Leibniz Universität Hannover Faculty Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
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Institute of Microelectronic Systems
 
Institute of Microelectronic Systems Research
Research Projects at Chair for Mixed-Signal IC Design

Research projects at Chair for Mixed-Signal IC Design

Analog/Mixed-Signal-Design

  • Integrated Power Converters in Advanced GaN Technology
    This project aims to develop an integrated power converter using advanced GaN technology. Currently, complex power converters with high efficiency are designed for high output power but are impractical at lower power levels due to their complexity and the number of components required. By integrating various GaN transistors onto a single chip, these sophisticated designs could be applied to low power levels, enabling new, high-performance topologies. The project focuses on studying these topologies and, if appropriate, creating a new one for highly efficient, dense, offline power converters under 1kW.
    Led by: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Bernhard Wicht
    Team: Kai-Wen Cheng, M.Sc.
    Year: 2026
    Funding: Industrie
    Duration: 01.01.2026 - 31.12.2028
  • Science Space Microelectronics - Heterogeneous Chiplet-Based Systems in Research and Education
    This research will explore system and circuit concepts for power management of individual chips in a chiplet system, facilitating close collaboration with all involved research groups in the “Science Space Microelectronics” collaboration, namely in digital signal processing, RF ICs, photonics integration, sensor chiplets, nano and quantum sensing.
    Led by: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Bernhard Wicht
    Team: Finn Matalewski, M.Sc.
    Year: 2025
    Funding: Niedersächsisches Ministerium für Wissenschaft und Kultur
    Duration: 01.01.2025 - 31.12.2028
  • Toward Chip-Scale Off-Line Power Supplies in GaN (Top-GaN)
    This research project focuses on leveraging monolithic GaN technology to develop compact, high-efficiency power converters for grid-powered applications such as desktop computers and TVs, specifically targeting the 75-200 W range. By integrating a high-voltage, fast-switching Totem-Pole PFC converter topology with advanced analog/mixed-signal control on a single GaN-IC, the project aims to replace traditional bulky power supplies and achieve operation at switching frequencies beyond 1MHz. The research will explore innovative circuit designs to overcome current GaN technology challenges, such as the lack of p-type devices, and will showcase these advancements in a monolithic GaN-based IC.
    Led by: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Bernhard Wicht
    Team: Niklas Deneke
    Year: 2025
    Funding: DFG Schwerpunktprogramm 2312
    Duration: 01.03.2025 - 29.02.2028
  • Integrated Circuit Design for a High-voltage Class-D amplifier (SmartAmp 2)
    The overall aim of this project is to implement a high-voltage switching converter including integrated current mode control regulation and a 60 V high-voltage bootstrap supply for the high side. The entire system operates in harsh environments with temperatures of up to 175 °C
    Led by: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Bernhard Wicht
    Team: Dietmar Spiger
    Year: 2025
    Funding: Industrie
    Duration: 01.06.2024 - 30.06.2026
  • Integrated Voltage Converters for Processors in Data Centers (IVR)
    This project focuses on the development of an integrated voltage converter that supplies chips in data centers with energy. The design focuses on high power density and efficiency combined with fast transient response. High performance chips in data centers today combine GPU, CPU, memory and IO in one package and require currents of more than 1000 A per chip. Multiphase buck converters are currently used for the power supply close to the load, but they reach their limits due to large magnetic components. In this project, approaches are being developed to enable the integration of an efficient and fast voltage converter into the chip package.
    Led by: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Bernhard Wicht
    Team: Jens Otten
    Year: 2025
    Funding: Industrie
    Duration: 01.01.2025 - 31.12.2027
  • Microelectronic circuits for a scalable system for reading out quantum states (MisS Q)
    In this project, a scalable microelectronic system for reading out quantum states is being researched and developed, which is operated at cryogenic temperatures and can be integrated with quantum materials. Specifically, the system consists of a combination of analog-to-digital converters (ADUs) and a DC-DC converter that can dynamically adjust their power consumption depending on the required resolution and bandwidth. The envisaged system will make it possible to realize multi-qubit systems for quantum computers.
