CHAPTER 11: Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Professors Emeritus: Dragoslav D. Siljak
Thomas J. Bannan Professor: Sally L. Wood
Professors: Shoba Krishnan (Chair), Timothy J. Healy, Tokunbo Ogunfunmi, Sarah Kate Wilson, Cary Y. Yang, Aleksandar Zecevic
Associate Professor: M. Mahmudur Rahman
Assistant Professors: Maryam Khanbaghi, Maria Kyrarini, Kurt Schab, Sara Tehranipoor, Dat Tran, S.J.
Overview
The field of electrical and computer engineering covers the design, construction, testing, and operation of electrical components, circuits, and systems. Electrical and computer engineers work with information representation, processing and transmission; advancing integrated circuit design for digital, analog, and mixed signals systems; designing and characterizing antennas, RF, microwave and millimeter-wave Systems; new devices and architectures, energy systems and renewable energy; nanotechnology; and all the areas of information circuits and systems that have traditionally supported these efforts. This includes all phases of the digital or analog transmission of information, such as in mobile communications and networks, radio, television, telephone systems, fiber optics, and satellite communications, as well as control and robotics, electric power, information processing and storage.
The Electrical and Computer Engineering Programs are supported by the facilities of the University’s Academic Computing Center, as well as by the Engineering Computing Center. The department supports 10 major teaching and research laboratories, five additional laboratories used only for teaching, and a laboratory dedicated to the support of design projects. The five teaching laboratories cover the fields of digital systems, electric circuits, electronics, systems, and RF and communication.
Master’s Degree Program And Requirements
The master’s degree will be granted to degree candidates who complete a program of studies approved by a faculty advisor. The degree does not require a thesis, but students may include a thesis in their program with up to nine units for their thesis work. The program must consist of no less than 46 units. In addition, a 3.0 cumulative GPA (B average) must be earned in all coursework taken at Santa Clara University. Residence requirements are met by completing no less than 37 units of the graduate program at Santa Clara University. A maximum of nine quarter units (six-semester units) of graduate-level coursework may be transferred from other accredited institutions at the discretion of the student’s advisor. All units applied toward the degree, including those transferred from other institutions, must be earned within six years from initial enrollment.
Students must develop a program of studies with an academic advisor and file the approved program during their first term of enrollment at Santa Clara University. The program of studies must contain a minimum of 46 units of graduate-level engineering courses which include at least 27 units of courses offered within the electrical and computer department and no more than four units of engineering management courses.
The program of studies must include the following:
Graduate Core-Enrichment Experience (minimum 8 units): Students must take a minimum of 8 units of the Graduate Core Enrichment Experience.
- A minimum of 4 units must be from the Graduate Core which requires at least two courses from the three areas
- Emerging Topics in Engineering,
- Engineering and Business/Entrepreneurship,
- Engineering and Society).
The remaining 4 units can be accumulated by the following
- a) Taking one or more major technical electives,
- b)Taking additional classes from the Graduate Core,
- c) Taking Cooperative Education course
- d) combining courses from a, b and c.
For additional information please see Chapter 6: Enrichment Experience and Graduate Core Requirements.
- A minimum of 4 units must be from the Graduate Core which requires at least two courses from the three areas
Applied Mathematics (4 units)
Electrical and Computer Engineering primary focus area (minimum 6 units). Students must select and meet the requirements of one of the six focus areas listed below.
- Power Systems and Control
- Either (236 or 281A) and two courses selected from (211, 232, 281B, 333)
- IC Design and Technology
- Three courses selected from (252, 261, 270, 387)
- RF and Applied Electromagnetics
- 201 and two courses selected from (202, 203, 204, 624, 701, 706)
- Signal Processing and Machine Learning
- 233 and two courses selected from (234, 421, 431, 520, 640, 644)
- Digital Systems
- 501 , 511, and 603
- Communications
- 241 and 243, and one course selected from (244, 444, 446)
- Power Systems and Control
Electrical and Computer Engineering breadth: (minimum 4 units) Two other focus areas must be selected as breadth areas. For each breadth area, one course must be taken from the list of required courses for that area.
Additional graduate courses recommended and approved by the graduate program advisor.
These M.S. degree requirements may be adjusted by the advisor based on the student’s previous graduate work.
An advisor may approve selected undergraduate classes that do not duplicate course content of graduate courses in the program of studies. No more than 15 units of electives may be selected from the following upper-division undergraduate courses: 105, 112, 116, 117, 118, 130, 133, 141, 144, 151, 152, 156, 160, 164, 183 and 184.
Alterations in the approved program, consistent with the above departmental requirements, may be requested at any time by a petition initiated by the student and approved by the advisor.
Students with relevant technical backgrounds may be admitted to the master’s program without an undergraduate degree in electrical or electrical and computer engineering from an accredited program. In order to guarantee prerequisites for graduate courses, those students must take sufficient additional courses beyond the 46-unit minimum to ensure coverage of all areas of the undergraduate EE core requirements. A student who has earned a Fundamentals of Electrical and Computer Engineering Certificate will have satisfied these background requirements.
Undergraduate Core Courses
- ELEN 21 Introduction to Logic Design
- ELEN 50 Electric Circuits I
- ELEN 100 Electric Circuits II
- ELEN 115 Electronic Circuits I
- ELEN 120 Microprocessor System Design
The advisor will determine which courses must be taken to meet these requirements. Undergraduate core courses will not be included in the 46 units required for the master’s degree.
Please Note: In general, no credit will be allowed for courses that duplicate prior coursework, including courses listed above as degree requirements. (However, graduate-level treatment of a topic is more advanced than an undergraduate course with a similar title.) Students should discuss any adjustments of these requirements with their academic advisor before filing their program of studies. In all cases, prerequisite requirements should be interpreted to mean the course specified or an equivalent course taken elsewhere.
Engineer’s Degree Program And Requirements
The program leading to the Engineer’s Degree is particularly designed for the education of the practicing engineer. The degree is granted on completion of an approved academic program and a record of acceptable technical achievement in the candidate’s field of engineering. The academic program consists of a minimum of 46 quarter units beyond the master’s degree. Courses are selected to advance competence in specific areas relating to the engineering professional’s work. Evidence of technical achievement must include a paper principally written by the candidate and accepted for publication by a recognized engineering journal prior to the granting of the degree. A letter from the journal accepting the paper must be submitted to the department chair. In certain cases, the department may accept publication in the peer-reviewed proceedings of an appropriate national or international conference.
Electrical and Computer Engineering courses at the introductory Master of Science level (e.g., ELEN 210, 211, 212, 230, 231, 236, 241, 250, 261; and AMTH 210, 211, 220, 221, 230, 231, 235, 236, 240, 245, 246) are not generally acceptable in an Engineer’s Degree program of studies. However, with the approval of the advisor, the student may include up to three of these courses in the Engineer’s Degree program. The department also requires that at least 15 units of the program of studies be in topics other than the student’s major field of concentration. Candidates admitted to the Electrical and Computer Engineering Program who have M.S. degrees in fields other than electrical and computer engineering must include in their graduate programs (M.S. and Engineer’s Degree combined) a total of at least 46 units of graduate-level electrical and computer engineering coursework approved by an academic advisor.
Ph.D. Program And Requirements
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree is conferred by the School of Engineering primarily in recognition of competence in the subject field and the ability to investigate engineering problems independently, resulting in a new contribution to knowledge in the field. The work for the degree consists of engineering research, the preparation of a thesis based on that research, publication of the research, and a program of advanced studies in engineering, mathematics, and related physical sciences.
The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the Department of Bioengineering are collaborating to offer a Ph.D. in interdisciplinary topics related to Bioengineering. Faculty from both departments will co-advise the Ph.D. students and the degree will be awarded by the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Preliminary Examination
The preliminary examination shall be written and shall include subject matter deemed by the major department to represent sufficient preparation in depth and breadth for advanced study in the major. Only those who pass the written examination may take any required oral preliminary examination.
Students currently studying at Santa Clara University for a master’s degree who are accepted for the Ph.D. program and who are at an advanced stage of the M.S. program may, with the approval of their academic advisor, take the preliminary examination before completing the M.S. degree requirements. Students who have completed the M.S. degree requirements and have been accepted for the Ph.D. program should take the preliminary examination as soon as possible but not more than two years after beginning the program.
Only those students who pass the preliminary examination shall be allowed to continue in the doctoral program. The preliminary examination may be repeated only once, and then only at the discretion of the thesis advisor.
General Requirements
Thesis Advisor
It is the student’s responsibility to obtain consent from a full-time faculty member in the student’s major department to serve as his/her prospective thesis advisor.
It is strongly recommended that Ph.D. students find a thesis advisor before taking the preliminary examination. After passing the preliminary examination, Ph.D. students should have a thesis advisor before the beginning of the next quarter following the preliminary examination. Students currently pursuing a master’s degree at the time of their preliminary examination should have a thesis advisor as soon as possible after being accepted as a Ph.D. student.
The student and the thesis advisor jointly develop a complete program of studies for research in a particular area. The complete program of studies (and any subsequent changes) must be filed with the Graduate Programs Office and approved by the student’s doctoral committee. Until this approval is obtained, there is no guarantee that courses taken will be acceptable toward the Ph.D. course requirements.
Doctoral Committee
After passing the Ph.D. preliminary exam, a student requests his or her thesis advisor to form a doctoral committee. The committee consists of at least five members, each of whom must have earned a doctoral degree in a field of engineering or a related discipline. This includes the student’s thesis advisor, at least two other current faculty members of the student’s major department at Santa Clara University, and at least one current faculty member from another appropriate academic department at Santa Clara University. The committee reviews the student’s program of study, conducts an oral comprehensive exam, conducts the dissertation defense, and reviews the thesis. Successful completion of the doctoral program requires that the student’s program of study, performance on the oral comprehensive examination, dissertation defense, and thesis itself meet with the approval of all committee members.
Residence
The doctoral degree is granted based on achievement, rather than on the accumulation of units of credit. However, the candidate is expected to complete a minimum of 72 quarter units of graduate credit beyond the master’s degree. Of these, 36 quarter units may be earned through coursework and independent study, and 36 through the thesis. All Ph.D. thesis units are graded on a Pass/No Pass basis. A maximum of 18 quarter units (12-semester units) may be transferred from other accredited institutions at the discretion of the student’s advisor.
Ph.D. students must undertake a minimum of four consecutive quarters of full-time study at the University; spring and fall quarters are considered consecutive. The residency time shall normally be any period between passing the preliminary examination and completion of the thesis. For this requirement, full-time study is interpreted as a minimum registration of eight units per quarter during the academic year and four units during the summer session. Any variation from this requirement must be approved by the doctoral committee.
Comprehensive Examinations and Admission to Candidacy
After completion of the formal coursework approved by the doctoral committee, the student shall present his/her research proposal as part of a comprehensive oral examination on the coursework and the subject of his/her research work. The student should make arrangements for the comprehensive examinations through the doctoral committee. A student who passes the comprehensive examinations is considered a degree candidate. The comprehensive examinations typically must be completed within four years from the time the student is admitted to the doctoral program. Comprehensive examinations may be repeated once, in whole or in part, at the discretion of the doctoral committee.
Thesis Research and Defense
The period following the comprehensive examinations is devoted to research for the thesis, although such research may begin before the examinations are complete. After successfully completing the comprehensive examinations, the student must pass an oral examination on his/her research and thesis, conducted by the doctoral committee and whomever they appoint as examiners. The thesis must be made available to all examiners one month prior to the examination. The oral examination shall consist of a presentation of the results of the thesis and the defense. This examination is open to the public, but only members of the doctoral committee have a vote.
Thesis and Publication
At least one month before the degree is to be conferred, the candidate must submit to the Office of the Dean of Engineering two copies of the final version of the thesis describing the research in its entirety. The thesis will not be considered as accepted until approved by the doctoral committee and one or more refereed articles based on it are accepted for publication in a first-tier professional or scientific journal approved by the doctoral committee. All doctoral theses must also be archived in the University library.
