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Ricardo Ferreira

Publications and source records attributed to Ricardo Ferreira.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

ASTRA: ADMM-Accelerated Topology Reconfiguration for Dynamic Satellite Constellations

Dynamic topology reconfiguration is central to the reliability and efficiency of large satellite constellations, yet many existing approaches rely on idealized assumptions such as full constellation deployment or uniform orbital spacing. We present Adaptive Satellite Topology via Regret-Aware learning (ASTRA), a theoretically-grounded framework for dynamic satellite topology reconfiguration that builds on an online learning formulation and makes it computationally practical. ASTRA combines an ADMM-based offline solver with efficient online updates for both online gradient descent and online conditional gradient, yielding markedly cheaper constrained updates than generic optimization pipelines. On the theory side, we show that for a relevant class of entry-wise nonzero utility matrices, the objective is strongly convex, which yields logarithmic static regret for online gradient descent, and we further instantiate known dynamic-regret guarantees under inexact ADMM inner loops. Empirically, ASTRA matches or improves topology quality, presenting a good trade-off with computational time on synthetic constellations, and it remains effective on real Starlink data under partial deployment and non-uniform spacing, where idealized structural assumptions break down. These results position ASTRA as an efficient and theoretically grounded approach to topology reconfiguration in realistic Low Earth Orbit networks.

cs.LG↗

Online Learning for Dynamic Constellation Topologies

The use of satellite networks has increased significantly in recent years due to their advantages over purely terrestrial systems, such as higher availability and coverage. However, to effectively provide these services, satellite networks must cope with the continuous orbital movement and maneuvering of their nodes and the impact on the network's topology. In this work, we address the problem of (dynamic) network topology configuration under the online learning framework. As a byproduct, our approach does not assume structure about the network, such as known orbital planes (that could be violated by maneuvering satellites). We empirically demonstrate that our problem formulation matches the performance of state-of-the-art offline methods. Importantly, we demonstrate that our approach is amenable to constrained online learning, exhibiting a trade-off between computational complexity per iteration and convergence to a final strategy.

cs.LG↗

Exploring Multifunctionality in MgO-Based Magnetic Tunnel Junctions with Coexisting Magnetoresistance and Memristive Properties

Magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) and memristors are two key emerging nanotechnologies that attracted significant interest for potential applications at the forefront of the digital revolution, including sensing, data storage, and non-conventional computation. The co-integration of these phenomena into a single multifunctional device is an important step toward harnessing the re-programmability of memristive systems with the high yield and varied functionality of MTJs. This study demonstrates the co-existence of magnetoresistance and memristive properties on MgO-based MTJs. These devices show a magnetoresistance with a linear response as a function of a magnetic field and no hysteresis, which are the requirements for good magnetic field sensors, as well as demonstrating a non-volatile and quasi-analogue memristive behavior as a function of an applied electrical field down to nanosecond pulses. Furthermore, by doping the oxide barrier, the memristive power consumption is lowered by 20% giving the multi-functionality of the devices a promising scalability potential. This study also shows that, memristive switching can be reversibly used to completely suppress and recover the spintronic functionalities. These results can pave the way for a seamless co-integration of memristors and spintronic devices in complex reprogrammable circuits addressing applications such as reprogrammable multifunctional field sensor arrays and neuromorphic computing.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

Deterministic control of the probabilistic phase dynamics in injection-locked spin-torque nano-oscillators

Spin-torque nano-oscillators (STNOs) inherently exhibit thermally driven phase fluctuations that render their dynamics truly stochastic. Here, we demonstrate that, despite this intrinsic randomness, the probability of occupying each phase state can be deterministically and continuously programmed. We experimentally investigate a vortex-based STNO operating under second-harmonic injection-locking, where the oscillator phase settles into two degenerate attractors separated by $π$ and undergoes thermally activated phase jumps. By applying a weak radio-frequency perturbation at the free-running frequency, we tune the phase-jump rates between the two attractors without suppressing the fluctuations, achieving continuous probability control from the unbiased limit to values approaching 0 or 1. The bias phase selects which attractor is favored while the bias amplitude sets the strength of the imbalance, providing two complementary control knobs within a single nanoscale device. A phase-reduced description based on an effective quasipotential quantitatively accounts for the observations. These results establish injection-locked STNOs as programmable stochastic elements and provide a hardware primitive for probabilistic computing, Ising machines, and brain-inspired computing architectures.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

