Soft computing‐based approach for optimal design of on‐chip comparator and folded‐cascode op‐amp using colliding bodies optimization

This paper presents an efficient approach for the optimal designs of two analog circuits, namely complementary metal oxide semiconductor) two‐stage comparator with p‐channel metal oxide semiconductor input driver and n‐channel input and folded‐cascode operational amplifier using a recently proposed meta‐heuristic‐based optimization algorithm named as colliding bodies optimization (CBO). It is a multi‐agent algorithm that does not depend upon any internal control parameter, making the algorithm extremely simple. The main objective of this paper is to optimize the metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) transistors' sizes using CBO in order to reduce the areas occupied by the circuits and to get better performance parameters of the circuits. Simulation Program with Integrated Circuit Emphasis simulation has been carried out by using the optimal values of MOS transistors' sizes and other design parameters to validate that CBO‐based design is satisfying the desired specifications. Simulation results demonstrate that the design specifications are closely met and the required functionalities are achieved. The simulation results also confirm that the CBO‐based approach is superior to the other algorithms in terms of MOS area and performance parameters like gain, power dissipation, etc., for the examples considered. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Set theoretic performance verification of low‐frequency learning adaptive controllers

Although adaptive control has been used in numerous applications, the ability to obtain a predictable transient and steady‐state closed‐loop performance is still a challenging problem from the verification and validation standpoint. To that end, we considered a recently developed robust adaptive control methodology called low‐frequency learning adaptive control and utilized a set of theoretic analysis to show that the transitory performance of this approach can be expressed, analyzed, and optimized via a convex optimization problem based on linear matrix inequalities. This key feature of this design and analysis framework allows one to tune the adaptive control parameters rigorously so that the tracking error components of the closed‐loop nonlinear system evolve in a priori specified region of the state space whose size can be minimized by selecting a suitable cost function. Simulation examples are provided to demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed verification and validation architecture showing the possibility of performing parametric studies to analyze the interplay between the size of the tracking error residual set and important design parameters such as the adaptation rate and the low‐pass filters time constant of the weights adaptation algorithm. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Non‐linear adaptive control of a heat exchanger

In this contribution, two methods for adaptation of non‐linear adaptive controllers are presented and compared, namely the data‐driven and the knowledge‐based adaptation. A dynamic Takagi–Sugeno fuzzy model is utilized to model the non‐linear process behaviour. Based on this model, a non‐linear predictive controller is designed to control the process. In the presence of time‐variant process behaviour and changing unmodelled disturbances, high control performance can be achieved by performing an on‐line adaptation of the fuzzy model. First, a local weighted recursive least‐squares algorithm is used for adaptation. It exploits the local linearity of the Takagi–Sugeno fuzzy model. In the second approach, process knowledge that is obtained from theoretical insights is utilized to design a knowledge‐based adaptation strategy. Both approaches are compared and their effectiveness and real‐world applicability are demonstrated by application to temperature control of a heat exchanger. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A robust optimal design for strictly positive realness in recursive parameter adaptation

This paper provides an optimization‐based approach to assure the strict positive real (SPR) condition in a set of recursive parameter adaptation algorithms (PAA). The developed algorithms and tools enable a multiobjective formulation of the SPR problem, creating new controls of the stability and parameter convergence in PAAs. In addition to assuring the SPR condition for global stability in PAAs, we provide an algorithmic solution for uniform convergence under performance constraints in PAAs. Several new aspects of parameter convergence were observed with the adoption of the algorithm in a narrow‐band identification problem. The proposed algorithm is verified in simulation and experiments on a precision motion control platform in advanced manufacturing.     

