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Soumyajit Mandal

Publications and source records attributed to Soumyajit Mandal.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

AutoSizer: Automatic Sizing of Analog and Mixed-Signal Circuits via Large Language Model (LLM) Agents

The design of Analog and Mixed-Signal (AMS) integrated circuits remains heavily reliant on expert knowledge, with transistor sizing a major bottleneck due to nonlinear behavior, high-dimensional design spaces, and strict performance constraints. Existing Electronic Design Automation (EDA) methods typically frame sizing as static black-box optimization, resulting in inefficient and less robust solutions. Although Large Language Models (LLMs) exhibit strong reasoning abilities, they are not suited for precise numerical optimization in AMS sizing. To address this gap, we propose AutoSizer, a reflective LLM-driven meta-optimization framework that unifies circuit understanding, adaptive search-space construction, and optimization orchestration in a closed loop. It employs a two-loop optimization framework, with an inner loop for circuit sizing and an outer loop that analyzes optimization dynamics and constraints to iteratively refine the search space from simulation feedback. We further introduce AMS-SizingBench, an open benchmark comprising 24 diverse AMS circuits in SKY130 CMOS technology, designed to evaluate adaptive optimization policies under realistic simulator-based constraints. AutoSizer experimentally achieves higher solution quality, faster convergence, and higher success rate across varying circuit difficulties, outperforming both traditional optimization methods and existing LLM-based agents.

cs.AI↗

Evaluation of a Full Field Fluorescence Imager with Synchrotron Radiation

The design and evaluation on the NSLS-II beamline of the 3FI application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) bump-bonded to a simply, planar, two-dimensionally segmented silicon sensor is presented. The ASIC was developed for Full-Field Fluorescence spectral X-ray Imaging (3FI). It is a small-scale prototype that features a square array of 32x32 pixels with a pitch of 100 μm. The ASIC was implemented in a 65 nm CMOS process. Each pixel incorporates a charge-sensitive amplifier, shaping filter, discriminator, peak detector, and sample-and-hold circuit, allowing detection of events and storing signal amplitudes. The system operates in an event-driven readout mode, outputting analog values for threshold-triggered events, allowing high-speed multi-element X-ray fluorescence imaging. At power consumption of 200 μW per pixel, consisting almost uniquely of power dissipated in analog blocks, 308 eV full width at half maximum (FWHM) energy resolution at 8.04 keV, that corresponds to 30 e- rms equivalent noise charge (ENC) and 138 eV FWHM energy resolution at 3.69 keV (16 e- rms ENC) were obtained, for Cu and Ca Kα lines, respectively. Each pixel operates independently, and the detector enables in situ trace element microanalysis in biological and environmental research. Its architecture addresses limitations of X-ray Fluorescence Microscopy (XFM), typically requiring mechanical scanning, by offering frame-lees data acquisition, translating to high-throughput operation. The 3FI ASIC is suitable for example for studies of nutrient cycling in the (mycor)rhizosphere, microbial redox processes, and genotype-phenotype correlations in bio-energy crops. Additional performances, such as enhanced spatial resolution can be further improved with coded-aperture and Wolt, extending the use to environmental, biomedical, and material science studies.

physics.ins-det↗

General Framework for Array Noise Analysis and Noise Performance of a Two-Element Interferometer With a Mutual-Coupling Canceler

This article investigates the noise performance of a two-element phased array and interferometer containing a recently introduced self-interference canceler, which in the context of this work acts as a mutual-coupling canceler. To this end, a general framework is proposed to permit noise analysis of this network and a large variety of other networks. The framework-based numerical analysis for a two-element-phased array shows that the addition of the canceler significantly increases the beam-equivalent noise temperature. For a two-element interferometer used in cosmology, this increase in noise temperature is still acceptable as the sky noise temperature in the 20-to-200 MHz band is high. When used in an interferometer, the canceler provides the ability to null mutual coherence at the interferometer output. The ability to provide matching to reduce the sensitivity of the null in mutual coherence to the phase of the 90deg hybrids in the canceler is discussed.

