ZARIN T. PULAM

Design of a highly sensitive RADAR and Satellite Communication System.

o Proposed a real time monitoring system for rural agricultural fields using a monostatic RADAR operating at L Band.
o Simulations were performed in AWR Virtual System Simulator to analyze nominal and worst case cascaded gain, noise figure, P1 dB, OIP3, estimated cost of implementation and proposed project.

Designed a differential amplifier with active current mirror load in Cadence using TSMC
0.35micron process. The power supply voltage was 3.3V. A 10µA current reference was available to provide tail current through a current mirror. The required ICMR was 2V and the required low-frequency gain was 40dB.

the following requirements were fulfilled:
1. Circuit schematics with a table listing all the device size.
2. Finding out the ICMR.
3. Performing a DC sweep to find out large… Show more

Designed a differential amplifier with active current mirror load in Cadence using TSMC
0.35micron process. The power supply voltage was 3.3V. A 10µA current reference was available to provide tail current through a current mirror. The required ICMR was 2V and the required low-frequency gain was 40dB.

the following requirements were fulfilled:
1. Circuit schematics with a table listing all the device size.
2. Finding out the ICMR.
3. Performing a DC sweep to find out large signal voltage transfer function (the output voltage Vout vs. input differential voltage Vin+ - Vin-) for an input common level in the middle of the ICMR, and the derivative of the output voltage vs. input differential voltage.
4. Performing an AC sweep to find out the find out the low-frequency voltage gain, the
-3dB frequency, and the unity gain frequency.
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Wilkinson-type Unequal Power Divider

In this project, I designed a 4:1 and 2:1 unequal power split Wilkinson-type power divider at a frequency of 1 GHz. I then implemented the project using Micro-strip Lines and verified the overall performance using AWR-MWO. My first step was to review a journal paper, A New Unequal Power-Divider Design with Enhanced Insertion Loss Flatness, written by Pak-Wing Li and Kwok-Keung M. Cheng. I then replicated the circuit design from the journal article… Show more

Wilkinson-type Unequal Power Divider

In this project, I designed a 4:1 and 2:1 unequal power split Wilkinson-type power divider at a frequency of 1 GHz. I then implemented the project using Micro-strip Lines and verified the overall performance using AWR-MWO. My first step was to review a journal paper, A New Unequal Power-Divider Design with Enhanced Insertion Loss Flatness, written by Pak-Wing Li and Kwok-Keung M. Cheng. I then replicated the circuit design from the journal article using AWR. Given the specifications in the article, I detailed specifications for a conventional circuit design. Based on the circuit in the article and the specifications for the conventional circuit design, I proposed my own solution and simulated the new circuit design in AWR. Finally, I compared the simulated performances to determine which circuit had better performance within the specified requirements.



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Working independently, I solved this equation subject to boundary conditions and a given geometry with static voltage distribution at all points in space to model the performance of devices under development. To ensure the accuracy and reduce the calculation error of the numerical solution, I increased the number of grids and the number of iterations to dramatically increase the required convergence time in computer algorithms. In addition, I developed an algorithm which compares the current… Show more

Working independently, I solved this equation subject to boundary conditions and a given geometry with static voltage distribution at all points in space to model the performance of devices under development. To ensure the accuracy and reduce the calculation error of the numerical solution, I increased the number of grids and the number of iterations to dramatically increase the required convergence time in computer algorithms. In addition, I developed an algorithm which compares the current result with previous iteration values which determines that an acceptable tolerance has been developed.


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Implementation of a long-haul optical network for specific BER, SNR & Channel Spacing using Virtual Photonics
Evaluated the performance by analyzing eye diagrams, Q-factors & BER for different modulation formats

As a group project, I worked with my team to characterize carbon nanotubes (CNT) using the International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors (ITRS) as a basis. The ITRS emphasizes the need for reliable, high-speed interconnects for future technology generations. We focused on the reliability of CNT interconnection structures, including resistance, capacitance, and inductance. We compared the CNT to Cu using the criteria outlined in the ITRS. We concluded that CNT is much more reliable than Cu… Show more

As a group project, I worked with my team to characterize carbon nanotubes (CNT) using the International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors (ITRS) as a basis. The ITRS emphasizes the need for reliable, high-speed interconnects for future technology generations. We focused on the reliability of CNT interconnection structures, including resistance, capacitance, and inductance. We compared the CNT to Cu using the criteria outlined in the ITRS. We concluded that CNT is much more reliable than Cu in the case of interconnection at the nano-scale level.


As a group project, I worked with my team to characterize carbon nanotubes (CNT) using the International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors (ITRS) as a basis. The ITRS emphasizes the need for reliable, high-speed interconnects for future technology generations. We focused on the reliability of CNT interconnection structures, including resistance, capacitance, and inductance. We compared the CNT to Cu using the criteria outlined in the ITRS. We concluded that CNT is much more reliable than Cu in the case of interconnection at the nano-scale level.