基于MDP的半导体制造设备维护调度研究

为解决半导体制造设备的维护调度问题,提出基于马尔可夫决策过程(MDP)的制造设备两层维护优化模型。设备层利用马尔可夫决策过程(MDP)模型,同时考虑劣化故障和随机故障两种故障类型,制定针对单台设备的工件排序、清洗和维修的长期维护优化策略,系统层采用遗传算法解决有限维护资源下短期维修调度方案,尽可能降低由设备故障所导致的生产损失。最后以某半导体生产线为例利用eM-Plant软件进行仿真验证,结果表明,该维护策略能更好的提高系统性能。     

High‐speed and high‐precision position control using a sliding mode compensator

To achieve high‐speed, high‐precision position control for semiconductor product machines and industrial robots, full‐closed feedback control is applied. Many control methods have been proposed for such a system. In general, proportional position control and proportional plus integral velocity control or integral plus proportional velocity control (P,PI/I‐P), which is a type of proportional plus integral plus differential control (PID), is applied in many industrial applications. However, in the case of changing mechanical characteristics of the control target, the parameters of P,PI/I‐PI control must also change in order to maintain good motion performance. In this paper, we propose a new P,PI/I‐P control method that includes a nonlinear compensator. The algorithm of the nonlinear compensator is based on sliding mode control with chattering compensation. The effectiveness of the proposed control method is evaluated using a full‐closed single‐axis slider system via point‐to‐point control and contour control in the case of changing load. The experimental results indicate that the proposed control method is robust in the case of changing acceleration/deceleration of control reference, changing load, and low‐velocity contour motion. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 174(2): 65–71, 2011; Published online in Wiley Online Library ( wileyonlinelibrary.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.21011     

Analysis of the floating‐gate transistor using the charge sheet model

The multiple‐input floating‐gate transistor is a semiconductor device that has found wide application in digital and analog electronic integrated circuits. Simulating an electronic circuit is an essential step in the design flow, prior to manufacturing. Therefore, an advanced model for the multiple‐input floating‐gate transistor is needed for analog design. This paper shows a method for adapting the charge sheet model for advanced models of the device. In addition, the problem of obtaining the drain to source current numerically as a function of external voltages is addressed. Furthermore, important plots are presented in order to clarify the behavior of the concerned device. The small signal analysis of the device is included. This summary may be interesting to those seeking to model the multiple‐input floating‐gate transistor, looking for alternatives to analog electronic design, needing low operating voltage, generating new design strategies, or wishing to understand of the operation of the device or the use of alternatives to implement analog circuits. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Optimal analog active filter design using craziness‐based particle swarm optimization algorithm

Because of the manufacturing constraints, the optimal selection of passive component values for the design of analog active filter is very critical. As the search on possible combinations in preferred values for capacitors and resistors is an exhaustive process, it has to be automated with high accuracy within short computation time. Evolutionary computation may be an attractive alternative for automatic selection of optimal discrete component values such as resistors and capacitors for analog active filter design. This paper presents an efficient evolutionary optimization approach for optimal analog filter design considering different topologies and manufacturing series by selecting their component values. The evolutionary optimization technique employed is craziness‐based particle swarm optimization (CRPSO). PSO is very simple in concept, easy to implement and computationally efficient algorithm with two main advantages: fast convergence and only a few control parameters. However, the performance of PSO depends on its control parameters and may be influenced by premature convergence and stagnation problem. To overcome these problems, the PSO algorithm has been modified to CRPSO and is used for the selection of optimal passive component values of fourth‐order Butterworth low‐pass analog active filter and second‐order state variable low‐pass filter, respectively. CRPSO performs the dual task of efficiently selecting the component values as well as minimizing the total design errors of low‐pass active filters. The component values of the filters are selected in such a way so that they become E12/E24/E96 series compatible. The simulation results prove that CRPSO efficiently minimizes the total design error with respect to previously used optimization techniques. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Experimental investigation of a speed‐sensor‐less IM drive system under Inverter fault‐tolerant control

