Query: Digital system design 

Candidate papers:

abstract: Part 1 Logic design: binary numbers boolean algebra and minimization combinational circuit design sequential circuit design logic circuit implementation. Part 2 Microprocessor system design: computer and microprocessor systems microprocessor instructions semiconductor main memory devices input/output circuits and operation memory management. Part 3 Further aspects of digital system design: formal sequential circuit design processor design introduction to VLSI systems design and testing engineering aspects reliability.
author_names: Barry Wilkinson
title: Digital system design
year: 1987

author_names: M S Harris
title: Digital system design (2nd edition) B. Wilkinson with R. Makki, Prentice Hall, Hemel Hempstead, UK, 1992, 538pp. PS19.99
year: 1993

abstract: The authors consider the effects of single event upsets (SEUs) on digital systems, and show techniques for designing reliable systems with current levels of SEU protection. Three main systems are discussed: main memory, logic, and cache memory. A design for the main and cache memory subsystems that are SEU protected is also described. With SEU defined in bit days p, and using single error correction, it is shown that for all subsystems considered, an effective upset rate which is proportional to the product of p/sup 2/ and the time between corrections, or scrub time, can be obtained. Data for memory chip size and performance derived from the gallium arsenide (GaAs) pilot lines funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) throughout the 1980s are used.
author_names: Sherman Karp

Barry K Gilbert
title: Digital system design in the presence of single event upsets
year: 1993

abstract: The design principles that drove the development of a new cardiovascular x ray digital flat panel (DFP) detector system are presented, followed by assessments of imaging and dose performance achieved relative to other state of the art FPD systems. The new system (GE Innova 2100IQTM) incorporates a new detector with substantially improved DQE at fluoroscopic (73%@1mR) and record (79%@114mR) doses, an x ray tube with higher continuous fluoro power (3.2kW) a collimator with a wide range of copper spectral filtration (up to 0.9mm) and an improved automatic x ray exposure management system. The performance of this new system was compared to that of the previous generation GE product (Innova 2000) and to state of the art cardiac digital x ray flat panel systems from two other major manufacturers. Performance was assessed with the industry standard Cardiac X ray NEMA/SCA&I phantom, and a new moving coronary artery stent (MCAS) phantom, designed to simulate cardiac clinical imaging conditions, composed of an anthropomorphic chest section with stents moving in a manner simulating normal coronary arteries. The NEMA/SCA&I phantom results showed the Innova 2100IQ to exceed or equal the Innova 2000 in all of the performance categories, while operating at 28% lower dose on average, and to exceed the other DFP systems in most of the performance categories. The MCAS phantom tests showed the Innova 2100IQ to be significantly better (p 0.05) than the Innova 2000, and significantly better than the other DFP systems in most cases at comparable or lower doses, thereby verifying excellent performance against design goals.
author_names: Barry F Belanger

F Betraoui

Paritosh J Dhawale

Parasuram Gopinath

Pal Tegzes

Balazs P Vagvolgyi
title: Development of next generation digital flat panel catheterization system: design principles and validation methodology
venue: SPIE Medical Imaging
year: 2006

abstract: For accurate and reliable automatic control the organisation of computer systems in aircraft and applications in other multi task computer systems is more likely to be based on a number of 'cooperative' computers in an integrated manner [1] than a main central computer. Such a cooperative design should provide for the normal work load of each computer plus checking the data processing of another computer and have the ability to continue operation in case of a malfunction in one processor. To ensure that these requirements are met in a data driven operating system the basic system design parameters need careful assessment for optimised system performance especially when deadlines must be met in some control functions and an order of priorities preserved. The present paper reports progress on a computer aided system design of such linked cooperative computers under the above conditions to determine basic system parameters such as the desirable character rates for the several central processors (C.P's) and optimum cycle length of C.P. to C.P. transfers. The methods also overcomes objections [2] to some systems design procedures by allowing the results of sampled data theory to be made use of in the systems design by incorporating the sampling rate although calculated separately [3] in one of the prime design parameters of the system.
author_names: B S Thornton
title: Computer aided system design of linked cooperative digital computers for control
year: 1971

abstract: The emerging application of Gallium Arsenide digital integrated circuits to signal processing problems will require the development of architectures quite different from those used for highly parallel silicon VLSI and VHSIC components. Much higher system clock rates will be employed in GaAs based systems than will be common in silicon VLSI, placing much more stress on interchip signal protocols, and on the design of first and second level packaging, i.e. at the chip carrier and logic board levels.
author_names: Barry K Gilbert