    Led by: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Bernard Wicht; Prof. Dr.-Ing. Pascal Witte
    Team: Jens Otten
    Year: 2025
    Funding: Niedersächsisches Ministerium für Wissenschaft und Kultur, Innovation an Fachhochschulen – Förderlinie 2
    Duration: 01.09.2023 - 31.08.2026
  • Integrated Sensors for Intelligent Large-Size Bearings (ISiG)
    The focus of the collaborative project is the integration of sensors into a large rolling bearing. The electronics to be developed will record forces, temperature, and rotational speed, process and compress the data to reduce energy consumption, and wirelessly transmit it via Bluetooth Low Energy 5.0. An over-the-air update (OTA) feature allows for flexible firmware updates. Power is supplied autonomously by an inductive energy harvester integrated into the bearing. The system will be subjected to load collectives and long-term tests on a test rig to optimize the reliability of the sensors, electronics, and energy harvesting.
    Led by: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Bernhard Wicht, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Max Marian, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Marc Wurz
    Team: Hendrik Siemßen, u.a.
    Year: 2025
    Funding: DFG Schwerpunktprogramm 2305
    Duration: 01.03.2025 - 29.02.2028
  • Integrated Sensor Front End for Acoustic Signal Detection 2
    The goal of this project is the development of an integrated sensor front end for detecting acoustic signals in harsh environments. This includes specialized amplifiers, tunable filters, and analog signal processing for industrial electronics that operate at temperatures up to 175-200 °C. The project encompasses the design of a suitable amplifier, a tunable filter chain, and a logarithmic amplifier with a high dynamic range.
    Led by: Prof. Dr. Ing. Bernhard Wicht
    Team: Hendrik Siemßen
    Year: 2025
    Funding: Industrie
    Duration: 01.03.2025 - 29.02.2027
  • Highly Compact Chip-scale Power Supply
    Goal of this project is the design and implementation of a highly integrated point-of-load step-down DC-DC converter suitable for microcontroller power supply and the capability to supply other voltage rails for I/O and analog applications. To support the mix of digital and analog supply requirements, this project investigates novel designs for DC-DC converters. Key objectives include minimizing passive components and ensuring high efficiency of the voltage conversion.
    Led by: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Bernhard Wicht
    Team: Ferdinand Pieper
    Year: 2024
    Funding: Industry
    Duration: 01.01.2024 - 31.12.2026
  • Gate Driver with Data Transfer and Supply System
    With the introduction of new power semiconductor technologies, the need for powerful and reliable circuit technology is increasing considerably. In addition to the passive components, the drivers, their power supply and system layout are also under the influence of the massively increasing requirements. In order to meet these requirements, excellent driver properties can be achieved by integrating more complex functions into the driver chip while at the same time reducing the number of components.
    Led by: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Bernhard Wicht
    Team: Christoph Hillmer
    Year: 2023
    Funding: Industry
    Duration: 01.10.2023 - 30.09.2026
  • Concepts for integrated capacitive voltage converters with high input voltage
    This research project aims to develop capacitive voltage converters for voltages above 100V and moderate power outputs in the range of several hundred milliwatts, focusing on innovative architectures and high-voltage semiconductor technologies. The project will experiment with a converter system comprising a high-voltage microchip and compact external components, targeting applications like sensor power in automotive and building environments, and integrated power supplies for IoT devices. By evaluating multi-phase approaches and enhancing circuit controls, the project seeks to achieve higher conversion ratios and efficiency, which have not yet been realized in the current state of the art.
    Led by: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Bernhard Wicht
    Team: Tim Kuhlmann
    Year: 2022
    Funding: DFG
    Duration: 01.07.2022 - 31.03.2026
  • kiloWatt range wireless power transfer using resonance with GaN
    The objective of this project is to develop and demonstrate an integrated circuit (IC) for wireless power conversion in the kilowatt range using gallium nitride (GaN) power switches. Resonant wireless converters facilitate the transfer of higher power over greater distances, making them beneficial for applications that require a high level of automation, such as autonomous guided vehicles (AGVs) and advanced medical devices. The primary challenge addressed in this research project is the design complexity associated with resonant wireless power converters.
