Electronic Integrated Circuits Research Articles

Hearing-aid with integrated circuit electronics

A hearing-aid has an electronic voltage stabilizing circuit (16) to compensate for change in supply voltage due to battery (18) aging and use. The electret microphone (11) is located within a housing, the voltage stabilizing circuit (16) being located within the same microphone housing, thus requiring no additional space or terminal connections. Preferably, an impedance transformer is provided; the electronic components (31-34) are placed on the same semi-conductor chip as the components (35, 36) of the voltage stabilizing circuit.

Gallium Arsenide Deposition Improved

A technique to deposit nearly perfect layers of gallium arsenide onto silicon wafers has been developed by electrical engineering professor Hadis Morkoc at the University of Illinois. The technique may simplify production of electronic integrated circuit devices on gallium arsenide substrates. It also may let fabricators of silicon semiconductors incorporate gallium arsenide technology into their own devices. Morkoc says the process will work with compound semiconductors other than gallium arsenide. Gallium arsenide technology is the most advanced of these, however. The attraction of gallium arsenide over silicon is that gallium arsenide-based devices are faster, achieving speeds of80tol00gigaHertz. One difficulty with pure gallium arsenide wafers is that they are brittle, and their quality is often poor. That makes it hard to work with them even at diameters of 3 inches. Morkoc says the strength of silicon wafers coated with gallium arsenide might let chip makers work at larger diameters using convention...

Quasi-gas transition layers occurring in MBE growth of microdevices and superlattices

Two extreme crystallization modes may be distinguished in the technology of microdevices. The first, typical for technology of superlattices, means a growth of extremely flat layered structures on the top of smooth planar substrates. The second, occurring in fabrication of 3D electronic and optoelectronic integrated circuits is realized when a planar epitaxial layer is grown over a patterned substrate surface. Considering the already existing experimental data using the concept of a near surface quasi-gas transition layer (NSQGTL) occurring in the MBE growth, the following conclusion has been formulated: (i) a growth mode for MBE should be chosen in which the NSQGTL is maximally thin when growing extremely flat, planar layered structures, (ii) MBE growth conditions should be chosen in which the NSQGTL is as thick as possible when planar epilayers have to be grown over patterned, nonplanar substrate surfaces.

Realizations of simulation inductors using mutators with differentiators

AbstractMany methods of simulating inductors and capacitors have been proposed for the integration of electronic circuits. By using mutators, excellent simulation capacitors and inductors can be obtained with simple circuit configuration. This paper describes the realization of frequency‐independent simulation inductors using mutators. A mutator is an active two‐port linear network for transforming one type of nonlinear element into another type. There are three classes of mutators: L ‐ R mutator, C ‐ R mutator, and L ‐ C mutator. The relationships pertaining to an L ‐ R mutator are classified into four types. A new approach is proposed to realize a type‐2 L ‐ R mutator and a type‐4 L ‐ R mutator with R, C and operational amplifiers using a differentiator configuration. The principle of the simulation inductors by those circuits is presented. This simulation inductor is characterized by the independent adjustment of its inductance and Q, and variable L which changes linearly with the value of a resistor.

Role for optical signal and image processing in the VLSI era

A sceptical view is advanced for the future of optical methods for signal processing, as a counterbalance to the implicit optimism usual in research papers concerning techniques with fascinating and elegant properties. Although optics is an extremely active field, and not yet fully exploited in providing general techniques for signal and image processing, it already appears to be conceding ground to the far less mature engineering discipline of electronic circuit integration. The glittering prizes of optics, in the shape of large bandwidths, high-order parallelism and freedom from limitations such as parasitic capacitances, carrier mobilities and crosstalk, are distanced from us by its mundane constraints of inadequate input-output techniques, large physical size, parametric inflexibility and dynamic-range limitations. Significant exceptions occur in specific cases such as where the signal itself is optical, or where a commonly required and complicated system function like an integrating spectrum analyser can be realised in a relatively simple opto-acoustic form.

