboratory.
Student interested in this area should enroll in:
- ECE 528 (Computer Aided Design)
- ECE 529 (Advanced Computer Aided Design)
- ECE 525 (Digital Circuit Design I)
- ECE 526 (Digital Circuit Design II)
- ECE 516 (IC Technologies)
A good mathematical background in graph theory, mathematical optimization methods, and statistical methods is highly recommended. Programming skills are essential.
Top
Electromagnetics & Acoustics
Current work in this area investigates wave propagation and scattering using computational models and rigorous scattering theory applied to evolving multi-sensor networks. Application areas include radar, sonar, and medical imagining. Research is conducted in the Northwest Electromagnetics and Acoustics Research Laboratory (NEAR-Lab)
Students interested in this area should enroll in:
- ECE 533 (Advanced Electromagnetics)
- ECE 534 (Acoustics)
- ECE 576 (Computational Methods in Electrical Engineering)
Top
Intelligent Robotics
Current work in this area investigates interfaces between humans and humanoid robots. The projects include Robot Theatre of full-body humanoid robots, small humanoid and animal-like walking robots, Machine Learning, developmental robotics, emotional robots, Quantum Computational Intelligence for robotics, robot navigation and robot vision. Research is conducted in the Intelligent Robotics Laboratory.
Students interested in this area should enroll in:
- ECE 572 (Advanced Logic Synthesis)
- ECE 578 (Intelligent Robotics I)
- ECE 579 (Intelligent Robotics II - Humanoid Robotics)
- ECE 555 (Neural Networks I)
- ECE 559 (Genetic Algorithms)
- ECE 568/569/570 (Image Processing and Computer Vision)
Top
Nanoelectronics & Electronics Packaging
Current packaging research is focused on the replacement of traditional lead-alloy solders, by no-lead solders (in collaboration with the Department of Mechanical & Materials Engineering) or electrically conductive adhesives (Prof Morris), but is moving into the new and challenging area of packaging of nanoelectronics technologies. The nanoelectronics research covers the fabrication and test of single electron transistors, and related fundamental studies of nanoparticle arrays and ultra-thin metal films. Related research includes sensor development and electronic device modeling, e.g. of resonant tunnel diodes. Research is conducted in the Nanoelectronics & Packaging Laboratory.
Students interested in this area should enroll in:
- ECE 515 (Fundamentals of Semiconductor Devices)
- ECE 516 (Integrated Circuit (IC) Technologies)
- ECE 510 (Nanoelectronics)
- ECE 510 (Electronics Packaging)
Top
|
