Two Semester Senior Design Capstone ECE 4805-4806

Information Session

March 19, 2014

Gino Manzo571-722-2667ginom@vt.edu

Topics

• Welcome/Introductions• Objective• Approach• Motivation• Project Review• Logistics• Next Steps• Questions

Two Semester Senior Design Capstone ECE 4805- 4806

•Objective– Provide students an “industry-like” experience that includes technical, business, and

professional skill development

•Approach– Real-life technical problems solved by student teams– Industry/Faculty sponsorships

•$5k/project• Ideally 4hrs/month industry support• Real life problem

– Student teams mentored by Subject Matter Expert, Industry POC, Instructor– Scope:

•Business cycle (SOW,RFP, TS)-> design concept -> detailed design-> prototype->test /verification-> student poster session with industry sponsors

•Students manage budgets/schedule/customer interface•Soft skill development (eg. communications, team dynamics, etc)

– Focus on Technical+ Business + Professional Development – Option to existing single semester capstones

Two Semester Senior Design Capstone ECE 4805-4806

• Motivation to Change- driven by ECE Industrial Advisory Board (IAB)– Industry wants students with

•Well rounded technical foundation•Program management, business skills•Developed soft skills -> best learned by practicing-> 2x

• What do you get credit for?– For EE’s, 4805 counts as a tech elective, 4806 as a capstone design– For CPE’s, 4805 counts as a tech elective, 4806 as a Design Technical Elective

• Key Benefits– Students: industry exposure, networking, improved skill set– Companies: access to student/faculty, solution to problem– ECE: enhanced industry relationships, funding, improved alignment

• Schedule– 1Q14: course approval and industry sponsorship solicitation initiated – Feb/March: finalize sponsorships (goal 20)– April/May: match students to projects– Launch Fall 2014 semester

Project Summary

• 20 projects available• Very Diverse: microelectronics ->establishing wireless in residence halls

• Large/small companies; Virginia to Oregon• Citizenship restrictions

– 14 no US Citizenship requirements– 4 require US Citizenship (Lockheed-Martin, VPT

Inc.)– 2 prefers US Citizenship (Intel)

• No NDAs or IP agreements• Enthusiastically Supported by Sponsors and Faculty• Dedicated Instructor/Mentor

ECE 4805/06 Project Summary

Project SponsorReliability Low K Interconnect Structures Intel Corporation – Hillsboro, ORDesign/Fabricate/Evaluate Photovoltaic Cells Micron Technology, Manassas, VADesign/Fabricate/Evaluate IC Transistors/Circuits Micron Technology, Manassas, VARadiation Test Methodologies, Hardware, Test Database VPT Inc., VAHi-Reliability Capacitor Investigation BAE Systems, Manassas, VAIC Building Blocks: Design and Simulation Lockheed-Martin, Manassas, VASensorless Magnetic Levitation System National Instruments, Austin, TXSelf-Organizing Coherent Distributed RF Transmitter John Hopkins Applied Physics Lab, Laurel, MD Infrared Sea Surface Temperature (SST) Sensor John Hopkins Applied Physics Lab, Laurel, MD Design/Build/Evaluate Multi-Channel Sensor Interface Measurement Specialties, Inc , Hampton, VAHigh Speed Switch Fabric: Modems to Transceivers Northrop Grumman Corp., San Diego, CAFluxgate Magnetometer Drive Prime Photonics, Blacksburg, VA Asymmetric Material Design Analog Circuit Lockheed MartinData Stream Compression and Encryption IC Lockheed MartinDevelop Low rate “Under” Communications Capability InmarsatWeb-enabled High Voltage Waveform Generator General Electric, Salem, VASimultaneous Programming of Multiple ID Tags General Electric, Salem, VAStopgap Wireless Provisioning for VT Residence Halls Virginia Tech Information Technology, Blacksburg, VACommodity Computing Core and Storage Platforms Virginia Tech Information Technology, Blacksburg, VAMobile Single Sign On Virginia Tech Information Technology, Blacksburg, VA