    Led by: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Bernhard Wicht
    Team: Saurabh Kale
    Year: 2022
    Funding: Industry
    Duration: 01.10.2022 - 30.09.2025
  • Integrated Circuit Design for a High-voltage Class-D amplifier (SmartAmp)
    The overall goal of this project is to implement a high voltage (min. 60 V) and a high frequency class‑D amplifier including integrated current replication circuit and signal generator for harsh environment at temperatures up to 175 °C.
    Led by: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Bernhard Wicht
    Team: Dietmar Spiger
    Year: 2022
    Funding: Industrie
    Duration: 01.06.2021-31.05.2023
  • Investigation of efficient voltage converter topologies for the next generation of microcontrollers
    The increasing use of driver assistance systems through to fully autonomous vehicles requires the integration of a large number of different sensors in the automobile. More and more powerful microcontrollers are required for the evaluation and further processing of the sensor data. The aim of the project is to research and develop a power management system that can be directly integrated into the microcontroller. The focus is on high energy efficiency, compactness and low costs. In addition, solutions for scalability of the system are to be developed that allow easy adaptation to different output power ranges.
    Led by: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Bernard Wicht
    Team: Adrian Gehl
    Year: 2021
    Funding: Industrie
    Duration: 01.04.2020 – 31.03.2023
  • GaN-on-Si
    The GaN-on-Si process technology enables a fully integrated solution for future power electronics, including high efficiency, small size and minimized parasitics. Depending on the level of GaN integration that can be achieved, additional monolithic integration markets become viable. While this offers a significant opportunity for innovation and differentiation, a minimum threshold level of integration is required before this becomes achievable. The aim of this project is to explore the options and limitations for GaN monolithic integration - to gain experience, develop best practice and provide feedback to process development.
    Led by: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Bernhard Wicht
    Team: Maik Kaufmann
    Year: 2020
    Funding: Industrie
    Duration: 01.10.2017 – 31.09.2020
  • Fully integrated and system-optimized electronics solutions for solar modules(Voyager-PV)
    For three decades, the idea of inverters integrated directly into the solar module has been pursued in science and industry. With such AC solar modules, enormous cost and quality advantages are possible. The aim of the project is to create the technological prerequisites for a drastic reduction in the cost of small-scale PV system electronics, while at the same time meeting significantly higher reliability and service life requirements in this segment and the new future requirements with regard to grid suitability, digitization and security.
    Led by: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Bernhard Wicht
    Team: Christoph Hillmer
    Year: 2020
    Funding: BMWi 7. Energieforschungsprogramm „Innovationen für die Energiewende“
    Duration: 01.04.2020 – 31.03.2023
  • Research on reconfigurable, passive microelectronic components for energy efficiency and flexibility (ERMI)
    This research project uses new, reconfigurable passive components for integrated energy-efficient voltage transformers for local power supply (point-of-load). The goal is increased energy efficiency and a phase-adapted circuit design. This is especially important for multi-phase converters that use a large number of parallel inductors to meet the increasing requirements for highly efficient and powerful power supplies for modern microcontrollers and processors in important growth areas such as mobility, industrial, energy and biomedicine.
    Led by: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Bernhard Wicht
    Team: Ferdinand Pieper
    Year: 2019
    Funding: BMBF „Forschung für neue Mikroelektronik“ (ForMikro)
    Duration: 01.10.2019 – 31.09.2023
  • Multi-Energy Harvesting (MEH) - A Flexible Platform for Energy Harvesting in Home Automation
    In this project, a platform concept for intelligent home automation components is developed, which can serve as a basis for next-generation sensors and actors. The main characteristic of this platform concept is ultra-low power consumption and ultra-low voltage operation. In combination with harvested energy from multiple sources (multi-energy harvesting), an extended lifetime and reduced battery cell requirements become possible compared to current systems.
    Led by: Prof. Dr.-Ing. H. Blume, Prof. Dr.-Ing. B. Wicht, apl. Prof. Dr.-Ing. G. Payá Vayá
    Team: M.Sc. Moritz Weißbrich, M.Sc. Lars-Christian Kähler
    Year: 2019
    Funding: BMBF
    Duration: October 2018 - March 2021
  • Switched-Mode Power Supplies with Digital Control
    This project explores the possibilities and advantages of adaptive digital control for automotive switched-mode power supplies. The goals are better control performance with less area and lower cost, less parameter variations, improved transient response.
