fundamental modules module apd – advanced photonic … · fundamental modules module apd –...

FUNDAMENTAL MODULES

Module APD – Advanced Photonic Devices

(UCL)

Lecturers

Dr David Selviah

Timing and Structure

Spring Term. Assessment: 100% Exam.

Aims

The aim of the course is to provide an in-depth understanding of the design, operation and performance of advanced photonic devices including light emitting diodes, LEDs, a range of semiconductor lasers, photodetectors, liquid crystal devices, photovoltaic solar cells for a variety of applications including optical communications and solar power generation.

Objectives

As specific objectives, by the end of the course students should be able to:

To understand fundamental physical principles of light generation, detection and

modulation and to use this to understand the operation and evolution of advanced

phototonic devices.

To develop design skills including defining a problem and identifying the constraints,

understanding user needs and cost drivers, understanding how creativity can be

used to establish innovative solutions and designs for components to fulfil new

needs ensuring that the device performance meets the required specifications.

To understand the characteristics of particular device materials and device

fabrication and to appreciate recent new developments

To understand the applications in which the advanced photonic devices are used,

including fibre optic communications and solar energy generation.

Syllabus

Photonic materials and properties

Glass; Crystals; Rare Earth-doping; Semiconductors; Bulk; Multiple Quantum Wells, MQW;

Quantum dots; Liquid Crystal

Photon absorption; Spontaneous emission; Stimulated emission; Non-radiative decay;

Birefringence; Energy bands; Temperature Dependence; Density of states; Fermi level;

Quasi-Fermi levels; Direct and Indirect Bandgaps

States in the gap; impurities and defects; Carrier recombination; Non-Radiative

recombination; Radiative recombination; Radiative efficiencies; Lifetimes; Electro-optic

refractive index modulation: CIE, Plasma effect, QCSE; Non-linearities

LEDs, lasers, amplifiers and optical filters

Gratings; Fabrication techniques (Fibre and Semiconductors); Photonic Band gap structures

The rate equation model; spectral linewidth; LEDs; Amplifiers;

Lasers; Fabry Perot cavity; Ring cavity; Laser Noise, Laser examples: VCSEL, DFB, DBR

(including SG, SSG and DS-DBR), External; Laser direct modulation;

Semiconductor laser fabrication (Waveguide, vertical cavity)

Photodetectors

PIN photodiode; Solar Cells; Photo-multipliers; Fabrication Techniques (Mesa, capacitance,

waveguide or vertical structure)

Liquid Crystal Photonic Devices

Module 4G2 – Biosensors (Cambridge)

Lecturer

Dr A. Seshia


Lent term. Lectures and coursework. Assessment: 100% coursework.

Aims

The aims of the course are to:

link engineering principles to understanding of biosystems in sensors and bioelectronics

Objectives


extend principles of engineering to the development of bioanalytical devices and the design of biosensors.

understand the principles of linking cell components and biological pathways with energy transduction, sensing and detection

appreciate the basic configuration and distinction among biosensor systems. demonstrate appreciation for the technical limits of performance. make design and selection decisions in response to measurement problems amenable

to the use of biosensors.

Syllabus

This course covers the principles, technologies, methods and applications of biosensors and bioinstrumentation. The objective of this course is to link engineering principles to understanding of biosystems in sensors and bioelectronics. It will provide the student with detail of methods and procedures used in the design, fabrication and application of biosensors and bioelectronic devices. The fundamentals of measurement science are applied to optical, electrochemical, mass, and pressure signal transduction. Upon successful completion of this course, students are expected to be able to explain biosensing and transducing techniques, design and construct biosensors instrumentation.

Introduction Overview of Biosensors Fundamental elements of biosensor devices Engineering sensor proteins

Electrochemical Biosensors Electrochemical principles Amperometric biosensors and charge transfer pathways in enzymes Glucose biosensors Engineering electrochemical biosensors

Optical Biosensors Optics for biosensors Attenuated total reflection systems

Mass and Acoustic Biosensors Saubrey formulation Acoustic sensor formats Quartz crystal microblalance

Lab-on-chip technologies Microfluidic interfaces for biosensors DNA and protein microarrays Microfabricated PCR technology

Diagnostics for the real world Communication and tracking in health monitoring Detection in resource limited settings

Coursework

The coursework will be assessed on two marked assignments. The first assignment will involve a laboratory session illustrating the functional demonstration of glucose sensor technology. This assignment will be marked on individual reports handed in during week 5 of term. The second assignment will involve a team-based design exercise. This design exercise will involve teams of 4-6 students engaged in designing a real-world biosensor. Design projects will be discussed during week 2 of term and team assignments completed in week 3. The design assignment will be marked on a team presentation in week 7 with written reports due in week 8.

Booklists Please see the Booklist for Group G Courses for references for this module.

Assessment Please refer to Form & conduct of the examinations.

https://www.vle.cam.ac.uk/mod/book/view.php?id=364101&chapterid=56071

http://teaching.eng.cam.ac.uk/content/form-conduct-examinations

Module BTC – Broadband Technologies

and Components (UCL)

Lecturers

Dr Cyril Renaud, Dr David Selviah and Dr Christos Masouros.


Spring Term. 100% Exam.

Aims

This module introduces the technologies involved in the design and construction of transport networks (wireless, copper and optical) and the applications areas in which they are used. It covers the physical fundamentals of the generation, guided transmission, amplification and reception of light, the design consideration and techniques used in radio networks, the principles of digital transmission and the role of optics and wireless in both access and core networks.

Objectives

At the end of the course, students should be able to:

Describe the operation of optical components such as lasers, receivers, optical amplifiers wavelength filters etc.

Describe the elements required for the construction of optical, wireless and copper links in technical terms.

Perform basic system design calculations for both optical (in terms of power and/or dispersion budget) and wireless systems (power budget) as well as consider to a first approximation the impact of noise.

Appreciate the role of optical and wireless links in the construction of communications networks.

Syllabus

Principles of Digital Transmission Optical Fibre Principles Principles of Photon Generation and Reception Optical Amplification and Wavelength Division Multiplexing Design of Optical Links Optical Networking Radio Propagation Radio System concepts Microwave Transmission systems

Module 4B11 - Photonic Systems (Cambridge)

Lecturer

Prof T Wilkinson


Michaelmas term. 16 lectures. Assessment: 100% exam

Prerequisites

3B6 useful

Aims


examine the advance of optical techniques into electronic systems for computation and communications.

Objectives


appreciate the derivation and application of diffraction and Fourier optics. apply Fourier techniques to simple optical spatial patterns. understand the principles of optical correlation and holography. understand the principles of liquid crystal phase modulation. explain the principles and construction of spatial light modulators (SLMs). know the basic function of adaptive optical systems. understand the properties of optical aberrations and how to correct them. understand the basic principles of optical trapping and tweezing.

Syllabus

The aim of this module is to examine the advance of optical techniques into electronic systems for computation and communications. Two dimensional and three dimensional transmission, storage and processing of information using free space optics are discussed. Applications such as computer generated holography, optical correlation, optical switching and adaptive optics are highlighted through the use of liquid crystal technology.

Fourier Holograms and Correlation (6L, Prof T D Wilkinson)

Fourier Transforms and Holography introduction and motivation;

Fourier transforms: theoretical and with lenses: resolution of optical systems; Correlation and convolution of 2-dimensional signal patterns; Dynamic and fixed phase holograms.

Electro-Optic Systems (6L, Prof T D Wilkinson)

Free space optical components; wave plates and Jones matrices Fundamentals of liquid crystal phase modulation Spatial light modulation and optical systems; Holographic interconnects and fibre to fibre switching Wavelength filters and routing systems The BPOMF and 1/f JTC correlators.

Adaptive optical Systems (4L Dr S Morris)

Adaptive systems in free space optics; Adaptive optical interconnects; Optical aberrations and optical correction techniques; Optical trapping and tweezing techniques;

Demonstrations in the lectures will include:

1. 2D Fourier transform and diffraction patterns.

2. Computer generated hologram for optical fan-out.

3. Optical beam steering with dynamic holograms on SLMs.

Module PON – Physics and Optics of

Nanostructures (UCL)

Lecturers

TO BE CONFIRMED


Summer Term. 85% Exam, 15% Coursework.

Aims

Research on nanostructures has revolutionized the field of optics and optical devices. This course will focus on unique optical properties of structures with dimensions smaller than the optical wavelength. From the fundamental principles to the latest advances in research, the course will explore light-matter interactions on the nanometer scale, size effects in small objects and the use of nano-structures in modern optical devices. The aim of the course is to provide an introduction the diverse field of nano-optics.

