Electronics -- Projects

Emerging Technologies for VLSI Applications

Molecular Electronics

Nanosystems Modeling and Nanoelectronic Computers

Radio Frequency Stealth Transmit/
Receive Modules

Electronics

Electronics investigates electronic component technologies, and their design and fabrication techniques.

Emerging Technologies for VLSI Applications

Roberto L. Landrau, Principal Investigator

Bedford and Washington

Problem
The military faces an increasingly sophisticated level of threat in the modern battlefield. Warfighters have to rely on advanced electronic equipment to counteract these threats. The use of state-of-the-art microelectronics can provide our armed forces superiority over the enemy.

Objectives
This project will bring critical emerging technologies to the MITRE community. As in previous years, this work will enhance MITRE's microelectronics design capability and enable us to serve our customer better. Our present focus will be on system-on-a-chip technologies that can incorporate diverse forms of processing, including RF, analog, digital, programmable processors, and micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) sensors.

Activities
We are currently researching the integration of commercially available intellectual property for ICs. Our research has focused on programmable microprocessor cores. This year, we will integrate a SPARC-compliant microprocessor core into our system-on-a-chip design flow. We are also researching system-on-a-chip mixed-language circuit simulation and modeling using VHDL, Verilog, and C simultaneously.

Impacts
This project has had a broad influence on MITRE projects, sponsor-funded work, industry consortia, and academia. We are establishing the system-on-a-chip technology in the MITRE community. The results of our research will play a key role in the development of a GPS Receiver-on-a-Chip, an IC that will enable the design of a small, light GPS for the next generation user equipment.

Molecular Electronics

DARPA Office: MTO
DARPA PM: Dr. Kwan Kwok

James C. Ellenbogen, Principal Investigator

Washington

Problem
DARPA, with assistance from the Navy Space and Naval Warfare (SPAWAR) Systems Center, is developing next-generation, ultra-dense computers integrated on the molecular scale. The FY01-04 DARPA Molecular Electronics or "Moletronics" Program is committed to delivering a prototype 16-kilobit molecular memory system. Challenges include improving understanding of molecular devices and designing simulations to ensure that present memory prototypes can be scaled up.

Objectives
Through design proposals, modeling, and analysis, MITRE will address key challenges associated with an ultra-dense molecular electronic memory demonstration. In this work, MITRE will assist in integrating diverse research efforts from other groups under contract to the DARPA Moletronics Program.

Activities
MITRE is developing a nanomemory simulation that will verify that a prototype molecular memory system being built by Harvard University and Caltech can be successfully scaled up to 16 kilobits. In other tasks, MITRE is modeling the impact of effects such as heat dissipation and capacitive slowdown. Further, MITRE is attempting to develop new, faster molecular circuit modeling techniques.

Impacts
MITRE's preliminary nanomemory simulation is playing a key role in confirming that prototype molecular memories can be scaled up to meet the Moletronics Program milestone. MITRE's device and memory designs are being used by other R&D groups. Still other MITRE efforts are assisting in planning future DARPA molecular electronics R&D

Nanosystems Modeling and Nanoelectronic Computers

James C. Ellenbogen, Principal Investigator

Washington

Problem
The 40-year-long miniaturization revolution in electronics continues to be of great economic and military importance to the United States. However, it is likely that miniaturization of conventional solid-state microelectronic devices will not be possible beyond the years 2010–12.

Objectives
The Nanosystems Modeling and Nanoelectronic Computers project is addressing the problem of designing, fabricating, and applying electronic systems and novel materials which are integrated on the nanometer scale, i.e., the molecular scale. Such nanoelectronic systems and other nanosystems will be the ultra-miniaturized successors to present-day microelectronics and microsystems.

Activities
The project team is developing new understanding of the electrical properties of molecules and other nanostructures, plus new methods for manipulating them to build nanocomputers. Also, the team is exploring novel applications, such as the millirobots controlled by nanocomputers that the team is fabricating. It is anticipated that these investigations will lead to new technical publications and intellectual property.

Impacts
These investigations have led to groundbreaking publications, as well as novel inventions and patents. The R&D also has assisted several government agencies in initiating advanced research projects in nanoelectronics and nanotechnology, for example, the DARPA Moletronics program. Additionally, this project has served to educate a cadre of student investigators who have gone on to further important nanotechnology achievements.

Radio Frequency Stealth Transmit/Receive Modules

Moise Solomon, Principal Investigator

Bedford and Washington

Problem
Military operations have a demand for wireless systems that are more compact, efficient, reliable, and sophisticated. Such requirements have stimulated the need to successfully merge RF, analog, and digital signal processing functions on a single chip.

Objectives
This project seeks to apply enabling technologies which move MITRE along the roadmap towards realizing a system on a chip. The objectives are to apply embedded microprocessor technology, increase design experience in a mixed-signal IC technology, and investigate strategic partnerships which foster the state-of-the-art development of SoC.

Activities
This project is aligned with the MITRE roadmap for SoC. Specifically, RF, analog, and digital VLSI circuit functions are progressively integrated over a three-year period culminating in an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC)-based, Digital RF Memory (DRFM) tag. Tasks include system analysis, RF Integrated Circuit (RFIC) design, Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) design, and ASIC development.

Impacts
MITRE operations will benefit through the experience of applying mixed-signal technology in the microelectronics arena. By taking advantage of a common technology and design tool base, MITRE will leverage its VLSI and RF microelectronic resources and grow its ability to respond to customer problems which call for small, inexpensive, and low-power solutions.