This paper proposes an algorithm for fault tolerance of three‐phase, inverter‐fed, speed‐sensor‐less control of a three‐phase induction motor drive system. The fault tolerance of the inverter when one switch is open or one leg of six‐switch inverter is lost is considered. The control of the drive system is based on indirect rotor field‐oriented control theory. Also, the speed estimator is based on model reference adaptive system (using stator current and rotor flux as state variables for estimating the speed). The fault‐tolerant algorithm is able to adaptively change over from a six‐switch inverter to a four‐switch inverter topology when a fault occurs; also, it makes a smooth transition of the motor speed, torque, and current when changing over from a faulty condition to a new healthy status, which is four‐switch three‐phase inverter (FSTPI) topology; thus, the six‐switch three‐phase inverter (SSTPI) topology (pre‐fault status) is almost retained for the medium‐power range of induction motor applications. The proposed algorithm is simulated by using the MATLAB/SIMULINK package. Also, the proposed control system is tested experimentally using a digital signal processor (DSP1104). The obtained results from the simulation model and experimental system demonstrate the performance enhancement and good validity of the fault‐tolerance control for the speed‐sensor‐less induction motor drive system. © 2016 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Self‐tuning PID control of a brushless DC motor by adaptive interaction

In this paper, a self‐tuning algorithm for proportional integral derivative (PID) control based on the adaptive interaction (AI) approach theory efficiently used in artificial neural networks (ANNs) is proposed. In this approach, a system is decomposed into interconnected subsystems, and adaptation occurs in the interaction weights among these subsystems. The principle behind the adaptation algorithm is mathematically equivalent to a gradient descent algorithm. The same adaptation as the well‐known backpropagation algorithm (BPA) can be achieved without the need of a feedback network, which would propagate the errors, by applying adaptive interaction. Thereby, the ANN controller can be adapted directly without wasting calculation time in order to increase the frequency response of the controller. The velocity control of a brushless DC motor (BLDCM) under slowly and rapidly changing load conditions is simulated to demonstrate the effectiveness of the algorithm. The AI tuning algorithm was used to tune up the PID gains, and the simulation results with PID adaptation process are presented by comparing the obtained results with the adaptive PID controller based on BPNN and a conventional PID controller. © 2014 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

RF modeling of 40‐nm SOI triple‐gate FinFET

These last years, the triple‐gate fin field‐effect transistor (FinFET) has appeared as attractive candidate to pursue the complementary metal‐oxide semiconductor technology roadmap for digital and analog applications. However, the development of analog applications requires models that properly describe the static and RF behaviors as well as the extrinsic parameters related to the three‐dimensional FinFET architecture, in order to establish adequate design strategies. We demonstrate the feasibility of the compact model developed for symmetric doped double‐gate metal‐oxide‐semiconductor field‐effect transistor (symmetric doped double‐gate MOSFET) to reproduce the experimental dc and RF behaviors for 40‐nm technology node Silicon‐on‐Insulator triple‐gate FinFETs. Extrinsic gate capacitances and access extrinsic resistances have been included in order to properly predict the transistor small‐signal behavior, the current gain, and the maximum available power gain cut‐off frequencies. Finally, the improvement of the FinFET RF characteristics by the reduction of the parasitics is addressed. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A novel prototype of auxiliary edge resonant bridge leg link snubber‐assisted soft‐switching sine‐wave PWM inverter

This paper proposes a new circuit topology of the three‐phase soft‐switching PWM inverter and PFC converter using IGBT power modules, which has the improved active auxiliary switch and edge resonant bridge leg‐commutation‐link soft‐switching snubber circuit with pulse current regenerative feedback loop as compared with the typical auxiliary resonant pole snubber discussed previously. This three‐phase soft‐switching PWM double converter is more suitable and acceptable for a large‐capacity uninterruptible power supply, PFC converter, utility‐interactive bidirectional converter, and so forth. In this paper, the soft‐switching operation and optimum circuit design of the novel type active auxiliary edge resonant bridge leg commutation link snubber treated here are described for high‐power applications. Both the main active power switches and the auxiliary active power switches achieve soft switching under the principles of ZVS or ZCS in this three‐phase inverter switching. This three‐phase soft‐switching commutation scheme can effectively minimize the switching surge‐related electromagnetic noise and the switching power losses of the power semiconductor devices; IGBTs and modules used here. This three‐phase inverter and rectifier coupled double converter system does not need any sensing circuit and its peripheral logic control circuits to detect the voltage or the current and does not require any unwanted chemical electrolytic capacitor to make the neutral point of the DC power supply voltage source. The performances of this power conditioner are proved on the basis of the experimental and simulation results. Because the power semiconductor switches (IGBT module packages) have a trade‐off relation in the switching fall time and tail current interval characteristics as well as the conductive saturation voltage characteristics, this three‐phase soft‐switching PWM double converter can improve actual efficiency in the output power ranges with a trench gate controlled MOS power semiconductor device which is much improved regarding low saturation voltage. The effectiveness of this is verified from a practical point of view. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 155(4): 64–76, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.20207     