eess.SP↗

Non-linear vortex dynamics in the mixed state of superconducting a-MoGe and NbN thin films using low-frequency two-coil mutual inductance technique

We use a two-coil mutual inductance technique to investigate the non-linear response of the vortex lattice of two type-II superconducting thin films, namely a very weakly pinned amorphous Molybdenum Germanium (a-MoGe) and a moderate-to-strongly pinned Niobium Nitride (NbN). We observe a strong dependence of the magnetic shielding response of the superconductors on the ac excitation amplitude in the primary coil of the two-coil setup. The sample response is studied through the evolution of the radial profile of the induced current density with increasing drive amplitude, which gets significantly modified by the effect of flux creep. We develop a computation scheme where we iteratively combine the coupled Maxwell-London equations for the geometry of the two coils and the sample involved, with a model developed by Coffey and Clem, to analyze the non-linear ac response. The central result of this analysis is that the effect of flux creep gives rise to a strong nonlinearity in the electrodynamic response in the vortex state of the superconducting thin films, that extends down to very low amplitudes of ac excitation. Our results also show that at subcritical low frequency ac drives, the vortex viscosity is exponentially larger than the Bardeen-Stephen estimate. We present a simple scheme to obtain the intrinsic value of the pinning force constant, which otherwise gets affected due to flux creep even at very low ac drives and point out some outstanding issues that need to be addressed in future theoretical and experimental studies.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

An Integer-N Frequency Synthesizer for Flexible On-Chip Clock Generation

A low-power integer-N frequency synthesizer for flexible on-chip clock generation has been designed in 65 nm CMOS technology. The circuit can be programmed to generate two independent low-jitter clocks between 30 MHz and 3 GHz that are locked a 10-50 MHz reference input. The design uses a phase-locked loop (PLL) with a dual-tuned LC voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO), programmable feedback divider, and dual output dividers. The total power consumption from 1.2 V and 0.8 V supplies is 4.0 mW. Experimental results confirm the functionality of the proposed synthesizer over a wide range of output frequencies.

eess.SP↗

Automated and Holistic Co-design of Neural Networks and ASICs for Enabling In-Pixel Intelligence

Extreme edge-AI systems, such as those in readout ASICs for radiation detection, must operate under stringent hardware constraints such as micron-level dimensions, sub-milliwatt power, and nanosecond-scale speed while providing clear accuracy advantages over traditional architectures. Finding ideal solutions means identifying optimal AI and ASIC design choices from a design space that has explosively expanded during the merger of these domains, creating non-trivial couplings which together act upon a small set of solutions as constraints tighten. It is impractical, if not impossible, to manually determine ideal choices among possibilities that easily exceed billions even in small-size problems. Existing methods to bridge this gap have leveraged theoretical understanding of hardware to f architecture search. However, the assumptions made in computing such theoretical metrics are too idealized to provide sufficient guidance during the difficult search for a practical implementation. Meanwhile, theoretical estimates for many other crucial metrics (like delay) do not even exist and are similarly variable, dependent on parameters of the process design kit (PDK). To address these challenges, we present a study that employs intelligent search using multi-objective Bayesian optimization, integrating both neural network search and ASIC synthesis in the loop. This approach provides reliable feedback on the collective impact of all cross-domain design choices. We showcase the effectiveness of our approach by finding several Pareto-optimal design choices for effective and efficient neural networks that perform real-time feature extraction from input pulses within the individual pixels of a readout ASIC.