Objectives


Understand the Physics and Optics of sub-wavelength and low-dimensional

structures

Understand beyond the diffraction limit including applications in near-field

microscopy

Understand how to enhance light-matter interactions through use of microcavities

and resonators.

Understand how to develop nano-structured devices such as photonic crystals

Understand plasmonic devices and metamaterials

Understand forces in the nano-world (light pressure and Casimir force)

Syllabus

Review of classical light-matter interaction

•Review of classical optical processes – macroscopic description

• Optical constants of materials

• Boundary conditions

• Plane wave propagation

• Refraction, Reflection and Transmission of optical waves

• Propagation of light in dense optical medium – introduction to microscopic models

• Dipole Oscillator Model

• Dispersion and Absorption Review of quantum theory of light and semiclassical light-matter interaction

•Review of quantum -mechanical treatment of Photons and Electrons

• Photon energy and momentum

• Free electrons: energy and momentum

• Electron-photon scattering – Compton effect

• Electrons in atoms

• Absorption and Emission of photons by a quantum system

• Selection rules

•Statistical properties of particles

• Statistical distributions

• Bosons and Fermions

• Density of states Nano-scale microscopy

•Angular spectrum representation of optical fields

• Far-field propagating and near-field evanescent components

•Diffraction-limited spatial resolution in optical imaging

• Focusing of optical beams (Gaussian beam model)

• Optical fields near the focal point; Resolution limits

•Increasing resolution with far-field methods

• Solid-immersion lens imaging; Confocal microscopy; Multi-photon microscopy

•Principle of Near-field microscopy

• Information transfer from near-field to far-field

• Illumination and Collection modes; Imaging Resolution

•Near-field probes

• Sub-wavelength aperture; Metallic and dielectric tips Forces at nano-scale

•Light pressure

• Electro-magnetic wave energy, Pointing vector

• Photon energy and momentum

• Light pressure and interaction with dielectrics and metals

• Laser traps and Optical tweezers

•The Casimir force

• Zero-field vacuum fluctuations

• Modes in a cavity

• Attractive force between two parallel plates

• Repulsive Casimir force Semiconductor nanostructures: Optical properties of semiconductors

•Optical properties of confined electronic systems

• Electronic states in reduced dimensions: Particle in the box

• Dispersion relationships and density of states

•Semiconductor nanostructures: Quantum Wells and Quantum Dots

• III-V alloys and Quantum Well growth

• Self-consistent band structure diagrams

• Electron wavefunction

• Lateral confinement: lithographically-defined and self-assembled QDs

•Electronic excitations in quantum wells and quantum dots

• Confining potential and electronic ground and excited states

• Interband excitations (excitons)

• Selection rules Resonators, micro-cavities and photonic crystals

•Optical field enhancement

• Modes in an Optical Resonator

• Mode spacing in low-dimensional structures

• Field enhancement

•Types of resonators

• Microcavity, pillar, disk and sphere

•Interaction of the cavity mode with electronic excitations

• Weak and strong coupling regimes

• Exciton-polariton

•Photonic crystals •Photonic bandgap

•Planar photonic crystal waveguides; micro-structured fibre; photonic crystal lasers

SYSTEMS MODULES

NEW FOR 2017/18! Module 4B23 –Optical Fibre Communication (Cambridge)

Lecturers

Dr Seb Savory


Lent term. 75% exam / 25% coursework.

Aims


Provide an overview of the key technologies that underpin modern optical fibre

communication systems including the appropriate theory and practice

Provide a system level perspective to allow progression from devices and subsystems

through to systems and networks

Objectives


Explain the salient features of a modern optical fibre communication system employing

digital coherent transceivers

Understand the limitations imposed by both noise and nonlinear properties of the optical

fibre

Be able to analyse performance metrics such as bit error rate for an optical fibre

communication link

Understand the principles of coherent detection as opposed to direct detection receivers

Understand the role of digital signal processing and forward error correction in modern

communication systems

Be able to design an optical fibre communication link given appropriate constraints

Syllabus

Optical fibre communication systems underpin modern communication systems, from the

high capacity submarine cables that link continents to the interconnected mobile

basestations used in wireless communications. The module will give an introduction to the

theory and practice of modern optical fibre communication systems which achieve a

capacity in excess of 100 Gbit/s per wavelength. A systems approach is taken, focusing on

the fundamental mathematical modelling of devices, subsystems and systems, to allow

students to design and analyse future systems rather than merely reflecting latest

technological developments.

Preliminary syllabus

Introduction: Salient features of multi-wavelength optical fibre communication

systems, including a historic perspective and an overview of current systems.

Discussion of the difference between modern optical fibre communication systems

and legacy systems, in particular transition to digital coherent transceivers, removal

of optical dispersion compensation, use of forward error correction and the

minimisation of the water absorption peak in modern optical fibres.

An optical fibre as a dielectric waveguide – Starting from Maxwell’s equations the

modes and characteristics thereof for a cylindrical optical waveguide are analysed.

Waveguide devices – Coupled mode theory and its application to the analysis of

optical couplers (the 50:50 coupler as a key building block). Electro-optic effects

(Pockels and Kerr effect) and the application in a multidimensional Mach-Zehnder

modulator. Analysis of micro-ring resonators both as modulators and add drop

multiplexers. Analysis of Bragg fibre gratings.

Propagation of pulses in a single mode optical fibre. Dispersion due to a wavelength

dependent refractive index, group velocity and chromatic dispersion. Derivation of

linear propagation equation based on slowly varying envelope approximation.

Solution of governing propagation equation in linear regime with Gaussian pulses.

Polarisation mode dispersion in optical fibres.

Nonlinear Schrödinger equation for pulse propagation in an optical fibre. Derivation

of the nonlinear Schrödinger equation (NLSE). Solving the simplified NLSE – solitons

in optical fibres. Extending the NLSE to two polarisations. Other nonlinear effects in

optical fibres

Optical amplifiers – basic concept of gain, noise, and gain saturation. Black box

model, amplifier noise figure, noise figure of a cascade (Friis' Formula), simplified

model of an optical amplifier. Gaussian approximation of quantum noise. Fourier

representation of ASE. Minimum noise figure of a linear amplifier (from Heisenberg

uncertainty).

Coherent transceiver photonic technology – Analysis of push-pull Mach-Zehnder

modulator for DP-QPSK modulator. Principle of coherent reception – heterodyne,

homodyne and intradyne. Analysis of 2x2 coupler based heterodyne receiver with

single ended and balanced receiver. Analysis of passive quadrature network for

phase diverse receiver. Move towards digital modems – CMOS data converters,

“Walden plots”, Heisenberg uncertainty limits for ADC performance.

Noise in optical fibre communication systems – Sources of noise – transmitter (laser

RIN & linewidth, electrical phase noise), receiver (thermal, shot & quantisation,

electrical phase noise), and optical line (ASE from amplifiers, nonlinear noise

interaction). PIN photodiode as a square law detector. PSD of ASE noise terms in a

direct detection receiver. Gaussian approximation of ASE beat noise and the issue for

estimating optimum threshold for ASE limited IM/DD systems. Swept threshold

measurements to estimate BER and characterisation of receiver sensitivity, including

linearised relation between power in dBm and BER when plotted on a double log

scale.

Digital coherent receivers – DSP and its application to coherent optical fibre

communication systems, highly parallel CMOS implementation -> FIR filtering.

Dispersion compensation, MIMO polarization filtering. Challenges of recovering the

phase in systems with finite linewidth lasers with CMOS processing. Blind and

decision directed carrier recovery algorithms. Overview of timing estimation

algorithms.

Performance analysis for a coherent detection links - ASE limited versus receiver

(shot) noise limited. Analytical approaches including nonlinear Gaussian Noise

model. BER analysis for coherent detection of long-haul BPSK, QPSK, PDM-QPSK etc.

Information theoretic limits and future research directions for optical fibre

communication: Shannon theory and challenges for defining the capacity of a

nonlinear channel. Upper bounds due to power density in optical fibre and quantum

limits for optical communication. Introduction to optical networking.

Industry guest lecture - provided to enable students to understand the industrial

context for the topics covered within the module.

Coursework

For the coursework there will be two exercises each worth 12.5% in which students will be required to write matlab programs to analyse more complex problems associated with the course.

