Ziyi Chen

Title: Ziyi Chen: Inventor of Reconfigurable Analog Circuit Technologies.

Introduction

Ziyi Chen is an inventor associated with Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her work includes reconfigurable field-programmable analog arrays (FPAAs), which aim to make analog circuit design more flexible and support the protection of intellectual property.

Latest Patents

Chen is associated with two patents. One describes a reconfigurable array for analog applications built around a 6×6 matrix of configurable analog blocks. Its programmable blocks can support differential and single-ended circuit configurations, while a switch-less network connects the blocks to help address bandwidth limitations. The design includes 498 programming switches and 14 global switch-less interconnects, and occupies 0.1 mm² in a 65 nm CMOS process.

Another patent describes an FPAA approach for protecting analog and mixed-signal circuit intellectual property. It uses an obfuscation technique intended to mask circuit topology in both differential-mode and single-ended-mode designs.

Career Highlights

Chen’s reported patent work focuses on configurable analog hardware and methods for implementing and protecting analog circuits. The described FPAA fabric combines programmable circuit blocks with routing strategies intended to balance flexibility and operating speed.

Collaborations

Chen’s work is associated with Drexel University. Her reported coworker is Ioannis Savidis.

Conclusion

Ziyi Chen’s inventions address reconfigurable analog circuit design and intellectual-property protection, with a reported portfolio of 2 patents.