Reconfigurable Multistate MRAM Synapses with Vortex STNO based Neurons for Scalable In-Memory Convolutional Neural Networks

Magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ)-based magnetic random-access memory (MRAM) is a promising platform for neuromorphic and in-memory computing owing to its non-volatility, high endurance, fast switching dynamics and CMOS compatibility. However, conventional spin-transfer torque and spin-orbit torque MRAM implementations for neural networks often suffer from high critical switching currents, large latency, thermal instability and significant read-write overheads. Here, we demonstrate a unified multistate MRAM-spin-torque nano-oscillator (STNO) architecture that integrates synapses and neurons on a single chip for convolutional neural network (CNN) applications. The system employs 1x8 multistate MRAM arrays as programmable synapses coupled with a vortex-based STNO neuron, enabling both individual and collective programming through fieldline-driven write channels. Multiple configurable resistance states are achieved by tuning internal and external magnetic fields together with bias currents, allowing quantized positive and negative synaptic weights for configurable kernel and pooling operations. The proposed architecture is evaluated through simulation on MNIST, SVHN, CIFAR-10, Google Speech Commands (GSC) and RadioML datasets, achieving accuracy of 99.76%, 87.93%, 78.14%, 87.96% and 56.46% respectively. Based on fabricated device dimensions, the complete architecture occupies ~6171.2 μm2 with an average energy consumption of 200.08 pJ per training and inference cycle for MNIST, highlighting its potential for scalable low-power neuromorphic computing

physics.app-ph↗

Non-Volatile Vortex MTJs with Opto-Electrical and Spin-Diode Nonlinearities as Multifunctional Neuromorphic Platforms

The human brain achieves exceptional energy efficiency by co-locating memory and processing, yet reproducing this principle in hardware remains challenging because many neuromorphic devices require standby power, offer limited programmability, or separate state storage from nonlinear computation. Here we demonstrate a multifunctional spintronic platform based on storage-layer-enabled vortex magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) that unifies non-volatile weight storage, optoelectrically driven nonlinear computation, and multilevel readout within a single nanopillar. A thermally programmable FM/AFM storage layer retains analog synaptic weights with zero standby power and enables non-volatile tuning of the vortex gyrotropic resonance over ${\sim}15$~MHz. Under optoelectrical operation, combined laser heating and dc bias drive the junction into the bias-enhanced tunnel magneto-Seebeck (bTMS) regime, where the thermoelectric response exhibits a pronounced cubic nonlinearity providing a compact, hardware-native transfer function for weighted analog computation. The electrical and thermoelectric channels switch at matched coercive fields but with distinct amplitudes, yielding an effective four-level readout space. Crossbar-array simulations parameterized by measured device response maps evaluate two neuromorphic modes -- a bTMS mode (optical input, dc-bias weights) and a spin-diode mode (RF-frequency input, RF-power weights) -- achieving image-classification accuracies of $95.4\%$ and $94.9\%$, comparable to a digital single-layer network with sigmoid activations. Smaller 600~nm devices consistently outperform larger ones, identifying nonlinear-response engineering as a key device-level lever. Because bTMS and spin-diode rectification coexist in the same junction, a combined regime could enable nonlinear multi-input interactions, including quadratic cross-terms, within a single nanoscale element.

physics.app-ph↗

Trainable Neuromorphic Spintronic Hardware Via Analog Finite-Difference Gradient Methods

Spintronic nano-neurons offer a promising route towards energy-efficient, high-performance hardware neural networks thanks to their inherent low-input nonlinear dynamics. However, training such networks remains a major bottleneck as it depends on oversimplified models of device behaviour and is highly sensitive to device variability. Here, we introduce a hardware architecture that overcomes these limitations by enabling on-device generation of gradients. First, we introduce theoretically and demonstrate experimentally that magnetic tunnel junctions can generate tunable and complex nonlinear responses. Building on this, we implement an analogue finite-difference approach to enable on-chip training in spintronic neural networks with one and two hidden layers. We experimentally implemented device in the loop backpropagation in a magnetic tunnel junction based neural network, achieving a classification accuracy of 93.3% despite pronounced device variability. During training, the gradients generated by the proposed analog neurons closely match the values derived numerically, without incurring computational overhead. Via physical simulations, we also demonstrate that this approach can be scaled up to support training in deep architectures. Our results pave the way for reliable, trainable and fully analogue spintronic neural networks, opening up new possibilities for next-generation, energy-efficient artificial intelligence hardware.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