Module OTN – Optical Transmissions and

Networks (UCL)

Lecturers

Prof Polina Bayvel, Dr Seb Savory, Dr Phil Watts, Prof Takis Hadjifotiou. Guest lecturers:

Dr Yannis Benlachtar – Principles of OFDM Dr Steve Desbruslais – Submarine System

Design



Aims

This module provides the student with an advanced understanding of the physical layer of optical transmission systems and networks from short‐haul (access) to long‐haul (core and submarine) system applications. It includes in‐depth understanding of optical transmission system design, optical amplifiers and amplified systems and the operation of wavelength division multiplexed systems. Both linear and nonlinear sources of transmission impairments are analysed. The choice of modulation formats, fibre dispersion and electronic processing techniques are discussed with the aim of maximising the spectral efficiency, channel capacity and operating system margins.

Objectives


Understand the principles of optically amplified optical transmission systems, power levels, noise accumulation and the trade‐off between optical signal to noise ratio and fibre nonlinearity Carry out power budget calculations for an optically amplified links

Understand signal transmission impairments: fibre dispersion, PMD, fibre nonlinearity

Carry out calculations quantifying the effects of dispersion and nonlinearity on an optical link Understand the concept of spectral efficiency; appreciate the difference between baud rate and bit rate and describe different modulation formats that can be used

Understand and apply the principles of electronic processing (transmitter and receiver based) and the basics of coherent detection

Describe & analyse a variety of optical network architectures: access vs core, static vs dynamic Understand the optical components used for signal routing in wavelength routed networks Describe current research in optical communications and explain expected future trends in optical communications

Syllabus

Single mode optical fibre propagation

Here the physical properties that effect the propagation of optical signals are explained and

the techniques for modelling these are described.

Attenuation Dispersion Polarisation mode dispersion Nonlinear effects Nonlinear Schroedinger Equation

Optically amplified systems and compensation

Optically amplified systems for long distance transmission and the techniques used to

compensate for the fibre transmission impairments are described. Noise accumulation Dispersion compensation DCF Dispersion maps Electronic dispersion compensation

Advanced Modulation Formats

Spectral efficiency IMDD and Phase Shift Keyed (PSK) formats OFDM Coherent systems Dual polarization QPSK Digital coherent transceivers Digital Signal Processing

Wavelength division multiplexing

The principle of WDM for increasing the system capacity, the properties components required and

the additional propagation impairments that occur are described. AWG based Wavelength MUX/DEMUX EDFA: gain bandwidth and gain flattening Interchannel nonlinear propagation impairments: FWM, XPM

Optical Networks

Here examples of typical optical networks and their particular characteristics are described.

Why route in the optical domain? Wavelength Routed Optical Networks Dynamic Optical Networks (packet switching, optical burst switching, load

balancing)

Reading List

The following are books that you may find useful for this section of the course.

Core and metro networks, Alexander Stavdas, Wiley Series in Communications, Networking and Distributes Systems, 2010 – covers both systems and networks

Fiber-optic Communication Systems,Govind P Agrawal, Wiley‐Interscience; 3rd edition, 2002 Optical Fiber Telecommunications V B, Fifth Edition: Systems and Networks (Optics and Photonics), I

Kaminow, T Li and A E Willner, Academic Press; 5th edition, 2008

Multiwavelength Optical Networks, T E Stern, G Ellinas and K Bala, Cambridge Univ Press

2009

Module PSS – Photonic Subsystems (UCL)

Lecturers

Dr David Selviah, Dr Cyril Renaud, Prof. Alwyn Seeds, Dr Martyn Fice.



Aims

The course covers the principles of Photonic sub-systems including: External optical modulators,

optical amplifiers both semiconductor and fibre, Photonics Control loops and frequency synthesis,

Photonic Transmitters and Receivers including circuitry, noise considerations, Clock recovery and

Automatic Gain Control. It will also consider emerging topics such as Coherent systems and Sub-

system integration as well as using guest lecture slots to cover state of the art research topics.

Objectives

Through the understanding of key concepts and operator of Photonic subsystems the student will

be able to acquire the necessary skills to build and design complex photonic system. They will also

learn what would be the future development of the field being given on overview of some of the

most recent progresses.

Syllabus

Modulators,

EAM, AOM MZM

Amplifiers

... SOA, EDFA, MOPA

Photonics Control loops and frequency synthesis OIL, OPLL, OIPLL, Comb

generation

Photonics Transmitters

Laser Drive Circuits, Forward error correction ,Laser driver examples,

multiplexer/Demultiplexer

examples

Photonics Receivers

Receivers circuit ,Noise, Clock recovery, Automatic Gain Control

Coherent Systems

Master oscillator, Heterodyne/Homodyne, Coherent optical receiver

Sub-system integration (DS & CR) (1.5 H each)

Optical interconnect and hybrid integration, monolithic semi-conductor integration

(evanescent coupling, QWI, III-V on silicon substrate)

Guest Lectures

Current UCL research example on Photonics sub-systems (2 seminars)

NEW FOR 2017/18! Module 4B24 –Radio Frequency Systems (Cambridge)

Lecturers

Dr M.J. Crisp


Lent term. 75% exam. 25% coursework.

Aims


Provide a system level overview of RF and Microwave, so that system performance can be predicted and optimised to meet a specification

Objectives


Be able to apply network analysis to an RF system Understand the effects of noise, linearity and gain in cascaded RF systems Be able to optimise impedance match of an amplifier as a tradeoff of noise, linearity,

bandwidth and stability Understand the operation of passive RF networks (Couplers, splitters, attenuators)

and limits on their performance Have a knowledge of range of methods to improve amplifier performance Understand a range of RF system applications and their performance requriements

Syllabus

It is proposed that this module will focus on the system aspects of RF design (as opposed to circuits). Therefore the overall aim is that circuits (amplifiers etc) can be reduced to a blocks with a minimum number of parameters from which the system performance can be estimated.

Preliminary Syllabus

1. Network Analysis

2-port and multi-port devices Impedance, Scattering and Transmission parameters, their relationships and uses Signal Flow Graphs

Two port power gains

2. Noise and Distortion

Noise sources in RF systems Noise figure Noise in passive networks Noise of mismatched devices Effects of Distortion Measures of distortion and intermodulation Dynamic range Noise and distortion of cascaded devices

3. Impedance Matching Methods

Limits on achievable matches Distributed Impedance matching methods Broadband matching

4. Amplifier Design

Stability Conjugate matching Design for low noise Design for high power and low distortion

5. RF System Architecture

Zero IF Software Defined Radio

6. RF System Applications

Radar Passive RFID Radio regulations

ELECTIVE MODULES

Module ACIC – Analogue CMOS IC Design

and Applications (UCL)

Lecturers

Prof. Andreas Demosthenous.


Spring Term. 75% Exam. 25% Coursework (The module will include introductory practical

sessions using the CADENCE IC suite, providing students with hands on practice using the

industry-leading design and analysis tools for creating analogue and mixed-signal ICs. The

coursework will be based on this).

Aims

Provide a current, comprehensive and in-depth treatment of the principles,

concepts and techniques required to design analogue integrated circuits (ICs)

using CMOS technology.

Expose students to the different methodologies used to develop such circuits,

including fabrication, electrical modelling and transistor-level circuit design,

advanced design and analysis tools.

Present several case studies of analogue ICs for biomedical, sensor and signal

conditioning systems.

Objectives

After following this module students will be able to:

Have a good understanding of the design of analogue CMOS ICs.

Understand the different issues related to the development of analogue CMOS

ICs including design, fabrication and implementation.

Use tools covering the full custom design of analogue CMOS ICs.

At the end of the course, the student should be able to successfully perform the

electrical and physical design (layout) of an op-amp or circuit of similar

complexity, in an industrial environment (i.e., using CADENCE IC suite).

Syllabus

CMOS device modelling

Basic current mirrors and single-stage amplifiers (revision)

Basic opamp design and compensation and advanced current mirrors

Biasing, references and regulators

Noise analysis and modelling

Comparators

Introduction to sample and hold circuits and CMOS Gm-C filters

CMOS layout techniques

Examples of analogue integrated circuits such as biomedical and sensing systems

from UCL research

Module 4B21–Analogue Integrated Circuits (Cambridge)

Lecturer

Prof A Nathan

Lab Leader

Professor A Nathan


Lent term. 16 lectures (including examples classes and case studies). Assessment: 100% exam

Prerequisites

3B1, 3B2, 3B5 assumed; 3B3, 3B6 useful

Aims


provide a firm foundation and problem-solving skills for students to design and analyze complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) analog circuits.