Time Limit for Completing Degree
All requirements for the doctoral degree must be completed within eight years following initial enrollment in the Ph.D. program. This includes any leave of absences/withdrawals. Extensions will be allowed only in unusual circumstances and must be recommended in writing by the student’s doctoral committee and approved by the Dean of Engineering in consultation with the Graduate Program Leadership Council. (GPLC)
Additional Graduation Requirements
The requirements for the doctoral degree in the School of Engineering have been made to establish the structure in which the degree may be earned. Upon written approval of the Provost, the Dean of the School of Engineering, the doctoral committee, and the chair of the major department, other degree requirements may be established. The University reserves the right to evaluate the undertakings and the accomplishments of the degree candidate in total, and award or withhold the degree as a result of its deliberations.
Certificate Programs
General Information
Certificate programs are designed to provide an intensive background in a narrow area at the graduate level. At roughly one-third of the units of a master’s degree program, the certificate is designed to be completed in a much shorter period of time. These certificate programs are appropriate for students working in the industry who wish to update their skills or those interested in changing their career path. Students can only take courses that are required for the certificate. Please see Chapter 18 for additional information.
Admission
To be accepted into a certificate program, the applicant must have a bachelor’s degree and meet any additional requirements for the specific certificate. Exceptions based on work experience may be granted for the Certificate in Fundamentals of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Admitted students are responsible for ensuring that they have the prerequisites for all courses they take in the Certificate Program.
Grade Requirements
Students must receive a minimum grade of C in each course and have an overall GPA of 3.0 or better to earn a certificate.
Continuation for a Master’s Degree
All Santa Clara University graduate courses applied to the completion of a certificate program earn graduate credit that may also be applied toward a graduate degree. Students who wish to continue for such a degree must submit a separate application and satisfy all normal admission requirements. The general GRE test requirement for graduate admission to the master’s degree will be waived for students who complete a certificate program with a GPA of 3.5 or higher.
Academic Requirements
Digital System Design
Advisor: Dr. Sara Tehranipoor
This certificate program has a triple purpose: (a) to increase design skills in digital system development, (b) to strengthen fundamental knowledge of computer architecture, digital design and embedded systems; and (c) to introduce the digital system designer to state-of-the-art tools and techniques. The program consists of the courses listed below totaling 16 units. Any change in the requirements must be approved by the academic advisor.
Required Courses (6 units)
- ELEN 501 (Embedded Systems) 2 units
- ELEN 511 Advanced Computer Architecture (2 units)
- ELEN 603 Logic Design Using HDL (2 units)
Elective Courses (10 units)
- ELEN 387 VLSI Design I (2 units)
- ELEN 388 VLSI Design II (2 units)
- ELEN 500 Logic Analysis and Synthesis (2 units)
- ELEN 502 Real Time Systems (2 units)
- ELEN 503 Hardware-Software Co-design (2 units)
- ELEN 512 Advanced Computer Architecture II (2 units)
- ELEN 513 Parallel System Architectures (2 units)
- ELEN 530 Hardware Security and Trust (2 units)
- ELEN 608 Design for Testability (2 units)
- ELEN 613 SoC (System-on-Chip) Verification ( 2 units)
Integrated Circuit Design and Technology
Advisors: Dr. Shoba Krishnan, Dr. Cary Yang, Dr. Mahmudur Rahman
The study of integrated circuits consists of three interconnected areas: Design, Devices and Process Technology. This certificate provides the necessary fundamentals in these areas and advanced concepts and applications in integrated circuit design, devices, and process technology. The program will also introduce the IC designer to state-of-the-art tools and techniques. The program consists of the courses listed below; students are required to complete a total of 16 units. Any change in the requirements must be approved by the academic advisor.
Required Courses (8 units)
- ELEN 252 Analog Integrated Circuits I (2 units)
- ELEN 261 Fundamentals of Semiconductor Physics (2 units)
- ELEN 270 Introduction to IC Materials (2 units)
- ELEN 387 VLSI Design I (2 units)
Elective Courses (8 units)
- ELEN 251 Transistor Models for IC Design (2 units)
- ELEN 253 Analog Integrated Circuit Design (2 units)
- ELEN 254 Advanced Analog Integrated Circuit Design
- ELEN 264 Semiconductor Device Theory I ( 2 units)
- ELEN 265 Semiconductor Device Theory II (2 units)
- ELEN 267 Device Electronics for IC Design (4 units)
- ELEN 271 Microsensors: Components and Systems (2 Units)
- ELEN 274 Integrated Circuit Fabrication Processes I (2 units)
- ELEN 275 Integrated Circuit Fabrication Processes II (2 units)
- ELEN 351 RF Integrated Circuit Design (2 units)
- ELEN 352 Mixed Signal IC Design for Data Communications (2 units)
- ELEN 353 DC to DC Power Conversion (2 units)
- ELEN 361 Nanoelectronics
- ELEN 388 VLSI Design II (2 units)
Digital Signal Processing and Machine Learning
Advisors: Dr. Tokunbo Ogunfunmi, Dr. Sally Wood
This certificate program provides a basic understanding of digital signal processing theory, machine learning and modern implementation methods as well as advanced knowledge of at least one specific application area. Digital signal processing and machine learning have become important across many areas of engineering, and this certificate prepares students for traditional or novel applications.
Required Courses (11 units minimum)
- ELEN 233 Digital Signal Processing I (2 units)
- ELEN 520 and ELEN 520L Introduction to Machine Learning Lecture and Lab (3 units)
- At least one course from: AMTH 210 Probability I or AMTH 245 Linear Algebra I or AMTH 370 Optimization Techniques (2 units)
- At least one course from: ELEN 223 Digital Signal Processing System Development (4 units) or ELEN 226 Machine Learning and Signal Processing Using FPGAs (2 units) or ELEN 234 Digital Signal Processing II ( 2 units)
- At least one course from: ELEN 421 Speech Processing I or ELEN 640 Digital Image Processing I (2 units)
Note: ELEN 233E Digital Signal Processing I, II (4 units) is equivalent to both ELEN 233 and ELEN 234.
Elective Courses (Additional courses to make a total of 16 units) selected from the list below:
- AMTH 308 Theory of Wavelets (2 units) or AMTH 358 Fourier Transforms (2 units)
- ELEN 241 Introduction to Communications (2 units)
- ELEN 243 Digital Communications Systems (2 units)
- ELEN 244 Information Theory (2 units)
- ELEN 247 Communication Systems Modeling Using Simulink I (2 units)
- ELEN 334 Introduction to Statistical Signal Processing (2 units)
- ELEN 422 Speech Coding II (2 units)
- ELEN 431 Adaptive Signal Processing I (2 units)
- ELEN 521 and 521L Deep Learning (3 units)
- ELEN 643 Digital Image Processing II (2 units)
- ELEN 644 Computer Vision I (2 units) or ELEN 645 Computer Vision II (2 units)
Digital Signal Processing Theory
Advisors: Dr. Tokunbo Ogunfunmi, Dr. Sally Wood
This certificate program provides a firm theoretical grounding in fundamentals of digital signal processing (DSP) technology and its applications. It is appropriate for engineers involved with any application of DSP who want a better working knowledge of DSP theory and its applications. A novel feature of the program is a hands-on DSP hardware/software development laboratory course in which students design and build systems for various applications using contemporary DSP hardware and development software.
Required Courses (8 units)
- AMTH 308 Theory of Wavelets (2 units) or AMTH 358 Fourier Transforms (2 units)
- ELEN 233E or ELEN 233 and 234 Digital Signal Processing I, II (4 units)
- ELEN 334 Introduction to Statistical Signal Processing (2 units)
Elective Courses (8 units)
- ELEN 223 Digital Signal Processing System Development (4 units)
- ELEN 226 Machine Learning and Signal Processing Using FPGAs (2 units)
- ELEN 235 Estimation I (2 units)
- ELEN 241 Introduction to Communications (2 units)
- ELEN 244 Information Theory (2 units)
- ELEN 336 Detection (2 units)
- ELEN 431 Adaptive Signal Processing I (2 units)
- ELEN 640 Digital Image Processing I (2 units)
- ELEN 641 Image and Video Compression (2 units)
- ELEN 643 Digital Image Processing II (2 units
Fundamentals of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Advisor: Dr. Shoba Krishnan
This certificate has been designed for those individuals who have significant work experience in some area of electrical and computer engineering and wish to take graduate-level courses but may lack some prerequisite knowledge because they have not earned a BS degree in electrical and/or computer engineering. This one-year program consists of 16 to 28 units, depending on the background of the individual student, and covers electrical and computer engineering core areas. Units from courses at or above the 200 level may be credited toward the Master of Science Degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering after successful completion of the certificate.
The specific required courses for a certificate are selected with the help of the program advisor according to the student’s background.
- ELEN 21 Introduction to Logic Design (5 units)
- ELEN 50 Electric Circuits I (5 units)
- ELEN 100 Electric Circuits II (5 units)
- ELEN 104 Electromagnetics I (5 units)
- ELEN 110 Linear Systems (5 units) or ELEN 210 (2 units)
- ELEN 115 Electronic Circuits I (5 units) or ELEN 250 (2 units)
- ELEN 120 Microprocessor System Design ( 5 units)
RF and Applied Electromagnetics
Advisors: Dr. Timothy Healy, Dr. Kurt Schab
The purpose of this certificate is to meet the increasing need for the knowledge in microwave, antenna and RF integrated circuits in existing electronic products. This program is offered for students who have a B.S. in Electrical Engineering. Students are expected to have knowledge of multivariate calculus and preferably partial differential equations and they must ensure that they have prerequisites for the courses in their program.
The curriculum consists of 16 units: two required courses (4 units) and 12 units of elective courses listed below:
Required Courses (4 units)
- ELEN 201 Electromagnetic Field Theory I (2 units)
- ELEN 701 Microwave System Architecture (2 units)
Elective Courses (12 units)
- ELEN 202 Computational Electromagnetics (2 units)
- ELEN 203 Bio-Electromagnetics (2 units)
- ELEN 204 Magnetic Circuits for Electric and Autonomous Vehicles (2 units)
- ELEN 351 RF Integrated Circuit Design or ELEN 354 Advanced RFIC Design (2 units each)
- ELEN 624 Signal Integrity in IC and PCB Systems (2 units)
- ELEN 706 Microwave Circuit Analysis and Design (2 units) (Passive Component)
- ELEN 711 Active Microwave Devices I or ELEN 712 Active Microwave Devices II (2 units each) (Active Components)
- ELEN 715 Antennas I or ELEN 716 Antennas II (2 units each)
- ELEN 726 Microwave Measurements, Theory and Tech (3 units) (Laboratory Oriented)
Substitutions for these courses are only possible with the approval of the certificate advisor and the chair.
Electrical And Computer Engineering Laboratories
The Electrical and Computer Engineering program is supported by a set of well-equipped laboratories. Some are dedicated solely for lower division courses such as circuits and electronics. In addition, the department has a diversity of research and teaching laboratories listed next.
The Electromagnetics and Communications Laboratory provides a full range of modern RF measurement capabilities up to 22 GHz, including a number of vector network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, and antenna measurement systems. This lab also includes complete production facilities for prototyping printed microwave circuits and antennas. Further, the lab has extensive computer-aided design and simulation capability, including both commercial packages and research-grade in-house solvers. In both research and teaching, connections between physical hardware measurements and computer simulations are stressed.
The Cybersecurity Laboratory provides various research projects in different aspects of cybersecurity including hardware, network, internet of things (IoT), mobile, etc. The Cybersecurity Laboratory supports both graduate and undergraduate student research. This lab has the following facilities for experiments, tests, and data collection and analysis: Oscilloscopes, Logic Analyzers, Thermal Chamber, FPGAs, microcontrollers, hacking tools, and more.
The IC Design and Technology Laboratory is dedicated to teaching and research topics on electronic materials and devices, integrated circuit design, and IC manufacturing technologies. Current research topics include modeling complex electronic devices using variational methodologies, materials and device characterizations, fabrication and experimental studies of photovoltaic devices, emission free smart infrastructure, and optimizing energy infrastructure.
The Complex Systems and Control Laboratory provides an experimental environment for students in the area of control system and power engineering. The lab includes computer-controlled DC motors. These motors provide students with a range of qualitative and quantitative experiments such as inverted pendulum for learning the utility and versatility of feedback in computer-controlled systems.
