Electrical Design-for-Manufacturability (DFM) checks are developed to quantify layout enhancements and their impact on circuit performance for analog designs. A database containing circuit topologies of analog matched devices is built. Then, connectivity checks scan the schematics for topologies from the database. If a matching topology were detected, the matched devices are mapped to layout for layout matching checks. If layout mismatches are detected, electrical DFM checks are used to quantify the imbalance in terms of parasitic resistance and capacitance. The electrical DFM checks are applied to quantify the impact due to routing, fill, and DFM fixing on three, 22nm analog design blocks. Fill insertion's contribution to RC change is the greatest followed by routing and DFM fixing, with a maximum change of 7%, 5%, and less than 1%, respectively. Symmetry-aware layout insertions preserve the matching of electrical parameters, showing zero mismatch. All designs pass electrical DFM checks as results are within the expected design tolerances.

Modeling linear periodically time-varying (LPTV) circuits is challenging due to the presence of frequency translation. Many approaches have been proposed that simplify the analysis and provide intuition into the operation of these circuits. It is critical to select the proper model when designing LPTV systems: too complex, and intuition is lost; too simple, and numerical accuracy degrades. This work shows how a conversion matrix-based model can be used for mixer-first receivers with complex feedback in the presence of finite switch transitions. This model accurately predicts S 11 below -10 dB for all tested transition times, in contrast with prior models, which are shown to be invalid with transitions beyond 2% of the clock period. As a design tool, this approach models gain, harmonic rejection ratio, and noise figure within 0.1 dB of simulation with switch transitions even at 5% of the clock period.

A suite of DFM enablement is enhanced to address the unique needs of analog, RF, and mmWave designs in the custom design flow. The DFM rules and patterns are made stricter beyond baseline requirements, and new DFM rules and patterns are added to further reduce layout-dependent device variability. Auto-fixing in the custom design flow is enhanced to meet these new requirements. New DFM enablement is developed for device matching for differential circuits and sensitive devices. Lastly, novel DFM fill strategies are implemented to reduce the variability of passive devices operating at high frequencies. Using DFM-aware fill, a 2% quality-factor loss for a mmWave inductor operating at 30 GHz is shown to be sufficient for meeting manufacturing planarity requirements.

This paper reports the design, fabrication, and testing of a soft dielectric elastomer power generator with a volume of less than 1 cm(3). The generator is well suited to harvest energy from ambient and from human body motion as it can harvest from low frequency (sub-Hz) motions, and is compact and lightweight. Dielectric elastomers are highly stretchable variable capacitors. Electrical energy is produced when the deformation of a stretched, charged dielectric elastomer is relaxed; like-charges are compressed together and opposite-charges are pushed apart, resulting in an increased voltage. This technology provides an opportunity to produce soft, high energy density generators with unparalleled robustness. Two major issues block this goal: current configurations require rigid frames that maintain the dielectric elastomer in a prestretched state, and high energy densities have come at the expense of short lifetime. This paper presents a self-supporting stacked generator configuration which does not require rigid frames. The generator consists of 48 generator films stacked on top of each other, resulting in a structure that fits within an 11 mm diameter footprint while containing enough active material to produce useful power. To ensure sustainable power production, we also present a mathematical model for designing the electronic control of the generator which optimizes energy production while limiting the electrical stress on the generator below failure limits. When cyclically compressed at 1.6 Hz, our generator produced 1.8 mW of power, which is sufficient for many low-power wireless sensor nodes. This performance compares favorably with similarly scaled electromagnetic, piezoelectric, and electrostatic generators. The generator's small form factor and ability to harvest useful energy from low frequency motions such as tree swaying or shoe impact provides an opportunity to deliver power to remote wireless sensor nodes or to distributed points in the human body without the need for costly periodic battery replacement.