Objectives


understand the design process for bipolar and MOS, including CMOS, integrated circuits.

have developed an awareness of the requirements in designing circuits in IC technology.

understand how CMOS scaling affects analogue circuit design. design current sources and biasing stages of multi-stage amplifier circuits. demonstrate a knowledge of the factors limiting high frequency behaviour of circuits. design and analyse integrated operational amplifier circuits. understand noise sources in circuits and compute signal to noise ratio and equivalent

input noise. demonstrate knowledge of the effect of feedback on circuit operation and stability.

Syllabus

The purpose of this module is to provide firm foundation and problem-solving skills for students to design and analyze complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS)

analog circuits. It will cover the major aspects of the design and fabrication of analogue integrated circuits and is intended to make graduates become more competitive to a large industrial segment looking for circuit designers, especially those skilled in analog and mixed signal circuit design.

This course will cover the major aspects of the design and fabrication of analogue integrated circuits. Topics addressed will include:

Integrated Circuit BJT and MOSFET Modeling (1L) biasing and operating regimes, small signal models of BJTs and MOSFETs, short channel

effects and scaling, and its impact on small signal parameters Single and Multistage Amplifiers (2 L) small signal single stage amplifier configurations and properties, multistage amplifier

stages such as Darlington and cascade configurations, differential amplifiers Current Sources, Loads, and Output Stages (2 L) current mirror configurations, low current biasing sources, current matching

considerations, temperature compensation, active load configurations, CMOS integrated amplifiers, emitter and source followers, push-pull stages, CMOS class AB output stages

Operational Amplifiers (2 L) input bias current, offset voltage, common-mode rejection ratio, power supply

rejection ratio, analysis of the simple op amp, design considerations of integrated op-amps

Frequency Response of Analogue Integrated Circuits (2 L) single stage amplifiers, Miller effect, voltage buffers, current buffers, multistage

amplifiers, operational amplifiers Feedback and Stability (2 L) feedback configurations, properties, gain-bandwidth product, instability Nyquist

criteria, compensation, root locus, slew rate Noise in Integrated Circuits (2 L) noise sources, models, circuit noise, effect of feedback, noise in op-amps, noise figure

and noise temperature Nonlinear Analogue Circuits (2 L) oscillators, multipliers and phase-locked loops Application Examples (1 L)

Module BCL – Broadband Communications

Lab (UCL)

Lecturers

Dr David Selviah, Dr Ioannis Papakonstantinou, Dr Chin-Pang-Liu, Dr Papakonstantinou,

Prof. Tony Kenyon, Prof. Kit Wong, Dr John Mitchell, Dr Robert Killey, Prof. Paul Brennan.


Spring Term. 100% Coursework.

Aims

Experimental and practical skills are an important part of the skill set of any Engineer. The

broadband teaching laboratory offers access to state-of-the-art test and measurement

equipment as found in research and development laboratories around the world. Half a

million US dollars’ worth of test and measurement equipment was generously donated to

the laboratory by US Company Agilent as part of their Philanthropy programme. Recently,

the Department has invested a further £80k on a new optical spectrum analyser, a vector

signal analyser and generator. This course introduces students to the test and

measurement equipment and techniques that are used to characterize optical and RF

devices and systems. It provides students with hands on practical experience both of the

devices themselves and of the measurement equipment required to characterize their

performance via a series of laboratory sessions. The module centres around a range of

structured optical and radio frequency practical laboratory experiments preceded by

directed study material, including, lectures, videos and manufacturer datasheets and

quizzes. In the laboratory, the students splice together two optical fibres and carry out a

sequence of experiments following detailed written instructions, which they read before

entering the laboratory. Advice and help areprovided by two PhD level demonstrators

and an academic with technical support. This module provides practical demonstrations

of material taught in lectures on optical and RF devices and systems or can be taken alone

by PhD students or project students.

Objectives


Operate a modern fibre splicer and splice optical fibres.

Set up a simple optical transmission link model and perform simulation in OPTSIM.

Set up a microwave signal generator and spectrum analyser correctly for measuring

the frequency response, gain, noise figure, 1-dB gain compression point and the two-

tone thirdorder intermodulation for a device-under-test (DUT) such as a microwave

amplifier.

Use a vector signal generator to generate a vector modulated wireless signal, e.g.

16QAM, and examine the received/amplified vector modulated wireless signal with a

vector signal analyser.

Explain how the non-ideal characteristics of an amplifier, e.g. noise figure and

saturation, affect and distort the vector modulated wireless signals and relate the

distorted constellation diagram and frequency spectrum back to the earlier analogue

measurements.

Calibrate a vector network analyser (VNA) using open, short, 50Ω and through

standards for 1- port and 2-port scattering-parameter measurements.

Set up a vector network analyser correctly to measure the reflection and

transmission coefficients of a device-under-test as a function of frequency.

Know the roles of the key components of a phase locked loop, i.e. the voltage

controlled oscillator, frequency divider, loop filter, phase comparator and the

reference oscillator.

Characterise the voltage controlled oscillator with a spectrum analyser.

Construct simple loop filters on a breadboard for a radio frequency phase locked

loop and characterise how the filter bandwidths affect the frequency modulation

response of the loop.

Calibrate a lightwave component analyser (LCA) for E/E, E/O, O/E and O/O

measurements. Set up a LCA correctly and perform direct intensity modulation for

a DFB laser and measure its frequency response as a function of the bias current.

Set up a LCA correctly to perform phase and delay measurements for a

device_under_test. Characterise the optical spectral of optical sources using an

optical spectrum analyser and select the correct reference level and resolution

bandwidth.

Set up correctly a Bit Error Rate Analyser for assessing the performance of optical

transmission link.

Use the Bit Error Rate Analyser to measure and assess the eye diagram of the

received optical signals in the presence of fibre chromatic dispersion, laser relative

intensity noise, amplifier spontaneous emission noise, self- and cross-phase

modulations, and four-wave mixing.

Syllabus

Safety in Fibre Optic Installations, Reading Material, Fujikura Splicing Video, Splicing Quiz,

calibration for vector network analysers

Fibre splicing training

Optical simulation with OPTSIM

Optical spectrum analyser and characterisation of optical sources

Lightwave component analyser and modulation response measurement of a DFB laser

Bit error rate analyser and digital optical transmission measurement

Vector signal generator and analyser and characterisation of microwave amplifier

Vector network analyser and frequency response measurement for microwave filters

Phase locked loop basics, loop filter design and frequency modulation characteristics

Module P33 –Building an Internet Router (Cambridge)

Lecturers

Dr Andrew Moore


16 hours (1 introductory lecture + 8 × two-hour supervised laboratory slots). Assessment: 100% assessed practical work. Two supervised laboratory slots are scheduled per week; however, additional laboratory work will be required to complete this project. In addition to ad-hoc availability, each group will have one-on-one time with the lecturer for a fixed slot each week to track progress. Additional time is provided both for small-group tutorials on specialist skills, not present in all the incumbent students. Precise material to be covered is heavily dictated by the students on the course but material has included: perl, unix, make, advanced verilog, digital design including metastability issues, software timer loops, protocol implementation, Dikjstra's algorithm, along with using debugging tools such as gdb and modelsim.

Deliverables are due at the end of each week; exact details of dates and mechanism will be provided at the time of the module.

[Week 1] Develop a functional router in software. [Week 2] Develop a functional router in software (continued), Adding a command line

interface to your router. [Weeks 3 and 4] Develop router-router protocol in software router. [Week 5] Add Hardware control to router. [Week 6] Advanced feature development and router interoperation. [Week 7] Develop advanced functionality. [Week 8] Software: Finish advanced functionality.

Aims

This module requires the full design, implementation, testing and inter-operability of a complex hardware and software system.

Objectives

On completion of this module, students should be able to:

Describe what responsibilities a user-level application, operating system, or device driver has in communication. (For example, a web browser talking to a web server)

Identify the challenges inherent in efficiently transferring data from the general-purpose machine to the network peripheral.

Compare and contrast a network interface built with an embedded processor versus dedicated (fixed) hardware on the basis of design time (up-front expenses), manufacturing cost (per-unit), performance, functionality, etc...

Explain how the OSPF routing protocol enables communication when presented with a new network topology

Describe how the spanning tree Ethernet protocol prevents circular paths from developing in computer networks.

