Programmable Devices Research Articles

Nanorobotics as a New Paradigm for the Management of Various Diseases

Nanorobotic is a forthcoming nanodevice in the field of science and medicine. These are the programmable devices designed in nano size to perform multiple function particularly delivering the drug at targetted sites. Using nanotechnology, the drug can be targeted to a precise location which would make the drug much more effective and reduce the chances of possible side effects. These device could be choice for treating cancerous diseases, brain diseases, dentistry ailments. This review focuses on the overview of treating multiple debilitating ailments utilizing nanorobots.

Graphene-Based Photonic-like Highly Integrated Programmable Electronic Devices.

Photonic-crystal-like devices and photonic-crystal-like microcavities in graphene are investigated theoretically. The results show that the size of the photonic-crystal-like device and the photonic-crystal-like microcavity is able to be scaled down to more than 2 orders of magnitude smaller than that of the realistic conventional photonic crystal with the same energy, due to the shorter optical-like transport wavelength in graphene. So, the graphene-based photonic-like devices offer a higher degree of integration than their conventional counterparts. By changing the applied voltage, the mutual conversion of photonic-like devices with different functions can be realized, while the performance of such photonic-like devices can be manipulated. Therefore, this kind of photonic-like device has high programmability and adjustability. And the photonic-like devices can be integrated with traditional microelectronic circuits. It will have important application prospects in photonic-like integrated circuits and photonic-like computing.

MAP4: A Pragmatic Framework for In-Network Machine Learning Traffic Classification

Self-driving networks guided by machine-learning (ML) algorithms are the driving force for building networks of the future. ML is effective at making inferences about data that is too complex or too unpredictable for humans. The network softwarization enabled by a deep programmability approach opens up new opportunities to deploy ML at the programmable data plane. In this paper, we introduce the MAP4 as a framework that explores the feasibility of mapping ML models in programmable network devices. To achieve this, we rely on the P4 language to deploy a pre-trained model into a programmable switch, utilizing the ML model to accurately classify flows at line rate. Our approach demonstrates that ML models working as classifiers can better fit the data by using the new levels of network programmability from the P4 language. The results showed that with few packets, most of the flows are properly classified. In some use cases, with two packets in the flow, 97% of traffic can be correctly classified, and all classes are properly labeled with a maximum of four packets.

Space Division Multiple Access Based on OIRS in Multi-User FSO System

Optical intelligent reflecting surface (OIRS) is a new type of passive programmable optical devices, and has the potential to expand the application scenarios of traditional optical wireless commnucation. In this paper, an OIRS-based space division multiple access (SDMA) technology is proposed, which realizes accurate SDMA by partitioning the signal input and control of the OIRS, so that a single OIRS can output multiple adjustable optical beams containing different information. By jointly considering the multi-path interference among OIRS regions, OIRS physical model, pointing error, and atmospheric attenuation, we build a mathematical model of the OIRS-based SDMA system. Based on the model, the closed-form expressions for the system BER and outage probability has been derived. It is shown through numerical results that the derivation results are accurate and there is an error floor cased by multi-path interference among OIRS regions. Based on theoretical analysis and simulation results, the effect of each parameter and system design have been discussed.

Experimental Results for an Off-Road Vehicle Powered by a Modular Fuel Cell Systems Using an Innovative Startup Sequence

This article deals with implementing a rule-based control method and startup sequence of a hybrid electric vehicle powered by a modular fuel cell system as its primary energy source and a lithium-ion battery system as its secondary energy source. The modular fuel cell system is composed of two separate fuel cell systems, electrically coupled to a one-power converter, using a programmable device. Depending on the vehicle’s operating mode, either both systems are used or just one of them. The vehicle’s fuel efficiency is improved by operating at constant power in the peak efficiency range of each fuel cell system. The experimental results show that the proposed system can significantly improve the fuel economy of a fuel cell vehicle and extend the driving range, while avoiding start/stop cycles. Additionally, this solution can increase the fuel cells’ lifecycle.

