Integrated Circuit Design (MCCI)
The semiconductor industry faces global challenges related to societal impact via advanced technology development for improved sustainability, lower supply chain disruptions and improved cybersecurity. Researchers at the Microelectronic Circuits Centre Ireland (MCCI) at Tyndall are actively working on sustainable materials, new circuit design architectures, design practices, diversification of supply chains, and enhanced security measures.
Our mission is to pioneer world-class technological innovations through collaborative efforts with industry, that has impact and offers benefits for the greater societal good and the planet. Additionally, we are committed to nurturing the next generation of technology leaders for the semiconductor industry.
Semiconductor research will continue to focus on delivering significant societal impact, including the development of wearable health monitoring devices, IoT solutions for food production and industry, contributions to 6G wireless communications technology, energy conservation, and sustainable production of energy. Innovations in these areas are vital grand challenges for improving the quality of life and economic growth for all societies and Tyndall are at the forefront of these innovations.
Research Focus
(1) RF, mmwave & Terahertz
a. Low Power RF and Broadband mmw & Terahertz Transceivers: Our RF & mm wave and sub mm wave research has a unique understanding of the challenges for next generation low power RF, broadband RF, cloud computing, RF for next generation wireless communications, medical and environmental sensing, using imaging and stimulation.
b. RF & mm wave: This area of our research is focused on millimetre wave front-end components, RF co-design methods using multi-functional components, filter synthesis techniques, broadband antenna arrays and low-cost integration methods for Industrial IOT, wireless communications and aerospace next gen systems.
c. Sub-mm wave: This new area of our research is focused on silicon-integrated THz Transceivers and systems targeting a broad range of advanced applications such as high-resolution imaging and non-destructive test and measurement systems.
(2) Integrated Power Management: This is focused on Ultra Low Power (ULP) and higher efficiency PMIC integrated systems, and energy harvesting solutions. Current research explores highly integrated power supplies systems to address the need for smaller physical form factors and energy reduction while achieving higher energy efficiencies.
(3) Precision Analog Circuits & Data converters: Our Precision Analog Circuits research explores ultra-low power high dynamic range data converters, multi-sensor interfaces, analogue front ends for ultra-low power applications in Industrial 4.0 and Biomedical/Medical devices including implantables.
(4) Cryogenic CMOS
A new research area for the centre has been added in 2022 to examine and develop CMOS circuit designs that operate effectively at ultralow temperatures, i.e. 4 degree Kelvin. The research is investigating how PCB testing materials and spice level models for circuit design behave at very low temperatures and verify new methods and design techniques for improved IC performance. The Circuit designs will adopt the challenges required for Quantum computing silicon controllers.
Recent Publications
The team has developed a strong project execution and publication track record over a 14 year period since its foundation. MCCI researchers have achieved 183 publications in the top IEEE journals and conferences and associated journals related to microelectronics development which has enabled the transfer of over 200 very talented IC Design engineers into the semiconductor Industry in Ireland in the same period.
Since 2021 to date, MCCI researchers achieved 87 tier 1 publications.
D. Mai, M. P. Kennedy, “Initial Condition-Dependent Spur Pattern Induced by Undithered MASH DDSM Divider Controller”, IEEE International Symposium on Circuits and Systems (ISCAS) (2023).
X. Chen, Y. Hu, T. Siriburanon, J. Du, R. B. Staszewski, A, Zhu, “A 30-GHz Class-F Quadrature DCO Using Phase Shifts between Drain–Gate–Source for Low Flicker Phase Noise and I/Q Exactness”, IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits (JSSC), 58 (7) (2023).
B. O’Sullivan, Z. Pavlovic, N. Fiebig, C. O’Mathuna, S. O’Driscoll, “Gate Driver Chip-Set using Low Volt-Second Pulse Transformer for Galvanic Signal Isolation”, Annual IEEE Conference on Applied Power Electronics Conference and Exposition (APEC), (2023).
