Digital Circuits Commons^™

Developing A Framework For Microchip Design Recovery, Eric Diep

Graduate Theses and Dissertations (2019 - present)

Due to the increase in diverse chip production over the past decade, reverse engineering has become a difficult and daunting task. This research develops a methodology for microchip design recovery, seeking to validate and reproduce prior approaches to physical reverse engineering using low-cost tools and techniques. We used mechanical hardware abrasion tools and techniques to delayer and capture silicon integrated chip (IC) layout. We focused on the Mifare Classic EVl microchip, commonly implemented in public transit/transportation cards, to extract information for design recovery. The research explores limitations and advantages of mechanical abrasion and optical microscopy in context to modem chip …

Developing A Multi-Band Gnss Remote Sensing Station To Measure Precipitable Water Vapor For Flash Flood Nowcasting, Madison Gleydura

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

Flash flood nowcasting in Central and Southern Appalachia is particularly challenging due to steep terrain, narrow valleys, highly localized rainfall patterns, and limited measurement coverage. Traditional remote sensing methods, such as Doppler radar and microwave radiometry, suffer from reduced resolution at long range and signal blockage by mountains. GNSS-meteorology offers an established alternative for measuring precipitable water vapor and is currently integrated into several numerical weather models. Recent research demonstrates that commercial-grade GNSS receivers can produce tropospheric products comparable to those from geodetic-grade equipment. The gaps in mountain coverage can be addressed by developing a low-cost, self-contained embedded system that …

How’S It Growing? Tools For Observing Snow And Sea Ice In A Changing Arctic Ocean, Ian Alexander Raphael

Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations

September Arctic sea ice extent has diminished by roughly 50% in the 45 years since satellite observations began. The Arctic Ocean may experience ice-free summers within the next decade, with implications for habitat, resource extraction, geopolitics, and local and global climate change. To predict how Arctic sea ice will change in the future, we need to understand its behavior in the present. In situ sea ice mass balance measurements (snow accumulation, ice growth, snow and ice surface melt, and bottom melt) are essential for studying the processes driving rapid changes in the ice pack, and for validating remote sensing measurements …

Autonomous Landscape Exploration Rover Using Imaging Surface Navigation (Alexis), Noah Jones, Dominic Salupo

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The objective is to develop a small-form-factor rover prototype that can be used to prove out a novel traversal method for use on extraterrestrial surfaces. The novel traversal method being proposed is LIDAR/CV-enhanced navigation, provided by a detachable flight vehicle that can communicate with the rover. On planets with thin atmospheres, cold gas thrusters or similar may be needed, but for the scope of this project more traditional flight/propulsion methods will be used.

Potential Security Vulnerabilities In Raspberry Pi Devices With Mitigation Strategies, Briana Tolleson

Cybersecurity Undergraduate Research Showcase

For this research project I used a Raspberry Pi device and conducted online research to investigate potential security vulnerabilities along with mitigation strategies. I configured the Raspberry Pi by using the proper peripherals such as an HDMI cord, a microUSB adapter that provided 5V and at least 700mA of current, a TV monitor, PiSwitch, SD Card, keyboard, and mouse. I installed the Rasbian operating system (OS). The process to install the Rasbian took about 10 minutes to boot starting at 21:08 on 10/27/2023 and ending at 21:18. 1,513 megabytes (MB) was written to the SD card running at (2.5 MB/sec). …

Electronic Note-String Detector, Gavin Garcia-Rossi, Tommy Smail

Electrical Engineering

As the virtual space has become a dominant part of everyone’s day-to-day lives, many normal face-to-face interactions and services have not yet been facilitated by adapting technology. One of these prevailing areas is music lessons. Over Zoom meetings, or other virtual platforms, it is tremendously challenging to teach students. These challenges include recognizing student mistakes audibly and visually, and being able to give confident feedback on the incorrect notes played by learning musicians. Without having to delve into improving the complex systems that would be required to improve audio, video, and connection quality of these connections, we have another solution …

Accelerating Machine Learning Inference For Satellite Component Feature Extraction Using Fpgas., Andrew Ekblad

Theses and Dissertations

Running computer vision algorithms requires complex devices with lots of computing power, these types of devices are not well suited for space deployment. The harsh radiation environment and limited power budgets have hindered the ability of running advanced computer vision algorithms in space. This problem makes running an on-orbit servicing detection algorithm very difficult. This work proposes using a low powered FPGA to accelerate the computer vision algorithms that enable satellite component feature extraction. This work uses AMD/Xilinx’s Zynq SoC and DPU IP to run model inference. Experiments in this work centered around improving model post processing by creating implementations …