Design principles of digital-to-analog conversion in information transformation

The object of study is digital-to-analog converter (DAC). The meaning of DAC, their design and control of various types of switches, as well as some logic elements that can act as a switch, as well as the principles of DAC operation based on various series, microcircuits were considered. The resistance of a 4-bit DAC circuit was calculated and, accordingly, the change in the output voltage when applying the corresponding combined input voltage was studied, and a timing diagram was accordingly developed. Using 1-state and toggle physical switches, schematics are established and side effects are learned. Ladder circuit established using R–2R type dividers as voltage dividers. The object of the research is to find and learn the most technologically advantageous concept in order to provide good communication between all equipments by transferring information from digital to analog in the industrial field as well as in other areas where automation is used. One of the biggest challenges in this research is to determine the smallest binary values. Before the use of electronic logic elements such as counters, bistable physical switches were used to create a break or connect state in the circuit, which caused additional energy and time loss or abrasion because of large voltages occur across the switches. The biggest issue was that when manufacturing integrated digital-to-analog converters, producing the right resistors with very different values is really difficult. As a result of this research, it is seen that the use of physical switches is unnecessary as a demand of today's modern technology, and integrated microcircuits are good to replace them. The programming of digital-to-analog converters on programmable hardware devices such as Arduino and Raspberry Pi were mentioned. If to predict the near future, digital-to-analog transmission will be realized only by only using logic elements, and this will change both their energy efficiency and size for the better.

A Hydraulic Evapotranspiration Multisensor

An exclusively mechanical stand-alone automatic device, self-adjusting to weather changes for controlled irrigation, that operates only on the energy of piped water, without electricity, is the described low-cost “Hydraulic Evapotranspiration Multisensor-HEM”. It is composed of an Evaporation Pan with water left to evaporate, a Floater with a Magnet floating in this water, a Hydraulic Device managing a Hydraulic Water Valve having means to adjust irrigation frequency, and a system that returns water to said Pan, through an Adjustable Dripper, to replace that lost by evaporation. During the Evaporation Phase, gradually the water level is lowered to a predetermined level, at which the floating Magnet acts on said Hydraulic Device to start irrigation. Water from the irrigation line is returned to the Evaporation Pan at the proper for the irrigation time rate. When the lost water is replaced irrigation is terminated and the system resets. On installation Irrigation Frequency and Irrigation Time are set with two graduated screws, for normal weather and the conditions of the particular plantation. HEM responding to weather changes modifies the irrigation schedule set, either by shortening, at a high evaporation rate, the time interval between consecutive irrigation cycles to protect plantations from water deficit stress or extending this time interval at a low evaporation rate to save water. Assessing the performance of HEM, by taking the estimations of evapotranspiration from the Penman–Monteith method shows high accuracy in the studied site. Considering the advantages of the product against the programmable irrigation controller devices, HEM provides optimum irrigation control in field crops and makes it a powerful “green tool” to be used in Mediterranean greenhouses.

Programmable Wavefront Control in the Visible Spectrum Using Low-Loss Chalcogenide Phase-Change Metasurfaces.

All-dielectric metasurfaces provide unique solutions for advanced wavefront manipulation of light with complete control of amplitude and phase at sub-wavelength scales. One limitation, however, for most of these devices is the lack of any post-fabrication tunability of their response. To break this limit, a promising approach is employing phase-change materials (PCMs), which provide fast, low energy, and non-volatile means to endow metasurfaces with a switching mechanism. In this regard, great advancements have been done in the mid-infrared and near-infrared spectrum using different chalcogenides. In the visible spectral range, however, very few devices have demonstrated full phase manipulation, high efficiencies, and reversible optical modulation. In this work, a programmable all-dielectric Huygens' metasurface made of antimony sulfide (Sb2 S3 ) PCM is experimentally demonstrated, a low loss and high-index material in the visible spectral range with a large contrast (≈0.5) between its amorphous and crystalline states. ≈2π phase modulation is shown with high associated transmittance and it is used to create programmable beam-steering devices. These novel chalcogenide PCM metasurfaces have the potential to emerge as a platform for next-generation spatial light modulators and to impact application areas such as programmable and adaptive flat optics, light detection and ranging (LiDAR), and many more.

An All-in-One Bioinspired Neural Network.

