Electronic Circuit Design Research Articles

Coexistence of multiscroll chaotic attractors in two coupled inertial Hopfield neurons: numerical simulations and experiment

In this contribution, we consider the dynamics of a pair of coupled inertial neurons with hyperbolic tangent activation function. The two inertial neurons are coupled by adding to each one’s amplitude a perturbation proportional to the other one. The model is governed by a fourth-order autonomous system with hyperbolic tangent nonlinearities. The analysis of the coupled system yields nine equilibrium points some of which experience Hopf type bifurcation. When adjusting the coupling coefficients, striking nonlinear patterns are disclosed such as the coexistence of numerous bifurcation branches, merging crisis, multiple Hopf bifurcations, coexisting self-excited motions (e.g. two coexisting double-scroll chaos, four coexisting period-n cycles, four coexisting single-scroll chaos), and four-scroll chaotic attractors. These latter features are diagnosed with the help of classic numerical tools (e.g. 1D and 2D maximum Lyapunov exponent diagrams, 1D bifurcation diagrams of local peaks of variables, frequency spectrum plots, phase space trajectory plots, and attraction basins). The analogue electronic circuit design of the coupled inertial neurons system is carried out and simulated in PSpice to verify diverse types of features reported during the theoretical study. One of main achievements of the present article is that the coupling of inertial neurons can be regarded as an alternative scheme to obtain multiscroll chaotic signals.

Guest Editorial

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning have experienced phenomenal success in the past decade in signal processing, image and speech recognition, robotics, autonomous systems, and more. This success is also coupled with the expanding applications of AI and machine learning in broad areas of science and engineering. The microwave community is among the earliest in exploring machine learning and artificial neural networks (ANN) for wireless and wireline electronic device, and circuit and system designs. Early works that appeared in the IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium (IMS) are, for example, ANN for microstrip design (1993), ANN for microwave circuit analysis and optimization (1994), ANN for via interconnect (1996), and ANN for microwave computer-aided design (1996). The first time that IMS hosted a workshop on this topic (Applications of ANN for Microwave Design) was in IMS 1997, where the workshop was organized by Profs. K. C. Gupta and Michel Nakhla, and the invited speakers included R. L. Mahajan, K. C. Gupta, M. S. Nakhla, G. L. Creech, and Q. J. Zhang. Over the subsequent years, many researchers from around the world have contributed to the continuing development of ANN/machine learning techniques for microwave design. Several factors drove the development, one being the learning and generalization ability of ANN to learn computationally expensive microwave modeling/design problems offline, and to provide fast solutions to the problems during online design tasks. Another driving factor is the ability of ANN to learn microwave relationships directly from data even if analytical formulas for the targeted relationship are not available. From this angle, various ANN-based inverse modeling methods are developed, providing direct solutions to microwave design problems which otherwise would require expensive iterative process to solve. Further integrations between the microwave and machine learning disciplines led to knowledge-based approaches for modeling and design incorporating existing microwave-specific knowledges with the learning capabilities of ANNs, and technologies addressing cost of microwave data generation to perform effective machine learning for microwave applications.

Dynamical Analysis of Hyperbolic Sinusoidal Nonlinear Multi-Wing Chaotic Systems, Synchronization Methods and Analog Electronic Circuit Design

Chaotic systems contain nonlinear functions that have received much attention. This paper introduces a new four-dimensional chaotic system with multi-winged attractors, containing hyperbolic sinusoidal functions with unique quadratic curves that cause the attractors to change dramatically. When the single parameter is changed, single, double and quadruple wing chaotic attractors will be generated. The dynamical behavior of chaotic systems is analyzed and it is found that the system has coexistent attractors. Based on preparing the error system asymptotically stable at the origin, an adaptive control method is derived to achieve chaotic synchronization with unknown parameters. A new electronic circuit for chaotic systems is designed and implemented in FPGA hardware to illustrate the accuracy and validity of its existence.

Rare event simulation for electronic circuit design

In this work, we propose an algorithm to simulate rare events for electronic circuit design. Our approach heavily relies on a smart use of importance sampling, which enables us to tackle probabilities of the magnitude 10 --10. Not only can we compute very rare default probability, but we can also compute the quantile associated to a given default probability and its expected shortfall. We show the impressive efficiency of method on real circuits.