Contact Instructor: Gino Manzo (24/7) ginom@vt.edu 571-722-2667

* US Citizenship Required ** US Citizenship Preferred

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Reliability Low K Interconnect StructuresIntel Corporation – Hillsboro, OR

• Description– Learn Resistive Switching (RS) Characterization

Methodologies– Develop test methodologies to study dielectric failures– Design, Fabricate Low K Interconnect Structures– Perform reliability testing/analysis– Report results and recommend improvements

• Deliverables– Demonstration of test structures and test

methodologies– Bonus: conclusive results on root cause of TDDB

Design/Fabricate/Evaluate Photovoltaic CellsMicron Technology, Manassas, VA

• Description– Investigate trade-off of maximizing illumination area and

minimizing series resistance of a PV cell– Design, fabricate, evaluate PV cell of at least 5x5mm,

preferably 10x10mm, with various geometries on a GaAs or GaSb

– Learn clean room fabrication basics including photolithography, etching and metal deposition

• Deliverables– 2 or more photovoltaic cells with dimensions of at least 5

mm on a side– Report describing PV characteristics as a function of top

electrode layouts

Design/Fabricate/Evaluate IC Transistors/CircuitsMicron Technology, Manassas, VA

• Description– Fabricate p and n channel metal oxide semiconductor field

effect transistors (MOSFETs)– Design, fabricate, evaluate circuit building blocks (e.g.

inverter, AND/OR gates, etc)– Learn clean room fabrication basics including diffusion,

gate dielectric deposition, photolithography, etching and metal deposition

• Deliverables– p and n channel MOSFETS, inverter, two input AND/OR

circuits– Report describing design, process details and test report

Radiation Test Methodologies, Hardware, Test DatabaseVPT Inc., VA

• Description – Develop test methodologies for a host of power

converter piece parts (e.g. op amplifiers, transistors, diodes, pulse width modulators circuits, etc)

– Design and build supporting test hardware– Support radiation testing of components– Analyze and document results

• Deliverables– Printed circuit boards designed to test various

components, – C++ programs for test solutions, – Data analysis report including statistical analysis

Hi-Reliability Capacitor InvestigationBAE Systems, Manassas, VA

• Description– Space Computers have 500+ highly reliable capacitors

Location, value, reliability are critical for success– Develop Stress Test Methodologies (similar to Mil-Std-202 and

Mil-PRF-123) for a host of capacitors types– Design/Build test hardware– Generate statistically significant reliability database– Analyze failure modes, provide user recommendations, design

handbook – Option: Extend analysis to other computer components

• Deliverables– Printed circuit boards designed to test various capacitors – Test methodologies document; Design handbook

– Data analysis report including statistical analysis

IC Building Blocks: Design and Simulation Lockheed-Martin, Manassas, VA

• Description–Schematic level design and simulation of IC building blocks based on

requirements provided by LM ( design work can be done using TowerJazz or IBM’s SiGe PDK’s)

– IC blocks include: •LNA design for ISM bands ~2.5Mhz•VGA again for ISM bands•Active mixer, Gilbert Cell type•Output amplifier, +13 to +20 dBm output power again in ISM band

– From the designs above, build (in Cadence) a receiver design as a group

•Deliverables–Block schematics, simulations, layouts, post layout simulations–Integrated receiver schematic, layouts, and simulations

Sensorless Magnetic Levitation SystemNational Instruments, Austin, TX

• Description– Currently a rudimentary design has been simulated

– Objective innovate, refine, extend, and build

• Deliverables– Slower than real-time FPGA co-simulation demonstrating stable and

robust sensorless magnetic levitation control system.– Real-time simulation demonstrating stable and robust sensorless

magnetic levitation control system.– Globally optimized cyber-physical system (CPS) design. Optimization

spans electromagnetic, power electronics and control software domains.– Working physical prototype utilizing open source 3-phase inverter

research board and demonstrating stable and robust sensorless magnetic levitation control system.

