Located in the basement of the Russ Engineering Center, the Digital Microelectronics Lab allows students to learn not only how to design and build microelectronics, but also how to test and ensure that it is free of malicious software and hardware. provide the space available. (Photo by Erin Pence)
Computer science and engineering students at Wright State University can learn how to design and manufacture circuit boards and other microelectronics in a new lab supported by a $29.75 million contract with the Air Force.
Located in the basement of the Russ Engineering Center, the Digital Microelectronics Lab provides a space where students can get the hands-on training they need to work in the microchip and microelectronics fields.
Students will learn not only how to design and build microelectronics, but also how to test and ensure that circuit boards, microchips, and microelectronics are free of malicious software and hardware and safe to use.
Dr. Fathi Amsaad, Principal Investigator and Assistant Professor of Computer Science, said: For his Assured Digital Microelectronics Education and Training Ecosystem (ADMETE) grant at Wright State University.
The Digital Microelectronics Lab is supported by ADMETE contracts awarded by the US Air Force to Wright State University, University of Akron, Youngstown State University, Ohio University, University of Toledo, and Lorain County Community College.
The ADMETE program, overseen by Wright State University, seeks to develop a pipeline of trained engineering and computer science undergraduates with the skills to design and develop reliable and protected microelectronic devices and systems. .
Students create microelectronic devices using industry standards, acquire the skills needed to recognize and respond to malicious digital hardware threats, and learn how to develop designs that are safe in the manufacturing process. Learn. The emphasis of the program is to train students in the skills of analyzing whether microchips and electronic devices are being manipulated and whether they can only perform the functions for which they were designed.
The Digital Microelectronics Lab features state-of-the-art equipment that allows students to experiment with multi-layer circuit board design and fabrication.
Wright State University and other institutions in the program share curriculum and research, allowing students from participating universities to take courses at other institutions in the program.
The Digital Microelectronics Lab provides a place for undergraduates to conduct cybersecurity research and work on practical projects.
It has state-of-the-art equipment that allows students to experiment with the design and manufacture of multi-layer circuit boards, a key security component. Students can also learn how to reverse engineer off-the-shelf microelectronics to understand their potential for tampering.
“We want them to understand that security is part of the design,” says Amsaad. “It’s important to make sure the chip is trustworthy.”
Amsard with a Ph.D. He holds a PhD in Engineering from the University of Toledo with an emphasis in Computer Science and Engineering. I have a background in hardware security and trust. His research focuses on robust and trusted microelectronics security, enabling authentication and trustworthiness of digital microelectronics systems.
According to Amsaad, components of the ADMETE program include the development of new courses and improvements to existing courses, the introduction of new topics related to computer engineering, computer science, and cybersecurity, allowing students to develop hardware-level helps you understand security.
Wright State University’s Department of Electrical Engineering offers a solid and dependable Digital Microelectronics minor. It is open to students of all majors and has an ADMETE scholarship.
The Digital Microelectronics Lab is already making an impact on students such as computer engineering major Mason McDaniel. McDaniel is a student worker on a team led by Cyber Systems Program Manager He Matt Kijowski. This team set up a lab and developed a process to teach other students to make circuit boards.
Working in the lab has become a hobby for McDaniel. McDaniel also decided to major in reliable and reliable digital his microelectronics.
“I came here in my own time and worked on soldering these boards and trying to get these working,” he said.
Dr. Fathi Amsaad, Assistant Professor of Computer Science and Principal Investigator of the Assured Digital Microelectronics Education and Training Ecosystem (ADMETE) Grant at Wright State University.
Ultimately, the lab will be able to host outreach classes for high school students, professional engineers, and computer scientists who want to learn how to manufacture microelectronics.
“Many engineers and computer scientists I have worked with have many theoretical ideas, but no practical experience, such as building circuit boards. , I think it gives you at least some knowledge of how things are built,” said Billy Kelly, manager of the Digital Microelectronics Lab.
Amsaad already has plans to expand Wright State University’s ADMETE program by developing a large teaching lab at the Russ Engineering Center. He also wants to add more courses in hardware security and cybersecurity.
“We have laid the foundation and now the next step is to put the roof on,” said Amsard. “We are excited to take this to the next level in creating regional agreements. We want to create a wide-ranging impact.