Stimuli assisted electronic, magnetic and optical phase control in CrOBr monolayer

The recent emergence of two-dimensional (2D) magnetic materials with intrinsic long-range magnetic ordering have opened up the avenue of fundamental physics and low-dimensional spintronics application. In this work, First-principles based investigation has been carried out to explore the effect of pressure, strain, and electric field to tune the electronic, magnetic and optical properties of the monolayer CrOBr. Specifically, the bandgap (electronic and optical), magnetic moment, Curie temperature ( T c ), and absorption spectra could be modulated under the application of these stimuli. We examined the thermodynamical, dynamical, and mechanical stability of this system by computing the formation energy, phonon band structure, and Young’s modulus, respectively. An electro-magnetic phase crossover from ferromagnetic semiconducting to antiferromagnetic metallic state and high temperature ferromagnetic ordering ∼ 600 K was observed under the influence of external stimuli, with ∼ 350% enhancement from its unperturbed configuration. Furthermore, the CrOBr monolayer has been found to be an attractive candidate for optoelectronic applications as it is a semiconductor and shows a red shift in the absorption spectrum under the application of an external electric field. Our studies provide an improved and complete analysis of monolayer CrOBr and shed light on its potential for electronic phase engineering, optoelectronics, and 2D spin circuit design.

Piezoelectric energy harvesting for powering a novel weigh-in-motion system

• Roadway piezoelectric energy harvester (PEH) developed to power weigh-in-motion system. • PEH was tested under sinusoidal and pulse forces in the laboratory. • An electromechanical model associates applied forces on PZT stacks to output voltage. • The developed PEH circuit includes a rectifier, a capacitor, and a flyback converter. • Traffic forces exceeding flyback input thresholds generate sufficient power for MCU. This paper describes the development and evaluation of a piezoelectric energy harvester (PEH) designed to power a novel system for weighing roadway vehicles in-motion. The PEH consists of four lead zirconate titanate piezoelectric (PZT) stacks connected in parallel. Each stack is made of six PZT elements of alternating polarity. The paper describes the electromechanical characterization of the PZT stacks, the design of the PEH electronic circuit and its power generation potential under realistic traffic conditions. An electromechanical model was fitted to laboratory data that allows relating PZT stacks voltage output to the applied forces, as a function of loading frequency (i.e., vehicle speed). The PEH circuitry consists of a rectifier, a flyback and a step-down converter to reduce voltage output to the 0–3.3 V range. The flyback input thresholds were 100 V and 300 mW. At highway speeds, these thresholds were exceeded for sinusoidal forces with amplitudes higher than 13 kN. Exceeding these thresholds generated over 200 mW of power, which is sufficient for supporting the low-power microprocessors considered. The amplitude of intermittent pulsating forces that can exceed these thresholds were estimated as a function of the rest period between pulses. For a rest period of 60 ms (i.e., typical rest period between tandem truck axles), the estimated amplitude was 33.4 kN. It was shown that this force is exceeded by roughly 35% of the typical truck tires.

Application of a Calculation Formula for the Self‐Inductance of an Arbitrary‐Shaped Single‐Layer Coil (Derivation of Shape Functions and Inductance Caluculations for Regular Polygonal Coils)

In the design and production of electrical and electronic devices and circuits, it is desirable to have a calculation formula for obtaining exact inductance values, which are generally fundamental for coils. In this paper, a formula that can be applied to the exact calculations of the self-inductance of arbitrary-shaped single-layer coils is presented, and its application to the several types of coils that are technologically valuable is reported. Specifically, the formula employs a new coefficient corresponding to the Nagaoka coefficient and the shape function determined by the coil. Moreover, it realizes a versatile and convenient inductance calculation method. In addition, as the formula is derived via an analytical method, it has the advantage that it can be calculated with a short-time numerical integration. As examples of the application of the formula, rhombic, race-track, elliptic, and regular polygonal coils were discussed, and the process and result of deriving the shape function and new coefficient for each coil were presented. Furthermore, regarding the calculation formula for regular polygonal coils, we made a regular pentagonal coil and conducted an experiment, and the validity of the calculation formula was confirmed. © 2022 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Development of a graphical interface programmed with Matlab App Designer for the analysis of the SCR thyristor using a sinusoidal signal source for its single-phase configuration