cs.LG↗

Towards a Low-SWaP 1024-beam Digital Array: A 32-beam Sub-system at 5.8 GHz

Millimeter wave communications require multibeam beamforming in order to utilize wireless channels that suffer from obstructions, path loss, and multi-path effects. Digital multibeam beamforming has maximum degrees of freedom compared to analog phased arrays. However, circuit complexity and power consumption are important constraints for digital multibeam systems. A low-complexity digital computing architecture is proposed for a multiplication-free 32-point linear transform that approximates multiple simultaneous RF beams similar to a discrete Fourier transform (DFT). Arithmetic complexity due to multiplication is reduced from the FFT complexity of $\mathcal{O}(N\: \log N)$ for DFT realizations, down to zero, thus yielding a 46% and 55% reduction in chip area and dynamic power consumption, respectively, for the $N=32$ case considered. The paper describes the proposed 32-point DFT approximation targeting a 1024-beams using a 2D array, and shows the multiplierless approximation and its mapping to a 32-beam sub-system consisting of 5.8 GHz antennas that can be used for generating 1024 digital beams without multiplications. Real-time beam computation is achieved using a Xilinx FPGA at 120 MHz bandwidth per beam. Theoretical beam performance is compared with measured RF patterns from both a fixed-point FFT as well as the proposed multiplier-free algorithm and are in good agreement.

eess.SP↗

Fusion Intelligence: Confluence of Natural and Artificial Intelligence for Enhanced Problem-Solving Efficiency

This paper introduces Fusion Intelligence (FI), a bio-inspired intelligent system, where the innate sensing, intelligence and unique actuation abilities of biological organisms such as bees and ants are integrated with the computational power of Artificial Intelligence (AI). This interdisciplinary field seeks to create systems that are not only smart but also adaptive and responsive in ways that mimic the nature. As FI evolves, it holds the promise of revolutionizing the way we approach complex problems, leveraging the best of both biological and digital worlds to create solutions that are more effective, sustainable, and harmonious with the environment. We demonstrate FI's potential to enhance agricultural IoT system performance through a simulated case study on improving insect pollination efficacy (entomophily).

cs.AI↗

Low frequency electrodynamics in the mixed state of superconducting NbN and a-MoGe films using two-coil mutual inductance technique

We investigate the low-frequency electrodynamics in the vortex state of two type-II superconducting films, namely, a moderate-to-strongly pinned Niobium Nitride (NbN) and a very weakly pinned amorphous Molybdenum Germanium (a-MoGe). We employ a two-coil mutual inductance technique to extract the complex penetration depth, $\tildeλ$. The sample response is studied through the temperature variation of $\tildeλ$ in the mixed state, where we employ a model developed by Coffey and Clem (CC model) to extract the different vortex lattice (VL) parameters such as the restoring pinning force constant (Labusch parameter), VL drag coefficient and pinning potential barrier. We observe that a consistent description of the inductive and dissipative part of the response is only possible when we take the viscous drag on the vortices to be several orders of magnitudes larger than viscous drag estimated from the Bardeen-Stephen model.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Superconductivity in $\textit{a}$-MoGe thin films: effect of phase fluctuations with decreasing thickness and study of vortex dynamics in presence of low-frequency ac excitation

In this thesis, we have studied the evolution of superconductivity in amorphous Molybdenum Germanium ($\textit{a}$-MoGe) thin films. The work can be broken down into two parts. In the first part, we investigate the effect of decreasing thickness on the suppression of superconductivity in $\textit{a}$-MoGe thin films. Thick $\textit{a}$-MoGe thin film is a typical type-II superconductor and follows the conventional Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer (BCS) equation. Conventionally, it is believed that decreasing thickness will decrease the effective attractive pairing interaction because of the gradual loss of screening which holds true for large thicknesses in $\textit{a}$-MoGe. But for lower thicknesses, a new mechanism comes into the picture where superfluid density is suppressed making the superconductor vulnerable to phase fluctuations. This is known as the Bosonic mechanism, where superconductivity is destroyed due to the loss of phase coherence of the superconducting state even though the attractive pairing amplitude remains finite above the transition temperature. In the second part, we explore the electromagnetic response of vortices in $\textit{a}$-MoGe thin film by low-frequency two-coil mutual inductance technique. Penetration depth measured from the two-coil technique was earlier used to determine superfluid density. However in the present work, by analyzing the in-field penetration depth data with the help of a mean-field model proposed by Coffey and Clem, we have demonstrated a procedure of extraction of vortex parameters such as pinning restoring force constant or Labusch parameter, vortex lattice drag coefficient and pinning potential barrier for the thermally activated motion of vortices. The temperature variation of vortex parameters suggests the dominant effect of thermal fluctuations.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Radars for Autonomous Driving: A Review of Deep Learning Methods and Challenges