Digital optical computing

This paper concerns binary digital computing systems in which the information-carrying medium consists entirely or primarily of photons. The paper begins with a review of analog, discrete, and binary methods of representing information in a computer, followed by a survey of many techniques for implementing binary combinatorial and sequential logic functions with individual optical devices and arrays of devices. Next is a discussion of communication, interconnection, and input-output problems of digital electronic and optical computers at the gate, chip, and processor level. A particular architecture for implementing general sequential optical logic systems including digital optical processors is described. This architecture avoids some of the interconnection problems of electronic integrated circuits and VLSI systems, and offers the potential of non von Neumann parallel digital processors. Finally, the current limitations and future needs of optical logic devices and digital optical computing systems are outlined.

A Technical Assessment of the Static Decay Properties of Various Conductive Plastic Materials

Abstract Plastic materials are inherently insulators and hence susceptible to the accumulation of static electricity. This buildup of static charge may create severe problems in many areas where plastics are used such as in hospital environments, fiber spinning and processing, explosives manufacture, and packaging of sensitive electronic components. With the ever-increasing use of electronic integrated circuits in business equipment, the need to protect these circuits from operator-induced static discharge (such as obtained from walking on a carpet) becomes vitally important. Therefore, the ability to eliminate unwanted static charges at low cost is very desirable.

Bartter's syndrome - a dilemma of cause and effect.

Six interrelated abnormalities of Bartter's syndrome are analyzed-juxtaglomerular hyperplasia, angiotensin resistance, altered kallikrein-kinin system, hyperprostaglandinuria, hypokalemia, and chloride-losing nephropathy. Arguments are advanced that any one of these could be the proximate cause and result in all the others. By the same token, each abnormality could be a consequence of any of the others and, furthermore, modulate the others by negative or positive feedback. Despite many recent insights, available data do not permit a definitive conclusion as to the locus of the primary abnormality. Rather, the syndrome presents as a remarkable biological counterpart to an electronic integrated circuit. The altered physiology of Bartter's syndrome is reviewed and the pathogenesis of the syndrome analyzed in the light of recent literature.

Optimal system design for an implantable CW Doppler ultrasonic flowmeter.

A totally implantable telemetry system utilizing custom micropower monolithic integrated circuits has been developed to measure instantaneous pulsatile blood flow in the major arteries of animals. The device utilizes the Doppler effect at ultrasonic frequencies to achieve a flowmeter possessing small size and weight, low power consumption, inherent accuracy, and long-term stability. The integrated circuit electronics package occupies a volume of 3.8 cc and requires a power consumption of 10 mW from a single 135 volt mercury cell. The volume of the entire implantable flowmeter package is less than 36 cc. As a micro-miniature radio-telemetry system, the flow-meter can be totally implanted within the body, thereby eliminating the need for wires penetrating the skin, a serious problem with "back-pack" flowmeters due to danger of infection. The implantable flow-meter system provides a new and necessary tool for accurate quantitative measurements in the study of cardiovascular disease. It has been used in the study of transplanted heart rejection to monitor blood velocity in the major arteries of doB

Hybrid simulation for long term dynamics

This paper describes the work done under the EPRI RP908-1 project to study the long-term dynamics of power systems using hybrid simulation. A hybrid simulator was designed, constructed and tested at the University of Missouri-Columbia for a sample system provided by General Electric in RP907-1. The sample system consists of 16 machines and 68 buses. Each power system component was implemented in electronic integrated circuits and is contained on 8" × 10 1/2" printed circuit cards. The power system model is an ac, single phase, variable frequency, simulation scaled to operate 20 times faster-than-real-time. The base frequency is 1200 Hz which means that a 20 minute real time run can be obtained in one minute system running time. A 16-bit digital minicomputer was used for input, output and control of the analog simulation. A special purpose digital/analog interface controller was designed and built to achieve the desired data collection and control functions. The analog power system models include all of the specific components which influence the long term dynamics. A description of the hybrid simulator, and the results of the specific studies performed are presented. Two scenarios demonstrating the long term analysis capability of the simulator are presented along with a comparison of short-term results with a conventional digital program. This project has successfully demonstrated the basic feasibility of the hybrid approach to perform long-term dynamics studies and has demonstrated a working model of a faster-than-real-time hybrid simulator. Furthermore, it was shown that the hybrid approach is feasible and practical for a wide range of additional studies and purposes.