The Latimer Energy Laboratory (LEL) supports a very wide range of activities relating to solar energy, more specifically photovoltaics (PV) and management of renewable energy sources, from K-12 outreach through graduate engineering. The laboratory focuses on two major directions: 1) measurement and characterization of different renewable energy sources; and 2) integration of renewable energy into the electric grid. The lab has instrumentation such as pyranometers, VIS-IR spectrometers, metallurgical microscopes, source meters, grid simulator software and related computers.
The Thermal and Electrical Nanoscale Transport (TENT) Laboratory provides teaching and research facilities for modeling, simulation, and characterization of devices and circuits in the nanoscale. Ongoing research topics include silicon heterostructures, thin dielectrics, high-frequency device and circuit parameter extraction, carbon nanostructures used as electrical interconnect and thermal interface materials, and compact modeling of transistors and interconnects for large-scale circuit simulation. This laboratory is located inside NASA Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, California, and was established to conduct, promote, and nurture nanoscale science and technology interdisciplinary research and education activities at the University.
The Information Processing and Machine Learning Laboratory supports research in theoretical algorithm development in digital signal processing, adaptive and nonlinear signal processing, machine learning, and deep learning. Application areas include speech, audio, image and video processing for computer vision, communications, biological testing and diagnostics, artificial intelligence (AI), Voice-over-IP networking. The lab supports student research in algorithms and real-time implementations on Graphical Processing Units (GPUs), digital signal processors (DSPs) and field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). Laboratory equipment includes digital oscilloscopes, video cameras and wireless LAN networking equipment.
Course Descriptions
Lower-Division Undergraduate Courses
ELEN 20. Emerging Areas in Electrical and Computer Engineering
Introduction to new frontiers in electrical and computer engineering. Hands-on activities and visits to research and production facilities in Silicon Valley companies to learn how the fundamentals of electrical and computer engineering are enabling new emerging technologies. (2 units)
ELEN 21. Introduction to Logic Design
Boolean functions and their minimization. Combinational circuits: adders, multipliers, multiplexers, decoders. Sequential logic circuits: latches and flip-flops, registers, counters. Memory. Busing. Programmable logic. Use of industry quality CAD tools for schematic capture and HDL in conjunction with FPGAs. Also listed as COEN 21. Co-requisite: ELEN 21L. (4 units)
ELEN 21L. Logic Design Laboratory
Laboratory for ELEN 21. Also listed as COEN 21L. Co-requisite: ELEN 21.
(1 unit)
ELEN 49. Fundamentals of Electricity for Civil Engineers
Transducers. Motors, generators, and efficiency. DC and AC circuits. One and three-phase power systems. Sources of electricity. Hydroelectric power, generation, and pumps. Electrical diagrams and schematics. (4 units)
ELEN 50. Electric Circuits I
Physical basis and mathematical models of circuit components and energy sources. Circuit theorems and methods of analysis are applied to DC and AC circuits. Co-requisite: ELEN 50L, PHYS 33. (4 units)
ELEN 50L. Electric Circuits I Laboratory
Laboratory for ELEN 50. Co-requisite: ELEN 50. (1 unit)
Upper-Division Undergraduate Courses
ELEN 100. Electric Circuits II
Continuation of ELEN 50. Sinusoidal steady state and phasors, transformers, resonance, Laplace analysis, transfer functions. Frequency response analysis. Bode diagrams. Switching circuits. Prerequisite: ELEN 50 with a grade of C− or better, or PHYS 70. Co-requisite: ELEN 100L, AMTH 106. (4 units)
ELEN 100L. Electric Circuits II Laboratory
Laboratory for ELEN 100. Co-requisite: ELEN 100. (1 unit)
ELEN 104. Electromagnetics I
Vector analysis and vector calculus. The laws of Coulomb, Lorentz, Faraday, and Gauss. Dielectric and magnetic materials. Energy in electric and magnetic fields. Capacitance and inductance. Maxwell’s equations. Wave equation. Pointing vector. Wave propagation and reflection in transmission lines. Radiation. Prerequisites: PHYS 33 and ELEN 50 with a grade of C− or better. Co-requisite: ELEN 104L. (4 units)
ELEN 104L. Electromagnetics I Laboratory
Laboratory for ELEN 104. Co-requisite: ELEN 104. (1 unit)
ELEN 105. Electromagnetics II
In-depth study of several areas of applied electromagnetics such as transmission lines circuits including microstrip and strip lines, Smith Chart and bounce diagram, magnetic circuits, antennas, and antenna arrays. Prerequisite: ELEN 104. Co-requisite: ELEN 105L. (4 units)
ELEN 105L. Electromagnetics II Laboratory
Laboratory for ELEN 105. Co-requisite: ELEN 105. (1 unit)
ELEN 110. Linear Systems
Signals and system modeling. Laplace transform. Transfer function. Convolution. Discrete systems. Frequency analysis. Fourier series and transform. Filtering. State-Space models. Prerequisite: ELEN 100. Co-requisite: ELEN 110L. (4 units)
ELEN 110L. Linear Systems Laboratory
Laboratory for ELEN 110. MATLAB laboratory/problem sessions. Co-requisite: ELEN 110. (1 unit)
ELEN 112. Modern Network Synthesis and Design
Approximation and synthesis of active networks. Filter design using positive and negative feedback biquads. Sensitivity analysis. Fundamentals of passive network synthesis. Design project. Prerequisite: ELEN 110. Co-requisite: ELEN 112L. (4 units)
ELEN 112L. Modern Network Synthesis and Design Laboratory
Laboratory for ELEN 112. Co-requisite: ELEN 112. (1 unit)
ELEN 115. Electronic Circuits I
Study of basic principles of operation, terminal characteristics, and equivalent circuit models for diodes and transistors. Analysis and design of diode circuits, transistor amplifiers, and inverter circuits. Prerequisite: ELEN 50 with a grade of C− or better. Co-requisite: ELEN 115L. (4 units)
ELEN 115L. Electronic Circuits I Laboratory
Laboratory for ELEN 115. Co-requisite: ELEN 115. (1 unit)
ELEN 116. Analog Integrated Circuit Design
Design and analysis of multistage analog amplifiers. Study of differential amplifiers, current mirrors, and gain stages. Frequency response of cascaded amplifiers and gain-bandwidth considerations. Concepts of feedback, stability, and frequency compensation. Prerequisite: ELEN 115. Co-requisite: ELEN 116L. (4 units)
ELEN 116L. Analog Integrated Circuit Design Laboratory
Laboratory for ELEN 116. Co-requisite: ELEN 116. (1 unit)
ELEN 117. Advanced Analog Integrated Circuits
Design and analysis of BJT and MOSFET analog ICs. Study of analog circuits such as comparators, sample/hold amplifiers, and switched capacitor circuits. Architecture and design of analog to digital and digital to analog converters. Reference and biasing circuits. Study of noise and distortion in analog ICs. Prerequisite: ELEN 116. Co-requisite: ELEN 117L. (4 units)
ELEN 117L. Advanced Analog Integrated Circuits Laboratory
Laboratory for ELEN 117. Co-requisite: ELEN 117. (1 unit)
ELEN 118. Fundamentals of Computer-Aided Circuit Simulation
Introduction to algorithms and principles used in circuit simulation packages (such as SPICE). Formulation of equations for linear and nonlinear circuits. Detailed study of the three different types of circuit analysis (AC, DC, and transient). Discussion of computational aspects, including sparse matrices, Newton’s method, numerical integration, and parallel computing. Applications to electronic circuits, active filters, and CMOS digital circuits. Course includes a number of design projects in which simulation software is written in MATLAB and verified using SPICE. Prerequisites: ELEN 21, with a grade of C− or better; ELEN 100 and 115. Co-requisite: ELEN 118L. (4 units)
ELEN 118L. Fundamentals of Computer-Aided Circuit Simulation Laboratory
Laboratory for ELEN 118. Co-requisite: ELEN 118. (1 unit)
ELEN 119. Current Topics in Electrical and Computer Engineering
Subjects of current interest. May be taken more than once if topics differ. (4 units)
ELEN 120. Microprocessor System Design
Design and analysis of microprocessor-based systems for embedded applications. Assembly Language programming. Integration of digital and analog input/output devices with microprocessor hardware and software. Low-level programming techniques specialized for hardware interfacing and precise control of timing. Structure and operation of embedded computing platforms. Prerequisites: A grade of C- or better in ELEN 21 and COEN 11. Co-requisite: ELEN 120L. (4 units)
ELEN 120L. Microprocessor System Design
Lab projects based on an embedded computer module to practical applications that reinforce class concepts and provide some opportunities for creative design. Prerequisites A grade of C- or better in ELEN 21 and COEN 11. Co-requisite: ELEN 120 (1 unit)
ELEN 121. Real-Time Embedded Systems
Computing systems that measure, control, and interact. Real-time principles (multitasking, scheduling, synchronization), interfacing sensors, actuators and peripherals, implementation trade-offs, low-power high-performance systems (code profiling and optimization) embedded software (exception handling, loading, mode-switching, programming embedded systems). Real-time multimedia. Prerequisites: A grade of C- or better in ELEN-120. Co-requisite: ELEN 121L. (4 units)
ELEN 121L. Real-Time Embedded Systems Lab
Lab projects based on an embedded computer module to practical applications that reinforce class concepts and provide some opportunities for creative design. Prerequisites: A grade of C- or better in ELEN-120. Co-requisite: ELEN 121. (1 unit)
ELEN 122. Computer Architecture
Application of logic design concepts to computer architecture. Computation state machines. Computer instruction definition and formatting, the use of opcodes and operands. Memory, and how it is used to store instructions and data. Instruction execution, control transfer. Application of critical path concepts and pipelining. Hazards. Caches. Hardware support for virtual memory. Prerequisites: A grade of C- or better in either COEN or ELEN 21. Co-requisite: ELEN 122L. (4 units)
ELEN 122L. Computer Architecture Lab
Laboratory for ELEN 122. Co-requisite: ELEN 122. (1 unit)
ELEN 123. Mechatronics
Introduction to behavior, design, and integration of electromechanical components and systems. Review of appropriate electronic components/circuitry, mechanism configurations, and programming constructs. Use and integration of transducers, microcontrollers, and actuators. Also listed as COEN 123 and MECH 143. Prerequisite: ELEN 50 with a grade of C− or better and COEN 11 or 44. Co-requisite: ELEN 123L. (4 units)
ELEN 123L. Mechatronics Laboratory
Laboratory for ELEN 123. Also listed as COEN 123L and MECH 143L. Co-requisite: ELEN 123. (1 unit)
ELEN 127. Advanced Logic Design
Contemporary design of finite-state machines as system controllers using FPGA devices. Minimization techniques, performance analysis, and modular system design. HDL simulation and synthesis. Also listed as COEN 127. Prerequisite: ELEN 21 with a grade of C− or better. Co-requisite: ELEN 127L. (4 units)
ELEN 127L. Advanced Logic Design Laboratory
Laboratory for ELEN 127. Design, construction, and testing of controllers from verbal specs. Use of CAD design tools. Also listed as COEN 127L. Co-requisite: ELEN 127. (1 unit)
ELEN 130. Control Systems
Applications of control systems in engineering. Principle of feedback. Performance specifications: transient and steady-state response. Stability. Design of control systems by frequency and root locus methods. Computer-controlled systems. State-variable feedback design. Problem sessions. Prerequisite: ELEN 110. Co-requisite: ELEN 130L. (4 units)
ELEN 130L. Control Systems Laboratory
Laboratory for ELEN 130. Co-requisite: ELEN 130. (1 unit)
ELEN 131. Introduction to Robotics
