Simulation and verification of system-level specifications of requirements and constraints using Rosetta. Modern computer-based systems comprise a mixture of electronic hardware and embedded computer software that interacts with mechanical and other non-electrical subsystems. Future design capability will depend on being able to model the requirements and constraints of heterogeneous systems, so that they can be simulated and formally verified before being manufactured and deployed. This project ....Simulation and verification of system-level specifications of requirements and constraints using Rosetta. Modern computer-based systems comprise a mixture of electronic hardware and embedded computer software that interacts with mechanical and other non-electrical subsystems. Future design capability will depend on being able to model the requirements and constraints of heterogeneous systems, so that they can be simulated and formally verified before being manufactured and deployed. This project will develop techniques and software tools for simulation and verification based on the new Rosetta system-level design language. These tools will make the design of complex computer-based systems faster, more reliable and less costly by minimizing design errors early in the design flow.Read moreRead less
Smart CMOS Vision Sensors in Deep Sub-0.25um CMOS Technologies. This research project aims to develop a new generation of smart vision sensors featuring on-chip and pixel-level implementation of human vision based algorithms. Built in state-of-the-art deep sub-0.25um CMOS technologies, these imagers will feature extensive in-pixel processing power in contrast to the currently commercially available CMOS vision sensors. This will enable on-chip vision-based decision making but also increased on-c ....Smart CMOS Vision Sensors in Deep Sub-0.25um CMOS Technologies. This research project aims to develop a new generation of smart vision sensors featuring on-chip and pixel-level implementation of human vision based algorithms. Built in state-of-the-art deep sub-0.25um CMOS technologies, these imagers will feature extensive in-pixel processing power in contrast to the currently commercially available CMOS vision sensors. This will enable on-chip vision-based decision making but also increased on-chip image processing. These innovative system-on-chip features will contribute towards the positioning of CMOS imaging technology as the technology of choice for most digital imaging applications, in place of the existing, and so far unchallenged, CCD technology.
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Electronic Auditory Pathway. We will develop electronic building blocks to investigate biological signal processing. In particular, we will investigate the auditory pathway and develop the most accurate electronic model of the biological cochlea and auditory nerve. These will be followed by electronic circuits that model the processing of sensory signals in the brain. Processing signals with neural spikes offers distinct advantages over current analogue and digital signal processing techniques i ....Electronic Auditory Pathway. We will develop electronic building blocks to investigate biological signal processing. In particular, we will investigate the auditory pathway and develop the most accurate electronic model of the biological cochlea and auditory nerve. These will be followed by electronic circuits that model the processing of sensory signals in the brain. Processing signals with neural spikes offers distinct advantages over current analogue and digital signal processing techniques in terms of noise, energy consumption and extraction of temporal information. We will implement the first spike-based models of pitch and timbre perception, and a neural model of speech recognition in noisy environments.Read moreRead less
High-speed bidirectional optical interconnects for board-to-board communications. The project will contribute directly to Australia's participation in various ICT industries through the development of innovative solutions and will increase the knowledge and skills base in silicon-photonics. The development of the proposed board-to-board high-speed optical interconnect prototypes will result in R&D outcomes well-matched to the needs and interests of Australian companies; this project will assist ....High-speed bidirectional optical interconnects for board-to-board communications. The project will contribute directly to Australia's participation in various ICT industries through the development of innovative solutions and will increase the knowledge and skills base in silicon-photonics. The development of the proposed board-to-board high-speed optical interconnect prototypes will result in R&D outcomes well-matched to the needs and interests of Australian companies; this project will assist Australia to capitalise on new technology and to become a significant player in the next ICT boom. This project will put Australia at the cutting edge of high-speed interconnect technology and will generate income through licensing the technology and the establishment of spin-off opportunities in both Australia and off-shore.Read moreRead less
Hardware Verification Techniques for Complex High Performance Systems-on-a-chip. Verifying the correctness of modern integrated circuit designs is a critical success factor from both economic and technological perspectives. Rapid advances in semiconductor manufacturing technology are not matched by similar gains in hardware design verification methodology. This creates a widening verification gap that threatens the viability of future complex integrated circuits. This project aims to address th ....Hardware Verification Techniques for Complex High Performance Systems-on-a-chip. Verifying the correctness of modern integrated circuit designs is a critical success factor from both economic and technological perspectives. Rapid advances in semiconductor manufacturing technology are not matched by similar gains in hardware design verification methodology. This creates a widening verification gap that threatens the viability of future complex integrated circuits. This project aims to address this issue by developing novel hardware verification techniques targeting complex high performance systems-on-a-chip. The research outcome will be a set of verification techniques and tools that directly benefit the advancement of future integrated circuit development, verification and manufacturing.Read moreRead less