Adaptive one‐step‐ahead optimal controller based on WLS schemes

An optimal adaptive control technique for the discrete linear systems is discussed in this paper. The system parameters are unknown and one‐step‐ahead adaptive control design is based on the input matching approach and the weighted least‐squares (WLS) algorithm. It is shown that the adaptive stochastic system is globally closed‐loop stable and the system identification is consistent. The adaptive controller converges to the one‐step‐ahead optimal controller. Finally, some simulation examples are given to demonstrate the reliability of the new optimal adaptive control algorithm. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Adaptive saturated finite‐time control algorithm for buck‐type DC‐DC converter systems

To enhance the convergent rate and robustness of buck‐type DC‐DC converter system, a new finite‐time voltage regulation control algorithm is proposed in this paper. First, an average state space‐based model is analyzed, which considers both the parameters uncertainties and the variations of load and input voltage. By using saturation finite‐time control theory, at the first step, in the absence of disturbance, a new fast voltage regulation control algorithm is designed, which can guarantee that the output voltage converges to the reference voltage in a finite time. Because the saturation constraint is considered during the controller design, the duty ratio function of the converter satisfies the constraint between 0 and 1. Second, in the presence of disturbance, a finite‐time convergent disturbance observer is designed to estimate the unknown disturbances in a finite time. Finally, a disturbance observer‐based finite‐time voltage regulation control algorithm is developed. Compared with PI (Proportional‐Integral) control algorithm, circuit simulations show that the proposed algorithm has a faster regulation performance and stronger robustness performance on disturbance rejection.     

Undergraduate field applications engineers: a successful experimentin electronic design automation technology transfer

The United States has lost its leadership position in semiconductor manufacturing. It is, however, still dominant in the production of electronic design automation (EDA) software which supports semiconductor integrated circuit design and manufacturing. Research on EDA software is performed primarily in US universities. Early use of such software by the US semiconductor industry should constitute a precompetitive advantage that would help to compensate for the US's tack of competitiveness in manufacturing; however, because of the different natures of universities and industry, a significant technology transfer gap exists between them. Universities produce prototype software as research results, whereas the semiconductor industry would prefer to have robust rather than prototype versions. To bridge the gap, it has been proposed that the EDA industry be emulated and undergraduate engineering students used as field applications engineers (UFAEs). This paper describes a reasonably successful first attempt at this approach to EDA software technology transfer and discusses as well what could be done in the future to improve upon it     

Theoretical studies of the capacitance‐voltage characteristics of metal‐ferroelectric‐GaN structures

We have simulated the capacitance versus voltage characteristics (C‐V) of metal‐ferroelectric‐gallium nitride (GaN metal‐ferroelectric‐semiconductor) structures and found useful design rules for improving the devices' performance. The thickness effects of ferroelectric film on the C‐V are studied. When the ferroelectric Pb(Zr, Ti)O3 thickness is no more than 100 nm, the GaN metal‐ferroelectric‐semiconductor structures can approach inversion just under 5 V, which is the generally applied voltage used in semiconductor‐based integrated circuits. This marked improvement of C‐V behaviors is mainly due to the high dielectric constant and large polarization of the ferroelectric gate oxide. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Adaptive variable universe of discourse fuzzy control for a class of nonlinear systems with unknown dead zones