Overview of robotics: control, artificial intelligence, and computer vision. Components and structure of robots. Kinematics and dynamics of robot manipulators. Servo-control design, PID control. Trajectory planning, obstacle avoidance. Sensing and vision. Robot intelligence and task planning. Prerequisite: ELEN 110. Co-requisite: ELEN 131L. (4 units)
ELEN 131L. Introduction to Robotics Laboratory
Laboratory for ELEN 131. Co-requisite: ELEN 131. (1 unit)
ELEN 133. Digital Signal Processing
Discrete signals and systems. Difference equations. Convolution summation. Z-transform, transfer function, system response, stability. Digital filter design and implementation. Frequency domain analysis. Discrete Fourier transform and FFT. Audio, video, and communication applications. Prerequisites: ELEN 110 or both ELEN 50 with a grade of C− or better and COEN 19. Co-requisite: ELEN 133L. (4 units)
133L. Digital Signal Processing Laboratory
Laboratory for ELEN 133. Laboratory for real-time processing. Co-requisite: ELEN 133. (1 unit)
ELEN 134. Applications of Signal Processing
Current applications of signal processing. Topics may vary. Example topics include Speech Coding, Speech Recognition, and Biometrics. Prerequisite: ELEN 133, MATLAB. Co-requisite: ELEN 134L. (4 units)
ELEN 134L. Applications of Signal Processing Laboratory
Laboratory for ELEN 134. Co-requisite: ELEN 134. (1 unit)
ELEN 139. Special Topics in Signals and Systems
Subjects of current interest. May be taken more than once if topics differ. (4 units)
ELEN 141. Communication Systems
Modulation and demodulation of analog and digital signals. Baseband to passband conversion. Random processes, Signal-to-noise ratios, and Bandwidth Considerations. Prerequisites: ELEN 110 and AMTH 108. Co-requisite: ELEN 141L. (4 units)
ELEN 141L. Communication Systems Laboratory
Laboratory for ELEN 141. Co-requisite: ELEN 141. (1 unit)
ELEN 142. Communications and Networking
Networking in different media. Effects of the media on data rate. Error detection and correction. Routing algorithms. Collision and retransmission in networks. Prerequisite: AMTH 108 with a grade of C- or better; or its equivalent. Co-requisite: ELEN 142L (4 units)
ELEN 142L. Communications and Networking Lab
Lab component; Networking in different media. Effects of the media on data rate. Error detection and correction. Routing algorithms. Collision and retransmission in networks. Prerequisite: AMTH 108 with a grade of C- or better; or its equivalent. Co-requisite: ELEN 142. (1 unit)
ELEN 144. RF and Microwave Components
The fundamental characteristics of passive and active electrical components. Parasitics, models, and measurements. Modeling of circuit interconnects. Study of crosstalk in high-speed digital circuits, matching circuits, power dividers, and microwave filters. Prerequisite: ELEN 105. Co-requisite: ELEN 144L. (4 units)
ELEN 144L. RF and Microwave Components Laboratory
Laboratory for ELEN 144. Co-requisite: ELEN 144. (1 unit)
ELEN 151. Device Electronics for IC Design
Properties of materials, crystal structure, and band structure of solids. Carrier statistics and transport; p-n junction electrostatics, I-V characteristics, equivalent circuits. Metal-semiconductor contacts, Schottky diodes. MOS field-effect transistors, bipolar junction transistors. This course covers the essential device concepts necessary for analog, digital, and/or mixed signal circuit design. Credit not allowed for both ELEN 151 and ELEN 267. Prerequisite or corequisite: ELEN 104. Corequisite: ELEN 151L. (4 units)
ELEN 151L. Device Electronics Laboratory
Laboratory for ELEN 151. Co-requisite: ELEN 151. (1 unit)
ELEN 152. Integrated Circuit Fabrication Process Technology
Fundamental principles of processes essential for fabricating micro- and nano-electronic hardware ranging from Integrated circuits, MEMS and biosensors to power, control and optoelectronic devices. Physical and chemical models of semiconductor crystal growth, thermal oxidation and diffusion, ion implantation, Lithography, etching and cleaning, epitaxy, chemical and physical vapor deposition, metallization, etc. Process integration and simulation using TCAD. (4 units). Also listed as ELEN 276. (4 units)
ELEN 152L. Integrated Circuit Fabrication Process Technology Laboratory
Laboratory for ELEN 152. Also listed as ELEN 276L. (1 unit)
ELEN 153. Digital Integrated Circuit Design
Introduction to VLSI design and methodology. Study of basic principles, material for CMOS transistors. Study of CMOS digital integrated circuits and technology scaling. Physical design and layout principles. Interconnect modelling. Semiconductor memories. Use of state-of-the-art CAD tools. Prerequisites: ELEN/COEN 21 and ELEN 50 with a grade of C− or better. Co-requisite: ELEN 153L. (4 units)
ELEN 153L. Digital Integrated Circuit Design Laboratory
Laboratory for ELEN 153. Co-requisite: ELEN 153. (1 unit)
ELEN 156. Introduction to Nanotechnology
Introduction to the field of nanoscience and nanotechnology. Properties of nanomaterials and devices. Nanoelectronics: from silicon and beyond. Measurements of nanosystems. Applications and implications. Laboratory experience is an integral part of the course. Also listed as MECH 156. Prerequisites: PHYS 33 and either PHYS 34 or MECH 15. Co-requisite: ELEN 156L. (4 units)
ELEN 156L. Introduction to Nanotechnology Laboratory
Laboratory for ELEN 156. Also listed as MECH 156L. Co-requisite: ELEN 156. (1 unit)
ELEN 160. Chaos Theory, Metamathematics and the Limits of Science: An Engineering Perspective on Religion
Limitations of science are examined in the framework of nonlinear system theory and metamathematics. Strange attractors, bifurcations, and chaos are studied in some detail. Additional topics include an introduction to formal systems and an overview of Godel’s theorems. The mathematical background developed in the course is used as a basis for exploring the relationship between science, aesthetics, and religion. Particular emphasis is placed on the rationality of faith. Also listed as ELEN 217. Prerequisites: AMTH 106 (or an equivalent course in differential equations), and a basic familiarity with MATLAB. Co-requisite: ELEN 160L. (4 units)
ELEN 160L. Chaos Theory, Metamathematics and the Limits of Science: An Engineering Perspective on Religion Laboratory
Laboratory for ELEN 160. Co-requisite: ELEN 160. (1 unit)
ELEN 161. The Beauty of Nature and the Nature of Beauty
Beauty is examined from an interdisciplinary perspective, taking into account insights from mathematics, physics, engineering, neuroscience, and psychology, as well as philosophy, art history, and theology. Technical topics include information theory, quantum computing, fractal geometry, complex systems, cellular automata, Boolean networks, and set theory. Prerequisite: AMTH 106 (or equivalent). Familiarity with basic concepts in probability theory is expected, as is some experience with MATLAB. Co-requisite: ELEN 161L. (4 units)
ELEN 161L. The Beauty of Nature and the Nature of Beauty Laboratory
Laboratory for ELEN 161. Co-requisite: ELEN 161. (1 unit)
ELEN 164. Introduction to Power Electronics
Power and efficiency computations, rectifiers, power devices, DC-to-DC converters, AC-to-DC converters, and DC-to-AC inverters. Prerequisite: ELEN 115. Co-requisite: ELEN 164L. (4 units)
ELEN 164L. Introduction to Power Electronics Laboratory
Laboratory for ELEN 164. Co-requisite: ELEN 164. (1 unit)
ELEN 167. Medical Imaging Systems
Overview of medical imaging systems including sensors and electrical interfaces for data acquisition, mathematical models of the relationship of structural and physiological information to sensor measurements, resolution, and accuracy limits, and the conversion process from electronic signals to image synthesis. Analysis of the specification and interaction of the functional units of imaging systems and the expected performance. Focus on MRI, CT, and ultrasound, PET, and impedance imaging. Also listed as BIOE 167, BIOE 267. Prerequisite: BIOE 162 or ELEN 110 or MECH 142. (4 units)
ELEN 180. Introduction to Information Storage
Storage hierarchy. Design of memory and storage devices, with a particular emphasis on magnetic disks and storage-class memories. Error detection, correction, and avoidance fundamentals. Disk arrays. Storage interfaces and buses. Network attached and distributed storage, interaction of economy, and technological innovation. Also listed as COEN 180. Prerequisites: ELEN 21 or COEN 21, and COEN 20; COEN 122 is recommended. (4 units)
ELEN 182. Energy Systems Design
Introduction to alternative energy systems with emphasis on those utilizing solar technologies; system analysis including resources, extraction, conversion, efficiency, and end-use; project will design power system for a house off or on grid making best use of renewable energy; system design will include power needs, generation options, storage, back-up power. Prerequisite: ELEN 50. (4 units)
ELEN 183. Power Systems Analysis
Analysis, design, and optimization of power systems for traditional and renewable power generation. Balanced three-phase circuits. Transformers and transmission lines. Prerequisite: ELEN 100 or PHYS 12. Co-requisite: ELEN 183L. (4 units)
ELEN 183L. Power Systems Analysis Laboratory
Laboratory for ELEN 183. Co-requisite: ELEN 183. (1 unit)
ELEN 184. Power System Stability and Control
Examine power system stability and power system control, including load frequency control, economic dispatch, and optimal power flow. Also listed as ELEN 231. Prerequisite: ELEN 183 or equivalent. (4 units)
ELEN 188. Co-op Education
Integration of classroom study and practical experience in a planned program designed to give students practical work experience related to their academic field of study and career objectives. The course alternates (or parallels) periods of classroom study with periods of training in industry or government. Satisfactory completion of the assignment includes preparation of a summary report on co-op activities. P/NP grading. May be taken twice. May not be taken for graduate credit. (2 units)
ELEN 189. Co-op Technical Report
Credit is given for a technical report on a specific activity such as a design or research project, etc., after completing the co-op assignment. Letter grades based on content and presentation quality of report. May be taken twice. May not be taken for graduate credit. Prerequisite: ELEN 188. Approval of department co-op advisor required. (2 units)
ELEN 192. Introduction to Senior Design Project
Junior preparation for senior project. An introduction to project requirements and participation in the coordination of the senior conference. Tentative project selection. (2 units)
ELEN 194. Design Project I
Specification of an engineering project, selected with the mutual agreement of the student and the project advisor. Complete initial design with sufficient detail of target specification. Incorporation of relevant engineering standards and appropriate realistic constraints. Initial draft of the project report. Co-requisite: ENGL 181. (2 units)
ELEN 195. Design Project II
Implementation, construction, and testing of the project, system, or device. Sustainability analysis. Demonstration of project and formal design review. Prerequisite: ELEN 194. (2 units)
ELEN 196. Design Project III
Continued design, implementation, and testing of the project, system, or device to improve function and add capability. Reliability analysis. Formal public presentation of results. Final report. Prerequisite: ELEN 195. (1 unit)
ELEN 199. Directed Research/Reading
Investigation of an approved engineering problem and preparation of a suitable project report. Open to electrical engineering and computer majors only. (1–6 units)
* Eligible for graduate credit in electrical and computer engineering
Graduate Courses
Some graduate courses may not apply toward certain degree programs. As early as possible, preferably during the first quarter of study, students are urged to discuss in detail with their faculty advisor the program of study they wish to pursue.