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In this paper, we look for a network layer protocol and a transport layer protocol on 802.15.4 platform. We briefly discuss various aspects of 6LoWPAN protocol stack and provide a descriptive analysis of the adaptation layer and network layer of 6LowPan. For transport layer protocol, we have gone through all the options and selected Sensor Transmission Control Protocol (STCP). This is a generic protocol, which deals with both congestion and reliability. It also supports multiple applications… Show more

In this paper, we look for a network layer protocol and a transport layer protocol on 802.15.4 platform. We briefly discuss various aspects of 6LoWPAN protocol stack and provide a descriptive analysis of the adaptation layer and network layer of 6LowPan. For transport layer protocol, we have gone through all the options and selected Sensor Transmission Control Protocol (STCP). This is a generic protocol, which deals with both congestion and reliability. It also supports multiple applications, over multiple flows. This paper deals with the design idea of STCP and the simulation results to support them. Show less

In this paper, we design the physical and MAC layer for a wireless sensor network. We discuss the available component selection and MAC protocol options with the objective of minimizing power consumption. Low power SNAP/LE is used as a microprocessor for our WSN mote physical design. Based on the project requirement, we select physical layer devices and MAC protocol and describe how it helps conserving energy. This paper also briefly describes the protocol details, followed by a computation… Show more

In this paper, we design the physical and MAC layer for a wireless sensor network. We discuss the available component selection and MAC protocol options with the objective of minimizing power consumption. Low power SNAP/LE is used as a microprocessor for our WSN mote physical design. Based on the project requirement, we select physical layer devices and MAC protocol and describe how it helps conserving energy. This paper also briefly describes the protocol details, followed by a computation showing the relation between energy savings and listening time.
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In this group project, we designed a low-noise amplifier based on given specifications, employing network matching, biasing, stability analysis, and overall amplifier design skills. Based on our targets, we implemented 3 matching networks using microstrip lines and then performed the matching with a Smith chart on paper to verify the MWO results. We added the bias networks to the design schematic and included DC blocking and supply voltage bypass capacitors. We used stability analysis to ensure… Show more

In this group project, we designed a low-noise amplifier based on given specifications, employing network matching, biasing, stability analysis, and overall amplifier design skills. Based on our targets, we implemented 3 matching networks using microstrip lines and then performed the matching with a Smith chart on paper to verify the MWO results. We added the bias networks to the design schematic and included DC blocking and supply voltage bypass capacitors. We used stability analysis to ensure that the first and second stages were stable at all frequencies. Finally, we successfully verified the design targets by performing simulations of all the given parameters and achieving the desired specifications. Show less

:-- In this paper we address the issue of RFID tag collision and try to find an efficient anti-collision algorithm for RFID tags. We briefly discuss some commonly used anti-collision algorithms taking into account of their extensions and among those algorithms, based on the performance analysis; we try to discuss the most efficient one in detail. We discuss the advanced DFSA algorithm extensively and include simulation results in favour of this algorithm.

Our objective was to apply our knowledge of RF and Microwave concepts to the design of a broadband RF amplifier functioning as a front-end amplifier for optical receivers. Our report included DC, AC, and stability analyses with conclusions based on our analyses. Through DC analysis we biased the broadband RF amplifier using appropriate operating points. We examined the AC using y-parameters (Matlab) and S-parameters (MWO), solving the amplifier’s voltage gain. We determined that the amplifier… Show more

Our objective was to apply our knowledge of RF and Microwave concepts to the design of a broadband RF amplifier functioning as a front-end amplifier for optical receivers. Our report included DC, AC, and stability analyses with conclusions based on our analyses. Through DC analysis we biased the broadband RF amplifier using appropriate operating points. We examined the AC using y-parameters (Matlab) and S-parameters (MWO), solving the amplifier’s voltage gain. We determined that the amplifier is easily used as a receiver in optical communications because the photodetector generates current from light; the amplifier circuit converts the current to a voltage signal for further amplification.

Second, we varied the feedback resistance for different gains of the amplifier. We observed that there is a tradeoff between gain and bandwidth – as the gain increases, the bandwidth of the amplifier decreases. We observed that the output impedance of the circuit matches closely with the output load of 50 ohms up to about 0.8 GHz. Beyond that frequency, the effect of the stray capacitance associated with the resistors caused transimpedance gain to decrease with increasing frequency.

In the third phase, we utilized AWR Microwave Office to analyze the amplifier circuit, plotting the transimpedance gain and output impedance and comparing the results to our Matlab simulations to ensure that both software programs yielded similar results. We performed a stability analysis using stability circles and analyzed the amplifier using the transistor equivalent circuit provided in the datasheet.

Based on our analyses, we understood the relationship between transimpedance gain and the feedback components. As we studied the stability of the circuit, it became clear that the value of the feedback resistors and their stray capacitances significantly influence the stability of the circuit and must be finely tuned to avoid any potential instability.


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- Implemented a 32 bit Arithmetic/Logic unit in VHDL using behavioral Modeling which involves all basic ALU operations including special functionality like binary-to-grey code conversion, parity check, sum of first N numbers. Simulation is performed in ModelSim IDE.
- Involved design using Cadence (Virtuoso Layout/Schematic) and Hspice simulation of standard library cell.
- Involved library characterization using NCX, RTL synthesis of VHDL code using Synopsys Design Vision, auto… Show more

- Implemented a 32 bit Arithmetic/Logic unit in VHDL using behavioral Modeling which involves all basic ALU operations including special functionality like binary-to-grey code conversion, parity check, sum of first N numbers. Simulation is performed in ModelSim IDE.
- Involved design using Cadence (Virtuoso Layout/Schematic) and Hspice simulation of standard library cell.
- Involved library characterization using NCX, RTL synthesis of VHDL code using Synopsys Design Vision, auto placement & routing using Encounter, static timing analysis using Synopsys Primetime.

- Involved RTL synthesis of VHDL code using Synopsys Design Vision, auto placement & routing using Encounter, static timing analysis using Primetime and also power consumption analysis.
3. Automatic Routing using Encounter.

4. Final Layout and Schematic generation of ALU Show less

- Designed a standard cells with gates including Inverter, two input NAND, two Input NOR, two Input XOR, 2:1 Multiplexer, AOI22, OAI3222 and D Flip Flop with minimum area & diffusion breaks by using IBM130 nm process technology.
- Involved library characterization using NCX, RTL synthesis of VHDL code of 32 bit ALU Chip design using Synopsys Design Vision.