Remote Side-Channel Disassembly On Field-Programmable Gate Arrays, Brandon R. Baggett

Graduate Theses and Dissertations (2019 - present)

Over the last two decades, side-channel vulnerabilities have shown to be a major threat to embedded devices. Most side-channel research has developed our understanding of the vulnerabilities to cryptographic devices due to their implementation and how we can protect them. However, side-channel leakage can yield useful information about many other processes that run on the device. One promising area that has received little attention is the side-channel leakage due to the execution of assembly instructions. There has been some work in this area that has demonstrated the idea’s potential, but so far, this research has assumed the adversary has physical …

Chatgpt As Metamorphosis Designer For The Future Of Artificial Intelligence (Ai): A Conceptual Investigation, Amarjit Kumar Singh (Library Assistant), Dr. Pankaj Mathur (Deputy Librarian)

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this research paper is to explore ChatGPT’s potential as an innovative designer tool for the future development of artificial intelligence. Specifically, this conceptual investigation aims to analyze ChatGPT’s capabilities as a tool for designing and developing near about human intelligent systems for futuristic used and developed in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Also with the helps of this paper, researchers are analyzed the strengths and weaknesses of ChatGPT as a tool, and identify possible areas for improvement in its development and implementation. This investigation focused on the various features and functions of ChatGPT that …

Lpvit: A Transformer Based Model For Pcb Image Classification And Defect Detection, Kang An, Yanping Zhang

Computer Science Faculty Scholarship

PCB (printed circuit board) is an extremely important component of all electronic products, which has greatly facilitated human life. Meanwhile, tons of PCBs in the waste streams become a waste of resources, which puts the recycling and reuse of PCBs in urgent need. In the manufacturing and recycling of electronic products, the classification of PCBs, recognition of sub-components, and defect detection have been the key technology. Traditional manual detection and classification are subjective and rely on individuals’ experience. With the development of artificial intelligence, lots of research efforts have been dedicated to the automated detection and recognition of PCBs. In …

Development Of A Reference Design For Intrusion Detection Using Neural Networks For A Smart Inverter, Ammar Mohammad Khan

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis is to develop a reference design for a base level implementation of an intrusion detection module using artificial neural networks that is deployed onto an inverter and runs on live data for cybersecurity purposes, leveraging the latest deep learning algorithms and tools. Cybersecurity in the smart grid industry focuses on maintaining optimal standards of security in the system and a key component of this is being able to detect cyberattacks. Although researchers and engineers aim to design such devices with embedded security, attacks can and do still occur. The foundation for eventually mitigating these attacks …

Low-Power And Reconfigurable Asynchronous Asic Design Implementing Recurrent Neural Networks, Spencer Nelson

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Artificial intelligence (AI) has experienced a tremendous surge in recent years, resulting in high demand for a wide array of implementations of algorithms in the field. With the rise of Internet-of-Things devices, the need for artificial intelligence algorithms implemented in hardware with tight design restrictions has become even more prevalent. In terms of low power and area, ASIC implementations have the best case. However, these implementations suffer from high non-recurring engineering costs, long time-to-market, and a complete lack of flexibility, which significantly hurts their appeal in an environment where time-to-market is so critical. The time-to-market gap can be shortened through …

Facilitating Mixed Self-Timed Circuits, Alexandra R. Hanson

University Honors Theses

Designers constrain the ordering of computation events in self-timed circuits to ensure the correct behavior of the circuits. Different circuit families utilize different constraints that, when families are combined, may be more difficult to guarantee in combination without inserting delay to postpone necessary events. By analyzing established constraints of different circuit families like Click and GasP, we are able to identify the small changes necessary to either 1) avoid constraints entirely; or 2) decrease the likelihood of necessary delay insertion. Because delay insertion can be tricky for novice designers and because the likelihood of its requirement increases when mixing different …

Nonlinear Least Squares 3-D Geolocation Solutions Using Time Differences Of Arrival, Michael V. Bredemann

Mathematics & Statistics ETDs

This thesis uses a geometric approach to derive and solve nonlinear least squares minimization problems to geolocate a signal source in three dimensions using time differences of arrival at multiple sensor locations. There is no restriction on the maximum number of sensors used. Residual errors reach the numerical limits of machine precision. Symmetric sensor orientations are found that prevent closed form solutions of source locations lying within the null space. Maximum uncertainties in relative sensor positions and time difference of arrivals, required to locate a source within a maximum specified error, are found from these results. Examples illustrate potential requirements …