ELEN 200. Electrical and Computer Engineering Graduate Seminars
Regularly scheduled seminars on topics of current interest in the fields of electrical and computer engineering and computer engineering. Consult the department office for detailed information. P/NP grading. (1 or 2 units)
ELEN 201. Electromagnetic Field Theory I
Time-varying electromagnetic field concepts starting with Maxwell’s equations. Wave propagation in free space and in lossy media. Near and far-field effects. Fundamental theorems in electromagnetics. Transmission line propagation of harmonic waves and of pulse and transient signals. Dispersion effects. Prerequisites: An undergraduate electromagnetic field course. (2 units)
ELEN 202. Computational Electromagnetics
Numerical solution of Maxwell’s Equations for engineering problems. Foundations and mathematical development of finite difference time domain (FDTD) and method of moments (MoM) solvers. Methods for numerical validation and robust simulation-based experiment design. Prerequisite: ELEN 201. (2 units)
ELEN 203. Bio-Electromagnetics
Fundamentals of bioelectromagnetics. Tissue characterization, dielectrophoresis electrodes, RF/Microwave Interaction mechanisms in biological materials. Electromagnetic field absorption, and SAR, Power transfer in biological environment, On-body and implant antennas, microwave hyperthermia. Also listed as BIOE 203. Prerequisite: ELEN 201 (or equivalent) or BIOE 168/268. (2 units)
ELEN 204. Magnetic Circuits for Electric and Autonomous Vehicles
Fundamentals of magnetic circuits, transformers, DC motors, induction motors, transducers, stationary and mobile wireless charging. Prerequisite: Introduction to Electromagnetic Field Theory. (2 units)
ELEN 210. Signals, Circuits, and Systems
Continuous and discrete signals. Circuit equations and time response. Laplace transform. Difference equations and discrete systems. Z-transform. Convolution. Transfer function. Frequency response. Fourier series and transform. Matrix representations of circuits and systems. The notion of state. State transition matrix. State and output response. Equivalent to ELEN 110. May not be included in the minimum required units of Electrical and Computer Engineering courses. (2 units)
ELEN 211. Modern Network Analysis I
Graph theory and its applications to network matrix equations. Network component magnitude and frequency scaling. Network topology, graph theory, graph matrices, oriented and non-oriented graphs. Fundamental network laws. Topologically dependent matrix equations. Circuit simulation. N Planar and dual graphs. Nondegenerate network state equations. Prerequisites: AMTH 246 and knowledge of Laplace transforms. (2 units)
ELEN 216. Modern Network Synthesis and Design
Approximation and synthesis of active networks. Filter design using positive and negative feedback biquads. Sensitivity analysis. Fundamentals of passive network synthesis. Credit not allowed for both 112 and 216. Prerequisite: ELEN 210 or its undergraduate equivalent of ELEN 110. (4 units)
ELEN 217. Chaos Theory, Metamathematics and the Limits of Knowledge: A Scientific Perspective on Religion
Limitations of science are examined in the framework of nonlinear system theory and metamathematics. Strange attractors, bifurcations, and chaos are studied in some detail. Additional topics include an introduction to formal systems and an overview of Godel’s theorems. The mathematical background developed in the course is used as a basis for exploring the relationship between science, aesthetics, and religion. Particular emphasis is placed on the rationality of faith. Also listed as ELEN 160. Prerequisites: AMTH 106 or an equivalent course in differential equations, and a basic familiarity with MATLAB. (4 units)
ELEN 219. Fundamentals of Computer-Aided Circuit Simulation
Introduction to the algorithms and principles used in circuit simulation packages (such as SPICE). Formation of equations for linear and nonlinear circuits. Detailed study of three different types of circuit analysis (AC, DC, and transient). Discussion of computational aspects, including sparse matrices, Newton’s method, numerical integration, and parallel computing. Applications to electronic circuits, active filter, and CMOS digital circuits. Course includes a number of design projects in which simulation software is written in Matlab and verified using SPICE. Credit not allowed for both 118 and 219. Prerequisites: ELEN 21, ELEN 100, and ELEN 115. (4 units)
ELEN 223. Digital Signal Processing System Development
Hands-on experience with hardware and software development for real-time DSP applications. Students design, program, and build a DSP application from start to finish. Such applications include image processing, speech/audio/video compression, multimedia, etc. The development environment includes Texas Instruments TMS320C6X development systems. Prerequisites: ELEN 234 or ELEN 233E and knowledge of “C” programming language. (4 units)
ELEN 226. Machine Learning and Signal Processing using FPGAs
Implementation of machine learning inference pipelines in an FPGA; signal processing and hardware architecture to take a trained network through to a hardware realization; overview of the latest generation FPGA technology and C++ High Level Synthesis (HLS) FPGA design flows. Students will learn how to implement, in fixed-point arithmetic, in hardware, the linear-algebra operations that are at the center of virtually all ML networks such as GoogleNet, ResNet and other well-known network architectures. Implementation of the common linear algebra functions and nonlinear functions that form the core components of many common networks will be covered. FPGA implementation of a multi-layer perceptron network and a CNN (convolutional neural network) accelerator using a HLS design flow. Prerequisites: (ELEN 133, ELEN 233E or ELEN 234) and (ELEN 127 or the equivalent) and C++ programming experience. (2 units)
ELEN 229. Topics in Network Theory
Various topics. (2 units)
ELEN 230. Introduction to Control Systems
Applications of control systems in engineering. Principle of feedback. Performance specifications: transient and steady-state response. Stability. Design of control systems by frequency and root-locus methods. Computer-controller systems. State-variable feedback design. Problem sessions. Credit not allowed for both ELEN 130 and ELEN 230. Prerequisite: ELEN 210 or its undergraduate equivalent of ELEN 110. (4 units)
ELEN 231. Power System Stability and Control
Examine power system stability and power system control, including load frequency control, economic dispatch and optimal power flow. Also listed as ELEN 184. Prerequisite: ELEN 183 or equivalent. (4 units)
ELEN 232. Introduction to Nonlinear Systems
Basic nonlinear phenomena in dynamic systems. State space and phase plane concepts. Equilibria. Linearization. Stability. Liapunov’s method. Prerequisite: ELEN 230E or 236. (2 units)
ELEN 233. Digital Signal Processing
Description of discrete signals and systems. Z-transform. Convolution and transfer functions. System response and stability. Fourier transform and discrete Fourier transform. Sampling theorem. Digital filtering. Also listed as COEN 201.
Prerequisite: ELEN 210 or its undergraduate equivalent of ELEN 110. (2 units)
ELEN 233E. Digital Signal Processing I and II
Same description as ELEN 233 and ELEN 234. Credit not allowed for both ELEN 133 and 233E. Also listed as COEN 201E (4 units)
ELEN 234. Digital Signal Processing II
Continuation of ELEN 233. Digital FIR and IIR filter design and realization techniques. Multirate signal processing. Fast Fourier transform. Quantization effects. Also listed as COEN 202. Prerequisite: ELEN 233. (2 units)
ELEN 235. Estimation I
Introduction to Classical estimation. Minimum Variance Unbiased Estimator (MVUE) from Cramer-Rao theorem, sufficient statistics, and linear estimator constraint. Maximum Likelihood Estimation (MLE) method. Least Square (LS) methods. Prerequisites: AMTH 211 or AMTH 212, AMTH 246 or AMTH 247, familiarity with MATLAB. (2 units)
ELEN 236. Modern Control Systems I
Concept of state-space descriptions of dynamic systems. Relations to frequency domain descriptions. State-space realizations and canonical forms. Stability. Controllability and observability. State feedback and observer design. Also listed as MECH 323. Prerequisite: ELEN 130 or its undergraduate equivalent. (2 units)
ELEN 237. Optimal Control I
Introduction to the principles and methods of the optimal control approach: performance measure criteria including the definition of minimum-time, terminal control, minimum-control effort, tracking and regulator problems, calculus of variation applied to optimal control problems including Euler-Lagrange equation, transversality condition constraint, Pontryagin’s minimum principle (PMP), linear quadratic regulator (LQR) and tracking control problems. Also listed as MECH 429. Prerequisite: ELEN 236. Students are expected to be proficient in MATLAB/Simulink. (2 units)
ELEN 238. Model Predictive Control
Review of state-space model in discrete time, stability, optimal control, prediction, Kalman filter. Measurable and unmeasurable disturbance, finite and receding horizon control, MPC formulation and design. Also listed as MECH 420. Prerequisite: ELEN 237 or MECH 324 or equivalent. (2 units)
ELEN 239. Topics in Systems Theory
Various topics. (2 units)
ELEN 241. Introduction to Communication
Power spectral density and correlation; bandwidth; random processes; carrier frequency, modulation and baseband versus passband modulation. Prerequisite: ELEN 210 or its undergraduate equivalent of ELEN 110. (2 units)
ELEN 241E. Modern Communications
Power spectral density and correlation; bandwidth; carrier frequencies, baseband vs. passband, random processes and noise; digital modulation techniques including QAM, PAM, PSK, and FSK; matched-filter receivers; maximum-likelihood and maximum a priori detection; Signal-to-Noise ratio evaluation and its impact on error rate. If students have taken ELEN 241 or ELEN 243, credit is not allowed for 241E. Similarly, if a student has taken 241E, credit is not allowed for 241 or 243. Prerequisites: ELEN 110 or its equivalent and AMTH 108 or its equivalent. (4 units)
ELEN 243. Digital Communication Systems
Digital modulation techniques including: QAM, PSK, FSK; matched-filter receivers; maximum-likelihood and maximum a priori detection. Signal-to-Noise ratio evaluation and its impact on error rate. Prerequisite: ELEN 241 or equivalent. (2 units)
ELEN 244. Information Theory
Introduction to the fundamental concepts of information theory. Source models. Source coding. Discrete channel without memory. Continuous channel. Alternate years. Also listed as COEN 341. Prerequisite: AMTH 211. (2 units)
ELEN 247. Communication Systems Modeling Using Simulink I
The objective of this course is for students to acquire and consolidate their practical skills of digital communication systems design through building simulation of some carefully selected prototype systems using MATLAB® and Simulink.® Examples include communication systems. The components and the principle of operation of each system will be presented in a lecture, together with key simulation techniques required. Topics include digital modulation and synchronization. Prerequisites: ELEN 233 and 243. (2 units)
ELEN 248. Communication Systems Modeling Using Simulink II
Continuation of ELEN 247. Prerequisite: ELEN 247. (2 units)
ELEN 249. Topics in Communication
Various topics. (2 units)
ELEN 250. Electronic Circuits
Introductory presentation of semiconductor circuit theory. The p-n junction, bipolar junction transistors (BJT), field-effect transistors and circuit models for these devices. DC biasing required of small-signal amplifier circuits. Analysis and design of small-signal amplifiers. The ideal operational amplifier and circuit applications. May not be taken for credit by a student with an undergraduate degree in electrical engineering. Not for graduate credit. Prerequisite: ELEN 50 or equivalent. (2 units)
ELEN 251. Transistor Models for IC Design
Semiconductor device modeling methods based upon device physics, process technology, and parameter extraction. Model derivation for bipolar junction transistors and metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors for use in circuit simulators. Model parameter extraction methodology utilizing linear regression, data fitting, and optimization techniques. Prerequisite: ELEN 265 or ELEN 267. (2 units)
ELEN 252. Analog Integrated Circuits I
Design and analysis of multi-stage BJT and CMOS analog amplifiers. Study of differential amplifiers, current mirrors, and gain stages. Frequency response of cascaded amplifiers and gain-bandwidth considerations. Concepts of feedback, stability, and frequency compensation. Prerequisite: ELEN 115 or equivalent. (2 units)
ELEN 253. Analog Integrated Circuits II
Design of operational amplifiers and wideband amplifiers. Design of output stages and power amplifiers. Reference and biasing circuits. Study of noise and distortion in analog ICs and concepts of low noise design. Selected applications of analog circuits such as comparators. Prerequisite: ELEN 252. (2 units)
ELEN 254. Advanced Analog Integrated Circuit
Design and analysis of BJT and MOSFET analog ICs. Study of analog circuits such as comparators, sample/hold amplifiers, and continuous time switch capacitor filters. Architecture and design of analog to digital and digital to analog convertors. Reference and biasing circuits. Study of noise and distortion in analog ICs. Prerequisite: ELEN 116. Co-requisite: ELEN 117L. (4 units)
ELEN 259. Topics in Circuit Design
Various topics. (2 units)
ELEN 261. Fundamentals of Semiconductor Physics
Wave mechanics. Crystal structure and energy band structure of semiconductors. Carrier statistics and transport. Electrical and optical properties. (2 units)
ELEN 264. Semiconductor Device Theory I
Physics of semiconductor materials, junctions, and contacts as a basis for understanding all types of semiconductor devices. Prerequisite: ELEN 261 or ELEN 151 or equivalent. (2 units)
ELEN 265. Semiconductor Device Theory II
Continuation of ELEN 264. MOSFET basics, short-channel and high-field effects, CMOS, bipolar junction transistors. Prerequisite: ELEN 264. (2 units)
ELEN 266. Semiconductor Device Theory I and II
Same description as ELEN 264 and 265. Prerequisite: ELEN 261 or ELEN 151 or equivalent. Credit allowed for either ELEN 264 and 265, or ELEN 266. (4 units)
ELEN 267. Device Electronics for IC Design
Properties of materials, crystal structure, and band structure of solids. Carrier statistics and transport; p-n junction electrostatics, I-V characteristics, equivalent circuits. Metal-semiconductor contacts, Schottky diodes. MOS field-effect transistors, bipolar junction transistors. This course covers the essential device concepts necessary for analog, digital, and/or mixed signal circuit design. Credit not allowed for both ELEN 151 and ELEN 267. Prerequisite or corequisite: ELEN 104 or basic knowledge of electrostatics. (4 units)
ELEN 270. Introduction to IC Materials
Materials issues in IC, classification of IC materials, Historical perspective. IC materials electrical conductivity, high-k, low-k materials. IC processing materials; solid liquid, gaseous dopants, chemicals and gases for etching and cleaning; IC lithography materials; photo-, e-beam-, x-ray resists, resist developers; IC packaging materials; IC thin film materials; adhesion, thermal conductivity and stress, electrical conductivity and sheet resistance. (2 units)
ELEN 271. Microsensors: Components and Systems
Microfabrication technologies, bulk and surface micromachining, sensor fundamentals, electronic, chemical, and mechanical components as sensors, system level issues, technology integration; application and examples of sensors. (2 units)
ELEN 274. Integrated Circuit Fabrication Processes I
Fundamental principles of silicon-integrated circuit fabrication processes. Practical and theoretical aspects of microelectronic fabrication. Basic materials properties, including crystal structure and crystallographic defects; physical and chemical models of crystal growth; and doping, thermal oxidation, diffusion, and ion implantation. Prerequisite: ELEN 270. (2 units)
ELEN 275. Integrated Circuit Fabrication Processes II
Physical and chemical models of etching and cleaning, epitaxy, deposited films, photolithography, and metallization. Process simulation and integration. Principles and practical aspects of fabrication of devices for MOS and bipolar integrated circuits.