Radar is a key component of the suite of perception sensors used for safe and reliable navigation of autonomous vehicles. Its unique capabilities include high-resolution velocity imaging, detection of agents in occlusion and over long ranges, and robust performance in adverse weather conditions. However, the usage of radar data presents some challenges: it is characterized by low resolution, sparsity, clutter, high uncertainty, and lack of good datasets. These challenges have limited radar deep learning research. As a result, current radar models are often influenced by lidar and vision models, which are focused on optical features that are relatively weak in radar data, thus resulting in under-utilization of radar's capabilities and diminishing its contribution to autonomous perception. This review seeks to encourage further deep learning research on autonomous radar data by 1) identifying key research themes, and 2) offering a comprehensive overview of current opportunities and challenges in the field. Topics covered include early and late fusion, occupancy flow estimation, uncertainty modeling, and multipath detection. The paper also discusses radar fundamentals and data representation, presents a curated list of recent radar datasets, and reviews state-of-the-art lidar and vision models relevant for radar research. For a summary of the paper and more results, visit the website: autonomous-radars.github.io.

cs.CV↗

Study of vortex dynamics in an a-MoGe thin film using low-frequency two-coil mutual inductance measurements

We extract the vortex lattice parameters using low-frequency two-coil mutual inductance measurements in a 20-nm-thick superconducting a-MoGe thin film. We fit the temperature dependence of ac penetration depth in the mixed state using a model developed by Coffey and Clem and demonstrate a procedure for extracting vortex lattice parameters such as pinning constant, vortex lattice drag coefficient, and pinning potential barrier. We show that the extracted parameters follow the magnetic field variation expected for a weakly pinned 2-dimensional vortex lattice.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

A Low-Power 1 Gb/s Line Driver with Configurable Pre-Emphasis for Lossy Transmission Lines

A line driver with configurable pre-emphasis is implemented in a 65 nm CMOS process. The driver utilizes a three-tap feed-forward equalization (FFE) architecture. The relative delays between the taps are selectable in increments of 1/16th of the unit interval (UI) via an 8-stage delay-locked loop (DLL) and digital interpolator. It is also possible to control the output amplitude and source impedance for each tap via a programmable array of eight source-series terminated (SST) drivers. The entire design consumes 9 mW from a 1.2 V supply at 1 Gb/s.

cs.AR↗

A Cryogenically-Cooled High-Sensitivity Nuclear Quadrupole Resonance Spectrometer

The paper describes a radio frequency (RF) spectrometer for 14N nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) spectroscopy that uses a detector coil cooled to 77 K to maximize measurement sensitivity. The design uses a minimally-intrusive network of active duplexers and mechanical contact switches to realize a digitally reconfigurable series/parallel coil tuning network that allows transmit- and receive-mode performance to be independently optimized. The design is battery-powered and includes a mixed-signal embedded system to monitor and control secondary processes, thus enabling autonomous operation. Tests on an acetaminophen sample show that cooling both the detector and sample increases the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) per scan by a factor of approximately 88 (in power units), in good agreement with theoretical predictions.

physics.ins-det↗

Smart sensors using artificial intelligence for on-detector electronics and ASICs