The cellular frequency spectrum has become increasingly complex with over 50 frequencies in LTE standards. To reduce costs in the front end module the switch has migrated from a III-V PHEMT base to a silicon solution in RFSOI. While many providers have focused on a 180nm base technology node for the RFSOI there has been an increasing move to more advanced nodes to solution the logic requirements of the cellular standards. In addition there has been a strong interest in migrating to an SOC solution in RFSOI. In this paper a 130nm RFSOI technology is presented with high performance and low noise body tied 1.5V NMOS for LNA devices with a novel method of body contacting, low Ron*Coff NMOS for antenna switch and state of the art EDNMOS with f(T) of 38GHz and BVdss of 14V BVdss for integrated PA application. Specific results presented include characterization of the switch, LNA, and Power Amplifier devices.

Third-order intermodulation intercept (IP3) of 90 dBm required for uplink carrier aggregation in LTE systems drives technology, modeling, design and characterization methods for Front-End semiconductor technology. For the first time, direct on-wafer switch branch IP3 of 84 dBm on trap-rich RF silicon on insulator (RFSOI) is demonstrated. Exploiting widely available low passive intermodulation (PIM) techniques, intermodulation distortion of switch branches and transmission lines is easily obtained to 10 Watts RF input power. On-wafer measurement system IP3 of 98 dBm gives visibility beyond harmonic distortion to the critical product level requirement of IP3.

•Capacitance measurement of dielectric elastomers is frequency dependent.•This is due to a high interconnect resistance between adjacent segments.•High sensing frequencies underestimates the capacitance measurement.

Instead of employing traditional lecture-lab pedagogy to teach undergraduate instrumentation, an open-ended group design project based approach was used. In the approach, the project was assigned to the students in the first week of lectures and served as the foundation, motivation, and context for the entire course. Each group had a project mentor. Lectures and hands-on laboratories supported the design project. The following is discussed: (1) the challenges posed by this approach; (2) recommendations for addressing these challenges; and, (3) how the course contributes towards satisfying The Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand Graduate Competency Profiles.

Dielectric elastomer actuators that can provide muscle-like actuation are unable to self-heal like real muscle tissue. This severely limits dielectric elastomer reliability and robustness. This paper describes a way to instill self-healing into the DE by using a two-phase dielectric consisting of an open-cell silicone sponge saturated with silicone oil. When the dielectric is breached, the oil is able to flow back into any void, re-establishing the dielectric structure. The sponge holds the oil in place and provides dimensional stability, while the oil ensures the integrity of the dielectric layer. The operation of this has been demonstrated in a prototype DE actuator that continued to function despite being perforated multiple times with a sharp object.

Many devices and processes produce low grade waste heat. Some of these include combustion engines, electrical circuits, biological processes and industrial processes. To harvest this heat energy thermoelectric devices, using the Seebeck effect, are commonly used. However, these devices have limitations in efficiency, and usable voltage. This paper investigates the viability of a Stirling engine coupled to an artificial muscle energy harvester to efficiently convert heat energy into electrical energy. The results present the testing of the prototype generator which produced 200 mu W when operating at 75 degrees C. Pathways for improved performance are discussed which include optimising the electronic control of the artificial muscle, adjusting the mechanical properties of the artificial muscle to work optimally with the remainder of the system, good sealing, and tuning the resonance of the displacer to minimise the power required to drive it.

As our population ages, and trends in obesity continue to grow, joint degenerative diseases like osteoarthritis (OA) are becoming increasingly prevalent. With no cure currently in sight, the only effective treatments for OA are orthopaedic surgery and prolonged rehabilitation, neither of which is guaranteed to succeed.Gait retraining has tremendous potential to alter the contact forces in the joints due to walking, reducing the risk of one developing hip and knee OA. Dielectric Elastomer Actuators (DEAs) are being explored as a potential way of applying intuitive haptic feedback to alter a patient's walking gait. The main challenge with the use of DEAs in this application is producing large enough forces and strains to induce sensation when coupled to a patient's skin.A novel controller has been proposed to solve this issue. The controller uses simultaneous capacitive self-sensing and actuation which will optimally apply a haptic sensation to the patient's skin independent of variability in DEAs and patient geometries.

