Thrust Area Whitepaper: Next-Generation Electronics

Introduction

Next-generation electronics will pioneer the development of future transformative technologies. In addition to the nation’s focus on microelectronics, green energy, robotics, automation, and information gathering for AI/VR applications, geopolitical changes are placing an even greater emphasis on rapid technological advances. The area of electronics is pivotal to advancing societal progress and ensuring our global competitiveness and national security. The College of Engineering and Computing is committed to leading in the areas of microelectronics, advanced wireless communication systems, RF electronics, and 5G, 6G and THz systems for important applications including high-performance computing, AI, big data, communications at ultra-high speeds, environmental sensing, green energy, infrastructure health monitoring, robotics, medical devices, and healthcare solutions. Notably, electronics are critical for both commercial and military technologies. Specifically, 5G and 6G wireless systems have been identified by NSF and DoD as critical technology areas for harnessing the data revolution. This thrust of our strategic plan aims to position the college at the forefront of research and education in next-generation electronics, focusing on transformative technologies, cross-disciplinary applications, and robust industry and government collaborations.

Objectives

The main objectives for the Next-Generation Electronics thrust are:
1. Pioneer the Development of Future Electronic Systems: Enhance the performance and efficiency of microelectronics, chips, and RF integrated circuits to support advanced applications in commercial and military sectors.
2. Enable Game-Changing Applications: Develop new electronics technologies (including chips, RF circuits, antennas, THz devices) for critical areas such as computing, big data analytics, AI, terrestrial and mobile communications, space, airborne and military applications, and medical systems.
3. Enhance Interdisciplinary Research: Develop collaborations and integrate expertise across different engineering disciplines to enable convergence research, solve complex problems, and enhance quality of life. These may include green energy, environmental resilience, remote patient health, monitoring of our infrastructure, enabling food security, and ensuring safe and reliable transportation of goods.
4. Strengthen Industry and Government Collaborations: Forge strong partnerships with industry and government organizations to ensure that research and curriculum are aligned with current and future industry and government needs.
5. Educate Future Leaders: Equip students with state-of-the-art knowledge and practical skills in next-generation electronics through advanced coursework and hands-on research experiences.