By the end of this course, students choosing to focus on network hardware will be able to:

Create an FPGA-based hardware router that implements longest-prefix-matching lookups

Explain the required functions that the hardware router must provide to enable basic network functionality

Determine which functionality should be implemented in hardware versus software Evaluate different implementations that can achieve the basic functions Optimize their FPGA design for both logic (device utilization) and performance

(network throughput) Integrate the hardware router with control software being co-developed by other

group members By the end of this course, students choosing to focus on network software will be able to:

Create a program that controls and manages the hardware router being implemented by other group members

Explain the required functions that the router must provide to enable basic network functionality

Determine which functionality should be implemented in software versus hardware Design a control program using the Virtual Network System that participates in the PW-

OSPF dynamic routing protocol and responds to ARP and ICMP messages. Design a control program using the Virtual Network System that exports a command-

line interface and allows a user to inspect and modify the state of the hardware router. Integrate the control program with the hardware router being co-developed by other

group members

Syllabus

This subject is lab-centric and project-based. The first class is the only scheduled lecture. During the term, groups of two or three students will work together to develop a fully functional IP router. The groups will consist of at least one student familiar with designing hardware in Verilog and one student who is comfortable writing large, system-level network programs in C. Students will be paired by area on the first day of class.

The hardware uses the NetFPGA boards which provide a programmable hardware platform for developing network equipment. Given the Verilog HDL code for a simple four port switch the hardware designer will extend/modify/discard this code to provide the functionality of a four-port IP router. A set of tools are provided to assist the student with design, verification and synthesis.

Each group will:

design and implement a router in 8 weeks, an inter-router protocol (PW-OSPF), show router interoperability with other groups, and extend the basic router with new features (e.g., Firewall, NAT, Fairly-resourced Output

queues, Packet capture, Traffic generator).]

Recommended reading

Strazisar, V. (1979). How to build a gateway. Postel, J. (ed.) (1981). Internet protocol. Baker, F. (ed.) (1995). Requirements for IP Version 4 Routers. Comer D. (2006). Internetworking with TCP-IP, Vol. 1. Other:

Comer, D. & Stevens, D. (1995). Internetworking with TCP-IP, vol. 2. Prentice Hall (3rd ed.). Peterson, L.L. & Davie, B.S. (2007). Computer networks: a systems approach. Morgan Kaufmann (4th ed.). Varghese, G. (2005). Network algorithmics. Morgan Kaufmann (1st ed.).

http://www.networksorcery.com/enp/ien/ien109.txt

http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc0791.txt

http://www.apps.ietf.org/rfc/rfc1812.html

Module 4F12 – Computer Vision and

Robotics (Cambridge)

Lecturers

Prof R Cipolla and Dr R Turner


Michaelmas term. 16 lectures (including 3 examples classes). Assessment: 100% exam

Aims


introduce the principles, models and applications of computer vision. cover image structure, projection, stereo vision, structure from motion and object

detection and recognition. give case studies of industrial (robotic) applications of computer vision, including visual

navigation for autonomous robots, robot hand-eye coordination and novel man-machine interfaces.

Objectives


design feature detectors to detect, localise and track image features. model perspective image formation and calibrate single and multiple camera systems. recover 3D position and shape information from arbitrary viewpoints; appreciate the problems in finding corresponding features in different viewpoints. analyse visual motion to recover scene structure and viewer motion, and understand

how this information can be used in navigation; understand how simple object recognition systems can be designed so that they are

independent of lighting and camera viewpoin. appreciate the industrial potential of computer vision but understand the limitations of

current methods.

Syllabus

Introduction (1L) Computer vision: what is it, why study it and how ? The eye and the camera, vision as an information processing task. A geometrical framework for vision. 3D interpretation of 2D images. Applications.

Image structure (3L) Image intensities and structure: edges, corners and blobs. Edge detection, the aperture

problem. Corner and blob detection. Contour extraction using B-spline snakes. Texture. Feature descriptors and matching.

Projection (3L) Orthographic projection. Planar perspective projection. Vanishing points and lines. Projection matrix, homogeneous coordinates. Camera calibration, recovery of world position. Weak perspective and the affine camera. Projective invariants.

Stereo vision and Structure from Motion (3L) Epipolar geometry and the essential matrix. Recovery of depth. Uncalibrated cameras and the fundamental matrix. The correspondence problem. Structure from motion. 3D shape from multiple view stereo.

Object detection and recognition (3L) Basic target detection and tracking. Machine learning for object detection and recognition. Random decision forests, support vector machines and boosting. Deep learning with convolutional neural networks.

Example classes (3L) Discussion of examples papers and past examination papers.

NEW FOR 2017/18! Module 4B13 –

Electronic Sensors and Instrumentation

(Cambridge)

Lecturer

Dr P. Robertson


Lent term. 16 lectures (including examples classes). Assessment: 100% exam

Aims


introduce students to state-of-the-art practice in electronic instrumentation systems, including the design of sensor/transducer elements for physical measureands, their respective interface electronics and precision measurement techniques.

Objectives


design circuits to interface to simple temperature and strain measurement devices. demonstrate a knowledge of frequency sources and measurement circuits. measure high currents using 4 terminal devices and transformers. describe how micromachined silicon sensors are made, their operation and merits. describe a range of ultrasonic transducers, their applications and associated electronics. understand the operation of electromagnetic sensors for flux, current and position sensing. design and analyse sensor circuits and estimate signal to noise ratios. design an appropriate interface circuit for a sensor with given characteristics. produce an outline design of an instrumentation system to monitor a range of physical

parameters including pressure, temperature, flow, position and velocity.

Syllabus

Temperature & Strain Sensors and Interface Electronics (3L, Dr P A Robertson)

Description of thermocouples, thermistors and strain gauges and associated electronics. Drift, noise and bandwidth considerations, signal to noise ratio improvement.

Precision Measurements (2L, Dr P A Robertson)

Voltage measurements: thermal emfs, guarding, shielding. Precision ADC methods

Time and frequency measurements: stable frequency sources, timer-counter techniques Current measurements: current transformers, 4-terminal measurements of high current

Electromagnetic devices (4L, Dr P A Robertson)

Selected revision of electromagnetic theory and its application to electronic sensors. Flux gate, inductive and Hall effect magnetic devices and interface electronics. Synchronous detection method applied to fluxgate sensor. Laser range finder and velocity sensing

Microfabricated sensors (3L, Dr P A Robertson)

Overview of silicon micromachining techniques and their application in accelerometers, gyroscopes, automotive air-bag sensors and pressure transducers. Physical priciples of operation and related signal processing electronics.

Ultrasonic transducers (3L, Dr P A Robertson)

Description of piezo-electric devices, theory and application in practical sensor designs. Case studies of the Polaroid range finder, Doppler motion detector and an electronic gas

meter. Electronic circuits for driving transducers and signal detection methods.

Practical Demonstration Lecture (1L, Dr P A Robertson)

Evaluation of micromachined accelerometers and gyroscopes. Flux-gate magnetometer using synchronous detection Ultrasonic motion and distance sensing.


Embedded Sensors for the Internet of

Things (Cambridge)

Lecturer

Dr P. Stanley-Marbell


Michaelmas term. 100% coursework.

Aims


Introduce students to the principles and practice of computation and sensing systems that interact with the physical world.

Objectives


Define the role of uncertainty in measurements of physical signals and quantify measurement uncertainty for a given sensing system.

Evaluate energy use in an embedded system using in-system current monitors. Define the role of noise in both measurements and displays and identify appropriate

metrics to use in quantifying noise for a given design. Design communication subsystems and the required electrical circuit support

between a collection of I2C- or SPI-interfaced sensor integrated circuits and an ARM Cortex-M0 microcontroller.

Numerically quantify measurement uncertainty and noise in outputs given a system design.

Recall and explain the interaction between displays and the human visual system. Design modifications to sensing, communication, and display systems to improve

their energy efficiency. Design the logical organization and required firmware for new systems built around

an ARM Cortex-M0 microcontroller, and sensors or displays connected via I2C and SPI communication interfaces.

Syllabus

The module will introduce students to the principles underlying sensor operation, signal acquisition, the role of measurement uncertainty and noise, common sensor communication interfaces and how they interact with modern embedded microcontrollers such as the ARM Cortex-M0 family. The module will link these concepts in the signal acquisition and processing chain to a study of output interfaces in embedded systems. This exploration of output systems will be built on a study of the principles of operation of OLED displays and how the flexibility of the human visual system enables interesting circuit- and algorithm-level techniques to reduce display power dissipation.

Preliminary Syllabus

Lecture 1: System overview of sensing, computation, I/O, and displays in embedded systems; interpreting device and system datasheets. At the end of this lecture, students should be able to: enumerate the important components in an embedded system design; read and interpret the datasheet for a component in a system or for an entire system; propose and design changes to a system to extend its uses.

