At the heart of this model is digital signal processing. At the input are physical signals which are converted to electronic signals via sensors. These electronic signals undergo analog signal processing, are converted to the digital domain, and enter the digital signal processor. Next, the signals are converted back to the analog domain and prepared to interface with the outside world through actuators. Each microsystem may communicate with other microsystems either in the digital or analog domain. Most microelectronic systems such as handheld telephones, magnetic disk drives, and camcorders can be described by this model. The challenge is in the system partitioning to ensure that the technology developed to carry out each of these functions is the most cost effective solution to meet the performance requirements of the entire system.

As integrated circuit technology continues to advance, it is clear that a substantial fraction of the microsystem will be integrated on one or a few digital chips. There is a substantial question as to how much of the other microsystems functions (sensing, actuation, analog signal processing, communication) should be merged monolithically with the digital part of the system. The partitioning decision for any particular microsystem is determined by tradeoffs among issues such as; compatibility of process technologies, system performance, reliability, physical size, packaging, manufacturability, and cost. Most microsystem applications will benefit from the merging of analog signal processing with the sensor or actuator. In addition, communication between microsystems will benefit by being performed digitally.

Several faculty and graduate students have been working on a project entitled "Wireless Gigabit Local Area Network" (figure 3). This effort offers a unique vehicle for integrated circuit and system research advancements and low power design technologies. A team of 4 faculty from MIT (A. Chandrakasan, H -S Lee, C. G. Sodini, and G. Wornell) and along with approximately 8 graduate students are involved in this ambitious project.

The WiGLAN offers several research challenges. First, there is a wide range of data rates, quality of service, and need for real time transmission to and from the appliances. For example, voice transmission over the network will not require high data rates but may require low power dissipation for portability. Interactive video transmission requires real time transmission and very high data rates especially as high resolution video and 3D graphics become available. System resources will need to be adaptive in order to support this wide range of appliances. Second, since many of the appliances will require portability, low power design techniques at the circuit, chip architecture and overall system level will be required. Third, this research requires synergy between a variety of disciplines including, communication system design at the physical layer, low power circuit and system design, digital signal processing algorithm and IC design, mixed signal IC design, and RFIC design. It also lends itself to a number of demonstration projects using some of the technology which results from this research. Besides the educational component of the PhD researchers directly involved, this program will generate a number of IC's and algorithms which can be demonstrated by Masters student design projects.

In summary, we are exploring novel integrated technology, device physics, and circuit design, and its application to specific to Microsystems. The requirements of the systems are dictating the areas in which innovation must take place. This approach allows students to understand and play a role in the big picture while simultaneously concentrating on specific innovation in a tightly focused project. The program is a fertile ground for students to learn and appreciate the importance of breadth across many disciplines for system optimization as well as depth in their particular project. These students will be prepared for the many broad challenges which microelectronic technology will face in the 21st century.

Copyright © 2002 Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Last updated 2/5/03

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