As the CMOS technology enters the very deep submicron era, inter-wire coupling capacitance becomes the dominant part of load capacitance. The coupling effects have brought new challenges to routing algorithms on both delay estimation and optimization. In this paper, we propose a timing-driven global routing algorithm with consideration of coupling effects. Our two-phase algorithm based on timing-relax method includes a heuristic Steiner tree algorithm to guarantee the timing performance of the initial solution and an optimization algorithm based on coupling-effect-transference. Experimental results are given to demonstrate the efficiency and accuracy of the algorithm.

We propose an estimation method of crosstalk noise for generic RC trees. The proposed method derives an analytic waveform of crosstalk noise in a 2-π equivalent circuit. The peak voltage is calculated from the closed-form expression. We also develop a transformation method from generic RC trees with branches into the 2-π model circuit. The proposed method can hence estimate crosstalk noise for any RC trees. Our estimation method is evaluated in a 0.13 µm technology. The peak noise of two partially-coupled interconnects is estimated with the average error of 11%. Our method transforms generic RC interconnects with branches into the 2-π model with 14% error on average.

This paper focuses on the realization of low spurious responses by various bandpass filters (BPFs) using open-ended λ/2 resonators. The first part of this paper gives the resonance characteristics of the open-ended λ/2 resonators when the excitation methods are chosen. Secondly, various BPFs obtained with our methodology are provided. For constructing the BPF, (1) point-coupled resonators, (2) comb-line resonators, (3) quasi comb-line resonators and (4) parallel-coupled resonators are used. It is verified that the presented BPFs can be used to obtain low spurious responses both theoretically and experimentally.

Large-scale integration (LSI) microchips are widely used in many types of modern electronic products including electric appliances, cellular phones, toys, electronic games, and automobiles. The electromagnetic interference (EMI) noise produced by these micro devices can cause significant operational problems in other devices in the system. Some methods that have been proposed for such analysis estimates the EMI noise characteristic through transistor-level power simulation. However, in these methods, transistor-level circuit simulation is performed by combining the power-supply impedance model and the power-supply source model. In general, transistor-level simulators are too slow for practical application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) design. In this paper, a total solution for reducing EMI noise in LSI microchips was presented. The proposed design methodology integrates fast and accurate estimation, reduction, and verification. The method was successfully applied to the design of a 32-bit microprocessor, achieving a 2-dB noise reduction in the FM frequency band and 10-dB reduction at 1 GHz. The proposed design methodology is a powerful solution for LSI designers as a tool for minimizing EMI noise and achieve higher levels of reliability for the microelectronic products.

We show examples of accurate computer-aided design of power coupling between two dielectric slab waveguides of finite length by using the boundary-element method (BEM) based on guided-mode extracted integral equations (GMEIE's). The integral equations derived in this paper can be solved by the conventional BEM. Various properties in numerical calculations of GMEIE's are examined. The reflection and coupling coefficients of the guided wave as well as the scattering power are calculated numerically for the case of incidence TM guided-mode. The presented results are checked by the energy conservation law and reciprocity theorem. The results show that it is possible to design an optimum coupling between two dielectric slab waveguides by using the BEM based on GMEIE's.

A general circuit model of a filter having one cross coupling path is analyzed, and a new theory is developed for the design of a filter with transmission zeros in its stopband. By using the derived formulas, the reactance element values in the cross coupling path are determined readily. The transmission zeros can thus be assigned at desired frequencies. Various design examples are provided, together with simulated results, which validate the proposed theory.

We present a method for recognition of two-hand gestures. Two-hand gestures include fine-grain descriptions of hands under a complicated background, and have complex dynamic behaviors. Hence, assuming that two-hand gestures are an interacting process of two hands whose shapes and motions are described by switching linear dynamics, we propose a coupled switching linear dynamic model to capture interactions between both hands. The parameters of the model are learned via EM algorithm using approximate computations. Recognition is performed by selection of the model with maximum likelihood out of a few learned models during tracking. We confirmed the effectiveness of the proposed model in tracking and recognition of two-hand gestures through some experiments.

A technique for the design of circular- and racetrack-shaped NRD guide ring resonators was developed based on the mode coupling theory. Besides the operating mode, a parasitic mode is generated at curved sections of the resonator as a result of the mode conversion. Resonance of the NRD guide ring resonator is derived by characteristic equations of the coupled modes and then employed in making the design diagrams, which are useful for determining the dimensions of the ring resonators. It is shown that the discrepancy between the experimental results and previous theory can be resolved by using the present theory. Low loss, small-sized ring resonators with curvature radii of less than 5.3 mm were fabricated at 60 GHz and a band rejection performance of more than 30 dB was observed. Moreover, a procedure for the design of the channel dropping filter was developed and a 2-pole filter, which has great advantages such as a low insertion loss of 1.2 dB and a compact size smaller than that of a golf ball, was successfully developed by using two racetrack-shaped ring resonators.

We have thoroughly investigated the effect of on-chip decoupling capacitors on the simultaneous switching noise (SSN) and the radiated emission. Furthermore, we have successfully demonstrated an efficient design method for on-chip decoupling capacitors on an 8-bit microcontroller without increasing the die size, which results in more than 10 dB of suppressed radiated emission.

Basic characteristics of a short-ended half-wavelength resonator made of a coplanar waveguide (CPW) and their applications to bandpass filters (BPFs) are discussed. The first part of this paper gives the essence for improving out-of-band characteristics of the BPF by describing the basic characteristics of a tap-coupled resonator. Secondly, a new BPF with attenuation poles using the short-ended half-wavelength CPW resonators is proposed and realized. It is confirmed that our methodology is useful for improving out-of-band characteristics of the BPF using the short-ended half-wavelength CPW resonators without complicated filter design.