Bio-integrated $μ$Bots with Overtone Ultra-Wideband Magnetoelectric Antennas for Wireless Telemetry

Implantable and wearable devices require antennas that are both miniaturized and efficient, yet conventional designs are constrained by narrow bandwidth and orientation sensitivity. We report overtone ultra-wideband magnetoelectric (OUWB-ME) antennas that exploit higher order acoustic modes in polished silicon substrates to achieve a 22.6 GHz bandwidth in the 3-4 GHz range. Packaged into "$μ$Bots," these magnetoelectric heterostructures bonded with silver nanoparticle inks maintain stable operation under biological loading. In vitro assays confirm the biocompatibility of AlN and the protective role of parylene encapsulation for FeGa. Ex vivo rat and human tissues reshape transmission spectra, identifying reproducible frequency windows near 3.3 and 3.9 GHz. $μ$Bots enable real-time audiovisual telemetry using software-defined radios and exhibit compatibility with 7T MRI. By combining wideband response, robustness to misalignment, and biocompatible packaging, OUWB-ME $μ$Bots provide a scalable platform for wireless bio-integrated communication and telemetry.

physics.app-ph↗

Reconfiguration of a Magnetic Tunnel Junction as a Way to Turn It into a Field-Free Vortex Oscillator

Magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) are key elements in practical spintronics, enabling not only conventional tasks such as data storage, transmission, and processing but also the implementation of compute-in-memory processing elements, facilitating the development of efficient hardware for neuromorphic computing. The functionality of an MTJ is determined by the properties of its free layer (FL) and reference layer (RL) with fixed magnetization, separated by an MgO tunnel barrier. This paper presents a mechanism for reconfiguring the RL, which is the upper layer of a pinned synthetic antiferromagnet, enabling a reversible transition from a single-domain state to a vortex magnetic state with different core positions. When the RL is in the vortex state, it generates a spin current with a vortex-like polarization distribution, enabling stable vortex oscillations in the FL even in the absence of external magnetic fields. This effect has been confirmed in MTJs with diameters ranging from 400 to 1000 nm. It is demonstrated, using experimental data with comparative micromagnetic simulation, that the pinning antiferromagnet retains a long term memory of previous reannealing states resulting in a deformation of the vortex polarised spin current, which in turn introduces a strong dynamical vortex core polarity symmetry breaking. The analogue reprogrammable nature of both the static and dynamic properties of the MTJ demonstrate different possible routes for the introduction of non-volatility into radiofrequency spintronic neuromorphic paradigms.

cond-mat.other↗

Experimental Study of a Vortex Spin-Torque Oscillator in an MTJ with a Vortex Polarizer

Spin-torque nano-oscillators (STNOs) are promising nanoscale microwave sources for spintronic applications, serving as signal generators or elements in neuromorphic computing systems. In this paper, we investigate the experimental realization of an oscillator based on a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) comprising two magnetic layers: a reference layer (RL) and a free layer (FL). We demonstrate that when magnetic vortices with opposite chirality and polarity are formed in the layers, the application of a current induces auto-oscillations even in the absence of external magnetic fields. This effect is observed in devices with diameters ranging from 800 to 1000 nm, exhibiting oscillation frequencies between 110 and 60 MHz. The underlying mechanism is attributed to the action of a spin current with vortex-like polarization injected from the RL, interacting with the magnetic vortex in the FL. This interaction generates a local out-of-plane effective field due to spin-transfer torque, which acts on the vortex core and initiates its motion. The observed mechanism differs qualitatively from the case of uniformly polarized spin currents perpendicular to the plane, where the resulting in-plane field acts on the planar components of the vortex magnetization.

cond-mat.other↗

Hybrid Opto-Electrical Excitation of Spin-Transfer Torque Nano-Oscillators for Advanced Computing