A graphical interface programmed with MATLAB App Designer was developed for the analysis of the SCR thyristor using an alternating current source with a single-phase sinusoidal signal. As a first step, the mathematical analysis was made to design the graph of the firing angle in a circuit made up of an SCR. Following this, programming was carried out to calculate the intersection points of the zero crossing for the simulation in a more interactive way, where the user makes changes in the parameters in order to alter the oscillations and obtain the graphic behavior of the load and the thyristor visually. This program allows students to use it intuitively along with the view of the calculations, graphs, and to control the trigger signal on the interface without making use of virtual simulators and measurement equipment available on the market at a high cost. This facilitates the teaching-learning abilities in the subjects of computer fundamentals, applied programming and power electronics. This graphical interface allows the development of theoretical-practical activities in person and at a distance, to the design of electronic circuits.

Tinkercad: A Blended Teaching and Learning Tool

Tinkercad is a teaching and learning tool which could be used for electronic circuit implementation, software coding and 3D model designing. Technical skill sets improve by practicing designing and coding using Tinkercad simulation. The realistic view of the components gives real time feeling like students doing practical in laboratory. This paper will elaborate the design and development of basic electronic circuit, Arduino based circuit and a 3D model. An effective blended pedagogy which will help the students to understand the designing concept and its implementation. Tinkercad is an open-source free -ware simulation tool hence it’s possible to every student to practice lab work with it. In the situation where physical laboratory work was not possible, Tinkercad provided a helping hand for Teachers and students to perform practical virtually.

Remote Prototyping of FPGA-Based Devices in the IoT Concept during the COVID-19 Pandemic

This paper presents a system for the remote design and testing of electronic circuits and devices with FPGAs during COVID-19 and similar lockdown periods when physical access to laboratories is not permitted. The system is based on the application of the IoT concept, in which the final device is a test board with an FPGA chip. The system allows for remote visual inspection of the board and the devices linked to it in the laboratory. The system was developed for remote learning taking place during the lockdown periods at Poznan University of Technology (PUT) in Poland. The functionality of the system is confirmed by two demonstration tasks (the use of the temperature and humidity DHT11 sensor and the design of a generator of sinusoidal waveforms) for students in the fundamentals of digital design and synthesis courses. The proposed solution allows, in part, to bypass the time-consuming simulations, and accelerate the process of prototyping digital circuits by remotely accessing the infrastructure of the microelectronics laboratory.

Segmentation Method for Modeling Heterogeneous Components to Suppress Broadband Simultaneous Switching Noise on a Multilayer Structure

Due to the rapid development of semiconductor manufacturing processes and 5G mobile system design, the need for high-speed digital electronic circuit miniaturization, high operating frequency, and high-speed transmission of data continues to increase. Electronic components are becoming smaller with faster operating speed. Fabricating a complete electronic circuit system with components from different manufacturers is likely to lead to unpredictable electromagnetic interference, signal integrity, power integrity, and other issues. Therefore, electromagnetic compatibility has become a key topic in the design of electronic circuits. We present a modeling approach that can be used to build the stopband and passband in a <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$Z$ </tex-math></inline-formula> -shape and the electromagnetic band gap (EBG) individually. In the model, the printed circuit board (PCB) is divided into five segments of different sizes, each of which has separate rectangular power and ground planes. Through the mushroom-type EBG, these structures are connected as part of a vertical blind hole; that is, the <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$Z$ </tex-math></inline-formula> -shaped power bus comprises a rectangular resonant cavity and transmission line. The proposed modeling method is proven to have accurate simulation, and it can be applied to complicated broadband structure for integrating the whole derivation process into computer programs. The proposed titanic broadband suppression structure can better suppress simultaneous switching noise (SSN) coupling ( <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\le -30$ </tex-math></inline-formula> dB) within the range of 5 MHz–40 GHz.