Lecture 2: Embedded I/O interfaces: I2C, SPI, I2S, I3C, MIPI DSI, and MIPI CSI. At the end of this lecture, students should be able to: enumerate the differences between the common embedded wired communication interfaces; select and substantiate a choice for an interface for a given design problem.

Lecture 3: Precision, accuracy, reliability, and measurement uncertainty. At the end of this lecture, students should be able to: define precision, accuracy, reliability, and measurement

uncertainty; analyze a system design and quantify these properties for a design's components.

Lecture 4: Embedded library and OS support overview; ARM Mbed OS API. At the end of this lecture, students should be able to: design the firmware for an embedded sensing and computing problem using Mbed OS API calls for actions such as I/O.

Lecture 5: Noise sources in analog and digital systems; role of signal gain and restoring logic. At the end of this lecture, students should be able to: enumerate the sources of noise and measurement uncertainty in analog and digital systems; propose design changes to improve the robustness of systems to noise.

Lecture 6: Case study.

Lecture 7: Field-programmable gate arrays in low-power embedded systems; Verilog overview. At the end of this lecture, students should be able to: describe and explain the basic architecture of FPGAs; use their understanding of the Verilog hardware description language and FPGA synthesis tools to modify an existing Verilog design.

Lecture 8: OLED displays: Their structure, interfaces, and techniques for energy-efficiency. At the end of this lecture, students should be able to: enumerate the properties of OLED displays; propose changes to existing system designs that use OLED displays in order to improve their energy efficiency.

Lecture 9: Human color vision perception and its interaction with displays. At the end of this lecture, students should be able to: enumerate the basic properties of human color vision that have a bearing on the design of displays for embedded systems.

Lecture 10: Wireless communications using Bluetooth, 802.15.4/Zigbee, and LoRa; Bluetooth HCI interface. At the end of this lecture, students should be able to: enumerate the differences between the major low-power radio interfaces available for embedded or Internet-of-Things systems; propose energy-efficient choices for a wireless sensing system design given the application's design constraints.

Lecture 11: Schematic capture and basic printed circuit board layout using Eagle. At the end of this lecture, students should be able to: create a design ready to be submitted for manufacturing (Gerber files) using the Eagle schematic capture and printed-circuit-board layout tools.

Lecture 12: Designing new embedded systems to solve a specified application need. At the end of this lecture, students should be able to: propose an architectural design comprising sensing, computation, communication, and display to address a given application need, with the design implementable within the limitations of schematic capture and printed-circuit-board layout tools such as Eagle.


Flexible Electronics (Cambridge)

Lecturer

Dr F. Torrisi



Aims


Next generation electronic applications will require a higher degree of mechanical flexibility to meet the demand for wearable and conformable electronic devices.

The purpose of this module is to cover the materials, processes, technology and applications behind the flexible electronics context and highlight the technological developments that have occurred in this rapidly evolving field.

Due to the vast number of different flexible electronic components that are in production today, the course will be centred on three main subsections which represent the biggest growth areas in the past few years:

namely, the materials and properties of thin films, the flexible electronic components and the heterogeneous integration, and the large area flexible electronics.

The module will introduce basic concepts, a theoretical background (e.g. theory of film-on-substrate foil, two and three-layer point bending, theory of electronic bands in organic semiconductors)

and the materials, before gradually moving into device design, presenting case studies of Thin Film Transistor (TFT) fabrication and characterisation

(with emphasis on TFT vs MOSFET and effects of downscaling). Case studies of practical applications such as flexible OLED, flexible photovoltaic device and flexible displays will be presented.

Objectives


As specific objectives by the end of the course the student should be able to: Describe the various materials and production techniques for flexible thin films in

electronics. Explain the sheet to sheet and roll to roll processing, coating and encapsulation

techniques.

Apply the theory of Film-on-Foil to calculate the strain in the foil substrate and in the thin film.

Describe the production processes and the electronic transport in amorphous and polycrystalline silicon films, polymers and nanomaterials: explain advantages/disadvantages.

Describe the effects of strain on the electrical characteristics (I-V curve, mobility, conductivity) and parasitic elements (overlap capacitances, contact resistance) of a Thin Film Transistor.

Describe effects of torsion, tension, compression on stretchable devices. Explain the basics of effects of downscaling in flexible TFTs and compare TFT vs

MOSFET. Design a flexible and transparent conducting film in terms of electrical sheet

resistance and optical transparency. Describe ITO as flexible transparent conductor and suitable alternative materials.

Discuss the integration techniques: Chip-on-flex, flex on flex, foil on foil, printed wiring of ultrathin chip. Integration techniques for stretchable devices.

Discuss and compare advantages and disadvantages of organic vs inorganic flexible thin film transistors. Discuss frequency limitations of OTFTs (testing: ring oscillator).

Explain the rheological and morphological requirements to design printable inks. Discuss advantages and disadvantages of printed electronic components.

Explain the basics of the electrical percolation theory in networks of nanomaterials. Describe applications of flexible electronic devices in electronics, optoelectronics,

energy.

Syllabus

Introduction (2 lectures)

Overview of Flexible and Stretchable Electronics Technology and beyond. Thin-film electronic devices on flexible substrate. Example: from MOSFET to Thin

Film Transistor (TFT).

Materials production, processing and properties (3 Lectures)

Revision of electronic structure of solids and introduction of electronic structure in polymers.

Metals, amorphous/polycrystalline silicon materials for flexible TFTs, Flexible conducting and semiconducting oxides.

Polymers and nanomaterials for flexible and stretchable conducting and semiconducting thin films

Mechanics of flexible and stretchable thin-films (2 Lectures)

Mechanics of a thin-film on flexible substrate. Case study: ITO on flexible Substrates, failure mechanisms.

Emerging 1D, 2D nanomaterials and polymers for highly flexible and stretchable thin films.

Flexible components and heterogeneous integration (4 Lectures)

Flexible device case studies: TFTs, Photodetectors and Photovoltaic devices. Heterogeneous integration: Chip-on-flex, flex on flex, foil on foil, printed wiring of

ultrathin chip. Chemical, mechanical and environmental stability of devices. Processes for large-area flexible electronics: Roll-to-roll vs batch-to-batch, printing vs

transferring. Hybrid integration techniques for stretchable electronics: Stretchable thin film

devices and circuits.

Applications (3 Lectures)

Flexible displays, touch sensors and systems Wearable electronic devices Printed flexible electronic sensors

Example Class (2 Lectures)

Study of the Strain in the Substrate and in the flexible Film as function of the induced stress.

Design and modelling of thin-film transistors. Design of flexible transparent and conducting films for display applications.

Module 4F8 – Image Processing and Image

Coding (Cambridge)

Lecturers

Prof N Kingsbury and Dr J Lasenby



Prerequisites

3F1 assumed; 3F3, 4F7 useful

Aims


introduce the key tools for performing sophisticated processing of images by digital hardware

Objectives


understand the main elements of 2-dimensional linear system theory. design linear spatial filters for a variety of applications (smoothing etc) understand techniques for the restoration and enhancement of degraded images. show familiarity with the main characteristics of the human visual system with

particular reference to subjective criteria for image data compression. understand techniques for image coding using transform methods including the

Discrete Cosine Transform (as used in the JPEG coding standard) and overlapped transforms.

understand methods for coding transform coefficients to provide maximum data compression.

Syllabus

Sophisticated processing of images by digital hardware is now fairly common, and ranges from special effects in video games to satellite image enhancement. Three of the main application areas are video data compression, image enhancement, and scene understanding. This module introduces the key tools for performing these tasks, and shows how these tools can be applied. The module will be split into two courses of 8 lectures each: Image Processing, and Image Coding. Lectures are supported by

computer demonstrations. There will be one examples sheet for each of the two 8-lecture sections.

Image Processing (8L, Dr J Lasenby)

This course covers the following topics, relevant to most aspects of image processing:

1. Two-dimensional linear system theory, as applied to discretely sampled systems: The continuous 2D Fourier transform and its properties

Digitisation, sampling, aliasing and quantisation

The discrete 2D Fourier transform (DFT)

2. 2D Digital Filters and Filter Design Zero phase filters

Ideal 2D filters: rectangular and bandpass

Filter design: the window method

3. Image Deconvolution Deconvolution of noiseless images -- the inverse filter

The Wiener filter (conventional and Bayesian derivations)

Maximum Entropy deconvolution

4. Image Enhancement Contrast enhancement

Histogram equalisation

Median filtering

Image Coding (8L, Prof N Kingsbury)

This course concentrates on image and video data compression techniques, and covers the following topics:

1. Characteristics of the human visual system which are important for data compression: Spatial and temporal frequency sensitivities

Distortion masking phenomena

Luminance and colour (chrominance) processing

2. 2D block transforms and wavelet transforms:

Discrete cosine transforms

Bi-orthogonal and orthonormal wavelet transforms

Energy compaction properties of transforms for typical images

3. Optimal quantisation techniques of coding transform coefficients for maximum data compression Huffman coding

Run-length coding

JPEG 2-dimensional run-size coding

4. Video coding techniques Motion analysis

Motion vector coding

MPEG coding standards

Module NAH – Nanotechnology and

Healthcare (UCL)

Lecturers

Dr Mike Flannagan.



