Electrical and Computer Engineering Labs General Information

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs is a Cadence University Program Member. All Cadence tools are available for use by faculty, staff, and students affiliated with the University for use on academic research projects only and class work. This web page provides information on how software donated from Cadence Design Systems is used by the faculty and students of the ECE department.

• ECE 4220/5220 Analog IC Design
• ECE 4270/5270 RFIC Design
• ECE 4340/5430 VLSI Circuit Design I
• ECE 4260/5260 Mixed Signal design
• ECE 4242/5242 Advanced Digital Design Methodology

Web page and software currently maintained by EAS-IT
eas-helpdesk@uccs.edu
Last Modified: October 7th, 2017.
Cadence is a registered trademark of Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
2655 Seely Avenue
San Jose, CA 95134

This lab provides a focus for sponsored and un-sponsored research in communication systems, communication theory, and signal processing. Research projects have included analyses, computer simulation, and hardware experimentation involving spread spectrum communications, space communications, and wireless mobile communications.

The CSL comprises a number of student and research work centers. Each work center has at least one device to control, which includes Educational Control Products (ECP), Magnetic Levitation and Control-Moment Gyroscope systems, and a Rhino Robotics six-degrees-of-freedom robotic arm. Each center has a full complement of test-and-measurement equipment. This laboratory is run jointly with the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.

Electromagnetics Laboratory (Anechoic Chamber)

The EML supports programs in the areas of wave propagation, microwaves, antennas, and metrology. Undergraduate and graduate laboratory courses have been developed in the areas of microwaves, millimeter waves, and infrared (IR) diagnostic techniques to support the existing courses in electromagnetic theory. These laboratory facilities provide students with measurement techniques and skills in the radio frequency (RF), microwave, millimeter wave, and IR wavelength regions. The EML contains a large broadband, shielded microwave anechoic chamber.

The Electromagnetics Laboratory (EML)

This lab is used for instruction in basic circuits design, digital circuits design, microcomputer systems design, and electronic circuits design. The laboratory is equipped with personal computers, power supplies, function generators, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and other components needed to support required laboratories in the Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering curriculum. This laboratory also houses stations for embedded systems design.

Senior Design 228
Electronic/Emb Sys Lab 230
ECE Help Center 232
Advanced Robotics Lab 130

Microelectronics Research Laboratory (MRL)

Microelectronics Research Laboratory (MRL) is a group of related laboratories supporting all aspects of microelectronics, including fundamental microelectronic device modeling and processing, integrated circuit design and fabrication. MRL links the efforts of the following associated laboratories: (1) Advanced Development Laboratory (Class 100 cleanroom), (2) Device Characterization and Analysis Laboratory, and (3) Advanced Materials Laboratory for undergraduate and graduate students. The Microelectronics Research Laboratories have supported the National Science Foundation and NASA funded research projects. Several well-established companies have spun out of MRL-supported activities, including Ramtron and Symetrix. Areas of research in the MRL include:  a) Non-volatile memory based on Complex Oxides.  b) Non Volatile memory based on nanocrystals.  c) Bio detectors. d) Tunable devices for RF circuit applications (tunable filters, oscillators, and matching networks). e) Piezoelectric energy conversion.

Principal Investigator:

• Dr. Gregory L. Plett, University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS)

Co-Principal Investigators:

• Dr. Regan A. Zane, University of Colorado Boulder (CU-Boulder)
• Dr. M. Scott Trimboli, (UCCS)
• Dr. Dragan Maksimovic, (CU-Boulder)

PROJECT OBJECTIVES

This is a critical point in history where advanced engineering solutions are required to propel the U.S. automotive industry irrevocably to the next level: the electrified drivetrain. The present workforce is not sufficient to this task. It is imperative that automotive engineers with traditional backgrounds focused on internal combustion and mechanical drivetrain technologies be retrained with the most current advanced solutions in battery controls and vehicle power electronics. For the long-term success of the U.S. automakers, it is even more important that a future workforce be developed that has both broad and deep comprehension of the issues involved and the most advanced solutions known to these problems.

Two campuses of the University of Colorado system are uniting to submit this proposal to establish the GATE Center of Excellence in Innovative Drivetrains in Electric Automotive Technology Education (IDEATE). The University of Colorado Boulder (CU-Boulder) is widely regarded as having one of the top graduate programs in power electronics in the country; the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) has unrivaled expertise in algorithms for automotive battery control. By collaborating, IDEATE will build on our team’s proven strengths to develop innovative curricula and to initiate courses and programs that will provide students with a unique opportunity for holistic and specialty education in electric drivetrain technology. Graduates from these programs will provide benefit not only to major automotive manufacturers, but also to new electric drivetrain focused small businesses and suppliers. Specifically, IDEATE has four principal objectives, which are illustrated in Figure 1:

• Establish graduate certificate in electric drivetrain technology: UCCS will develop two new courses in battery modeling for controls and in algorithm development for high-capacity battery pack controls. CU-Boulder will develop a new course in power electronics for electric drive vehicles, and will refresh an existing course to focus on design of adjustable speed AC drives. These four graduate courses will form a new graduate certificate in electric drivetrain technology that will be offered jointly by both campuses and will be available to both continuing-education and on-campus students.
• Establish graduate degree options to educate a future workforce: Leveraging the new courses developed for the graduate certificate in electric drivetrain technology, and strength of the existing curricula, both campuses will establish new Masters of Science in Electrical Engineering (MSEE) degree options. UCCS will offer an option in battery controls, including a new course in methods of optimization; CU-Boulder will offer an option in vehicle power electronics.
• Support fundamental research to develop new enabling technology: The new courses will provide background enabling PhD research in areas critical for the long-term success of the electric drivetrain.
• Have local appeal but national impact: Leveraging already strong on-line course and certificate offerings, all of the new courses and the graduate certificate in electric drivetrain technology will be made available on-line, enabling students anywhere in the country to complete their coursework without the need to relocate to Colorado.