Digitally Controlled Absolute Voltage Division

In this paper, a principle for absolute voltage division is presented. The division ratio of a voltage divider on this principle does not depend on the values of its elements but depends exclusively on the configuration of the divider network. Hence, calibration is not necessary and not even possible. Absolute voltage division is obtained by cyclically shifting the network elements along all positions in the divider network. Each position is maintained for an equally long time interval. The average output voltage of such a dynamic divider is identical to that of a static divider with the same network configuration but composed of elements which all have the same value. To verify the principle in practice, a digitally controlled resistive voltage divider has been built. It has been realized with easily available electronic components, such as carbon resistors with ± 5-percent tolerance, junction field-effect transistors as electronic switches and digital integrated circuits for the generation of the switch drive signals. The inaccuracy of this divider is less than 5 ×10-6 and the temperature coefficient of the division ratio is less than 5 × 10-8/°C from 0°C to 40°C. It is expected that the performance, of this prototype can be improved.

A Jeolco 200A Cartridge with Specimen Heating, Tilting, and Power Provisions

The transmission electron microscopic study of thin metal film interconnections on electronic integrated circuits requires a sophisticated in-situ capability. Electromigration, particularly, cannot be investigated solely by viewing static heat-treated or electrically stressed specimens ex-situ. The key to the early electromigration studies by Blech, and others, was the in-situ observation of material movement in anelectrical-powering-stage equipped TEM. Blech's approach was insensitive to structure effects because of an absence of heating capability; he therefore relied on joule heating and temperature gradient effects.

Comfort Control for Central Electric Heating Systems

Central electric heating systems typically consist of a number of low-mass heating elements. Due to this low mass, fast rates of temperature rise and fall will occur in the furnace. The end result can be large and uncomfortable temperature swings in the living space. In order to provide good comfort, the control system used must take into account the characteristics of an electric furnace. An analog computer study was conducted to determine the best method of controlling an electric central heating system. The analog computer optimized the thermostat design parameters to provide the required end result of homeowner comfort and long heat equipment life. Since mechanical thermostats have practical limitations on minimum switching differentials and only solid-state electronics could overcome this difficulty, the computer optimized controller was built using integrated circuit electronics. A field test compared the performance of a conventional ON-OFF mechanical thermostat system with the new solid-state controller. The conventional system produced excessive room temperature swings of 3°F, while the new controller produced small swings of less than 1°F.

An Optical Thickness Monitor for Thin Film Vacuum Deposition Control

An optical thickness monitoring device is described which utilizes simple mechanical construction and integrated circuit electronics to achieve a system which is easy to align, accurate, and highly reliable.

Single Sample Anodic Stripping Voltammetry of Mercury and Other Heavy Metal Ions Using a Glassy Carbon Electrode and Integrated Circuit Electronics

Abstract A two step anodic stripping voltammetry of a single sample of water which has been made 0.1N in HC104, is useful for simultaneously detecting Hg+2, Zn+2, Cd+2, Pb+2, Cu+2, Co+2 and Ni+2. In the first step mercury is determined by deposition onto a bare glassy carbon electrode (GCE) with subsequent stripping, and in the second step the remainder of the metal ions above are sought by deposition onto a mercury plated GCE and subsequent stripping. With a deposition time of 72.82 min the detection sensitivity varies from about 0.2 ppb for cobalt to about 10 ppb for zinc. Silver, tin and chloride were found to be interferences in the detection of some of the metal ions. Integrated circuit electronics were found to be simple to construct, economical and very effective in providing the desired automatic anodic stripping voltammetry operations.

Book Review: Integrated Circuit Electronics

Book Review: Integrated Circuit Electronics

A comprehensive view of digital integrated electronic circuits

The present generation of digital integrated circuits is based on the batch-fabrication of interconnected transistors and diodes. These circuits successfully provide the elementary logic modules which can be directly interconnected to realize complex digital systems. The basic circuit configurations and their design must fulfill the prime requirement of signal-quantization under various operational aspects; and thus they reflect compromises between the operation speed, the noise margin, the number of fan-in and fan-out, the operating temperature range, the power dissipation, and the cost of fabricating circuit components to the required tolerance.