Design Automation for Processor Pipelines. Embedded system processors comprise about eighty percent of the processor market. This project targets this particular segment, customising multi-processor system on chips for a particular class of embedded applications, resulting in superior performance, low power and reduced cost. Direct benefits will include clear understanding of architectures and algorithms, research training, better processors for the embedded market, and quality publications. Ind ....Design Automation for Processor Pipelines. Embedded system processors comprise about eighty percent of the processor market. This project targets this particular segment, customising multi-processor system on chips for a particular class of embedded applications, resulting in superior performance, low power and reduced cost. Direct benefits will include clear understanding of architectures and algorithms, research training, better processors for the embedded market, and quality publications. Indirect benefits will be commercialisation and licensing of this technology for use in the embedded systems design industry. Companies which can benefit from this technology exist in Australia and overseas.Read moreRead less
Nonvolatile Dynamic Memories. This project will expand the knowledge base that will support the development of a frontier technology (superior memory chips) to be undertaken by an Australian based start-up company (QsRAM). The project will provide an excellent environment for training researchers who will be able to lead development of frontier technologies. It will also generate additional intellectual property with high potential to spawn new commercial activities. Direct financial benefit fro ....Nonvolatile Dynamic Memories. This project will expand the knowledge base that will support the development of a frontier technology (superior memory chips) to be undertaken by an Australian based start-up company (QsRAM). The project will provide an excellent environment for training researchers who will be able to lead development of frontier technologies. It will also generate additional intellectual property with high potential to spawn new commercial activities. Direct financial benefit from any commercialization of the intellectual property can be assured through standard practices in the semiconductor industry (license fees, royalties, product design, etc.)Read moreRead less
Biomimetic Ultra-Thin Compound-Eye Vision Sensor. With the recent advances in microelectronic fabrication technology, it becomes possible today to fabricate paper-thin imaging systems. The proposed research will target the development of such systems to enable the concept of 'stick-on cameras'. Examples of potential applications for this new imaging technology include head-mounted camera patches for rescue workers, smart credit card capable of identifying its user by fingerprint technology, disc ....Biomimetic Ultra-Thin Compound-Eye Vision Sensor. With the recent advances in microelectronic fabrication technology, it becomes possible today to fabricate paper-thin imaging systems. The proposed research will target the development of such systems to enable the concept of 'stick-on cameras'. Examples of potential applications for this new imaging technology include head-mounted camera patches for rescue workers, smart credit card capable of identifying its user by fingerprint technology, discrete monitoring of venues, preventing driver's drowsiness inside a car but also assisting in medical diagnosis and minimally invasive surgery. This leading edge research will enhance the reputation of Australia as a leader in frontier technologies.Read moreRead less
Theoretical and Numerical Analyses on Smart-Cut Technology. Smart-cut is an innovative and effective technique for fabricating high quality silicon-on-insulator structures which are widely used in the semiconductor and microelectronics industries. The quantification of the effects of processing parameters and the optimization of smart-cut process will be conducted in this project. The results are expected to make significant contributions to reducing cost, increasing efficiency and optimizing pr ....Theoretical and Numerical Analyses on Smart-Cut Technology. Smart-cut is an innovative and effective technique for fabricating high quality silicon-on-insulator structures which are widely used in the semiconductor and microelectronics industries. The quantification of the effects of processing parameters and the optimization of smart-cut process will be conducted in this project. The results are expected to make significant contributions to reducing cost, increasing efficiency and optimizing procedure by providing a theoretical and quantitative design methodology to improve the smart-cut technique. Consequently, the outcomes and results of the project will bring many benefits to and encourage further R&D in the semiconductor and microelectronics industries in Australia.Read moreRead less
Low Power Architectures for the Wavelet Transform and JPEG2000. Recently a new international standard for image compression has been proposed, JPEG2000. This new method updates the well established JPEG standard and will be incorporated into digital cameras, web pads, etc.
In this project we will investigate low power architectures for the wavelet transforms used in this standard, and combine this with an embedded processor core to deliver a complete system on a chip solution for low power JPEG ....Low Power Architectures for the Wavelet Transform and JPEG2000. Recently a new international standard for image compression has been proposed, JPEG2000. This new method updates the well established JPEG standard and will be incorporated into digital cameras, web pads, etc.
In this project we will investigate low power architectures for the wavelet transforms used in this standard, and combine this with an embedded processor core to deliver a complete system on a chip solution for low power JPEG2000.Read moreRead less