Neuromorphic computing, inspired by the brain's parallel and energy-efficient processing, offers a transformative approach to artificial intelligence. In this study, we fabricated optimized spin-transfer torque nano-oscillators (STNOs) and investigated their dynamic behaviors using a hybrid excitation scheme combining AC laser illumination and DC bias currents. Laser-induced thermal gradients generate pulsed thermoelectric voltages ($V_{\text{AC}}$) via the Tunnel Magneto-Seebeck (TMS) effect, while the addition of bias currents enhances this response, producing both $V_{\text{AC}}$ and a DC component ($V_{\text{DC}}$). Magnetic field sweeps reveal distinct switching between parallel (P) and antiparallel (AP) magnetization states in both voltage components, supporting multistate memory applications. Millivolt-range thermovoltage signals in open-circuit conditions demonstrate CMOS compatibility, enabling simplified, scalable neuromorphic systems. Under biased conditions, enhanced thermovoltage outputs exhibit intriguing phenomena, including spikes correlated with Barkhausen jumps and double-switching behavior, offering insights into magnetization dynamics and vortex transitions. These features resemble neural spiking behavior, suggesting applications in spiking neural networks, reservoir computing, multistate logic, analog computing, and high-resolution sensing. By bridging spintronic phenomena with practical applications, this work provides a versatile platform for next-generation AI technologies and adaptive computing architectures.

physics.optics↗

A Proof of Strong Consistency of Maximum Likelihood Estimator for Independent Non-Identically Distributed Data

We give a general proof of the strong consistency of the Maximum Likelihood Estimator for the case of independent non-identically distributed (i.n.i.d) data, assuming that the density functions of the random variables follow a particular set of assumptions. Our proof is based on the works of Wald~\cite{wald1949note}, Goel~\cite{goel1974note}, and Ferguson~\cite{ferguson2017course}. We use this result to prove the strong consistency of a Maximum Likelihood Estimator for Orbit Determination.

math.ST↗

Probability of Collision of satellites and space debris for short-term encounters: Rederivation and fast-to-compute upper and lower bounds

The proliferation of space debris in LEO has become a major concern for the space industry. With the growing interest in space exploration, the prediction of potential collisions between objects in orbit has become a crucial issue. It is estimated that, in orbit, there are millions of fragments a few millimeters in size and thousands of inoperative satellites and discarded rocket stages. Given the high speeds that these fragments can reach, even fragments a few millimeters in size can cause fractures in a satellite's hull or put a serious crack in the window of a space shuttle. The conventional method proposed by Akella and Alfriend in 2000 remains widely used to estimate the probability of collision in short-term encounters. Given the small period of time, it is assumed that, during the encounter: (1) trajectories are represented by straight lines with constant velocity; (2) there is no velocity uncertainty and the position exhibits a stationary distribution throughout the encounter; and (3) position uncertainties are independent and represented by Gaussian distributions. This study introduces a novel derivation based on first principles that naturally allows for tight and fast upper and lower bounds for the probability of collision. We tested implementations of both probability and bound computations with the original and our formulation on a real CDM dataset used in ESA's Collision Avoidance Challenge. Our approach reduces the calculation of the probability to two one-dimensional integrals and has the potential to significantly reduce the processing time compared to the traditional method, from 80% to nearly real-time.

astro-ph.EP↗

Non-Volatile Analog Control and Reconfiguration of a Vortex Nano-Oscillator Frequency

Magnetic tunnel junctions are nanoscale devices which have recently attracted interested in the context of frequency multiplexed spintronic neural networks, due to their interesting dynamical properties, which are defined during the fabrication process, and depend on the material parameters and geometry. This paper proposes an approach to extending the functionality of a standard magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) by introducing an additional ferromagnet/antiferromagnet (FM/AFM) storage layer (SL) vertically integrated with the standard Vortex MTJ stack into the nanopillar. The magnetostatic field created by this storage layer acts on the free layer and can be used to change its static and dynamic properties. To tune the magnitude and direction of this magnetostatic field, magnetic reconfiguration is carried out through a thermally assisted switching mechanism using a voltage pulse that heats the AFM layer in the SL above the Neel temperature in the presence of an external field. It is experimentally shown that using an MTJ based on a 600 nm diameter nanopillar with a vortex in the free layer, reconfiguration of the SL allows to continuously change the core precession frequency in the 15 MHz range. The reconfigurable analogue storage layer locally affects both the static and dynamic properties of the MTJ free layer, demonstrating vertical 3D integration of additional functionalities into a single MTJ nanopillar.

