The area of Application and/or Algorithm-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASIC), or semi-custom chips, is currently the fastest growing segment of the semiconductor industry in the world. However, the U.S. lead is fast eroding and may have already been surpassed by foreign competition. One method of addressing this problem is the establishment of an Industry/University Cooperative Research Center (I/UCRC) on Ultra-High Speed Integrated Circuits and Systems (ICAS) whose focus is the design, implementation, and performance evaluation of ASIC for communications and signal processing systems. A planning grant, NSF CDR-8820908, has shown that such a center is both feasible and viable. This award initiates an I/UCRC on Ultra High Speed ICAS at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) in collaboration with San Diego State University (SDSU). The initial research will provide a unified and coordinated effort in (1) advancing the state-of-the-art in submicron microelectronics, (2) generating novel algorithms and architectures to exploit ultra- fast submicron technology, (3) designing and analyzing advanced communications and signal processing systems based upon ultra high-speed implementation, and (4) developing innovative computer-aided design (CAD) tools and concepts for next- generation dedicated ASIC chips for communications and digital signal processing. Six companies and four federal laboratories will each provide $50,000 per year to support this research. Extensive facilities in materials growth and characterization, device fabrication and computer aided design (CAD) are located at UCSD which is also providing a newly completed engineering building (125,000 square feet) with class 100 clean rooms, an electron beam lithographic system, a double crystal x-ray diffractameter, an Electron Spectroscopy for Chemical Analysis (ESCA) apparatus and a scanning and transmission electron microscope (STEM). The ICAS Center will also make extensive use of the 21-seat Daisy Engineering Workstation facility at SDSU as well as their communications and signal processing laboratory. In addition, the San Diego Computer Center (SDSC), located on the campus of UCSD, will provide access to their CRAY X-MP/48 super computer as well as interactive graphics and visualization facilities. The faculty at both academic institutions is highly qualified to conduct the research using the available facilities. The Program Manager recommends that UCSD (in collaboration with SDSU) be awarded $100,000 a year for a five year continuing grant. An additional $100,000 is provided for the first year's membership of the Naval Research Laboratory (Washington, DC) and of the Naval Ocean Systems Center (San Diego, CA). The latter facility is also providing $25,000 to augment the research in signal processing already ongoing. This award has been coordinated with the Division of Electrical and Communications Systems. The total amount is $225,000 for one year. Near the end of each 12-month period, the Program Manager and/or the Director of the Division of Cross-Disciplinary Research will review the progress of the Center on a number of renewal criteria, including the following: (1) extent to which university-industry interaction and collaboration is developing; (2) extent to which the support base for the center is expanding; (3) extent to which a robust research program is developing; and (4) San Diego State University is required to recruit company memberships to maintain its collaboration status. If review is satisfactory, the Program Manager will recommend support of the next period of this continuing grant.

Agency
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Institute
Division of Industrial Innovation and Partnerships (IIP)
Type
Standard Grant (Standard)
Application #
8916669
Program Officer
Alexander J. Schwarzkopf
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
1989-09-15
Budget End
1996-08-31
Support Year
Fiscal Year
1989
Total Cost
$1,887,046
Indirect Cost
Name
University of California San Diego
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
La Jolla
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
92093