Prerequisite: ELEN 270. (2 units)
ELEN 276. Integrated Circuit Fabrication Process Technology
Fundamental principles of processes essential for fabricating micro- and nanoelectronic hardware ranging from Integrated circuits, MEMS and biosensors to power, control and optoelectronic devices. Physical and chemical models of semiconductor crystal growth, thermal oxidation and diffusion, ion implantation, Lithography, etching and cleaning, epitaxy, chemical and physical vapor deposition, metallization, etc. Process integration and simulation using TCAD. Also listed as ELEN 152. Prerequisite: ELEN 270. (4 units)
ELEN 276L. Integrated Circuit Fabrication Process Technology Laboratory
Laboratory for ELEN 276. Also listed as ELEN 152L. (1 unit)
ELEN 277. IC Assembly and Packaging Technology
IC assembly techniques, assembly flow, die bond pad design rules, eutectic bonding and other assembly techniques, package types and materials, package thermal and electrical design and fabrication, special package considerations, future trends, and package reliability. Prerequisite: ELEN 201. (2 units)
ELEN 279. Topics in Semiconductor Devices and Processing
Various topics. (2 units)
ELEN 280. Introduction to Alternative Energy Systems
An introduction to such alternative energy systems with an emphasis on those utilizing solar technologies. Learn how the technologies work to provide electrical power today and the capabilities foreseen for the future. The material is designed to be suitable for both undergraduate and graduate students in engineering and related applied sciences. Also listed as MECH 287. (2 units)
ELEN 281A. Power Systems: Generation and Transmission
Electricity is the most versatile and widely used form of energy, and as such, it is the backbone of today’s and tomorrow’s global society. The course deals with the power system structure and components, electric power generation, transmission, and distribution. It also examines how these components interact and are controlled to meet the requirement of capacity, energy demand; reliability, availability, and quality of power delivery; efficiency, minimization of power loss; sustainability, and integration of low carbon energy sources. Prerequisite: ELEN 100 or equivalent. (2 units)
ELEN 281B. Power Systems: Distribution
The objective of this course is to cover the fundamental as well as wider aspects of Electric Power Transmission and Distribution networks including monitoring and control application tools typically provided by Energy Management Systems that enable electric utility companies to manage these assets to achieve their goals. Prerequisite: ELEN 281A. (2 units)
ELEN 282. Photovoltaic Devices and Systems
This course begins with a discussion of the sun as a source of energy, emphasizing the characteristics of insolation which then leads to a study of solar cells, their performance, their models, and the effects on their performance of factors such as atmospheric attenuation, incidence angle, shading, and others. Cells are connected together to become modules, which in turn are connected in arrays. This leads to a discussion of power electronic devices used to control and condition the DC solar voltage, including charge controllers, inverters, and other devices. Energy storage is studied. These components are then collected together in a solar PV system. The course concludes with a discussion of system sizing. (2 units)
ELEN 283. Characterization of Photovoltaic Devices
This course consists of five pre-lab lectures and five experiments exploring different aspects of photovoltaic cells and modules, including cell characterization under controlled conditions using a solar simulator; determining the spectral response and quantum efficiency of cells; measurement of solar irradiance and insolation; characterization of photovoltaic modules under real sun conditions; study of solar-related power electronics. Prerequisite: ELEN 282 or equivalent. (2 units)
ELEN 284. Solar Cell Technologies & Simulation Tools
Review of concepts needed to understand function, design, and manufacturing of PV cells and modules. PV cell physics leading to derivation of the I-V curve and equivalent circuit, along with contact and optical design, and use of computer-aided design tools. Manufacturing processes for silicon and thin film cells and modules. Cell measurements, including simulators, quantum efficiency, and parameter extraction. Cell types include silicon, thin film, organics, and concentrators. Markets, drivers, and LCOE (levelized cost of electricity) are surveyed. (2 units)
ELEN 284L. Solar Cell Technologies and Simulation Tools Laboratory
Co-requisite: ELEN 284. (1 unit)
ELEN 285. Introduction to the Smart Grid
The smart grid initiative calls for the construction of a 21st-century electric system that connects everyone to abundant, affordable, clean, efficient, and reliable electric power anytime, anywhere. It is envisioned that it will seamlessly integrate many types of generation and storage systems with a simplified interconnection process analogous to “plug and play.” This course describes the components of the grid and the tools needed to realize its main goals: communication systems, intelligent meters, and appropriate computer systems to manage the grid. (2 units)
ELEN 286. Introduction to Wind Energy Engineering
Introduction to renewable energy, history of wind energy, types and applications of various wind turbines, wind characteristics and resources, introduction to different parts of a wind turbine including the aerodynamics of propellers, mechanical systems, electrical and electronic systems, wind energy system economics, environmental aspects and impacts of wind turbines, and the future of wind energy. Also listed as MECH 286. (2 units)
ELEN 287. Energy Storage Systems
Energy storage systems play an essential role in the utilization of renewable energy. They are used to provide reserve power under different circumstances and needs such as peak shaving, load leveling, and ancillary services. Power electronics equipment converts the battery power into usable grid power. The course will survey batteries, pumped storage, flywheels, ultracapacitors, etc., with an analysis of the advantages and disadvantages, and uses of each. Also listed as ENGR 339. (2 units)
ELEN 288. Energy Management Systems
Energy Management Systems (EMS) is a class of control systems that electric utility companies utilize for three main purposes: monitoring, engagement, and reporting. Monitoring tools allow electric utility companies to manage their assets to maintain the sustainability and reliability of power generation and delivery. Engagement tools help in reducing energy production costs, transmission and distribution losses by optimizing utilization of resources and/or power network elements. Reporting tools to track operational costs and energy obligations. Also listed as COEN 282. (2 units)
ELEN 289. Topics in Energy Systems
Various topics (2 units)
ELEN 296. Independent Study
Supervised study of specialized and/or advanced topics not covered by current course offerings. By arrangement. (1-6 units)
ELEN 297. Master’s Thesis Research
By arrangement. Limited to department majors only (1–9 units)
ELEN 298. Ph.D. Thesis Research
By arrangement. Limited to department Ph.D. candidates only. A nominal number of 36 units is expected toward the Ph.D. degree. (1–15 units per quarter)
ELEN 299. Directed Research
Supervised research not requiring a thesis. Limited to department majors only. By arrangement. (1–6 units)
ELEN 329. Introduction to Intelligent Control
Intelligent control, AI, and system science. Adaptive control and learning systems. Artificial neural networks and Hopfield model. Supervised and unsupervised learning in neural networks. Fuzzy sets and fuzzy control. Also listed as MECH 329. Prerequisite: ELEN 236. (2 units)
ELEN 330. Introduction to Stochastic Control for Supply and Demand Network
Managing inventories plays an important role in supply and demand network optimization. This course covers basic inventory models. The foundations needed to characterize optimal policies using deterministic and stochastic control strategies. Markov chain. Optimal control. Stochastic control. Prerequisites: Statistics, Probability, ELEN 238 or equivalent. (2 units)
ELEN 331. Autonomous Driving Systems
This course introduces students to autonomous driving systems. Through lectures, labs, and assignments, students will gain hands-on experience on the major modules of the system including localization, sensor fusion, perception, detection, segmentation, scene understanding, tracking, prediction, path planning, control, routing, and decision making. Prerequisites: First-year graduate standing in ELEN, CSEN or MECH and knowledge of programming. (2 units)
ELEN 331L. Autonomous Driving Systems Lab
Lab for Autonomous Driving Systems, ELEN 331. (1 unit)
ELEN 333. Digital Control Systems
Difference equations. Sampling. Quantization. Z-transform. Transfer functions. State-Space models. Controllability and observability. Stability. Pole-placement by feedback. Frequency response methods. Prerequisites ELEN 230 or 236. (2 units)
ELEN 334. Introduction to Statistical Signal Processing
Introduction to statistical signal processing concepts. Random variables, random vectors, and random processes. Second-moment analysis, estimation of first and second moments of a random process. Linear transformations; the matched filter. Spectral factorization, innovation representations of random processes. The orthogonality principle. Linear predictive filtering; linear prediction and AR models. Levinson algorithm. Burg algorithm. Prerequisites: AMTH 211 and ELEN 233 or ELEN 233E. (2 units)
ELEN 335. Estimation II
Introduction to Bayesian estimation. Minimum mean square error estimator (MMSE), Maximum a posteriori estimator (MAP). Wiener filter and Kalman filter. Prerequisite: ELEN 235. (2 units)
ELEN 336. Detection
Hypothesis testing. Neyman-Pearson lemma. Generalized matched filter. Detection of deterministic and random signals in Gaussian and non-Gaussian noise environments. Prerequisite: AMTH 362, ELEN 243, or ELEN 335. (2 units)
ELEN 337. Robotics I
Overview of robotics: control, AI, and computer vision. Components and structure of robots. Homogeneous transformation. Forward kinematics of robot arms. Denavit-Hartenberg representation. Inverse kinematics. Velocity kinematics. Manipulator Jacobian. Singular configurations. Euler Lagrange equations. Dynamic equations of motion of manipulators. Task planning, path planning, and trajectory planning in the motion control problem of robots. Also listed as MECH 337. Prerequisite: AMTH 245. (2 units)
ELEN 338. Robotics II
Joint-based control. Linear control of manipulators. PID control and set-point tracking. Method of computer-torque in trajectory following control. Also listed as MECH 338. Prerequisites: ELEN 236 and 337. (2 units)
ELEN 339. Robotics III
Intelligent control of robots. Neural networks and fuzzy logic in robotic control. Selected topics of current research in robotics. Also listed as MECH 339. Prerequisite: ELEN 338. (2 units)
ELEN 345. Phase-Locked Loops
Basic loop. Components. Describing equations. Stability. Transients. Modulation and demodulation. Prerequisite: ELEN 130. (2 units)
ELEN 347. Advanced Digital Communication Systems
Receiver design, equalizers, and maximum likelihood sequence detection. Modulation and receiver design for wireline and wireless communications. Particular emphasis on intersymbol interference and equalizers. Offered every other year. Prerequisite: ELEN 243. (2 units)
ELEN 348. FPGA for Communications Applications
This course is a project-based course to introduce students to architectures and implementations of Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) for DSP for communications applications. Examples of a final project include implementing a significant application in communications such as Software-Defined Radio (SDR) or, Wi-Fi. Prerequisites: ELEN 226 and 247. (2 units)
ELEN 351. RF Integrated Circuit Design
Introduction to RF terminology, technology tradeoffs in RFIC design. Architecture and design of radio receivers and transmitters. Low noise amplifiers, power amplifiers, mixers, oscillators, and frequency synthesizers. Prerequisites: ELEN 252 and 387. (2 units)
ELEN 352. Mixed Signal IC Design for Data Communications
Design and analysis of mixed-signal circuits for data communications. Introduction to data communications terminology and signaling conventions. Data transmission media, noise sources. Data transceiver design: Signal coding/decoding, transmit signal waveshaping, receive equalization. Timing Circuits: Clock generation and recovery techniques. Prerequisites: ELEN 252 and 387. (2 units)
ELEN 353. DC to DC Power Conversion
Basic buck, boost, and buck-boost DC to DC converter topologies in both continuous and discontinuous conduction modes (CCM and DCM). Analog and digital controlled pulse width modulation techniques. Efficiency and control loop stability analysis. Critical MOSFET parameters and non-ideal circuit behavior will be studied using time and frequency domain computer modeling. Prerequisites: ELEN 230 and ELEN 252 or 116. (2 units)
ELEN 354. Advanced RFIC Design