External torque sensor design providing wireless and real-time data customized for drivetrain

In this study, a torque sensor design that can be used in both laboratory and field tests simulating road conditions of drivetrain of the vehicles is explained. Mechanical design of the sensor has been carried out via finite element method (FEM). Material of the torque sensor and the relevant heat treatment were determined. Electronic measurement circuit design and its setup have been carried out including amplifier, filter, ADC and data transmission features which are suited for full bridge connection. Verification and calibration tests have been performed with respect to DIN-51309. As a result of the studies, it was determined that the measurement accuracy of the system in the torque range of 250 ÷ 2500 Nm was 0.5%. The effect of noise-induced deviations was found 0.05% for the precision value. Consequently, a verified universal torque sensor has been developed for any drivetrain application under torsional effect with the given specifications. It is hoped that this sensor might become a common feature on any and every drivetrain for advanced monitoring of the drive components.

Real-time implementation of a super twisting control algorithm for an upper limb wearable robot

This paper proposes a robust nonlinear controller for an active orthosis. The system is composed of the upper limb orthosis worn by the arm, which can be represented by a nonlinear second-order dynamical model. A robust control strategy is developed to guarantee an accurate and precise movement that encounter important issues such as unknown disturbance torque, inertial and viscous and the parameter uncertainties. A novel control strategy is proposed based on the Super Twisting Algorithm (STW). The stability analysis is performed based on the Lyapunov theory. For further dissemination of the proposed method, a wearable robot arm was built and the exoskeleton building process includes the following parts: mechanical design, mechanical components, electronic circuit design, robot assembly, programming of closed-loop control algorithms in the microprocessor. Hardware-in-the-loop is being implemented by a DAQ-Advantech, PCI-1716 AE, and PC to test the super twisting control algorithm. An experimental prototype, including the arm wearable exoskeleton, is designed and implemented. Experimental results indicate the proposed controller is able to reach high tracking accuracy.

Electric and Dielectric Properties in Low-Frequency Fields of Composites Consisting of Silicone Rubber and Al Particles for Flexible Electronic Devices.

Understanding the electrical conduction and dielectric polarization properties of elastomer-based composites is important for the design of flexible and elastic electronic devices and circuits. Five samples were manufactured by mixing silicone rubber (RTV-530) with Al particles in different volume fractions, x equal to 0%, 0.5%, 1%, 2.5% and 5.1%. Using the complex impedance measurements, the electric modulus, M, the electrical conductivity, σ, and the dielectric permittivity, ε, over the frequency range 100 Hz–200 kHz were analyzed. The electrical conductivity spectrum, σ(f), follows the Jonscher universal law and the DC conductivity of the samples, σDC, increases from 2.637·10−8 S/m to 5.725·10−8 S/m, with increasing x from, 0 to 5.1%. The conduction process was analyzed in terms of Mott’s variable-range-hopping (VRH) model. The hopping distance of the charge carriers, Rh decreases with increasing x, from 7.30 nm (for x = 0) to 5.92 nm (for x = 5.1%). The frequency dependence of permittivity, ε(f) = ε′(f) − iε″(f), reveals a relaxation process with the maximum of ε″(f) shifting from 301 Hz to 385 Hz and values of ε′(f) increasing with the increase of x.

Design of Self-Balancing Tracing Bicycle for Smart Car Competition Case Under Engineering Education

Smart car is an academic competition held for cultivating college students' engineering ability in China for 16 years. To improve the performance of smart cars, this study integrates engineering education topics by introducing a smart car system with regard to the selection of key components, design of hardware and circuit boards, processing of sensor signals, as well as assembly, algorithms, and control. After completing this engineering education, students could achieve better results in the academic competition. According to the K model rules of the 16th smart car competition, a self-balancing autonomous tracking bicycle based on steering gear control is designed and developed. A gyroscope is used to detect the posture of the bicycle. It inductively receives the centerline of the track and then combined with the PID control algorithm realizes the autonomous tracking. The whole process from mechanical structure optimization and electronic circuit design to algorithm design, debugging, and competition runs through the CDIO of engineering education, realizing the cultivation of compound engineering innovative abilities.

