MSU-IIT, DOST-PCIEERD, and Singapore’s Synopsys train Mindanao universities on IC Design

MSU-IIT, DOST-PCIEERD, and Singapore’s Synopsys train Mindanao universities on IC Design

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To strengthen IC and system design awareness in the academe, the Institute, through the Microelectronics Laboratory of the Department of Electrical Engineering and Technology (DEET) of the College of Engineering and Technology (COET), in coordination with the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension, together with the Department of Science and Technology-– Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD), and Singapore’s Synopsys train faculty members of Mindanao universities on IC design.

The colleges and universities which participated in the series of training are Ateneo de Davao University, Holy Cross of Davao College, University of Mindanao, Caraga State University, Surigao State College of Technology, Notre Dame of Marbel University, Notre Dame of Midsayap College, Universidad de Zamboanga, Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan, University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines, MSU – General Santos, MSU – Marawi, and MSU-IIT.

According to the report by Engr. Rochelle M. Sabarillo, senior science research specialist of a DOST – PCIEERD project (uC-IC: Design of Microcontroller Integrated with Energy Harvesting and Power Management), Synopsys, the American company that owns and develops the current IC design tool used by the Institute, provided the training’s resource materials including lecture videos, online laboratory exercises, and soft-bound copies of the workshop laboratory guide.

The series of training featured lectures and laboratory exercises on Cloud-Based Synthesis using Design Compiler, providing the participants a clear understanding of the ASIC flow, as well as increase their skills in ASIC design;  IC Compiler Block Level Implementation, which focuses on using the IC compiler to perform placement, clock tree synthesis (CTS), routing, and design-for-manufacturability (DFM) on block-level designs with an existing floorplan; and on the SoC Design Planning Integration, which was conducted exclusively to DEET faculty members and researchers of the µC-IC project.

According to Sabarillo, the third training was to guide the participants on how to perform multi-voltage hierarchical design planning with a mix of black box and synthesized sub-modules, some of which are multiply-instantiated modules (MIMs) and to help them create a multi-voltage power network using Template-based Power Network Synthesis (TPNS) and use Data Flow Analysis (DFA).

Engr. Nicholas Yee Wee Han, a Senior Applications Engineer of Synopsys based in Singapore, conducted the lectures which were followed by laboratory exercises.

During the training, COET’s Prof. Jefferson Hora and Mr. Alvin Chua Yee Meng, Synopsys Marketing representative, underscored the significance of including microelectronics as a specialized field in the academe and how it can contribute to the country’s economic success.

Prof. Lowaton delivers talk at the 2017 Taiwan –Philippines Joint Workshop in Kaohsiung, Taiwan

Prof. Lowaton delivers talk at the 2017 Taiwan –Philippines Joint Workshop in Kaohsiung, Taiwan

by contributed news

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Prof. Allenn C. Lowaton, an Electronics Engineering faculty member of the Electrical/Electronics/Computer Engineering (EECE) Dept, COET gave a talk during the 2017 Taiwan-Philippines Joint Workshop last November 6-7, 2017 held at the International Building, National Sun-Yat Sen University in Kaohsiung City, Taiwan Republic of China (ROC).

Lowaton highlighted the recent integrated circuit design researches being done at the MSU-IIT Microelectronics Lab (MicroLab). Among these are the following: (1) USAID-STRIDE’s Inlight-Optimized Chip Implementation of Indoor Light Energy Harvesting for Sensor Network and Battery Recharging; (2) USAID-STRIDE’s Inlight-Chip Fabrication and Testing of Indoor Light Energy Harvesting for Sensor Network and Battery Recharging; (3) DOST-PCIEERD’s uC-IC: Design of Microcontroller Integrated with Energy Harvesting and Power Management; (4) CHED’s Dare To’s WSN: IC Design Customize Wireless Sensor Node Integrated with Hybrid Indoor Light and Thermal Energy Harvesting Circuit for Disaster Risk Reduction. All these projects are spearheaded by Professor Jefferson A. Hora who is also the current EECE Department Chairman.

The said joint workshop was organized in response to the New South Bound Policy announced by the Taiwan ROC government. The aim of the workshop was to promote research collaborations in all fields and foster good relationships between Taiwan and Philippine universities. Philippine delegation comprised of faculty researchers from the universities across the country namely: UP Diliman, UP Manila, University of Santo Tomas, Batangas State University, Technological University of the Philippines, University of Southern Mindanao and MSU-Iligan Institute of Technology.

Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) – Taipei Chairman Angelito Banayo graced the event. To quote him “After all these ventures and cooperation in researches, economic and  others, at the end of the day, what is the most important thing is the everlasting friendship that Taiwan and Philippines can be formed and treasured in the years to come”.

National Sun Yat Sen University thru the VLSI Lab headed by Dr. C.C. Wang hosted the event and in partnership with four of Taiwan’s prestigious universities: National Tsing Hua University; National Chung Cheng University; National Chung Hsing University; and National Taiwan University of Science and Technology.

Topics : 2017 Taiwan-Philippines Joint Workshop  IC Design  microelectronics  New South Bound Policy  Kaohsiung Taiwan