In this paper, based on an adaptive nonbackstepping design algorithm, we proposed a novel variable universe of discourse fuzzy control (VUDFC) approach for a class of single‐input–single‐output strict‐feedback nonlinear systems with unknown dead‐zone inputs. Firstly, we convert the form of system into a normal form on the basis of some new state variables and coordinate transformation; at the same time, state‐feedback control is changed to output‐feedback control. Secondly, we design observers to estimate the new unmeasurable states. Then, different from considering the traditional backstepping‐based fuzzy control scheme, we introduce a direct VUDFC scheme, which is mainly based on changing of contraction‐expansion factors to modify the universe of discourse online, and fuzzy rules can automatically reproduce to develop the control performance; thus, the size of initial rule base is greatly reduced. This new algorithm can alleviate tracking error, improve the accuracy of the system, and strengthen robustness. Lastly, according to Lyapunov theorem analysis, we prove that all the signals in the closed‐loop system can be guaranteed to be stable, and the output can track the reference signal very well. Simulation results illustrated the effectiveness of the proposed VUDFC approach.     

An oscillatory noise‐shaped quantizer for time‐based continuous‐time sigma‐delta modulators

In this paper, a new type of an oscillatory noise‐shaped quantizer (NSQ) for time‐based continuous‐time sigma‐delta modulators is presented. The proposed NSQ is composed of an oscillatory voltage‐to‐time converter and a polyphase sampler. Using Tustin's transformation method and through the approximation of the comparator gain, a linearized model of the NSQ is introduced. This way, a novel realization of the first‐ and second‐order NSQ is presented. Its implementation is based on fully passive continuous‐time filters without needing any amplifier or power consuming element. The ploy‐phase sampler inside the NSQ is based on the combination of a time‐to‐digital and a digital‐to‐time converter. The layout of the proposed NSQ is provided in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company 0.18 μm complementary metal‐oxide‐semiconductor 1P6M technology. The verification of the proposed NSQ is done via investigating both the system level and postlayout simulation results. Leveraging the proposed NSQ in an Lth‐order time‐based continuous‐time sigma‐delta modulator enhances the noise‐shaping order up to L + 2, confirming its superior effectiveness. This makes it possible to design high performance and wideband continuous‐time SDMs with low power consumption and relaxed design complexity.     

A low distortion CMOS continuous‐time common‐mode feedback circuit

In high‐gain fully differential operational amplifier (FD op‐amp) design, the output common‐mode (CM) voltage of the FD op‐amp is quite sensitive to device properties and mismatch. It is, therefore, necessary to add an additional control circuit, referred to as the common‐mode feedback (CMFB) circuit, to stabilize the output CM voltage at some specified voltage. In this paper, we present a high linear CMOS continuous‐time CMFB circuit based on two differential pairs and the source degeneration using MOS transistors. Theoretical analysis and SPICE simulation results are provided to validate our proposed ideas. Finally, we present two design applications of the proposed configuration, one is the FD folded‐cascode op‐amp and the other is the Multiply‐by‐Two circuit which is the key component in the popular 1.5 bit/stage pipelined analog‐to‐digital converter. Comparison with conventional topologies shows that the new configuration has attractive characteristics concerning their implementation in high linear analog integrated circuits. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Dual high‐gain‐based adaptive output‐feedback control for a class of nonlinear systems

We propose an adaptive output‐feedback controller for a general class of nonlinear triangular (strict‐feedback‐like) systems. The design is based on our recent results on a new high‐gain control design approach utilizing a dual high‐gain observer and controller architecture with a dynamic scaling. The technique provides strong robustness properties and allows the system class to contain unknown functions dependent on all states and involving unknown parameters (with no magnitude bounds required). Unlike our earlier result on this problem where a time‐varying design of the high‐gain scaling parameter was utilized, the technique proposed here achieves an autonomous dynamic controller by introducing a novel design of the observer, the scaling parameter, and the adaptation parameter. This provides a time‐invariant dynamic output‐feedback globally asymptotically stabilizing solution for the benchmark open problem proposed in our earlier work with no magnitude bounds or sign information on the unknown parameter being necessary. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.