VIRTUAL LABORATORY WITH CIRCUIT WIZARD TO SUPPORT REMOTE PRACTICE IN ELECTRO LABORATORY

The Covid-19 pandemic has changed the way people live in interacting and socializing. This is one of the external factors that has a big impact on the learning process, especially practical learning at the National Cyber and Crypto Polytechnic. Practical activities in the electrical laboratory cannot be carried out offline, resulting in cadets experiencing difficulties in understanding and implementing the theories that have been obtained in class, for this reason the tendency to use online technology in practicum activities is getting bigger, one of which is by using virtual laboratories based on face-to-face online by utilizing applications Circuit Wizard practicum. Circuit Wizard is a virtual laboratory practicum application that functions for the analysis, design and measurement of electronic circuits, both analog and digital. The online face-to-face media that can be used in applying the virtual laboratory are zoom meeting, google meet or webex. This paper aims to provide an alternative solution by utilizing a virtual-based practicum model that supports the implementation of conventional practicums and supports cadets to conduct remote research experiments. So that it is expected to meet the standards of the vocational-based curriculum with a composition of 60% practicum and 40% theory.

Shared reduced ordered binary decision diagram‐based thermal‐aware network synthesis

SummaryIn this work, a multi‐objective algorithm based on nondominated sorting genetic algorithm‐II (NSGA‐II) for thermal‐aware realization of a combinational logic network has been implemented. Input variable ordering of shared reduced ordered binary decision diagram (SROBDD) is done using NSGA‐II such that resulting combinational circuit generates low hotspots by suitable power density distribution. Simultaneous co‐optimization among area, power, and temperature is important in the higher levels of electronic circuit design to reduce the cooling cost. Using a multi‐objective algorithm (NSGA‐II), an effort is made to decrease the temperature by co‐optimization between the power density, area, and power simultaneously. Microelectronics Center of North Carolina (MCNC) benchmark circuits are tested using the proposed approach and an improvement of 13.65% in the silicon area and up to 10% in power dissipation, and 2.72% peak temperature reduction is reported in comparison to existing literature. HotSpot tool and Cadence Innovus are used to determine the peak temperature, actual silicon chip area, and power dissipation of algorithmic optimized solutions.

Index Matrices—Based Software Implementation of Power Electronic Circuit Design

This article aims to present a comprehensive approach with corresponding software that uses index matrices. They have been developed by the authors for an automated model-based design. One of the main goals of this paper is to propose a simple model solving technique for powering electronic devices (particularly, for all subsystems: power supplies, static power converters, electric filters, electrical loads, control systems, etc.). Index matrices, which contain first-order discrete dynamical system parameters, with real numbers as elements, are constructed in order so that voltages, amperages, and discrete values can be calculated. Simulations on a three-phase converter, as well as simulations on buck and boost DC-DC converters with PI controllers, are presented. The function of the proposed software (with examples on the aforementioned devices) is considered, and diagrams of its basic programming classes are shown. The latter draws electronic schemes and their respective graphics, and provides important characteristics. Simulink is used to verify results. Advantages of the proposed approach are a higher speed of calculations (compared to Simulink, due to a lack of differential equations) and a simpler handling of various electronic components. Additionally, a computational scalability is demonstrated.

Leveraging AI in Photonics and Beyond

Artificial intelligence (AI) techniques have been spreading in most scientific areas and have become a heated focus in photonics research in recent years. Forward modeling and inverse design using AI can achieve high efficiency and accuracy for photonics components. With AI-assisted electronic circuit design for photonics components, more advanced photonics applications have emerged. Photonics benefit a great deal from AI, and AI, in turn, benefits from photonics by carrying out AI algorithms, such as complicated deep neural networks using photonics components that use photons rather than electrons. Beyond the photonics domain, other related research areas or topics governed by Maxwell’s equations share remarkable similarities in using the help of AI. The studies in computational electromagnetics, the design of microwave devices, as well as their various applications greatly benefit from AI. This article reviews leveraging AI in photonics modeling, simulation, and inverse design; leveraging photonics computing for implementing AI algorithms; and leveraging AI beyond photonics topics, such as microwaves and quantum-related topics.

Performance Space Supported Design of Analog Electronic Circuits

Performance spaces as representations for attainable image spaces of analog electronic circuits are well-suited for supporting their conventional design process. The design task can be formulated as non-convex multi-objective optimization problem. We apply a numerical approach based on the normal-boundary intersection method to model two example circuits. Furthermore, the impact of a power limitation and relaxation of design constraints on the resulting performance spaces is evaluated. Thus, we show how these models are supporting conclusions for important design decisions. We also present a concept for visualizing active constraints on the performance space boundary to directly identify the responsible circuit parts.