– Real time signal level hardware-in-the loop(HIL) simulation for comprehensive validation and verification of the sensorless magnetic levitation control system.

Self-Organizing Coherent Distributed RF TransmitterJohn Hopkins Applied Physics Lab, Laurel, MD

• Description –Students will develop a self-organizing coherent distributed

RF transmitter– A small number (<6) of nodes comprised of inexpensive

microcontrollers with DAC capability (ex. Arduino Due) must through wireless communications determine their relative positions and transmit a coherent signal towards a given direction.

–Nodes will include RF upconverters to utilize a reasonable coherent transmit frequency (nominally VHF).

– A goal of 90% of the theoretical coherent gain from all nodes measured at a receiver is desired.

• Deliverables– Demonstration of coherent transmit, final report

Infrared Sea Surface Temperature (SST) SensorJohn Hopkins Applied Physics Lab, Laurel, MD

• Description – Design and build a compact, inexpensive, low-power and

highly-accurate infrared (IR) sea surface temperature (SST) sensor

– Capable of being mounted on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or ruggedized and deployed on a buoy

–This sensor is to be used for more timely and reliable data collection than what is afforded by polar-orbiting satellites since the sensor would be able to collect data continuously and when clouds are present (which currently obscures IR satellite measurements).

• Deliverables– System design and prototype sensor package with

understanding of accuracy, repeatability (between various sensors) and documented calibration procedure

Design/Build/Evaluate Multi-Channel Sensor InterfaceMeasurement Specialties, Inc , Hampton, VA

• Description –Design Multi-channel Sensor Interface with following

components• Analog Front End to be digitized• FPGA implemented Micro-sequencer• FPGA implemented low pass filter • FPGA implemented SPI interface• Option: FPGA implemented conversion engine • Option: Microprocessor or FPGA implemented Communications Protocol for command, control, and data streaming

• Deliverables– FPGA design code and documentation of the above

High Speed Switch Fabric: Modems to Transceivers Northrop Grumman Corp., San Diego, CA

• Description–Develop hardware that supports feasibility of a high speed switch

fabric that interfaces digital modems (FPGA/DSP/ASIC) to transceivers (RF-mixed signal).

•Deliverables–Limited demonstration of switch–Design and test documents

XCVR Module 1

SRIO Switch Module

XCVR Module 2

WaveformProcessor Module 1

Waveform Processor Module 2

SRIO (ADC/DAC Data)

SRIO (ADC/DAC Data) SRIO (ADC/DAC Data)

SRIO (ADC/DAC Data)

ControllerModule

High Speed Switch Fabric

Debug Ethernet Module

I2C Ctrl

VITA Rack

Signal Generator

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RSMA

Signal GeneratorSMA

Spectrum AnalyzerSMA

Spectrum AnalyzerSMA

Signal Generator

SMA

Spectrum AnalyzerSMA

Signal Generator

SMA

Spectrum AnalyzerSMA

PC with GUI Application

Cat5a EnetRJ45

Ethernet

Ethernet Switch

Ethernet

Ethernet

Ethernet

Ethernet

SMAto

MCX

SMAto

MCX

SMAto

MCX

SMAto

MCX

Spectrum AnalyzerVITA Power Supply

Connector

Power Supply(300 Watt)

Power Cable

VITA Power Supply OSCILLATOR

Fluxgate Magnetometer DrivePrime Photonics, Blacksburg, VA

• Description– Design and construct a fluxgate magnetometer drive and

measurement package– Fluxgate magnetometer is a device that measures the

intensity and orientation of magnetic lines of flux–Optimize frequency/amplitude to achieve lowest SNR for

novel metallic being developed by Prime Photonics– Develop drive hardware, construct, evaluate– Option: participate in EM of novel material– Option: conduct demo at NASA Goddard (Spring 2015)

•Deliverables– System prototype, design and test documents

Asymmetric Material Design Analog Circuit Lockheed Martin, (Space Systems)

• Description– Traditional circuit design focuses on miniaturization. New materials such as conductive inks,

dielectric polymers, powders, nanomaterials and “organic electronics” are now available widely from a range of catalog sources.