In spite of recent advancements in artificial neural networks (ANNs), the energy efficiency, multifunctionality, adaptability, and integrated nature of biological neural networks remain largely unimitated by hardware neuromorphic computing systems. Here, we exploit optoelectronic, computing, and programmable memory devices based on emerging two-dimensional (2D) layered materials such as MoS2 to demonstrate a monolithically integrated, multipixel, and "all-in-one" bioinspired neural network (BNN) capable of sensing, encoding, learning, forgetting, and inferring at minuscule energy expenditure. We also demonstrate learning adaptability and simulate learning challenges under specific synaptic conditions to mimic biological learning. Our findings highlight the potential of in-memory computing and sensing based on emerging 2D materials, devices, and integrated circuits to not only overcome the bottleneck of von Neumann computing in conventional CMOS designs but also to aid in eliminating the peripheral components necessary for competing technologies such as memristors.

Real-Time Force Reconstruction in a Transverse Dynamic Force Microscope

One major functionality of force microscopes is their ability to measure forces at a high sensitivity, thereby, allowing understanding of vital mechanisms: for instance, in bio-specimens. The investigation of a specimen’s viscoelasticity on nano-scale can have significant scientific impact, but has been inhibited by the lack of fast, comprehensive scanning instruments. In principle, transverse dynamic force microscopes (TDFMs) permit the measurement of interaction forces within delicate samples in a noncontact manner. The force measurements are reconstructed via complicated offline analysis in TDFMs, therefore, they can hardly be utilized as an online force measuring tool. This article introduces a novel integrated robust design for practical <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">scanning</i> using the TDFM system. The digital design is implemented in fixed-point arithmetic using field programmable gate array devices, thereby, permitting measurement of the interaction force at a high sampling rate. The novel digital design tackles different implementation issues achieving fast and robust force measuring performance. This enables a new <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">force-scan mode</i> for the TDFM, realizing for the first time, online force mapping of sample-surfaces in real-time.

Contamination-Aware Synthesis for Programmable Microfluidic Devices

Programmable microfluidic devices (PMDs) have emerged as a new software-controlled architecture for next-generation flow-based biochips. These devices can be dynamically reconfigured to perform different bioassays flexibly and efficiently owing to their 2-D regularly arranged valve structure. However, PMDs are confronted with critical contamination issues due to the matrix-like structure with intersecting channels. In this article, a block-flushing method is proposed for contamination removal, based on which an overall contamination-aware synthesis flow is proposed. In the proposed block-flushing approach, contaminated areas are first collected according to specific patterns and then flushed as a whole to increase washing efficiency. Then, the synthesis flow integrating the block-flushing method is further optimized such that functional bioassay operations and washing operations can be performed simultaneously for higher efficiency. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed washing approach reduces the washing time by 28% on commonly used bioassays. Equipped with the proposed washing method, our contamination-aware synthesis flow effectively reduces 30% of the completion time of the bioassays compared with the baseline method.

SCA-Safe Implementation of Modified SaMAL2R Algorithm in FPGA.

Cryptographic algorithms (RSA, DSA, and ECC) use modular exponentiation as part of the principal operation. However, Non-profiled Side Channel Attacks such as Simple Power Analysis and Differential Power Analysis compromise cryptographic algorithms that use such operation. In this work, we present a modification of a modular exponentiation algorithm implemented in programmable devices, such as the Field Programmable Gate Array, for which we use Virtex-6 and Artix-7 evaluation boards. It is shown that this proposal is not vulnerable to the attacks mentioned previously. Further, a comparison was made with other related works, which use the same family of FPGAs. These comparisons show that this proposal not only defeats physical attack but also reduces the number of resources. For instance, the present work reduces the Look-Up Tables by 3550 and the number of Flip-Flops was decreased by 62,583 compared with other works. Besides, the number of memory blocks used is zero in the present work, in contrast with others that use a large number of blocks. Finally, the clock cycles (latency) are compared in different programmable devices to perform operations.

Actively switchable terahertz Spiral-Shaped metamaterial with programmable performance

Two designs of actively switchable terahertz (THz) spiral-shaped metamaterial (SSM) are presented in this study. They are composed of four spiral meta-atoms with different orientations. The electromagnetic responses of SSM devices show the fifth-resonance to provide five switching windows for binary encoding due to their transmission intensities with polarization-dependent characteristic. In addition, by actively changing the configuration of elevated spiral meta-atoms, a dual-resonance switching function can be realized. It proves the binary encoding and logic operation such as NAND and OR gates. These characteristics indicate that the proposed SSM designs can be promising optoelectronic switching and multi-bit programmable devices in the THz spectrum.