Improving 3d Printed Prosthetics With Sensors And Motors, Rachel Zarin

Honors Projects

A 3D printed hand and arm prosthetic was created from the idea of adding bionic elements while keeping the cost low. It was designed based on existing models, desired functions, and materials available. A tilt sensor keeps the hand level, two motors move the wrist in two different directions, a limit switch signals the fingers to open and close, and another motor helps open and close the fingers. All sensors and motors were built on a circuit board, programmed using an Arduino, and powered by a battery. Other supporting materials include metal brackets, screws, guitar strings, elastic bands, small clamps, …

Investigating On Through Glass Via Based Rf Passives For 3-D Integration, Libo Qian, Jifei Sang, Yinshui Xia, Jian Wang, Peiyi Zhao

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

Due to low dielectric loss and low cost, glass is developed as a promising material for advanced interposers in 2.5-D and 3-D integration. In this paper, through glass vias (TGVs) are used to implement inductors for minimal footprint and large quality factor. Based on the proposed physical structure, the impact of various process and design parameters on the electrical characteristics of TGV inductors is investigated with 3-D electromagnetic simulator HFSS. It is observed that TGV inductors have identical inductance and larger quality factor in comparison with their through silicon via counterparts. Using TGV inductors and parallel plate capacitors, a compact …

Prosense, Johnny Favazza Ii, Casey Glasgow, Matt Epperson

Computer Engineering

This project aims to gather advanced data sets from MEMS sensors and GPS and deliver it to the user, who can capitalize on the data. The once negligible half-degree difference of your board barreling down a wave can be recorded from a gyro and exploited for the perfect turn. The exact speed dreaded by longboarders where speed wobbles turn into a road rash can be analysed and consequently avoided. Ascertaining the summit of your flight using combined GPS sensors from the ski ramp allows for the correct timing of tricks. When it comes to pursuing excellence in professional sports, amateur …

Musictrakr, Benjamin Lin

Computer Engineering

MusicTrackr is an IoT device that musicians attach to their instruments. The device has a start and stop button that allows users to record their playing sessions. Each recorded session is sent wirelessly to a cloud database. An accompanying website displays all of the recorded sessions, organized by date. After picking a specific date, the user can view graphs showing total practice time and average session length as well play back any recordings during that date. In addition, the user may add comments to any specific date or recording. Lastly, the user may tag a specific date with a color …

Digital Circuit Projects: An Overview Of Digital Circuits Through Implementing Integrated Circuits - Second Edition, Charles W. Kann

Open Educational Resources

Digital circuits, often called Integrated Circuits or ICs, are the central building blocks of a Central Processing Unit (CPU). To understand how a computer works, it is essential to understand the digital circuits which make up the CPU. This text introduces the most important of these digital circuits; adders, decoders, multiplexers, D flip-flops, and simple state machines.

What makes this textbook unique is that it puts the ability to understand these circuits into the hands of anyone, from hobbyists to students studying Computer Science. This text is designed to teach digital circuits using simple projects the reader can implement. But …

Measurement And Modeling Of Passive Surface Mount Devices On Fr4 Substrates, Rahulkumar Sadanand Koche

Dissertations and Theses

Passive components like resistors, capacitors and inductors are used in every electronic system. These are the very basic components which affect the system performance at higher frequencies and it is necessary to understand and model the behavior of these components in a very accurate manner. This work focuses on utilizing Printed Circuit Board (PCB) test boards, or fixtures, made of FR4 for characterizing Surface Mount Device (SMD) components. Agilent's Advanced Design System (ADS) microwave circuit simulation software was used for designing the microstrip transmission lines as well as for generating the layout for manufacturing of the PCB. SMD resistors, capacitors …

Asynchronous Mips Processors: Educational Simulations, Robert L. Webb

Master's Theses

The system clock has been omnipresent in most mainstream chip designs. While simplifying many design problems the clock has caused the problems of clock skew, high power consumption, electromagnetic interference, and worst-case performance. In recent years, as the timing constraints of synchronous designs have been squeezed ever tighter, the efficiencies of asynchronous designs have become more attractive. By removing the clock, these issues can be mitigated. How- ever, asynchronous designs are generally more complex and difficult to debug. In this paper I discuss the advantages of asynchronous processors and the specifics of some asynchronous designs, outline the roadblocks to asynchronous …

Deterministic, Efficient Variation Of Circuit Components To Improve Resistance To Reverse Engineering, Daniel F. Koranek

Theses and Dissertations

This research proposes two alternative methods for generating semantically equivalent circuit variants which leave the circuit's internal structure pseudo-randomly determined. Component fusion deterministically selects subcircuits using a component identification algorithm and replaces them using a deterministic algorithm that generates canonical logic forms. Component encryption seeks to alter the semantics of individual circuit components using an encoding function, but preserves the overall circuit semantics by decoding signal values later in the circuit. Experiments were conducted to examine the performance of component fusion and component encryption against representative trials of subcircuit selection-and-replacement and Boundary Blurring, two previously defined methods for circuit obfuscation. …

