BrainX Lab - Teaching

ECE 4271 VLSI Design

ECE 4271 VLSI Design introduces the foundations of Integrated Circuits (ICs) and Very Large-Scale Integration (VLSI) technology. In modern computing systems, information is primarily processed in the format of digital signals. Therefore, this course focuses on integrated digital logic design, covering essential concepts and techniques related to VLSI circuit design, such as timing, power, interconnect, etc. Through the labs, students are expected to master commercial electronic design tools such as SPICE and Cadence Virtuoso by designing electronic modules.

Some Feedback from the students:

Fall 2023 students highlighted the accessibility of the course materials. One student commented that “Posting slides is incredibly helpful,” because it allowed them to review the material “at my own pace.” Students in a later offering also praised the course’s clear slides and explanations.

ECE 4235 Sensing and Processing in Robotic Applications

This class focuses on the "sensing" aspect of robotics, particularly in computer vision processing and other sensing techniques using deep learning methods. The learning objectives include the ability to conduct top-level analysis for a computer vision system and to write, test, and evaluate computer vision algorithms for pattern recognition in the context of robotics using deep learning.

Upon completion of the course, students will grasp the fundamentals of robotic sensing and the significance of sensing in robotics. They will acquire knowledge in processing visual signals captured by cameras through Artificial Neural Networks, gain expertise in processing range sensing (including Lidar for robotic perception), and understand inertial sensing, GPS, and odometry in the realm of robotics.

Some Feedback from the students:

Fall 2024 student Nickolas Johnson highlighted the course’s open-ended project experience, noting that it offered “a lot of creative freedom in team size, datasets, and perception methods” at LinkedIn.

ECE 5435 High-Speed Circuit Design

ECE 5435 High-Speed Circuit Design introduces the foundations and techniques for dealing with high frequency (~GHz) signals using transmission line theory, signal integrity analysis, and power delivery networks. In addition, the course covers simulation techniques, including the commercial full-wave simulator Ansys HFSS (high-frequency structure simulator). The course also provides an introduction to measurement skills using industry-standard instruments such as Vector Network Analyzers (VNA) and Time Domain Reflectometers (TDRs). This course equips engineers with practical skills and fundamental theory to minimize issues such as crosstalk and signal reflections in high-speed circuit designs.

Some Feedback from the students:

A Belated Thank-You

Hi Dr. An,

I took your first High-Speed Circuit Design class last year in Spring 2021, and I wanted to thank you very much for teaching the class. I recently landed a job at a company called Starfire Industries, doing high-frequency circuit design work for laboratory plasma sources, and during the interview I talked a lot about things I learned in your class. It was really awesome to be able to talk with a bunch of seasoned electronics design engineers and understand a lot of what they were saying.

I hope you're doing well and enjoying the summer, and I wish you best of luck with your future teaching and research! Thanks again,

Thomas

ECE EE4533/5533 Neuromorphic Robotic System

ECE 5900 Neuromorphic Systems for Robots offers an interdisciplinary perspective on Neuromorphic Computing and Brain-Inspired Computing. The course covers neuroscience, algorithms, hardware implementations, and applications. In this course, students will learn how to build computational models of brains and use neuromorphic systems to control robots. The topics covered include building computational models of neurons and synapses, designing electronic neurons and synapses with CMOS technology, training Spiking Neural Networks, and controlling autonomous robots with neuromorphic systems.

Some Feedback from the Students:

Students have highlighted the course’s engaging content, clear organization, and hands-on learning. One student wrote that “the class content was very well taught and interesting,” while another appreciated “the clear structure of the course and how each topic built on the previous ones.” Students also praised the labs and projects and the freedom provided in selecting final-project ideas.

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