Improvement of Automotive Sensors by Migrating AUTOSAR End-to-End Communication Protection Library into Hardware

This paper explores new methods to increase the level of safety of data transfer between sensors and electronic control units (ECUs) in automotive communication. A new model of basic sensors to be used in automotive electronics is proposed. This model contains hardware modules that implement the end-to-end communication protection (E2E) mechanism, as defined by the Automotive Open System Architecture (AUTOSAR) standard. By adding this feature inside the sensors, it is possible that, in addition to increasing the safety level, these sensors can be directly connected to the network ECUs via standard communication buses (e.g., Local Interconnect Network (LIN), Controller Area Network (CAN), Flexray, etc.). This paper describes the model, design, and mapping (in a Field Programmable Gate Array device (FPGA)) of the hardware E2E module capable of generating the Cyclic Redundancy Code (CRC) and counter signal for a customized message. This message represents the output of the new sensor E2E module used in a safety communication as requested by the automotive E2E standard. The model is validated also by comparing the data output of the E2E hardware with the data output of the AUTOSAR software E2E library. Finally, future needs and directions are suggested in this area.

Ultra-compact nonvolatile phase shifter based on electrically reprogrammable transparent phase change materials

Optical phase shifters constitute the fundamental building blocks that enable programmable photonic integrated circuits (PICs)—the cornerstone of on-chip classical and quantum optical technologies [1, 2]. Thus far, carrier modulation and thermo-optical effect are the chosen phenomena for ultrafast and low-loss phase shifters, respectively; however, the state and information they carry are lost once the power is turned off—they are volatile. The volatility not only compromises energy efficiency due to their demand for constant power supply, but also precludes them from emerging applications such as in-memory computing. To circumvent this limitation, we introduce a phase shifting mechanism that exploits the nonvolatile refractive index modulation upon structural phase transition of Sb2Se3, a bi-state transparent phase change material (PCM). A zero-static power and electrically-driven phase shifter is realized on a CMOS-backend silicon-on-insulator platform, featuring record phase modulation up to 0.09 π/µm and a low insertion loss of 0.3 dB/π, which can be further improved upon streamlined design. Furthermore, we demonstrate phase and extinction ratio trimming of ring resonators and pioneer a one-step partial amorphization scheme to enhance speed and energy efficiency of PCM devices. A diverse cohort of programmable photonic devices is demonstrated based on the ultra-compact PCM phase shifter.

Scanning pH-metry for Observing Reversibility in Protein Folding.

One of the main factors affecting protein structure in solution is pH. Traditionally, to study pH-dependent conformational changes in proteins, the concentration of the H+ ions is adjusted manually, complicating real-time analyses, hampering dynamic pH regulation, and consequently leading to a limited number of tested pH levels. Here, we present a programmable device, a scanning pH-meter, that can automatically generate different types of pH ramps and waveforms in a solution. A feedback loop algorithm calculates the required flow rates of the acid/base titrants, allowing one, for example, to generate periodic pH sine waveforms to study the reversibility of protein folding by fluorescence spectroscopy. Interestingly, for some proteins, the fluorescence intensity profiles recorded in such a periodically oscillating pH environment display hysteretic behavior indicating an asymmetry in the sequence of the protein unfolding/refolding events, which can most likely be attributed to their distinct kinetics. Another useful application of the scanning pH-meter concerns coupling it with an electrospray ionization mass spectrometer to observe pH-induced structural changes in proteins as revealed by their varying charge-state distributions. We anticipate a broad range of applications of the scanning pH-meter developed here, including protein folding studies, determination of the optimum pH for achieving maximum fluorescence intensity, and characterization of fluorescent dyes and other synthetic materials.