– This project will define boundaries for what analog circuits are possible with catalog materials using hand tool application techniques such as paint brush, syringe, template and spray application.

– Phase 1 – material sourcing and element testing•Create catalog of Asymmetric Electronic Materials•Build/test Asymmetric Analog Circuit elements – characterize performance

– Phase 2 – design/build circuit•Use performance data from Fall Semester to design a useful analog circuit•Build and test circuit using Asymmetric Materials

• Deliverables– Catalog of available Asymmetric Electronic Materials (characteristics, cost, etc..)– Asymmetric Circuit Element performance data (transistors, resistors, capacitors,

interconnects, etc..)– Circuit Design of a useful analog circuit using Asymmetric Electronic Materials– Asymmetric Materials Analog Circuit performance data and ‘YouTube’ video

Data Stream Compression and Encryption IC Lockheed Martin

• Description– Near-real time Data Stream Compression and Encryption IC based on

requirements provided by LM. – ASIC based option: System level and architecture design of ASIC. Initial

simulation and performance characteristics, layout and re-simulation, and re-design to meet requirements post layout.

– FPGA based option: Block level design and simulation of the FPGA. Initial performance characteristics Refinement and implementation of the FPGA schematic design, simulation with real data.

• Deliverables–Schematic Design, Netlist (FPGA),FPGA or ASIC simulations, Expected

performance characteristics, Block Layouts (ASIC option),Updated Simulations (ASIC option),Updated schematics, FPGA option: Real data simulation results, performance characteristics

Simultaneous Programming of Multiple ID TagsGeneral Electric, Salem, VA

• Description– Design and create a device for simultaneous programming of multiple

Maxim 1-Wire ID tag devices–This project uses the open source data from Maxim Integrated to

match the performance of the DS9097U-E25 to program up to 6 DS2502 devices simultaneously.

–The project will employ a USB 2.0 connection to the programmer with a user interface and API definition.

– Future scalability could include the ability to program more than six devices simultaneously.

• Deliverables–Detailed design documents–Working Prototype–Software source code–Final design should be ready for small lot production (10-100)

Web-enabled High Voltage Waveform Generator General Electric, Salem, VA

• Description– Develop a small electronic board that will have two 4-20ma analog inputs used to

control frequency (0-20Khz) and amplitude of an AC waveform output. – The output will be able to provide 0-150 Vpk-pk with an isolated output. – Current output should be limited between 10ma - 30ma. Designed to meet

EN61010-1 3rd edition. – The configuration, such as scaling, should be done through an Ethernet port. – Future scalability could include:

• Interlink between 3 boards to allow for simulated 3 phase output. •The ability to generate an arbitrary waveform. •Besides a simple automation interface, also allow a web based interface

• Deliverables– Detailed design documents– Working Prototype– Software source code– Final design should be ready for small lot production (10-100)

Develop Low rate “Under” Communications CapabilityInmarsat

• Description– Perform system trades to develop an architecture for M2M

waveforms at Ka-band– Signals shall be spread to enable operation over satellites

without interference to primary users– Prototype hardware is developed to demonstrate throughput

and interference capability– Tests will be done on an Inmarsat satellite simulator or across a

live Inmarsat satellite• Deliverables

–System architecture and link budgets–Working Hub Prototype modem–Working Terminal Prototype modem–Test results, all documentation and software

Stopgap Wireless Provisioning for VT Residence HallsVirginia Tech Information Technology, Blacksburg, VA

• Description– Problem: Freshmen come to campus expecting wall-to-wall wireless,

especially in their residence hall rooms. Wireless service is unavailable in many places, and residents use up a lot of data minutes on their smart phones.