    Led by: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Bernhard Wicht
    Team: Samuel Quenzer-Hohmuth
    Year: 2018
    Funding: Industrie
    Duration: completed
  • Highly Integrated Current Sensing for High-performance Power Electronics
    Development of circuit and system concepts for highly integrated current sensing with galvanic isolation for drives / motors and DCDC converters in various power classes.
    Led by: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Bernhard Wicht
    Team: Tobias Funk
    Year: 2018
    Funding: Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung / Robert Bosch GmbH
    Duration: completed
  • Highly Integrated ACDC Converters for Direct 230 V Mains Supply of Integrated Circuits
    Research on circuit and system concepts for ACDC converters for direct 230V mains supply of integrated circuits (ICs) and electronics modules containing those ICs with the goal to eliminate the need for bulky external power supplies and to optimize the power efficiency dependent on load conditions.
    Led by: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Bernhard Wicht
    Team: Daniel Lutz
    Year: 2018
    Funding: Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung
    Duration: completed
  • Gate Driver with Digitally Controlled Slope Shaping
    Investigation, modelling and optimization of the switching behavior of various power semiconductors (IGBT, CoolMOS, OPTIMOS, SiC FET). Concept development and circuit design for optimized gate drivers with digitally controlled slope shaping for motor drive, SMPS and PFC applications.
    Led by: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Bernhard Wicht
    Team: Johannes Gröger
    Year: 2018
    Funding: Industry
    Duration: completed
  • Fast switching DCDC converters
    Research on circuit concepts for fast switching integrated DCDC converters with the goal of system cost reduction by eleminating external components
    Led by: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Bernhard Wicht
    Team: Jürgen Wittmann
    Year: 2018
    Funding: Industrie
    Duration: completed
  • Gate Drivers for High-Voltage Devices
    System and circuit concepts for gate driver ICs to control galvanic isolated power transistors, including GaN devices. Targets are improvements in reliability, reduced cost and new functionalities.
    Led by: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Bernhard Wicht
    Team: Achim Seidel
    Year: 2018
    Funding: Öffentlich gefördert und Industriekooperation
    Duration: completed
  • High-voltage converter ICs >300 V for micro power supplies in IoT applications
    Research on circuit and system concepts for DCDC and ACDC converters for the direct connection of an IC or electronic systems built from it to the 230V network with the motivation to save external large-volume power supplies and to set optimal power efficiency depending on the operation. In addition to IoT, applications in the fields of electromobility, industry and energy are addressed.
    Led by: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Bernhard Wicht
    Team: Christoph Rindfleisch
    Year: 2017
  • Hybrid DCDC Converters
    Explore the potential of hybrid integrated DCDC converters, by combining inductive and capacitive DCDC converter schemes, study of theory and state-of-the-art, definition and implementation of an innovative converter concept.
    Led by: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Bernhard Wicht
    Team: Peter Renz
    Year: 2016
    Funding: Industry

Electronic Design Automation

  • KI4BoardNet: DC/DC converter for on-board networks with AI-based control
    The aim of the sub-project is to research DC-DC converters for automotive electrical systems with self-learning algorithms to compensate for fluctuations in passive L-C components. This should make it possible to use significantly more cost-effective components with larger parameter tolerances.
    Led by: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Bernard Wicht
    Team: Joseph Winkler, Dr.-Ing. Markus Olbrich, u.a.
    Year: 2023
    Funding: BMBF
    Duration: 1.12.2022-30.11.2025
  • Formal Verification of Analog AI Hardware (FAI)
    The aim of the project is to research formal methods for the verification of analog neural networks. The focus is on the parameter variations of the analog circuit components.