Aims

This course covers the application of nanotechnology to devices and instrumentation for

self-monitoring, the doctor-patient interface, the hospital environment and the medical

research laboratory. The course includes descriptions and discussions of the

underpinning electronic, optical and biological techniques and aims to leave those

attending the course with a good appreciation of the present state of the art, the future

potential, the business context and the regulatory constraints

Objectives

On completion of this course, students should be able to:

Understand, and be able to apply to a range of practical situations, the basic scientific principles underlying communications systems, including information theory

Calculate the optimum sampling frequency so as not to lose information, at the Nyquist Frequency;

Apply appropriate quantitative mathematical, scientific and engineering tools to the analysis of communications-related problems, for instance, calculation of signal-to-noise ratio in a satcom link;

Analyse a range of practical communications systems, both digital and analog, determining performance and limits of operation (e.g. modulation depth, modulation speed, communications distance);

Design circuits and systems to implement communications systems and sub-systems, such as a QAM modulator and a single-sideband mixer;

Quantify the effects of noise in a communications system and its impact on system performance, such as bit error rate;

Be able to minimize the environmental impact of their designs, in terms of power consumption and choice of components;

Be proficient in the use of relevant software, in particular Matlab, for the analysis, design and simulation of communications systems and to estimate performance.

Syllabus

Biosensors - present state of art and future potential

Devices for testing in the Doctor’s Office, e.g. of blood and urine samples, for Home Monitoring; for Ambulance Monitoring; for Bedside Monitoring.

Blocks to a full present implementation of the above:

Technical Problems, Business constraints, Regulatory constraints

The potential of nanotechnology to remove these blocks.

Underpinning Electronic and Optical Techniques

Amperometric sensors

Potentiometric sensors including chemically sensitive field effect transistors

Optical sensors, including evanescent field sensors; optical waveguide sensors

Fluorescent labels: organic dyes and quantum dots

Surface Plasmon Resonance sensors

Capillary Fill Devices

Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy

Electro-mechanical devices, e.g. cantilever sensors

Underpinning Biological Techniques

Enzyme-based assays

Antibody-based assays

Nucleic-acid based techniques, e.g. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

Synthesis of the above onto a ‘lab-on-a-chip’

Tethered membranes

Hospital Environment

Imaging and targetted drug delivery. This section addresses the novel nanoscale imaging and drug delivery agents now arising at the research level.

Stem cell research This section examines some of the techniques arising from nanotechnology processing that may contribute to such aspects of tissue engineering as better stem cell scaffolds

Module R02 –Network Architecture (Cambridge)

Lecturers

Prof John Crowcroft


16 hours. Assessment: 100% coursework (three 1200 word essays worth 25% each and an annotated bibliography worth 25%). The course does not feature any implementation work due to time constraints.

Aims

This module aims to provide the world with more network architects. We cover the evolution of IP to support new services like multicast, mobility, multihoming, pub/sub and, in general, data oriented networking. The course is a paper reading which puts the onus on the student to do the work.

Objectives

On completion of this module, students should be able to:

contribute to new network system designs; engineer evolutionary changes in network systems; identify and repair architectural design flaws in networked systems; see that there are no perfect solutions (aside from academic ones) for routing,

addressing, naming; understand tradeoffs in modularisation and other pressures on clean software systems

implementation, and see how the world is changing the proper choices in protocol layering, or non layered or cross-layered.

Syllabus

IPng [2 lectures, Jon Crowcroft] New Architectures [2 lectures, Jon Crowcroft] Multicast [2 lectures, Jon Crowcroft] Content Distribution and Content Centric Networks [2 lectures, Jon Crowcroft] Resource Pooling [2 lectures, Jon Crowcroft] Green Networking [2 lectures, Jon Crowcroft] Alternative Router Implementions [2 lectures, Jon Crowcroft] Data Center Networks [2 Lectures, Jon Crowcroft]

Recommended reading

Pre-course reading:

Keshav, S. (1997). An engineering approach to computer networking. Addison-Wesley (1st ed.). ISBN 0201634422 Peterson, L.L. & Davie, B.S. (2007). Computer networks: a systems approach. Morgan Kaufmann (4th ed.). Design patterns:

Day, John (2007). Patterns in network architecture: a return to fundamentals. Prentice Hall. Example systems:

Krishnamurthy, B. & Rexford, J. (2001). Web protocols and practice: HTTP/1.1, Networking protocols, caching, and traffic measurement. Addison-Wesley. Economics and networks:

Frank, Robert H. (2008). The economic naturalist: why economics explains almost everything. Papers:

Certainly, a collection of papers (see ACM CCR which publishes notable network researchers' favourite ten papers every 6 months or so).

http://ccr.sigcomm.org/

Module RFCD – RF Circuits and Devices

(UCL)

Lecturers

Spring Term. Dr Chin-Pang Liu, Dr Ed Romans, Dr Chin-Pang Liu, Dr Kenneth Tong, Prof. Hugh

Griffiths


75% Exam. 25% Coursework (Report of up to 10 pages).

Aims

This module aims to give students a good grounding in a range of RF devices including the fundamentals of device physics, RF circuits, system architectures and noise measurement techniques. The knowledge of impedance matching, stability and noise figure for amplifier circuit design learnt by the students will be consolidated with a full-day computer simulation exercise where students will perform RF amplifier design tasks using the industry standard software package Agilent ADS.

Objectives


Understand the basic science and physical mechanisms underlying the operation

of semiconductor RF devices;

Understand the design, fabrication, packaging, operation and characteristics of a

wide range of two and three terminal RF devices;

Compare and contrast established and emerging rf device technologies for

different applications, including understanding economic and manufacturing

constraints. Analyse device performance and understand figures-of merit,

limitations, design criteria and implications for circuits;

Understand the design of RF circuits, key applications and integration technology;

Understand the tools and analysis techniques used for RF circuit design and

optimisation.

Syllabus

Review of carrier dynamics: effective mass, scattering, mobility; drift and diffusion currents; negative differential resistance.

Two-terminal devices (Schottky and tunnel barriers, detector and mixer diodes, varactors, PIN switches, transferred electron devices and avalanche sources).

Radio frequency CMOS technology. Comparison with other semiconductor technologies. Three-terminal devices (bipolar devices including SiGe and III-V HBTs, GaAs MESFETs, III-V HEMTs, and SiGe heterostructure MOSFETs).

Microwave transmission line theory and scattering parameters. RF circuit design techniques in MIC and MMIC form. Amplifier gain, noise and stability analysis using scattering parameters. Applications: RF transmitters and receivers, amplifier linearisation, mixers,

modulators. Integration technology and the design of monolithic RF circuits. Critical comparison of different rf technologies and manufacturing processes.

Module SNS – Software for Network Services

and Design (UCL)

Lecturers

Prof. Miguel Rio


Spring Term. 100% Coursework (About half of the course will take place in the Laboratory doing practical exercises Tutorial will consist of a two hour session)

Aims

This course will provide an introduction to Object Oriented Programming and the Java programming language. It will have a big emphasis on Network programming using the socket paradigm. Finally there will be an introduction to Software Engineering techniques and to UML

Objectives


Code simple programs in Java Build a client/server applications using TCP sockets Build UDP based socket programs Know the basic Software Engineering methods Know how to specify a distributed application in UML Know how to build an application for the Android platform

Syllabus

Introduction to Java Introduction to the Java

Class Library Socket Network Programming Advanced Network Programming Software Engineering Techniques UML – Unified Modelling Language

Module 4B6 – Solid State Devices and

Chemical/Biological Sensors (Cambridge)

Lecturer

Prof D Chu



Prerequisites

3B5 and 3B6 useful

Aims


introduce the student to the theory, and design of MOS Field-Effect Transistors (MOSFETs), based on both single crystal and thin-film materials.

introduce examples of applications of MOSFETs

Objectives


understand MOSFET theory and standard approximations. correlate material properties and conduction mechanisms with the MOSFET electrical

characteristics, for single crystal, amorphous and polycrystalline devices. understand the basic properties of ferroelectrics and its application for memory

devices. understand the concept of giant magneto-resistance and its applications including non-

volatile memory devices. understand the operation of liquid crystal displays. understand the construction and operation of micromechanical displays, and other

emerging display technologies.