– A stopgap measure would be to lease secure, high quality wireless routers for students to connect to their Ethernet ports

– Optimize and remediate performance problems due to rogue routers, physical obstacles such as Hokie stone, and capacity shortages on some switch nodes.

– Enable optimum popular wireless applications such as gaming and media streaming

• Deliverables– Prototype system demonstration–Documented system design–Source code for any associated tools for configuration and monitoring

Commodity Computing Core and Storage PlatformsVirginia Tech Information Technology, Blacksburg, VA• Description

– Develop a Virginia Tech commoditized parts computing core and storage platform for use by IT and other interested parties.

– Utilize off-the-shelf OEM parts to build a low cost, energy efficient, scalable and redundant computing architecture.

– Base work on existing technologies such as http://www.opencompute.org/ and http://blog.backblaze.com/2013/02/20/180tb-of-good-vibrations-storage-pod-3-0/

– Utilize locally developed 3D printing, custom electrical circuit design, vibration-dampening materials, and locally develop management software to eliminate existing design limitations.

• Deliverables– Custom-developed compute server and storage platform– Complete design documents for building energy efficient, scalable and

redundant computing server platform– Locally developed cross-platform software to centrally manage n+1 server

platform nodes

Mobile Single Sign OnVirginia Tech Information Technology, Blacksburg, VA• Description

– Problem: Identity Management Services (IMS), recognizes the need for a Single Sign On (SSO) infrastructure for native mobile applications. •Native applications typically store passwords individually, many times in plain text, providing both bad security and poor user experiences.

– One solution is a Native Authorization Agent as proposed to the OpenId Foundation (http://goo.gl/rzgYAz).

–Create open source implementation of the OpenId proposal to potentially be used by the university and offered to the larger higher education and identity communities.

–Deliverables•Software code for at least Android and/or iOS•Associated documentation of the design, implementation, and testing

Class Format (Subject to change)

ECE 4805• Business Process 10%• Design Concept 20% • Design Implementation 30%• Detailed Design- 20%• Simulations- 10%• Project Management 10%• Communication 10%• Professional Development 20%

(such as leadership/team member traits &

behaviors, listening skills, identifying

strengths, weaknesses)

ECE 4806• Design Implementation 60%• Simulations- 10%• Prototyping -20%• Design of Experiments- 10%• Test/Validation-20%• Project Management 10%• Communication 10%• Professional Development 20% (such as leadership/team member traits &behaviors, improvingstrengths, weaknesses, interviewing skillsdiversity, inclusion, ethics)

Class will consist of lectures, team time, customer time,instructor mentoring

Textbooks (Subject to change)

Recommended Reference Material• Design for Electrical and Computer Engineers, by Ralph Ford and Chris Coulston,

Edition: 1, 336 pages, Publication Date: March 31 2005, Publisher: McGraw-Hill Higher Education, ISBN: 0073380350 

• Electronic Measurement and Instrumentation by Klass b. Klassen, 343 pages, Publication Date: November 2003, Publisher: Cambridge University Press, ISBN: 0521471575

•  Optimization of Electronic Measurements, by Chistie Enke, Stanley Crouch, Gary Horlick, Howard Malmstadt, 203 pages, Publication Date: January 1,  1974, Publisher: W. A. Benjamin, ASIN: B0006CBO0W  

• The 5 Dysfunctions of a Team, by Patrick Lencioni, 240 pages, Publication Date: June 3, 2010, Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, ISBN-10: 9780787960759  

• Micromessaging, by Stephen Young, Edition: 1, 224 pages, Publication Date: October 2006, Publisher: McGraw-Hill Professional Publishing, ISBN-10: 0071467572  

• Leading Change, by John Kotter, 208 pages, Publication Date: September 1996, Publisher: Harvard Business Review Press, ISBN: 0875847471

Next Steps

• Sign up for Class!!– March 25th- April 1st

•Send me an email with Prioritized Project Preference– 1_____– 2_____– 3_____

• Contact me if any questions/concerns

Gino Manzo

ginom@vt.edu

571-722-2667

Questions