Reconfigurable coupled-resonator acoustoelastic waveguides in fluid-filled phononic metaplates

We study numerically and experimentally acoustoelastic wave propagation in a two-dimensional phononic metaplate consisting of a periodic array of cups sitting on a thin epoxy plate that is perforated with cross holes. When all cups are filled with water, the metaplate possesses a complete band gap. Reconfigurable coupled-resonator acoustoelastic waveguides (CRAEWs) are created by locally emptying certain cups, thus introducing local resonances that are evanescently coupled. Straight and 90° bent periodic waveguides are considered, together with an aperiodic chain of 11 coupled resonators. The aperiodic chain has no definite spatial periodicity but supports collective resonances resulting from the coupling of nearest resonators. Lamb waves are experimentally excited by a piezoelectric patch and received by a scanning optical vibrometer. Experimental results for acoustoelastic wave propagation along both periodic and aperiodic CRAEWs are compared to a three-dimensional finite element model taking fluid–structure interaction into account. The propagation of confined acoustoelastic waves in the 90° bent waveguides and the collective resonances of the aperiodic chain of defected resonators are observed experimentally. Reconfigurability are realized based on the coupling of acoustoelastic waves in a phononic metaplate. Our results show plenty of potential possibilities for the practical design of reconfigurable and programmable elastic wave devices.

Multielement Polychromatic 2D Liquid Crystal Dammann Gratings

AbstractMultielement and multiwavelength switchable Dammann gratings are demonstrated in polymerizable nematic liquid crystal (LC) devices fabricated using two‐photon polymerization direct laser writing. To begin with, a single element 2D Dammann grating, with a diffraction efficiency of around 60%, is fabricated in a thin polymerizable LC layer such that the grating could be activated and deactivated with the application and removal of an external applied voltage. The impact of the fabrication parameters on the resulting intensity distribution in the far‐field diffraction pattern is presented and discussed, along with results for the response times, which are found to be less than that recorded for the regions of the LC device that did not consist of the laser‐written grating. A multielement device is then presented that exhibits two different Dammann gratings that are activated by the application of two different voltage amplitudes. Results for the corresponding far‐field intensity profiles and response times are presented, which demonstrate that high quality laser written switchable Dammann gratings can be fabricated in polymerizable LCs. These switchable elements have potential in programmable beam shaping, microscopy and optical communication devices.

Efficient RO-PUF for Generation of Identifiers and Keys in Resource-Constrained Embedded Systems

The generation of unique identifiers extracted from the physical characteristics of the underlying hardware ensures the protection of electronic devices against counterfeiting and provides security to the data they store and process. This work describes the design of an efficient Physical Unclonable Function (PUF) based on the differences in the frequency of Ring Oscillators (ROs) with identical layout due to variations in the technological processes involved in the manufacture of the integrated circuit. The logic resources available in the Xilinx Series-7 programmable devices are exploited in the design to make it more compact and achieve an optimal bit-per-area rate. On the other hand, the design parameters can also be adjusted to provide a high bit-per-time rate for a particular target device. The PUF has been encapsulated as a configurable Intellectual Property (IP) module, providing it with an AXI4-Lite interface to ease its incorporation into embedded systems in combination with soft- or hard-core implementations of general-purpose processors. The capability of the proposed RO-PUF to generate implementation-dependent identifiers has been extensively tested, using a series of metrics to evaluate its reliability and robustness for different configuration options. Finally, in order to demonstrate its utility to improve system security, the identifiers provided by RO-PUFs implemented on different devices have been used in a Helper Data Algorithm (HDA) to obfuscate and retrieve a secret key.

Functional Split of In-Network Deep Learning for 6G: A Feasibility Study

In existing mobile network systems, the data plane (DP) is mainly considered a pipeline consisting of network elements end-to-end forwarding user data traffics. With the rapid maturity of programmable network devices, however, mobile network infrastructure mutates towards a programmable computing platform. Therefore, such a programmable DP can provide in-network computing capability for many application services. In this paper, we target to enhance the data plane with in-network deep learning (DL) capability. However, in-network intelligence can be a significant load for network devices. Then, the paradigm of the functional split is applied so that the deep neural network (DNN) is decomposed into sub-elements of the data plane for making machine learning inference jobs more efficient. As a proof-of-concept, we take a Blind Source Separation (BSS) problem as an example to exhibit the benefits of such an approach. We implement the proposed enhancement in a full-stack emulator and we provide a quantitative evaluation with professional datasets. As an initial trial, our study provides insightful guidelines for the design of the future mobile network system, employing in-network intelligence (e.g., 6G).