Daniel J Schwab
title: Will Presently Available System Design Approaches And Electrical Interconnect Rules Fulfill The Performance Requirements Of High Clock Rate Digital Signal Processors Based On Gaas?
venue: Photonics West Lasers and Applications in Science and Engineering
year: 1984

abstract: This case study describes the use of learning analytics to evaluate the transition of a postgraduate wine business course from face to face to online delivery using e learning course design principles. Traditionally, Foundations of Wine Science lectures were delivered face to face, however the decision to transition the course from semester to trimester format presented an opportunity for online delivery of lectures. This was initially achieved through audio recordings, then video lectures, supported by a range of digital learning resources intended to engage, support and enhance student learning and the student experience. Descriptive analysis of learning analytics, comprising assessment results, student evaluations of learning and teaching, and data sourced from the Learning Management System, was performed to evaluate the impact of online delivery of course content on student performance, satisfaction and engagement. The use of audio lecture recordings negatively impacted students' perception of the overall quality of the course (including course organisation, learning strategies and learning resources) The subsequent implementation of e learning designed video lectures was considered superior to audio recordings, albeit final grades were not significantly different between the delivery modes. However, student engagement was equal to, or better than face to face delivery, when content was designed specifically for an e learning environment.
author_names: Kerry L Wilkinson

Imogen McNamara

David I Wilson

Karina M Riggs
title: Using Learning Analytics to Evaluate Course Design and Student Behavior in an Online Wine Business Course
venue: International Journal of Innovation in Science and Mathematics Education
year: 2019

abstract: Outer space is a very harsh environment that can cause electronics to not operate as they were originally intended. Aside from the extreme amount of radiation found in space, temperatures can also change very dramatically in a relatively small time frame. In order to test electronics that will be used in this environment, they first need to be tested on Earth under replicated conditions. Vanderbilt University designed a dewar that allows devices to be tested at these extreme temperatures while being radiated. For this thesis, a test setup that met all of the dewar's constraints was designed that would allow a 12 bit, 16 channel analog to digital converter to be tested while inside.
author_names: Zack Pannell
title: Design of a Highly Constrained Test System for a 12 bit, 16 channel Wilkinson ADC
year: 2009

abstract: Abstract An integrated passive device technology by semi insulating (SI) GaAs based fabrication has been developed to meet the ever increasing needs of size and cost reduction in wireless applications. This technology includes reliable NiCr thin film resistor, high Q spiral inductor due to thick plated Cu/Au metal process to reduce resistive loss, high breakdown voltage metal insulator metal capacitor due to a thinner dielectric thickness, lowest parasitic effect by multi air bridged metal layers, air bridges for inductor underpass and capacitor pick up, and low chip cost using only six process layers. This paper presents the Wilkinson power divider with excellent performance for a digital cellular system application. The insertion loss of this power divider is 0.53 dB and the port isolation greater than 30 dB over the entire band. Return loss in input and output ports are 20.2 dB and 35.8 dB, respectively. The Wilkinson power divider based on SI GaAs substrates is designed within a die size of 1.42 mm2.
author_names: Cong Wang

Nam-Young Kim
title: Design of High performance Wilkinson Power Divider on SI GaAs Substrate using Integrated Passive Technology
year: 2012

abstract: In England and Wales, building regulations apply to the design and construction of new buildings, extensions and changes of use. Regulation 38 (BRE, 2019) is a requirement to provide fire safety information to the responsible person at the completion of a project, or where the building or extension is first occupied. Regulations require as built Fire Safety Information to be handed over by the design and construction teams to the responsible person to maintain and operate a building with reasonable safety. The responsible person is the owner, occupier, or manager of the building. The information would typically include; a fire safety strategy of the building that accurately reflects the fire safety precautions; and design and construction information, services information; and information about fixtures, fittings and equipment. Unfortunately, Regulation 38 has been far from successful and the required information is rarely communicated to the dutyholders in a manner that meets the intention of the authors. There is no requirement for the information to be presented to either the Fire Service or the Building Control Body for assessment. The requirement is merely for the person carrying out the work to confirm that the required information has been passed over (CIC, 2017) The guiding philosophy of legislation requires organisations to assess the potential risks associated with their work activities and to introduce effective measures to control risks. However, in reality the current regulations set the bar too low, with the industry looking to satisfy the minimum standards by the cheapest means possible, magnified by a lack of approval scrutiny. In the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017 that killed 72 people, the UK Government commissioned the Hackitt Review (2018) of building regulations and fire safety. The Hackitt Review calls for radical change in culture in the construction industry and the regulatory system that assigns responsibility and holds people accountable. It also states that the Government should mandate a digital standard of record keeping for design, construction and occupation of new Higher Risk Residential Buildings (HRRB) and refurbishments within HRRBs. A BIM driven dataset is suggested, which requires duty holders to generate a suitable evidence base through which to deliver their responsibilities and maintain safety and integrity throughout the lifecycle of a building. This paper will examine the requirements set out in the Hackitt review and explores the need for a digital record of lifecycle building information. It examines examine the role of BIM as an enabler of the digital building information record and presents a conceptual framework that enables rapid realisation of the digital by default vision, via a Safe by Default Asset Delivery framework. It outlines the potential outcomes of the safe by default approach and discusses the potential opportunities and challenges likely to be considered if the BIM enabled "digital by default" vision was to be realised.
author_names: Kirti Ruikar

Peter Wilkinson

Judith Shulz
title: BIM enabled "Digital by Default" vision for fire safety
year: 2019