Design and analysis of passive circuits (filters, splitters, and couplers), Gilbert cell mixers, low phase noise VCOs, frequency translators, and amplifiers. Advanced simulation methods, such as envelope and time domain simulations. Class project designed to meet specifications, design rules, and device models of RFIC foundry. Prerequisite: ELEN 351. (2 units)
ELEN 359. Advanced Topics in Circuit Design
Various topics. (2 units)
ELEN 360. Nanomaterials
Physics, chemistry, and materials science of materials in the nanoscale. Thin films, inorganic nanowires, carbon nanotubes, and quantum dots are examples covered in detail as well as state-of-the-art synthesis processes and characterization techniques for these materials as used in various stages of technology development. Also listed as ENGR 262. Prerequisites: ENGR 260 and ELEN 261. (2 units)
ELEN 361. Nanoelectronics
Silicon-based technology in the sub-90nm regime. General scaling trend and ITRS Roadmap. Novel device architectures, logic and memory nanodevices, critical enabling device design and process technologies, interconnects, molecular electronics, and their potential usage in future technology nodes. Prerequisite: ELEN 265 or ELEN 267. (2 units)
ELEN 375. Semiconductor Surfaces and Interfaces
Structural and electronic properties of semiconductor surfaces, semiconductor/oxide interfaces, and metal/semiconductor interfaces. Relationship between interface morphology/composition and electrical properties. Modern techniques for characterizing surfaces and interfaces. Derivation of interface properties from electrical characterization of devices. Prerequisite: ELEN 265 or ELEN 267. (2 units)
ELEN 379. Topics in Micro/Nanoelectronics
Various Topics. (2 units)
ELEN 380. Economics of Energy
The focus of the course is the finances of power and energy, including applications of blockchain ledgers, and transactive energy. Roles of policy, regulation and markets that govern production and supply of electricity will be examined. Operational aspects of making and moving electricity are discussed and Levelized Cost of Energy (LOCE) models are developed. Distributed resource management, power flow optimization and integration of large-scale renewables will be considered. Prerequisite: ELEN 183 or ELEN 281A and ELEN 281B. (2 units)
ELEN 387. VLSI Design I
Introduction to VLSI design and methodology. Analysis of CMOS integrated circuits. Circuit modeling and performance evaluation supported by simulation (SPICE). Ratioed, switch, and dynamic logic families. Design of sequential elements. Full-custom layout using CAD tools. Also listed as COEN 203. Prerequisite: COEN/ELEN 127 or equivalent. (2 units)
ELEN 388. VLSI Design II
Continuation of VLSI design and methodology. Design of arithmetic circuits and memory. Comparison of semi-custom versus fully custom design. General concept of floor planning, placement, and routing. Introduction of signal integrity through the interconnect wires. Also listed as COEN 204. Prerequisite: COEN 203/ELEN 387 or equivalent, or ELEN 153. (2 units)
ELEN 389. VLSI Physical Design
Physical design is the phase that follows logic design, and it includes the following steps that precede the fabrication of the IC logic partitioning: cell layout, floor planning, placement, routing. These steps are examined in the context of very deep submicron technology. Effects of parasitic devices and packaging are also considered. Power distribution and thermal effects are essential issues in this design phase. Also listed as COEN 305. Prerequisite: COEN 204/ELEN 388 or equivalent. (2 units)
ELEN 390. Semiconductor Device Technology Reliability
Reliability challenges in device design, fabrication technology, and test methodology. Device design issues such as design tolerances for latch-up, hot carrier injection, and electromigration. Fabrication technology challenges for sub-micron processes. Test methodology in terms of design feasibility and high-level test/fault coverage. IC yield models and yield enhancement techniques. (2 units)
ELEN 391. Process and Device Simulation with Technology Computer Aided Design (TCAD)
Review of semiconductor technology fundamentals. TCAD tools and methods as a design aid for visualizing physical device quantities at different stages of design and influencing device process parameters and circuit performance. Introduction to numerical simulation and TCAD, 2D process and device simulation, CMOS process flow and device design, device characterization and parameter extraction, circuit simulation. Introduction to virtual IC factory concept, integration of process, device and circuit simulation tools. The concept of process variation, statistical analysis and modeling methods, such as Monte Carlo sampling, correlation analysis, response surface modeling. Prerequisite: ELEN 274. (2 units)
ELEN 421. Speech Coding I
Review of sampling and quantization. Introduction to Digital Speech Processing. Elementary principles and applications of speech analysis, synthesis, and coding. Speech signal analysis and modeling. The LPC Model. LPC Parameter quantization using Line Spectrum Pairs (LSPs). Digital coding techniques: Quantization, Waveform coding. Predictive coding, Transform coding, Hybrid coding, and Sub-band coding. Applications of speech coding in various systems. Standards for speech and audio coding. Also listed as COEN 348. Prerequisite: ELEN 233 and/or 334 or equivalent. (2 units)
ELEN 422. Speech Coding II
Advanced aspects of speech analysis and coding. Analysis-by-Synthesis (AbS) coding of speech, Analysis-as-Synthesis (Aas) coding of speech. Code-Excited Linear Prediction speech coding. Error-control in speech transmission. Application of coders in various systems (such as wireless phones). International Standards for Speech (and Audio) Coding. Real-Time DSP implementation of speech coders. Speech recognition and Biometrics. Research project on speech processing. Also listed as COEN 349. Prerequisite: ELEN 421. (2 units)
ELEN 423. Introduction to Voice-over-IP
Overview of voice encoding standards relevant to VoIP: G.711, G.726, G.723.1, G.729, G.729AB. VoIP packetization and signaling protocols: RTP/RTCP, H.323, MGCP/MEGACO, SIP. VoIP impairments and signal processing algorithms to improve QoS. Echo cancellation, packet loss concealment, adaptive jitter buffer, Decoder clock synchronization. Network convergence: Soft-switch architecture, VoIP/PSTN, interworking (Media and Signaling Gateways), signaling translation (SS7, DTMF/MF, etc.), fax over IP. Prerequisite: ELEN 233 or knowledge of basic digital signal processing concepts. (2 units)
ELEN 431. Adaptive Signal Processing I
Theory of adaptive filters, Wiener filters, the performance surface, gradient estimation. The least-mean-square (LMS) algorithm, other gradient algorithms, transform-domain LMS adaptive filtering, block LMS algorithm. IIR adaptive filters. The method of least squares. Recursive least squares (RLS) adaptive transversal filters; application of adaptive filters in communications, control, radar, etc. Projects. Prerequisites: ELEN 233 and ELEN 334 or AMTH 362 or knowledge of random processes. (2 units)
ELEN 431E. Adaptive Signal Processing I and II
Same description as ELEN 431 and ELEN 432. Prerequisite: ELEN 334 or AMTH 362 or knowledge of random processes. (4 units)
ELEN 432. Adaptive Signal Processing II
Linear prediction. Recursive least squares lattice filters. Applications of Kalman filter theory to adaptive transversal filters. Performance analysis of different algorithms. Fast algorithms for recursive least squares adaptive transversal filters. Applications of adaptive filters in communications, control, radar, etc. Projects. Offered in alternative years. Prerequisite: ELEN 431. (2 units)
ELEN 439. Topics in Adaptive Signal Processing
Various topics. (2 units)
ELEN 441. Communications Satellite Systems Engineering
Satellite systems engineering considerations. Spacecraft. Satellite link design. Communication systems techniques for satellite links. Propagation on satellite-earth paths. Earth station technology. Prerequisite: ELEN 243 or equivalent. (2 units)
ELEN 444. Error-Correcting Codes
Theory and implementation of error-correcting codes. Linear block codes, cyclic codes. Encoding and decoding techniques and implementations analysis of code properties and error probabilities. Offered in alternate years. Prerequisite: Knowledge of probability. (2 units)
ELEN 446. Introduction to Wireless Communication Systems
Overview of digital communications. Topics include bit rate and error performance. Long-term and short-term propagation effects. Link budgets. Diversity techniques. Prerequisite: Knowledge of random processes, AMTH 210, ELEN 241 or its equivalent. (2 units)
ELEN 446E Wireless Communications and Networking
This course combines the topics found in ELEN 446 and ELEN 447 into one 4-unit course. (4 units)
ELEN 447. Wireless Network Architecture
Issues in wireless management. Topics include: multiple access techniques, cellular and local area network standards, scheduling of users, handoff and channel assignment. Prerequisite: ELEN 446 or equivalent. (2 units)
ELEN 460. Advanced Mechatronics I
Theory of operation, analysis, and implementation of fundamental physical and electrical device components: basic circuit elements, transistors, op-amps, sensors, electro-mechanical actuators. Application to the development of simple devices. Also listed as MECH 207. Prerequisite: MECH 141 or ELEN 100. (3 units)
ELEN 461. Advanced Mechatronics II
Theory of operation, analysis, and implementation of fundamental controller implementations: analog computers, digital state machines, microcontrollers. Application to the development of closed-loop control systems. Also listed as MECH 208. Prerequisites: ELEN 460 or MECH 207, and MECH 217. (3 units)
ELEN 462. Advanced Mechatronics III
Electro-mechanical modeling and system development. Introduction to mechatronic support subsystems: power, communications. Fabrication techniques. Functional implementation of hybrid systems involving dynamic control and command logic. Also listed as MECH 209. Prerequisite: MECH 208 or ELEN 461. (2 units)
ELEN 500. Logic Analysis and Synthesis
Analysis and synthesis of combinational and sequential digital circuits with attention to static, dynamic, and essential hazards. Algorithmic techniques for logic minimization, state reductions, and state assignments. Decomposition of state machine, algorithmic state machine. Design for test concepts. Also listed as COEN 200. Prerequisite: ELEN 127C or equivalent. (2 units)
ELEN 501. Embedded Systems
Embedded Systems are computing systems that measure, control, and interact. This course considers cost, speed, and power optimizations in design. The course and accompanying lab will create real systems with physical device interfaces and consider real-time behaviors. The course will design with embedded development environments, and explore bare-metal programming and debugging techniques, and embedded system validation. Co-requisite: ELEN 501L. (2 units)
ELEN 501L. Embedded Systems Lab
Lab projects based on an embedded computer module to practical applications that reinforce class concepts and provide some opportunities for creative design. Co-requisite: ELEN 501. (1 unit)
ELEN 502. Real-Time Systems
Formal methods and practical solutions related to embedded computing systems with time-critical deadlines. This includes hard real-time systems such as vehicular control and industrial machinery as well as soft real-time systems such as audio streaming or video games. Distributed real-time, timing analysis, and adaptation. Prerequisites: A grade of C- or better in ELEN 501 or equivalent. (2 units)
ELEN 503. Hardware-Software Codesign
The design, analysis, and verification of mixed hardware-software systems focusing on underlying modeling concepts, the design of hardware-software interfaces, hardware/software partitioning, and the trade-offs between hardware and software components. Real-time operating systems, hardware/software project management, and documentation. Co-simulation and mixed-mode testing and verification. Prerequisite: A grade of C- or better in ELEN-502 or equivalent. (2 units)
ELEN 510. Computer Architecture Fundamentals
Computer instruction definition and formatting, the use of opcodes and operands. Instruction execution, control transfer. Pipelining. Hazards. Caches. Prerequisites: A grade of C- or better in either COEN or ELEN 21, or equivalent. (2 units)
ELEN 511. Advanced Computer Architecture
Advanced architectural concepts built upon fundamentals. Superscalar and out-of-order execution. Memory system implementation concepts. DMA and virtual memory. Multiprocessing, including multi-core and multi-threaded architectures. Shared memory and cache coherence. Prerequisite: ELEN 122 or COEN 122 or ELEN 510 or equivalent. (2 units)
ELEN 512. Advanced Computer Architecture II
Continuation of advanced architectural concepts. Hardware support for virtualization. CPU microarchitecture concepts such as branch prediction and non-blocking caches. More on cache coherence protocols. Multi-level cache hierarchies. Memory consistency and synchronization. Prerequisite: ELEN 511 or equivalent. (2 units)
ELEN 513. Parallel System Architectures