Pretty Lights, Nicholas (Nick) Delmas, Matthew (Matt) Maniaci

Computer Engineering

Digital media players often include a visualization component that allows a user to watch a visualization synchronized to their music or videos. This project uses the visualization plugin API of an existing media playback program (WinAmp) but it displays its visuals using physical LED lights. Instead of outputting visuals to the computer screen, data is sent over USB to a micro controller that runs the LED lights. This project aims to give users a more visceral visual experience than traditional visualizations on the computer screen.

Virtual Wired Transmission Scheme - A Novel Technique For Efficient Mobile Adhoc Networks, Manikya Vinay Rali

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

This thesis proposes a method called virtual wired transmission scheme for ad hoc networks. The scheme is an efficient method to improve network performance parameters such as energy efficiency, capacity, interference, network throughput, etc. Performance parameters improvement can be done at different layers of the network architecture for mobile ad hoc networks. However most of the research efforts are concentrated on Physical, MAC and Network layers. In this thesis, a MAC protocol with a major MAC layer modification is proposed in combination with the usage of directional antennas, developing a novel method called virtual wired transmission scheme. In virtual wired …

Selfish Wavelength Assignment In Multifiber Optical Networks, Evangelos Bampas, Aris Pagourtzis, George Pierrakos, Katerina Potika

Faculty Publications, Computer Science

No abstract provided.

Unidirectional Cordic For Efficient Computation Of Trigonometric And Hyperbolic Functions, Satish Ravichandran

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

CORDIC (Coordinate Rotation Digital Computer) is an iterative algorithm to compute values of trigonometric, logarithmic and transcendental functions by performing vector rotations, which can be implemented with only shift and add operations in a digital system. CORDIC algorithms are extensively used in the areas of digital signal processing, digital image processing and artificial neural networks. A new technique, named unidirectional CORDIC, for efficient computation of trigonometric and hyperbolic functions is presented in this thesis. In the conventional CORDIC algorithm, the vector rotations are performed in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions, but in the unidirectional CORDIC the vectors are rotated only …

An Analysis Of A Private-Key Cryptosystem, Wei-Wey Tan

Student Works (2000-2009)

In this dissertation, we have presented a new block cipher. The proposed block cipher is a Substitution-Permutation network cryptosystem with a block length of 128 bits and key length of 256 bits. With the increased key length and block size, the proposed block cipher has greater security over DES. A modular design approach was applied. The cipher has three major building blocks and their interaction has been carefully chosen to achieve better security and performance. Algorithmic S­-Boxes are used to provide confusion and nonlinearity in the cipher. The proposed cipher uses a highly diffusive diffusion layer, which is a combination …

A Vhdl Implementation Of Bist Technique In Uart Design, Mohd. Yamani Idna Idris

Student Works (2000-2009)

No abstract provided.

Litar Aritmetik Reja, Abd. Mutalib Leorna Shazerine

Student Works (2000-2009)

Projek Ilmiah Tahap Akhir II, iaitu WXES 3182 adalah suatu latihan akademik di dalam penyelidikan, rekabentuk, pembangunan dan komunikasi yang melibatkan prinsip-prinsip sains komputer. Projek WXES 3182 ini merupakan kursus pelengkap bagi pelajar-pelajar tahun akhir untuk mendapatkan penganugerahan Sarjana Muda Sains Komputer. Projek WXES 3182 ini adalah kesinabungan daripada projek WXES 3181 Kajian penyehdikan yang telah dijalankan adalah berkaitan dengan konsep sistem nombor reja dan litar aritmetik reja. Laporan latihan ilmiah tahap akhir II ini, merangkumi pembangunan projek WXES 3181 dan WXES 3182. laporan ini terdiri daripada lapan bahagian dan diantaranya ialah pengenalan kepada projek, kajian literasi, metodologi yang digunakan …

Vhdl Description For Ip Engine, Bathich Zeliall

Student Works (2000-2009)

Developing hardware support for network layer protocol processing is a very complex and demanding task. However. for optimal performance hardware acceleration can be required. To cope with the situation. this project present a high-level design approach. which targets the development of configurable and reusable components. Therefore it obtains the integration of advanced tools for the development of the IP Engine into the design environment. This process is illustrated based on a TCP/IP header analysis and validation component for which initial performance results are presented. The development of this Engine is embedded in an approach to develop flexible and configurable protocol …