Optimized carry lookahead adders with direct feeding

This paper describes improvements to the parallel prefix adder designs and optimization algorithms of Chan, Oklobdzija, Schlag, Thomborson and Wei. Our “direct feeding” (DF) adder design avoids large signal fanouts along critical adder paths. Our “random pruning” heuristic limits the time and space required to find near-optimal DF adders, so that the search process runs in a few minutes on a Sun-4 workstation. Our improved carry lookahead adders are well suited for static CMOS implementation; our improvements may be applied to other parallel prefix CMOS circuits. Simulations with Mentor Graphics' Lsim indicate that our best DIP adders are 12% to 20% faster than the carry lookahead adders presented by Chan et al.     

Design of ICs applying built-in current testing

Built-in Current (BIC) sensors have proven to be very useful in testing static CMOS ICs. In a number of experimental ICs BIC sensors were able to detect small abnormal I _DDQ currents. This paper discusses the design of the circuit under test and Built-in Current (BIC) sensors, which provide: maximum level of defect detectability, minimum impact of BIC sensor on the performance of the circuit under test and minimum area overhead needed for BIC sensors implementation.This research was supported by NSF Grant MIP8822805.     

Analysis and design of CMOS fuzzy logic controller in current mode

This paper presents a new definition of fuzzy numbers. Employing the new definition, the new approach to the design of a current mode fuzzy microchip controller was performed. The controller was constructed with CMOS current mirrors. The circuit allowed two premises, one conclusion, and nine rules; the latter were programmable with current sources. The chip consumed 2 mA at a 5 V power supply for a core area of 0.4 mm². Furthermore, the performance of the developed fuzzy architecture reached 10 M FLIPS (fuzzy inferences per second) for the standard 1.2 μm CMOS technology. We present a real-time application that successfully used the chip to control a metallic ball with an electromagnetic field. Finally, we discuss the silicon compiler, called SCOFIC, used for the automatic synthesis of the above circuit     

Digital fuzzy logic controller: design and implementation

In this paper, various aspects of digital fuzzy logic controller (FLC) design and implementation are discussed, Classic and improved models of the single-input single-output (SISO), multiple-input single-output (MISC), and multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) FLCs are analyzed in terms of hardware cost and performance. A set of universal parameters to characterize any hardware realization of digital FLCs is defined. The comparative study of classic and alternative MIMO FLCs is presented as a generalization of other controller configurations. A processing element for the parallel FLC architecture realizing improved inferencing of MIMO system is designed, characterized, and tested. Finally, as a case feasibility study, a direct data stream architecture for complete digital fuzzy controller is shown as an improved solution for high-speed, cost-effective, real-time control applications     

Simultaneous analysis of coccidiostats and sulphonamides in non-target feed by HPLC-MS/MS and validation following the Commission Decision 2002/657/EC

Taking into consideration the maximum level (ML) for coccidiostats included in the European Regulation 574/2011 and the fact that the presence of residues of sulphonamides in non-target feed is forbidden, the aim of this article is to present an analytical method based on HPLC-MS/MS for the identification and quantification of sulphonamides and coccidiostats in non-target feeds. The method was validated following Commission Decision 2002/657/EC, and recovery, repeatability and reproducibility were within the limits established in the Decision. For coccidiostats, the decision limit and detection capability were calculated for the different species taking into account the ML allowed in Regulation 574/2011. The applicability of the method was investigated in 50 feed samples collected from dairy farms, 50 obtained from feed mills and 10 interlaboratory feed samples.     

Development and validation of multi-residue and multi-class method for antibacterial substances analysis in non-target feed by liquid chromatography – tandem mass spectrometry

A confirmatory HPLC-MS/MS method for the determination of residues of 11 antibacterial substances from different therapeutic class (β-lactams, lincosamides, fluoroquinolones, macrolides, pleuromutilins and sulfonamides) in animal feeds has been developed. The sample preparation is based on extraction with 0.1% formic acid in acetonitrile. Separation of the analytes was performed on biphenyl column with a gradient of 0.1% formic acid in acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid in Milli-Q water. The developed method was validated following the guidelines included in the European Union Commission Decision 2002/657/EC. Limits of detection ranging from 79.22 to 193.60 µg/kg; instrumental and analytical linearity coefficients were above 0.99 for matrix-match calibration; and relative recoveries ranging from 76.04% to 117.39%. Repeatability of the method was in the range of 2.41–19.76% (CV, %), whereas reproducibility ranged from 6.52 to 28.40% (CV %). The method shown to be efficient and precise for quantification of the 11 antibacterial substances in animal feed. The results demonstrate the feasibility of the method for routine use to monitor these substances in feed. The validated method was successfully applied to eight suspect feed samples collected from the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AFFCO) and feed manufactures from Galicia (Spain) in June and July 2017. Of these 8 non-target feeds, 5 were positive for the presence of tiamulin, tylosin and sulfadiazine.     

Development and validation of an LC-MS/MS method for the quantification of tiamulin,trimethoprim, tylosin,sulfadiazine and sulfamethazine in medicated feed

A new multi-compound method for the analysis of veterinary drugs, namely tiamulin, trimethoprim, tylosin, sulfadiazine and sulfamethazine was developed and validated in medicated feeds. After extraction, the samples were centrifuged, diluted in Milli-Q water, filtered and analysed by high performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. The separation of the analytes was performed on a biphenyl column with a gradient of 0.1% formic acid in acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid in Milli-Q water. Quantitative validation was done in accordance with the guidelines laid down in European Commission Decision 2002/657/EC. Method performances were evaluated by the following parameters: linearity (R² < 0.99), precision (repeatability <14% and within-laboratory reproducibility <24%), recovery (73.58–115.21%), sensitivity, limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ), selectivity and expanded measurement uncertainty (k. = 2). The validated method was successfully applied to the 2 medicated feeds obtained from the interlaboratory studies and feed manufactures from Spain in August 2017. In these samples, tiamulin, tylosin and sulfamethazine were detected at the concentration levels declared by the manufacturers. The developed method can therefore be successfully used to routinely control the content and homogeneity of these antibacterial substances in medicated feed.

Abbreviations

AAFCO – Association of American Feed Control Officials; TYL – tylosin; TIAM – tiamulin fumarate; TRIM – trimethoprim; SDZ – sulfadiazine; SMZ – sulfamethazine; UV – ultraviolet detector; FLD – fluorescence detector; HPLC – high performance liquid chromatography; MS/MS – tandem mass spectrometry; LOD – limit of detection; LOQ – limit of quantification; CV – coefficient of variation; SD – standard deviation; U – uncertainty     

The scaled-down circuit yield improvement by technological centering

Scaling down methods have been shown to be attractive for IC optimization [8]. The IC yield degradation, which is observed in this process, is determined by adjustment of technological parameters based on the scaled circuits topology. After scaling down the topology the nominal point reoptimization procedure for the circuit is required. The application of the technological centering method [1] is proposed in this paper for solving this problem. The experimental verification of the presented procedure is shown in the conclusion.     

Built-in current testing

Built-in current (BIC) testing has proven to be useful through a number of IC fabrication experiments. In this paper the experience gained from these experiments is summarized     

Technological centering—An experimental approach to VLSI ICs yield maximization

One of the basic goals of IC design is the production yield maximization. A yield optimization problem by technological parameters centering is analyzed assuming the real conditions of an IC production line. The problem is called technological centering. A heuristic-experimental solution of the above mentioned problem is proposed. The method presented here can be useful for practical verification of an analytical project or as an improvement of this kind of design. An example of technological centering application fully confirms its effectiveness, besides its heuristic character.