Current Research Projects

The AT-C³ is designed as the “Austrian Chip Design & Prototyping Support Center”, set up as a consortium by 6 leading organizations of the Austrian semiconductor ecosystem. USP (focus areas): The AT-C³ has designed a comprehensive program to strengthen the European semiconductor industry. It includes expertise for the development of advanced materials, thin film technologies and quantum & photonics applications. Additional national core expertise in Analog Mixed Signal Design, Power Electronics, Advanced Packaging & System Integration und Secure Connectivity & Communications will be ensured by many regional partners. Objectives and innovation content: The main objective of the AT-C³ is to play a leading role in providing expertise in the above mentioned focus areas. It will serve as a "one-stop store" for industry and research in Austria to facilitate access to the European network of chip pilot lines, the design platform, the ENCCC and the Chips Fund. In addition, it is intended to promote innovation and skills in Austrian start-ups, SMEs and large companies along the ESBS value chain and strengthen the international competitiveness of Austrian companies. Over 50% of the funds are to flow into SME/start-up specific measures and programs. Intended results and findings: The AT-C³ plans to build a community of practice for sustainable exchange, roughly 60 expertise projects, more than 70 support measures and an open access to relevant education and training programs primarely for SMEs and start-ups in the focus areas. It is expected that by providing access to pilot lines, design platform and expertise, as well as training and education programs, the gap in qualified professionals will be closed and the development of new technologies and products will be accelerated. In addition, special attention will be paid to the inclusion of gender and diversity aspects as well as the promotion of sustainability and climate neutrality in all AT-C³ activities.

New dual clip sample test fixture for harmonic generation

Harmonic distortion are unwanted electromagnetic disturbances of the electrical system. There are requirements of the EU to minimize these disturbances. Especially for antenna ESD protection devices, and to a lesser extent for other ESD protection applications, this is an important device parameter.

- Development of prototypes
- Measures at circuit board level, taking mechanical aspects into account
- EMC compliance measurements
- Design of analogue circuits (e.g. power management, DC-DC converters, sensor-actuator systems, high-precision amplifiers ...)
- Design of mixed-signal circuits (precision measurement technology, ADC, DAC, ...)
- Design of digital filters, DSP systems, ...
- Application of analogue and digital control technology
- EMC-compliant design and layout
- EMC review of circuit diagrams and layouts
- Scientific evaluation of measurement results

The diploma thesis entitled "An Advanced High Current Stress Test System for Automotive Power Switches" is completed.

The CDL conducts fundamental research in Electromagnetic Compatibility which includes emission, immunity, and ESD to develop robust electronic systems. The main areas of application are automotive power converters, smart power devices, detection and analysis of damaging electrostatic discharge and RF and antenna frontends of mobile devices. The research challenges worked on are the development of physical models and therefrom training of machine learning (ML) models. Other ML models will be constructed from measurements. The ML models will be used for parameter studies, risk analysis, optimization, and model calibration.

The goal of the project is to combine electromagnetic full-wave simulation with high-voltage corona and spark simulation. This multi-physics approach will be verified by sets of experiments that vary critical parameters along the parameter ranges covered by electrostatic discharges and corona discharges along dielectric surfaces with and without metal backing.

The main focus of the work is on the lifetime evaluation of two-dimensional, resonant microelectromechanical mirrors.

This SOW applies to University’s research services on ESD Threat Assessment; Improving methods and simulations for quality testing beyond regulatory requirements; SEED Analysis; and Quantifying and reproducing the rock tumbler as an ESD source.