Dielectric elastomer Generator(s) (DEG) are highly suited to harvesting from environmental sources because they are light weight, low cost, and can be coupled directly to rectilinear motions and harvest energy efficiently over a wide frequency range. Because of these benefits, simple and low cost generators could be enabled using DEG.Electrical energy is produced on relaxation of a stretched, charged DEG: like-charges are compressed together and opposite-charges are pushed apart, resulting in an increased voltage. The manner in which the DEG charge state is controlled greatly influences the amount of energy that is produced. For instance, the highest energy density ever demonstrated for DEG is 550 mJ/g, whereas the theoretical energy density of DEG has been reported as high as 1700 mJ/g if driven close to their failure limits.The discrepancy between realised and theoretical energy production highlights that large performance gains can be achieved through smarter charge control that drives the generator close to its failure limits. To do so safely, we need to be able to monitor the real-time electromechanical state of the DEG. This paper discusses the potential of self-sensing for providing feedback on the generator's electromechanical state. Then we discuss our capacitive self-sensing method which we have demonstrated to track the displacement of a Danfoss Polypower generator as it was cyclically stretched and harvested energy.

Hand motion is one of our most expressive abilities. By measuring our interactions with everyday objects, we can create smarter artificial intelligence that can learn and adapt from our behaviours and patterns. One way to achieve this is to apply wearable dielectric elastomer strain sensors directly onto the hand.Applications such as this require fast, efficient and scalable sensing electronics. Most capacitive sensing methods use an analogue sensing signal and a backend processor to calculate capacitance. This not only reduces scalability and speed of feedback but also increases the complexity of the sensing circuitry.A capacitive sensing method that uses a DC sensing signal and continuous tracking of charge is presented. The method is simple and efficient, allowing large numbers of dielectric elastomer sensors to be measured simulatenously.

This paper reports the design, fabrication, and testing of a soft electroactive polymer power generator that has a volume of 1cm(3). The generator provides an opportunity to harvest energy from environmental sources to power wireless sensor networks because it can harvest from low frequency motions, is compact, and lightweight.Electroactive polymers are highly stretchable variable capacitors. Electrical energy is produced when the deformation of a stretched, charged electroactive polymer is relaxed; like-charges are compressed together and opposite-charges are pushed apart, resulting in an increased voltage. Although electroactive polymers have impressively displayed energy densities as high as 550 mJ/g, they have been based on films with thicknesses of tens to hundreds of micrometers, thus a generator covering a large area would be required to provide useful power. Energy harvesters covering large areas are inconvenient to deploy in a wireless sensor network with a large number of nodes, so a generator that is compact in all three dimensions is required. In this work we fabricated a generator that can fit within a 11x11x9 mm envelope by stacking 42, 11mm diameter generator films on top of each other.When compressed cyclically at a rate of 0.5 Hz our generator produced 300 uW of power which is a sufficient amount of power for a low power wireless sensor node. The combination of our generator's small form factor and ability to harvest useful energy from low frequency motions provides an opportunity to deploy large numbers of wireless sensor nodes without the need for periodic, costly battery replacement.

Dielectric elastomer generators (DEG) provide an opportunity to harvest energy from low frequency and aperiodic sources. Because DEG are soft, deformable, high energy density generators, they can be coupled to complex structures such as the human body to harvest excess mechanical energy. However, DEG are typically constrained by a rigid frame and manufactured in a simple planar structure. This planar arrangement is unlikely to be optimal for harvesting from compliant and/or complex structures. In this paper we present a soft generator which is fabricated into a 3 Dimensional geometry. This capability will enable the 3-dimensional structure of a dielectric elastomer to be customised to the energy source, allowing efficient and/or non-invasive coupling. This paper demonstrates our first 3 dimensional generator which includes a diaphragm with a soft elastomer frame. When the generator was connected to a self-priming circuit and cyclically inflated, energy was accumulated in the system, demonstrated by an increased voltage. Our 3D generator promises a bright future for dielectric elastomers that will be customised for integration with complex and soft structures. In addition to customisable geometries, the 3D printing process may lend itself to fabricating large arrays of small generator units and for fabricating truly soft generators with excellent impedance matching to biological tissue. Thus comfortable, wearable energy harvesters are one step closer to reality.