physics.app-ph↗

Generalizing Trilateration: Approximate Maximum Likelihood Estimator for Initial Orbit Determination in Low-Earth Orbit

With the increase in the number of active satellites and space debris in orbit, the problem of initial orbit determination (IOD) becomes increasingly important, demanding a high accuracy. Over the years, different approaches have been presented such as filtering methods (for example, Extended Kalman Filter), differential algebra or solving Lambert's problem. In this work, we consider a setting of three monostatic radars, where all available measurements are taken approximately at the same instant. This follows a similar setting as trilateration, a state-of-the-art approach, where each radar is able to obtain a single measurement of range and range-rate. Differently, and due to advances in Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) radars, we assume that each location is able to obtain a larger set of range, angle and Doppler shift measurements. Thus, our method can be understood as an extension of trilateration leveraging more recent technology and incorporating additional data. We formulate the problem as a Maximum Likelihood Estimator (MLE), which for some number of observations is asymptotically unbiased and asymptotically efficient. Through numerical experiments, we demonstrate that our method attains the same accuracy as the trilateration method for the same number of measurements and offers an alternative and generalization, returning a more accurate estimation of the satellite's state vector, as the number of available measurements increases.

math.OC↗

Towards Living Software Architecture Diagrams

Software architecture often consists of interconnected components dispersed across source code and other development artifacts, making visualization difficult without costly additional documentation. Although some tools can automatically generate architectural diagrams, these hardly fully reflect the architecture of the system. We propose the value of automatic architecture recovery from multiple software artifacts, combined with the ability to manually adjust recovered models and automate the recovery process. We present a general approach to achieve this and describe a tool that generates architectural diagrams for a software system by analyzing its software artifacts and unifying them into a comprehensive system representation. This representation can be manually modified while ensuring that changes are reintegrated into the diagram when it is regenerated. We argue that adopting a similar approach in other types of documentation tools is possible and can render similar benefits.

cs.SE↗

One-Shot Initial Orbit Determination in Low-Earth Orbit

Due to the importance of satellites for society and the exponential increase in the number of objects in orbit, it is important to accurately determine the state (e.g., position and velocity) of these Resident Space Objects (RSOs) at any time and in a timely manner. State-of-the-art methodologies for initial orbit determination consist of Kalman-type filters that process sequential data over time and return the state and associated uncertainty of the object, as is the case of the Extended Kalman Filter (EKF). However, these methodologies are dependent on a good initial guess for the state vector and usually simplify the physical dynamical model, due to the difficulty of precisely modeling perturbative forces, such as atmospheric drag and solar radiation pressure. Other approaches do not require assumptions about the dynamical system, such as the trilateration method, and require simultaneous measurements, such as three measurements of range and range-rate for the particular case of trilateration. We consider the same setting of simultaneous measurements (one-shot), resorting to time delay and Doppler shift measurements. Based on recent advancements in the problem of moving target localization for sonar multistatic systems, we are able to formulate the problem of initial orbit determination as a Weighted Least Squares. With this approach, we are able to directly obtain the state of the object (position and velocity) and the associated covariance matrix from the Fisher's Information Matrix (FIM). We demonstrate that, for small noise, our estimator is able to attain the Cramér-Rao Lower Bound accuracy, i.e., the accuracy attained by the unbiased estimator with minimum variance. We also numerically demonstrate that our estimator is able to attain better accuracy on the state estimation than the trilateration method and returns a smaller uncertainty associated with the estimation.

eess.SY↗

Unbiased Random Number Generation using Injection-Locked Spin-Torque Nano-Oscillators

Unbiased sources of true randomness are critical for the successful deployment of stochastic unconventional computing schemes and encryption applications in hardware. Leveraging nanoscale thermal magnetization fluctuations provides an efficient and almost cost-free means of generating truly random bitstreams, distinguishing them from predictable pseudo-random sequences. However, existing approaches that aim to achieve randomness often suffer from bias, leading to significant deviations from equal fractions of 0 and 1 in the bitstreams and compromising their inherent unpredictability. This study presents a hardware approach that capitalizes on the intrinsic balance of phase noise in an oscillator injection locked at twice its natural frequency, leveraging the stability of this naturally balanced physical system. We demonstrate the successful generation of unbiased and truly random bitstreams through extensive experimentation. Our numerical simulations exhibit excellent agreement with the experimental results, confirming the robustness and viability of our approach.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