Cutting edge detectors push sensing technology by further improving spatial and temporal resolution, increasing detector area and volume, and generally reducing backgrounds and noise. This has led to a explosion of more and more data being generated in next-generation experiments. Therefore, the need for near-sensor, at the data source, processing with more powerful algorithms is becoming increasingly important to more efficiently capture the right experimental data, reduce downstream system complexity, and enable faster and lower-power feedback loops. In this paper, we discuss the motivations and potential applications for on-detector AI. Furthermore, the unique requirements of particle physics can uniquely drive the development of novel AI hardware and design tools. We describe existing modern work for particle physics in this area. Finally, we outline a number of areas of opportunity where we can advance machine learning techniques, codesign workflows, and future microelectronics technologies which will accelerate design, performance, and implementations for next generation experiments.

physics.ins-det↗

A CMOS SoC for Wireless Ultrasonic Power/Data Transfer and SHM Measurements on Structures

This paper describes a highly-integrated CMOS system-on-chip (SoC) for active structural health monitoring (SHM). The chip integrates ultrasonic power and bidirectional half-duplex data transfer, a power management unit (PMU), and an ultrasound transceiver to enable wireless ultrasonically-coupled sensor SHM networks on structures. The PMU includes an active bias-flip rectifier with off-delay compensation, high-efficiency dual-path DC-DC converter with inductor time-sharing, and five switched-capacitor DC-DC converters to generate multi-level spectrally band-limited pulses for guided-wave SHM. The chip was fabricated in a standard 180 nm process and has a die area of $2\times 2$ mm$^{2}$. Test results show power conversion efficiency (PCE) $>85\%$ for the active rectifier, $>70$\% for the inductive DC-DC converter, and $>60$\% for the switched-capacitor DC-DC converters. Output pulses have a peak-to-sidelobe ratio (PSL) $>30$~dB and worst-case out-of-band emissions $<-30$~dB, respectively. The SoC was integrated with a low-power microcontroller and passive components to realize miniaturized (15~mm $\times$ 30~mm) wireless SHM nodes. A set of nodes was deployed on an SHM test-bed (carbon fiber reinforced polymer sheet) representing an airframe panel. Tests on this wireless network confirm both long-range ultrasound power/data transfer and the ability to detect structural damage.

eess.SP↗

High-Sensitivity Electric Potential Sensors for Non-Contact Monitoring of Physiological Signals

The paper describes highly-sensitive passive electric potential sensors (EPS) for non-contact detection of multiple biophysical signals, including electrocardiogram (ECG), respiration cycle (RC), and electroencephalogram (EEG). The proposed EPS uses an optimized transimpedance amplifier (TIA), a single guarded sensing electrode, and an adaptive cancellation loop (ACL) to maximize sensitivity (DC transimpedance $=150$~G$Ω$) in the presence of power line interference (PLI) and motion artifacts. Tests were performed on healthy adult volunteers in noisy and unshielded indoor environments. Useful sensing ranges for ECG, RC, and EEG measurements, as validated against reference contact sensors, were observed to be approximately 50~cm, 100~cm, and 5~cm, respectively. ECG and RC signals were also successfully measured through wooden tables for subjects in sleep-like postures. The EPS were integrated with a wireless microcontroller to realize wireless sensor nodes capable of streaming acquired data to a remote base station in real-time.

eess.SP↗

Evidence of quantum vortex fluid in the mixed state of a very weakly pinned a-MoGe thin film

Quantum fluids refer to a class of systems that remain in fluid state down to absolute zero temperature. In this letter, using a combination of magnetotransport and scanning tunneling spectroscopy down to 300 mK, we show that vortices in a very weakly pinned a-MoGe thin film can form a quantum vortex fluid. Under the application of a magnetic field perpendicular to the plane of the film, the vortex state transforms from a vortex solid to a hexatic vortex fluid and eventually to an isotropic vortex liquid. The fact that the two latter states remain fluid down to absolute zero temperature is evidenced from the electrical resistance which saturates to a finite value at low temperatures. Furthermore, scanning tunneling spectroscopy measurements reveal a soft gap at the center of each vortex, which arises from large zero point fluctuation of vortices.

cond-mat.supr-con↗