This work presents a new design methodology for radio frequency (RF) integrated circuits based on a unified analysis of the scattering parameters of the circuit and the gm/I_D ratio of the involved transistors. Since the scattering parameters of the circuits are parameterized by means of the physical characteristics of transistors, designers can optimize transistor size and biasing to comply with the circuit specifications given in terms of S-parameters. A complete design of a cascode low noise amplifier (LNA) in MOS 65 nm technology is taken as a case study in order to validate the approach. In addition, this methodology permits the identification of the best trade-off between the minimum noise figure and the maximum gain for the LNA in a very simple way.

Reliable Temperature Measurement in Radiation-Intensive Environments

In this work, we explore the ability of Oscillation-Based Test (OBT) for testing OTA-C filters (Operational Transconductance Amplifier - Capacitor) based circuits under radiation conditions. We adopt an OTA as a case study for testing. The effectiveness of the strategy is qualified by means of fault simulation. It is known that there are several parameters moving when submitting a circuit to radiation, such as carrier's mobility or Threshold Voltage (VTH). This paper presents an exploring experience when trying to test a circuit under environmental radiation conditions. The idea is to observe the oscillation condition for OBT under a radiation-dependent oscillating parameter in order to obtain certain usage limits for the OBT technique, among some other useful conclusions.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, also known as CPR, is a procedure designed to revive people who have stopped breathing or whose heart has stopped beating. The American Society of Cardiology (AHA) recommends using audiovisual feedback devices during CPR for real-time optimization of the effectiveness of the maneuvers. A project led by engineering faculty and students was created due to the high cost and lack of local availability of feedback devices. The objective was to develop an affordable electromechanical simulator, evaluated by experts and end users, to train future doctors and the general public in CPR who need skills for the management of cardiac arrest. After building the initial prototype, supervised testing was performed to ensure its compatibility with the anatomy and strength of an average human thorax. Corrections and adaptations were made until the expected parameters for CPR training were met according to international standards. Then, a randomized study was carried out with health sciences students who had previous experience in CPR. They were divided into two groups and were asked to perform CPR maneuvers for 2 minutes, with assignment of random numbers independent of their participation group. Finally, both groups will randomly perform 2 minutes in a commercial CPR simulator with feedback. These were monitored by a blind observer who does not know which group each student belongs to and will complete a form where the correct placement of the hands, the frequency of the average compressions and their depth were recorded. The analysis of results shows that the group that used the simulator with real-time feedback had a higher percentage of correct CPR maneuvers compared to the control group. This suggests that our prototype met its objectives by allowing faster and more accurate learning of CPR techniques. La reanimación cardiopulmonar, también conocida como RCP, es un procedimiento diseñado para reanimar a personas que han dejado de respirar o cuyo corazón ha dejado de latir. La Sociedad Americana de Cardiología (AHA) recomienda utilizar dispositivos de retroalimentación audiovisuales durante la RCP para la optimización en tiempo real de la efectividad de las maniobras. Se creó un proyecto liderado por docentes y estudiantes de ingeniería debido al alto costo y la falta de disponibilidad local de dispositivos de retroalimentación. El objetivo era desarrollar un simulador electromecánico asequible, evaluado por expertos y usuarios finales, para entrenar en RCP a futuros médicos y al público en general que necesite habilidades para el manejo del paro cardiaco. Tras construir el prototipo inicial, se realizaron pruebas supervisadas para asegurar su compatibilidad con la anatomía y resistencia de un tórax humano promedio. Se realizaron correcciones y adaptaciones hasta cumplir con los parámetros esperados para el entrenamiento de RCP según estándares internacionales. Luego, se llevó a cabo un estudio randomizado con estudiantes de ciencias de la salud que tenían experiencia previa en RCP. Fueron divididos en dos grupos y se les solicitó realizar maniobras de RCP durante 2 minutos, con asignación de números aleatorios independientes de su grupo de participación. Finalmente ambos grupos y de manera aleatoria realizarán 2 minutos en un simulador comercial de RCP con feedback. Estos fueron monitorizados por un observador ciego que desconoce a qué grupo pertenece cada alumno y completará una planilla donde se registró la correcta colocación de las manos, la frecuencia de las compresiones promedio y la profundidad de las mismas. El análisis de resultados muestra que el grupo que utilizó el simulador con feedback en tiempo real tuvo un porcentaje mayor de maniobras de RCP correctas en comparación con el grupo de control. Esto sugiere que nuestro prototipo cumplió con los objetivos al permitir un aprendizaje más rápido y preciso de las técnicas de RCP.