    Led by: Dr.-Ing. Markus Olbrich
    Team: Thomas Bartelsmeier
    Year: 2022
    Funding: DFG
    Duration: 1.7.2022-30.6.2025
  • New Simulation Methods for Accelerated Mixed-Signal Simulation
    This research project is based on an approach for the automated model generation for accelerated mixed-signal simulation of analog circuit models and the associated simulation methodology for a transient analysis. Studies have shown good results, which make a significant acceleration in the simulation of mixed analog/digital-systems. Up to now, the current approach is limited to piecewise-constant input stimuli. One of the fundamental goals of this project is an extension of the novel simulation methodology that enables additional input signal types.
    Led by: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Erich Barke
    Team: Dipl.-Ing. Sara Divanbeigi
    Year: 2019
    Funding: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG): BA 812/24-1
    Duration: March 2014 - February 2017
  • Formal Abstraction and Verification of Analog Circuits (faveAC)
    In the faveAC project, methods are being developed for the modeling and formal verification of analog circuits.
    Led by: Dr.-Ing. Markus Olbrich
    Team: Malgorzata Rechmal
    Year: 2019
    Funding: DFG
    Duration: März 2017 - Februar 2020
  • ANCONA: Analog Mixed-Level Modeling with Accelerated Mixed-Signal Simulation to Increase Analog Coverage
    The IMS develops method and measures for the analysis of analog verification coverage. The goal is to evaluate and to increase the verification coverage of analog and mixed-signal circuits.
    Led by: Dr.-Ing. Markus Olbrich
    Team: Dipl.-Ing. Lukas Lee
    Year: 2017
    Funding: BMBF
    Duration: Juli 2014 - Juni 2017
  • RESCAR 2.0
    The IMS is subcontractor of the Infineon AG and will develop methods to manage domain-overlapping constraints.
    Led by: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Erich Barke
    Team: M.Sc. Carolin Katzschke
    Year: 2014
    Funding: BMBF
    Duration: February 2011 - April 2014
  • 3D-Floorplanning
    The main goal of this research project is to find appropriate optimization algorithms and datastructures for 3D-Floorplanning. Furthermore, new relevant optimization goals should be identified and analysed.
    Team: M. Sc. Artur Quiring
    Year: 2014
    Duration: completed
  • Reliable Behavioural Modelling
    This project aims at generating behavioural models which include parameter variations of the original circuit. Parameter variations are represented by affine arithmetic.
    Led by: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Erich Barke
    Team: Dipl.-Ing. Anna Krause
    Year: 2014
  • Solving methods for semi-symbolic analog simulation
    Parameters of analog circuits are not exactly known as they are influenced by fabrication, aging or environment temperature. At the Institute of Microelectronic Systems an analog circuit simulator was developed which use affine arithmetic to simulate these parameter deviations. This project aims at increasing the convergence area by using parameter splitting.
    Led by: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Erich Barke
    Team: Dipl.-Ing. Oliver Scharf
    Year: 2014
    Duration: January 2012 - May 2015
  • Parallelization of routing algorithms
    Tools for generating wiring for a given chip have very long runtimes due to the complexity of this problem. The aim of this research project is to accelerate this process by exploiting highly parallel architectures, in particular graphical processing units. To this end, algorithms and data structures are to be found that allow the problem to be efficiently distributed across a large number of computing units.
    Led by: Dr.-Ing. Markus Olbrich
    Team: Dipl.-Math. Björn Bredthauer
    Year: 2014
  • NEEDS
    Highly integrated electronic systems with heterogeneous components enable reduction of resources and cost. To further benefit from the potential of electronic systems, NEEDS has the goal to advance the research in designing a new class of electronic systems, where several dies are stacked above each other (three-dimensional integrated circuits).
    Led by: Dr.-Ing. Markus Olbrich
    Team: M. Sc. Artur Quiring
    Year: 2013
    Funding: The project NEEDS is funded by the Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF).
    Duration: 2010 - 2013
  • ROBUST
    ROBUST researches new methods and procedures for designing robust nanoelectronic systems. The project defines quantitative measures of robustness. These metrics are determined by abstracting models of robustness and by applying new analysis methods suitable for the system level.
    Led by: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Erich Barke
    Team: Dipl.-Ing. Michael Kaergel
    Year: 2009
    Funding: BMBF
    Duration: Mai 2009 - April 2012

Last Change: 27.02.25 Print

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