A substrate coupling simulation method suitable for execution in a conventional CAD environment is proposed. In this method, a substrate network is extracted from the layout data, and analyses are carried out using a circuit simulator in a conventional CAD environment. Substrate model simplification techniques are adopted for efficient analysis. Test chips were fabricated in order to compare the simulated results with the measured results. The comparison confirmed the effectiveness of the proposed simulation method.

A four-pole quasi-elliptic function bandpass filter is designed and fabricated using a miniaturized microstrip square Stepped Impedance Resonator (SIR). The Nonuniform Finite Difference Time Domain (NUFDTD) method is used to design the resonator and to calculate the coupling coefficients of three basic structures. Theoretical and experimental results are presented. This filter is not only compact size but also has a wide upper stop band.

This paper describes fully integrated active guard band filters for suppressing the substrate coupling noise and their noise suppression effect measured by test chip experiments. The noise cancellation circuit of the active guard band filters simply consists of an inverter and a source follower. The substrate noise suppression effect was measured by using a test chip fabricated in a 0.18 µm CMOS triple-well process for system-on-a-chip. The noise with the filter was less than 5% of that without the filter and the noise suppression effect was observed from 1 MHz to 200 MHz by the statistical measurement of the voltage comparator. The noise suppression effect was also observed for actual digital switching noise produced by digital inverters. Configuration of the active guard band filter was investigated by simulation and it is shown that high and uniform noise suppression effect is achieved by placing the guard bands in the L-shape around the target triple-well area on the p-substrate.

We apply newly developed rigorous modal transmission-line theory (MTLT) to evaluate optimal design conditions on optical power coupling in grating-assisted directional couplers (GADCs) with two or three guiding channels. By defining a power distribution ratio (PDR) and coupling efficiency (CE) amenable to the rigorous analytical solutions of MTLT, we explicitly analyze the power coupling characteristics of TE modes propagating in GADCs. The numerical results reveal that the incident power is optimally coupled into the desired guiding channel if the powers of rigorous modes excited at the input boundary of grating-assisted coupler are equally partitioned.

We calculated linear and nonlinear responses of a Kerr nonlinear microsphere sandwiched by two prisms using the excitation of whispering gallery modes due to near-field coupling. As numerical calculations, the finite-difference time-domain method that takes into account the Kerr nonlinear effect was used. We dealt with two types of spheres, i.e., the Kerr-material sphere and the dielectric sphere coated by the Kerr material. It was found that the optical switching phenomena are induced in such spheres. The switching results from the fact that the variations of the refractive index of the nonlinear spheres affect the excitation condition of the whispering gallery modes.

We have demonstrated synchronization of chaos in a pair of one-way coupled Colpitts oscillators by both experiment and numerical simulation. We have investigated parameter regions for achieving chaos-synchronization when one of the internal parameters is mismatched between the master and slave oscillators, and clarify the tolerance of parameter regions for synchronization against parameter mismatching.

Digitalization in electronic systems requires the electronics devices in de-coupler sets with low impedance at high frequency, and high reliability. A shield strip type line component with aluminum substrate, its surface oxidized dielectric layer and a conducting polymer electrolyte has been developed. The conducting polymers of polypyrrole and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) have been formed by direct chemical oxidative polymerization and electrochemical polymerization on a dielectric layer. Thus, the surface of the dielectric layer is covered with conducting polymer films. The structure of the line component is strip line conformation just like a crushed coaxial cable with in-put and out-put terminals surrounded by the conducting polymer electrolyte. Two types of the components, i.e., a large surface area, 10 20 mm, and a small surface area, 4 4 mm, have been fabricated with polypyrrole and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene), respectively. The dielectric properties of these line components have been investigated with a Impedance/Gain-phase analyzer and a network analyzer. Due to the high conductivity of the polymer electrolytes, the line components demonstrate low impedance at resonance frequency. Regarding the frequency characteristics of the line components, the impedance and ESR at high frequency are lower than those of the conventional capacitors. Furthermore, the transfer coefficients, S21, are three orders lower than those of other capacitors in a wide frequency band from 10 kHz to 6 GHz. The results indicate the excellent characteristics of the line components for the power line de-coupler set at the boundary of the closed circuit unit.

This paper presents a new decoupling circuit for suppressing radiated emissions due to power plane resonance in multilayer printed circuit boards (PCBs). This circuit is based on transmission line theory, and consists of two decoupling capacitors and one power trace. The two capacitors, one mounted on the power pin of an IC and the other mounted on the common power distribution bus in a board, are connected through the power trace. The characteristic impedance of the trace is much higher than the impedance of the capacitors. In addition, the length of the trace between the capacitors is less than 1/4 the effective wavelength for high frequency (e.g., 1 GHz). Tests we performed on simple PCBs confirm that our decoupling circuit suppresses radiated emissions due to power plane resonance.

A fully on-chip active guard band circuit is proposed. The proposed circuit is mainly composed of current mirrors and based on a DC bias technique. HSPICE simulations and experiment results confirm the validity of the proposed active guard band circuit.

This report describes a new methodology for the optimal placement of decoupling capacitors on the printed circuit board (PCB). This method searches the optimal position of decoupling capacitor so that the impedance characteristics at the power supply is minimized in the specified frequency range. In this method, the PCB is modeled by the PEEC method to handle the 3-dimensional structures and Krylov-subspace technique is applied to obtain efficiently the impedance characteristics in the frequency domain.