The Integrated Circuits and Electronics (ICE) Laboratory at the Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering develops next-generation integrated circuits and electronic systems for healthcare, industrial sensing, and intelligent computing. Our research combines analog, mixed-signal, RF, and embedded system design to create energy-efficient, high-performance hardware solutions.
ICELab
Contact
Fataneh Farhadinia
Academic Staff
Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering
Research Frontiers
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Brain–Machine Interfaces
Implantable neural recording systems and wearable neuromodulation technologies for neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and epilepsy.
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Closed-Loop Therapeutic Systems
Intelligent platforms integrating sensing, signal processing, drug delivery, and electrical, optical, or ultrasonic stimulation.
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Ultra-Low-Power IC Design
Energy-efficient analog and mixed-signal integrated circuits for battery-powered and implantable devices.
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MEMS and Advanced Sensors
Novel sensing technologies, including MEMS and spintronic sensors, for biomedical and industrial applications.
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Neuromorphic Computing
Brain-inspired computing systems based on CMOS and emerging technologies for next-generation artificial intelligence.
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Sensor Interfaces & Data Conversion
High-precision amplifiers, data converters, and sensor interface circuits for scientific and industrial instrumentation.
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Power Management & Energy Harvesting
Efficient power management solutions and energy harvesting techniques for autonomous electronic systems.
By combining innovative circuit design with intelligent sensor technology and data processing, ICELab develops technologies that enable the healthcare systems of the future, intelligent sensors, and energy-efficient electronics.
Technical expertise
ICELab offers expertise throughout the entire development process for integrated circuits and intelligent electronic systems – from characterisation at component level to system integration and validation.
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Analog, RF, and mixed-signal IC design
Design, simulation, testing, and characterization of high-performance integrated circuits.
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ASIC and FPGA development
Custom digital hardware design, prototyping, and implementation of embedded systems.
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Biomedical Electronics
Custom ICs and electronic systems for neural interfaces, biosignal acquisition, and wearable and implantable medical devices.
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Nanoelectronics and new device technologies
Research in nanoscale devices and new electronic technologies.
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Device Characterization
Electrical measurement, performance evaluation, and reliability testing of semiconductor devices and integrated circuits.
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System integration & validation
Hardware integration, testing and characterization of complete electronic systems, including brain implant platforms.
Facilities
ICELab offers a modern research environment equipped with advanced laboratory instrumentation for electronic design, prototyping, testing, and characterization. Our facilities support research in integrated circuits, biomedical electronics, sensor interfaces, power electronics, and embedded systems, enabling rapid development from concept to validated prototype.
01 RF & High-Frequency Characterization
Facilities for the generation, measurement and analysis of RF and high-frequency signals.
Capabilities
- RF signal generation
- Spectrum and frequency-domain analysis
- Measurement of harmonics and spurious signals
- Characterization of RF circuits
- Noise and modulation analysis
Equipment
- Rohde & Schwarz SMA100B Signal Generator – RF/microwave signal generation with high signal purity, very low phase noise, precise frequency and output-level control, and support for modulation and sweep measurements.
- Rohde & Schwarz FSV Signal and Spectrum Analyzer – RF spectrum and signal analysis, measurement of harmonics and spurious signals, and analysis of occupied bandwidth and modulation.
- Rohde & Schwarz FPL Spectrum Analyzer – Compact RF spectrum analysis with high sensitivity and wide dynamic range, suitable for troubleshooting, harmonic measurements and pre-compliance EMI testing.
- Rohde & Schwarz RTO6 Oscilloscope – High bandwidth, multi-channel time-domain measurements, fast waveform acquisition, and advanced triggering and signal analysis.
02 Signal Generation & Time-Domain Measurement
Flexible generation and analysis of analog, digital, pulse and arbitrary waveforms.
Capabilities
- Arbitrary waveform generation
- Pulse and transient testing
- Characterization of clock and timing signals
- Circuit troubleshooting
- Time-domain signal analysis
Equipment
- Keysight 81160A Pulse/Function/Arbitrary Waveform Generator – generation of pulses, function signals and arbitrary waveforms, precise timing and pulse control, and dual-channel output for transient and mixed-signal testing.
- Keysight 33600A Waveform Generator – generation of arbitrary and standard waveforms with low distortion, with support for modulation, sweep and burst functions.
- Rohde & Schwarz RTO6 Oscilloscope – shared with Bay 01 for high-speed troubleshooting of digital circuits and RF systems.
03 Precision Electrical Characterization
Precise characterization of electronic circuits, components, prototypes and power consumption.
Capabilities
- Voltage and current measurements
- Resistance measurements
- Component characterization
- Automated DC measurements
- Power consumption measurements
Equipment
- Keysight 34465A Digital Multimeter – 6.5-digit precision; measurement of voltage, current, resistance, frequency and temperature; high-speed digitization and data logging.
- UDS 600 Digital Multimeter – precision measurements for general-purpose circuit verification, troubleshooting and laboratory work.
- Rohde & Schwarz HMP4030 Programmable Power Supply – three independent channels, programmable voltage and current limits, series/parallel operation and remote control.
- Keysight E36154A DC Power Supply – programmable high-power DC supply with precise regulation and protection and monitoring functions for automated power testing.
04 Impedance & Low-Frequency Signal Analysis
Detailed characterization of passive components, sensors, circuits and frequency-dependent electrical behavior.
Capabilities
- Complex impedance measurement
- Characterization of capacitance and inductance
- Frequency response measurement
- Low-frequency noise analysis
- FFT and dynamic signal analysis
Equipment
- Keysight E4990A Impedance Analyzer – precision measurement of complex impedance, resistance, capacitance, inductance and loss parameters across a wide frequency range for components, sensors and materials.
- Stanford Research Systems SR780 Dynamic Signal Analyzer – two-channel FFT analysis, measurement of frequency response and transfer functions, and analysis of noise and distortion.
05 PCB Prototyping & Assembly
Our in-house facilities support rapid PCB prototyping, component placement, soldering and assembly of research hardware – enabling a design to go from layout to a populated and tested circuit board without leaving the building.
Capabilities
- Solder paste stencil printing
- SMD component placement
- Fine-pitch component assembly
- Reflow soldering
- Manual soldering and repair
- Prototype and small-batch production
Equipment
- FRITSCH printALL005 Stencil Printer – controlled solder paste application, precise alignment between PCB and stencil, and reproducible results before component placement.
- FRITSCH MP904 Pick-and-Place / Assembly Station – assisted precision placement of SMD components, including fine-pitch components and complex prototypes.
- 275-EU Reflow Oven – controlled reflow soldering with programmable heating profiles for populated prototype PCBs.
- Weller Soldering and Repair Station – temperature-controlled manual soldering, repair and modification of prototypes.