The Electronics Research Group of the University of Southern California engages in a broad variety of circuit and system design projects.  Its primary focus is the computationally efficient analysis, design, fabrication, and testing of broadband analog and high speed digital integrated circuits.

Advisor:  Dr. John Choma, Jr.

Current research projects include:

• A CMOS technology phase locked loop that boasts a dramatic reduction of phase noise caused by power supply problems and a remarkably efficient macromodel that promotes analytical effectiveness and simplicity.
• A low cost sigma–delta converter, also in CMOS, that promises to satisfy a myriad of commercial applications.
• A 16 bit sigma–delta data converter for hearing aid applications, and a high-performance phase locked loop in silicon–germanium technology.
• Integrated circuit filters are pursued vigorously for the purpose of realizing high-Q, low noise, predictable on-chip performance.  To the latter end, the basic mechanisms for potential instability in OTA–C filters have been identified, and new design architectures circumventing these instability mechanisms are currently undergoing development.
• Circumvention of distributed on chip and packaging parasitic phenomena, multi-loop feedback in RF communication system applications, ultra wideband communication circuits and systems, high speed pulse networks for communication system testing purposes, and signal processing circuits for optoelectronic networks.
• In the near term, projects in microelectronic machines, microfluidic structures, and nanoelectronic structures are contemplated.

Tim Bakken's research interests lie mainly in the design, fabrication, and testing of high-frequency, high-Q, active integrated filters.
 
 

Tim Bakken
tim@bakken.org