Strategic Actions

Pioneer the Development of Future Electronic Systems
•The college will focus on research for the development of cutting-edge computing power, robust wireless systems for 5G/6G technologies and advanced medical devices, ensuring superior performance and integration of broadband communications and IoT applications.
R&D will also focus on THz systems, exploring their potential in high-speed wireless communications and imaging applications crucial for healthcare and security applications. These technologies are expected to be the backbone of future information channels and must ensure secure data transfers across every platform (health, government, commerce, and smart cities). In short, these technologies will be integral to our daily lives and essential for the success of the future workforce.
Enable Game-Changing Applications
•Revolutionize technologies related to the CHIPS Act and the State of Florida’s investments in semiconductor manufacturing.
•Pioneer the development of gaming-changing technologies for wireless communications (including RF circuits, antennas, and THz devices), chips, computing, environmental sensing, radars, weather monitoring, integrated power conversion, power delivery and power management, imaging, and medical applications to address important national and global challenges by providing ultra-high speed data transfers and ultra-high-resolution sensing and enabling:
− delivery of next generation and telepresence services with unparalleled quality and real-time response, such as big-data and AI solutions, telemedicine and remote-controlled robotics
− high-performance computing with next generation chiplets
− environmental sensing at on a global scale to better sustain life on Earth while monitoring its valuable resources
− Expanding our window on the cosmos with observations across every spectrum in with unparalleled resolution
− evermore accurate medical imaging
− highly precise real-time infrastructure monitoring
− future manufacturing environments with ultra-high speed and low-latency machine communications connecting vast networks of terminals and sensors.
− robust power modules for automotive and smart grid applications
• Enable FutureG applications, such as 5G/6G communications, remote sensing, reconnaissance, imaging, autonomous vehicles, advanced sensors and Internet of Things, which will deliver unprecedented performance.
• Develop groundbreaking technologies that are critical for safeguarding national security and DoD mission critical capabilities.
• Pioneer transformative FutureG wireless technologies from mm-Waves to THz through fundamental discoveries that will enable next-generation commercial and military applications.
• Enable paradigm-shifting capabilities to DoD systems, including, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), drones, ground vehicles, airborne and space platforms, deployable apertures, expandable reconfigurable surfaces, radars, imaging systems, battlefield internet of things (IoT), robotics, and small satellites (CubeSats and NanoSats). Develop advanced electronic systems for military applications, improving surveillance, reconnaissance, and communication.
• Innovate medical and wearable electronics to enhance diagnostic and therapeutic technologies, providing solutions for health monitoring and advanced medical devices.
• Harness big data analytics and artificial intelligence to improve the functionality and application scope of electronic systems.
• Enable green energy, environmental resilience, infrastructure monitoring, food security.
• Enhance development of smart cities and ensure safe transportation of goods.
Foster Interdisciplinary Research and Collaboration
• Create collaborative platforms that bring together experts from electronics, wireless communications, antennas, RF, THz, computer science, materials science, and electrical, civil, environmental, and biomedical engineering to innovate integrated solutions.
• Establish partnerships with industry and governmental agencies to align research goals with national and global technological priorities to fulfill commercial and military needs.
Educate and Prepare Future Leaders
• Enhance the curriculum to include specialized modules on next-generation technologies such as advanced wireless communications, AI-integrated systems, and THz.
• Train students on (a) state-of-the-art simulation design tools, (b) cutting-edge wireless instrumentation, (c) advanced characterization and prototyping machines, and (d) AI and machine learning toolsets based on new and upcoming data transfer platforms.
• Enhance laboratory facilities and simulation platforms to reflect real-world challenges, allowing students to engage in hands-on learning and problem-solving.
• Facilitate internships and co-op opportunities with industry and government partners to provide practical experiences and career exposure.
• Train the next-generation of engineers/scientists for FutureG technologies.
•  Develop a strong and diverse workforce to fulfill commercial and DoD needs.
• Grow the next-generation of wireless and RF instrumentalists, satisfying a critical need identified by the National Science Foundation and the DoD.
• Offer hands-on training on module design, layout, substrate fabrication, assembly and characterization

CEC’s Pioneering Strengths

The College of Engineering and Computing has leading expertise in the following areas at the forefront of electronics research:
•Microelectronics
•Big Data Computing and AI
•RF circuits and communication systems
•5G/6G electronics, beamformers and antennas for wireless systems
•Imaging systems for security and healthcare applications
•Electronics and wireless systems for medical devices and applications
•THz devices
•Airborne and space communication and sensing systems
•Wireless charging electronics for EVs, sensors and portable devices

The College of Engineering and Computing has the following leading labs and centers related to electronics:

• The Transforming Antennas Center

• RF Communications, Millimeter-Waves, and Terahertz Lab

• Advanced Materials Engineering Research Institute (AMERI)

• NASA CRE2DO Center

• Advanced Packaging and System Integration Lab

Conclusion

Next-Generation Electronics is a cornerstone of the strategic research plan for the College of Engineering. By focusing on cutting-edge technologies, interdisciplinary collaboration, and comprehensive education, this thrust will enhance the college’s research capabilities, develop game-changing solutions, and ensure that our graduates are well-prepared for the future workforce that will be data-driven, mostly wireless and digital-based across industries. This thrust significantly impacts and supports the four research pillars of the college’s strategic plan (i.e., health, resilient infrastructure, automation and robotics, and advanced manufacturing) as shown in the figure below. Through strategic focus on electronics, the college aims to drive significant advancements in technology and society, maintaining its leadership in engineering education and research, and enabling the future workforce for the region and the nation.