Syllabus

The aim of this module is to introduce the student to the theory, and design of MOS Field-Effect Transistors (MOSFETs), based on both single crystal and thin-film materials. This will be followed by application examples, including chemical/biological sensors in sensor technologies,ferroelectric and magnetic random access memories (FRAM and MRAM) in non-volatile memory technologies, and active matrix liquid crystal displays

and micromechanical displays in display technologies. Emphasis will be placed on both device physics and application technology.

MOS Devices Introduction (3L)

Properties of MOS Capacitors, Capacitance - voltage characteristics; MOSFET structures and operation.

MOS Devices & Thin Film Transistors (5L)

Short channel and hot electron effects; Applications and future trends in miniaturising single crystal devices; Amorphous and polycrystalline silicon and other thin-film transistors. Organic thin-film transistors, Ion-sensitive thin, film trasistors and biosensors.

Non-Volatile Memory Devices and Displays (5L)

Ferroelectrics and ferroelectric random access memories; Giant magneto-resistance (GMR) and magnetic random access memories. Directly driven liquid crystal displays; Active matrix liquid crystal displays and projectors; Micromechanical projectors; Other types of displays and emerging technologies.

BUSINESS SKILLS MODULES

Module 4E4 –Management of Technology

(Cambridge)

Lecturers

Dr T Minshall, Dr C Kerr, Dr R Phaal and Dr F Tietze


Michaelmas term. Eight 2-hour sessions incorporating industry speakers. Assessment: 100% coursework

Aims


provide students with an understanding of the ways in which technology is brought to market by focusing on key technology management topics from the standpoint of an established business as well as new entrepreneurial ventures.

place emphasis on frameworks and methods that are both theoretically sound and practically useful.

provide students with both an understanding of the issues and the practical means of dealing with them in an engineering context.

Objectives


have a thorough appreciation of how technology is brought to address market opportunities, and how technology management supports that process.

assess and utilise appropriate technology management methods in different contexts. understand the core issues of technology management and the practical means of

dealing with them in an engineering context.

Syllabus

Introduction: Technology in the business context

Technology origins and evolution. How technology generates value. What are technology management processes and how are they used?

Developing new technologies: Managing research and development (R&D) and intellectual property rights (IPR)

How do you manage a portfolio of R&D projects? What are the key aspects of IPR, and how are they managed? How do you put a value on R&D projects and IPR?

Making money from new technologies: How to choose the right business model

What are the different ways in which an idea can be brought to market? Why do most innovations reach the market through new firms rather than established

firms? How do new and established firms work together?

Resources to bring ideas to market: 'Make versus Buy' (MvB) and strategic alliances

Strategic context for MvB and partnering decisions. Tools and techniques to support MvB decisions. Working in partnership with other organisations.

Open approaches to innovation

Why open approaches have become very common What are the different types of open innovation? What are the challenges in managing open models of innovation?

New product introduction (NPI)

Structuring the NPI process. New product life cycles, time-to-market and metrics. Completing an NPI project on time and within budget.

Planning for the future: Technology strategy and planning

Strategic technology management. Planning for the future by linking technology, product and market considerations -

Technology Roadmapping (TRM). Scenario planning tools to help manage the uncertainties of the future.

Technology management in practice

A panel of experienced technology managers will share lessons, and respond to queries posed by students.

Module 4E11 –Strategic Management

(Cambridge)

Lecturer

Dr S Ansari


Lent term. 16 lectures + coursework. Assessment: 100% coursework

Aims


provide participants with an opportunity to discuss the strategic challenges facing managers in today’s business environment and to develop a facility for critical strategic thinking.

Objectives


show a critical, reflective approach to managerial concepts. show familiarity with some of the key models used in strategic analysis and have some

understanding of their application and limitations. show a broad overview of managerial disciplines and their interdependency. understand some of the current “hot” topics in strategic management.

Syllabus

Strategic management involves the comprehensive analysis of a firm and its environment and the development of a course of action for the firm. It is therefore a comprehensive topic drawing together themes from marketing, organisation design, economics, and other business disciplines. The primary aim of this module is to provide participants with an opportunity to discuss the strategic challenges facing managers in today’s business environment and to develop a facility for critical strategic thinking. This will require participants not only to understand the course material, but also to apply it to business situations through the analysis of businesses cases in class. This overview of strategy will provide a broad framework for future management study, and a context for engineering practice.

The lectures will cover a range of topics that provide a basic introduction to strategic management. In each session, the lecturer will introduce a basic concept and explain its role in the strategic management process. The class will then analyse a case or

discuss the situation facing some well-known firm in order to explore the application of the concept. The module will cover eight topics.

1. Defining the Mission of the Firm

2. External Analysis

3. Internal Analysis

4. Functional Level Strategy

5. Business Level Strategy

6. Corporate Strategy

7. International Strategy

8. Strategic Management in Knowledge Intensive Firms

Module TBE – Telecommunications

Business Environment (UCL)

Lecturers

Dr Clive Poole.


100% Coursework. Following the laboratory the students write two reports on the experiments

that they have performed and the computer modelling simulations that they have carried out:

The Optical Device Characterisation Report and the RF Device Characterisation Report which are

submitted on Moodle via Turn-it-in software and are marked by academics. The marks for the two

reports carry the full 100% coursework mark available for the module.

Aims

The objectives of the TBE module are for students to gain an appreciation of the external environment within which a telecommunications business operates and how a company can successfully conduct business in this environment. Two perspectives are therefore taken: scene setting descriptions of the macro-economic and regulatory environment of today (focusing on the UK, but with a global view also); coupled with an introduction to the management of a telecommunications business.

Objectives

At the end of the course, students should be able to understand:

Value Chain analysis, the detailed ICT Value Chain and the position of telecommunications operators within it;

The Macro-economic environment including regulation, global trends and changing customer needs/expectations;

How to develop winning strategies in this environment

The Key elements of successful trading, including strategy development, customer service, technology developments and exploitation and portfolio and product development

The key elements of successful product and portfolio management and how to apply them in a changing world

How to use systems and technological developments to meet customer needs and improve customer service

Risk evaluation and mitigating strategies

Syllabus

1) Introduction to Telecommunications & ICT Business Scene setting for today’s business: covering the types of network operator and the range of competitors. The concept of ICT is defined, together with the convergence issues. This set of lectures will position the interaction of all the factors affecting an operator: macro-economic, the market place, government policy, regulation, competition, legacy aspects and technology changes, customer expectation and globalisation. The dotcom bubble burst will be examined for lessons for today’s business environment.

2) Business Strategic Drivers. The concept of strategy is introduced and applied to a network operator (fixed, mobile, voice & data). The various strategy analysis tools (PEST, PUV, Porters 5 Forces, and SWOT) are introduced and example strategies are discussed.

3) The Regulatory and Legal Scene The UK, and European legal and regulatory framework is presented, showing the constraints and opportunities offered to incumbent and other operators and service providers. Apart from interconnect issues, the Telecommunications Strategic Review is described, as is the role of OFCOM in regulating in a converged world.

4) Review of the Industry This section presents a quantified view of the industry from a World-wide perspective. The major cost, revenue, demand, service and technology trends are analysed.

5) Infrastructure Economics Description of the cost dynamics of a telecommunications infrastructure, covering access and core – fundamental to all networks (including railways, airlines, electricity supply, etc), fixed and variable cost, effect of volume on unit cost, cost and revenue apportionment, and long-run costs.

6) Product Management & Marketing An overview of the principles of marketing and product management is presented, together with recent practical examples. The scope includes: market segmentation, pricing, promotion, sales strategies, customer‐relationship management, billing issues and product/service development. In particular, the product life cycle is used as a structure to consider all aspects of product/service management. Although these principles are generic, the examples given will relate specifically to the telecommunications industry.

7) Business Cases The key aspects of a business case are introduced, covering its role in corporate governance, the essential content, the financial case and supporting evidence.

8) Financial Management The role of financial management in any business is described, with detailed application to the telecommunications network operators’ functions. Students will gain an understanding of financial statements and how to read them, as well as the principles of amortisation and depreciation, ebitda, profit, cash flow, cost of capital, share price dynamics and dividend policy.

fundamental modules module apd – advanced photonic … · fundamental modules module apd –...

Documents