Exploration of alternative computing architectures and their uses. SIMD computing. GPUs. Deep Learning accelerators. Warehouse-scale computing. Prerequisite: ELEN 511 or equivalent. (2 units)
ELEN 519. Special Topics in Advanced Computer Architecture
Support for virtual memory, shared memory synchronization, transactional memory, multithreading, chip multiprocessors, deep learning, SIMD, warehouse-scale computing. (2 units)
ELEN 520. Introduction to Machine Learning
Classification models, cross-validation; supervised learning, linear and logistic regression, support vector machines; unsupervised learning, dimensionality reduction methods; tree based methods, and kernel methods, principal component analysis, K-means; reinforcement learning. Prerequisites: Python programming, elementary statistics. Co-requisites: ELEN 520L, (2 units)
ELEN 520L. Introduction to Machine Learning Laboratory
Laboratory component of ELEN 520. Co-requisite: ELEN 520. (1 unit)
ELEN 521. Deep Learning
Convolutional neural networks; analysis of selected architectures: GoogleNet, ResNet, Moblenet, Capsule networks; transfer learning; recurrent neural networks and applications; autoencoders; adversarial generative networks. Prerequisite: ELEN 520. Co-requisite: ELEN 521L. (2 units)
ELEN 521L. Deep Learning Laboratory
Laboratory component of ELEN 521. Corequisite: ELEN 521. (1 unit)
ELEN 522. Reinforcement Learning
Introduction to the foundational ideas of reinforcement learning, which provides a way to model the interaction of autonomous agents with the world and emphasizes learning without supervision, and often without any knowledge of the rules of the task it is trying to learn; Markov decision processes, value functions, Monte Carlo estimation, dynamic programming, temporal difference learning, function approximation, scaling to large domains. Prerequisite: ELEN 521. (3 units)
ELEN 523. Natural Language Processing with Deep Learning
Computational properties of natural language; simple word level to syntactic level; design and implementation of neural network models used in NLP for applications such as question answering, language translation, language understanding, and natural language generation. Prerequisite: ELEN 521. (2 units)
ELEN 530. Hardware Security and Trust
New techniques for securing hardware from malicious attacks. Hardware security primitives. Hardware Trojan detection and prevention. Hardware-based obfuscation techniques. Side-channel attacks and countermeasures. Cryptographic algorithms. FPGA security. Hardware Metering. Watermarking. IP piracy. IoT security. Counterfeit detection and prevention. Prerequisite: ELEN 127 OR ELEN 603 with a grade of C- or better. (2 units)
ELEN 601. Low Power Designs of VLSI Circuits and Systems
Design of digital circuits for reduced power consumption. Sources of power consumption in ICs and analysis algorithms for their estimation at different stages of design. Various power reduction techniques and their trade-offs with performance, manufacturability, and cost are analyzed. Project to design a digital circuit with power reduction as the primary objective. Prerequisite: ELEN 387. (2 units)
ELEN 602. Modern Time Analysis
Analysis in logic design review of background materials and introduction of concepts of false path, combinational delay, and minimum cycle time of finite state machines. Study of efficient computational algorithms. Examination of retiming for sequential circuits, speed/area trade-off. Prerequisite: ELEN 500. (2 units)
ELEN 603. Logic Design Using HDL
Algorithmic approach to design of digital systems. Use of hardware description languages for design specification. Structural, register transfer, and behavioral views of HDL. Simulation and synthesis of systems descriptions. Also listed as COEN 303. Prerequisite: ELEN 127 or equivalent. (2 units)
ELEN 608. Design for Testability
Principles and techniques of designing circuits for testability. Concept of fault models. The need for test development. Testability measures. Ad hoc rules to facilitate testing. Easily testable structures, PLAs. Scan-path techniques, full and partial scan. Built-in self-testing (BIST) techniques. Self-checking circuits. Use of computer-aided design (CAD) tools. Also listed as COEN 308. Prerequisite: ELEN 500 or equivalent. (2 units)
ELEN 609. Mixed-Signal DA and Test
Mixed-Signal test techniques using PLL and behavioral testing as major examples. Overview of the IEEE 1149.4 Mixed-Signal standard. Mixed-Signal DFT and BIST techniques with emphasis on test economics. Most recent industrial mixed-signal design and test EDA tools and examples of leading state-of-the-art SoCs. Prerequisites: ELEN 500 or COEN 200 and ELEN 387 or COEN 203. (2 units)
ELEN 613. SoC (System-on-Chip) Verification
This course presents various state-of-the-art verification techniques used to ensure the corrections of the SoC (System-on-Chip) design before committing it to manufacturing. Both Logical and Physical verification techniques will be covered, including Functional Verification, Static Timing, Power, and Layout Verification. Also, the use of Emulation, Assertion-based Verification, and Hardware/Software Co-Verification techniques will be presented. Also listed as COEN 207. Prerequisites: ELEN 500 or COEN 200 and ELEN 603 or equivalent. (2 units)
ELEN 617. Storage Systems – Technology and Architecture
The course will address the developments in storage systems. Increase in data storage has led to an increase in storage needs. This arises from the increase of mobile devices as well as increase in internet data storage. This course will provide the students good knowledge of different storage systems as well as challenges in data integrity. A discussion of the next generation of storage devices and architectures will also be done. (2 units)
ELEN 620. Digital Systems Design Project
By arrangement. An individual or group project that progresses through multiple phases of a complete design flow, leveraging and applying concepts learned in other courses. Projects can be pure hardware designs, or hardware/software co-designs. Prerequisites: ELEN 501, ELEN 511, ELEN 603. (1-6 units)
ELEN 624. Signal Integrity in IC and PCB Systems
Analysis, modeling, and characterization of interconnects in electronic circuits; Transmission line theory; losses and frequency dependent parameters. Signal Integrity issues in high-speed/high-frequency circuits; means of identifying signal integrity problems. Reflection and crosstalk; analysis of coupled-line systems. Power distribution networks in VLSI and PCB environments and power integrity. Signal/Power integrity CAD. Prerequisite: ELEN 201. (2 units)
ELEN 639. Audio and Speech Compression
Audio and speech compression. Digital audio signal processing fundamentals. Non-perceptual coding. Perceptual coding. Psychoacoustic model. High-quality audio coding. Parametric and structured audio coding. Audio coding standards. Scalable audio coding. Speech coding. Speech coding standards. Also listed as COEN 339. Prerequisites: AMTH 245 and COEN 279 or equivalent. (2 units)
ELEN 640. Digital Image Processing I
Digital image representation and acquisition, color representation; point and neighborhood processing; image enhancement; morphological filtering; Fourier, cosine and wavelet transforms. Also listed as COEN 340. Prerequisite: ELEN 233 or equivalent. (2 units)
ELEN 641. Image and Video Compression
Image and video compression. Entropy coding. Prediction. Quantization. Transform coding and 2-D discrete cosine transform. Color compression. Motion estimation and compensation. Digital video. Image coding standards such as JPEG and JPEG family. Video coding standards such as the MPEG series and the H.26x series. H.264/MPEG-4 AVC coding. HEVC/H 265/MPEG-H Part 2 coding. VVC. Future JVET standard Rate-distortion theory and optimization. Visual quality and coding efficiency. Brief introduction to 3D video coding and 3D-HEVC. Deep learning approaches. Applications. Also listed as COEN 338. Prerequisites: AMTH 108, AMTH 245, basic knowledge of algorithms. (4 units)
ELEN 642. Computational and Medical Imaging
Algorithms for indirect image formation using both optimization and model-based methods. Application includes computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, microscopy, remote sensing, super-resolution. Fourier-based and sparse iterative algorithms. Analysis of accuracy and resolution of image formation based on measurement geometry and statistics. Offered in alternate years. Also listed as BIOE 642. Prerequisites: AMTH 211 and either ELEN 233 or AMTH 358 or equivalent. (2 units)
ELEN 643. Digital Image Processing II
Image restoration using least squares methods in image and spatial frequency domains; matrix representations; blind deconvolution; super-resolution methods; reconstructions from incomplete data; image segmentation methods, three-dimensional models from multiple views. Also listed as COEN 343. Prerequisite: COEN 340. (2 units)
ELEN 644. Computer Vision I
Introduction to image understanding, feature detection, description, and matching; feature based alignment; structure from motion stereo correspondence. Also listed as COEN 344. Prerequisites: ELEN 640 and knowledge of linear algebra. (2 units)
ELEN 645. Computer Vision II
Learning and inference in vision; regression models; deep learning for vision; classification strategies; detection and recognition of objects in images. Also listed as COEN 345. Prerequisites: ELEN 640 and knowledge of probability. (2 units)
ELEN 649. Topics in Image Processing and Analysis
Various topics. (2 units)
ELEN 701. RF and Microwave Systems
The purpose of this class is to introduce students to the general hardware components, system parameters, and architectures of RF and microwave wireless systems. Practical examples of components and system configurations are emphasized. Communication systems are used to illustrate the applications. Other systems, such as radar, the global positioning system (GPS), RF identification (RFID), and direct broadcast systems (DBS) are introduced. (2 units)
ELEN 706. Microwave Circuit Analysis and Design
Microwave circuit theory and techniques. Emphasis on passive microwave circuits. Planar transmission lines. Field problems formulated into network problems for TEM and other structures, scattering and transmission parameters, Smith chart, impedance matching, and transformation techniques. Design of power dividers, couplers, hybrids and microwave filters. Microwave CAD. Prerequisite: ELEN 201. (4 units)
ELEN 711. Active Microwave Devices I
Scattering and noise parameters of microwave transistors, physics of silicon bipolar and gallium arsenide MOSFET transistors, device physics, models, and high-frequency limitations. Applications to microwave amplifier and oscillator designs. Prerequisite: ELEN 706. (2 units)
ELEN 712. Active Microwave Devices II
Continuation of ELEN 711. Nonlinear active circuits and computer-aided design techniques. Nonlinear models of diodes, bipolar transistors and FET’s applied to the design of frequency converters, amplifiers, and oscillators. Techniques. Prerequisite: ELEN 711. (2 units)
ELEN 715. Antennas I
Fundamentals of radiation, antenna pattern, directivity and gain. Dipole and wire antennas. Microstrip Patch Antennas. Broadband antennas. Antennas as components of communications and radar systems. Antenna measurement. Antenna CAD. Prerequisite: ELEN 201. (2 units)
ELEN 716. Antennas II
Continuation of ELEN 715. Aperture antennas. Traveling-wave antennas. Antenna Arrays. Linear arrays with uniform and non-uniform excitations. Beam scanning and phased arrays; Planar arrays; Array Synthesis. Prerequisite: ELEN 715. (2 units)
ELEN 717. Antennas III
Continuation of ELEN 716. Reflector, and lens antennas. Large antenna design. High-frequency techniques. Geometrical optics. Physical optics. Diffraction. Antenna synthesis. Offered in alternate years. Prerequisite: ELEN 716. (2 units)
ELEN 725. Optics Fundamentals
Fundamental concepts of optics: geometrical and wave optics. Optical components–-free space, lenses, mirrors, prisms. Optical field and beams. Coherent (lasers) and incoherent (LED, thermal) light sources. Elements of laser engineering. Optical materials. Fiber optics. Polarization phenomena and devices. Also listed as PHYS 113. Prerequisite: ELEN 201 or equivalent. (4 units)
ELEN 726. Microwave Measurements, Theory, and Techniques
Theory comprises six classroom meetings covering signal flow graphs, error models and corrections, S-parameter measurements, Vector analyzers, microwave resonator measurements, noise figure measurements, signal generation and characterization, spectrum analyzers, and phase noise measurements. Four laboratory meetings. Offered in alternate years. Prerequisite: ELEN 711. (3 units)
ELEN 729. Topics in Electromagnetics and Optics
Selected advanced topics in electromagnetic field theory. Prerequisite: As specified in class schedule. (2 units)
ELEN 921C. Introduction to Logic Design
Boolean functions and their minimization. Designing combinational circuits, adders, multipliers, multiplexers, decoders. Noise margin, propagation delay. Bussing. Memory elements: latches and flip-flops; timing; registers; counters. Introduction to FPGAs and the need for the use of HDL. Taught in the graduate time format. Foundation course not for graduate credit. Also listed as COEN 921C. (2 units)