Research Lines
L1: Communication Equipment and Systems
SL1.1: Photonic Sensors and Laser Remote Sensing
T1: Development of electronic systems for plasmonic biosensors
Surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy. Development of electronic systems and electromechanical designs in compact clinical analysis devices (POC). Complete integration into analytical platforms, including micro/nanofluidics, lasers, optical subsystems and interfaces, biocompatible encapsulation, hardware, and software. Biosensors have countless applications in modern society, ranging from the pharmaceutical industry, the food sector, environmental control, national security, and especially in the clinical diagnosis sector, the latter being the area of ??greatest socio-economic impact. The aim of this line of work is to develop bioanalytical applications in clinical, environmental, and molecular biology.
T2: Development of measurement and detection systems using lasers
Development of high-frequency pulsed laser control electronic systems and high-sensitivity optoelectronic sensors that allow generating digital maps from aircraft (helicopters and airplanes). The work is multidisciplinary, including the design of complex electronic systems, high-energy photonic devices, non-standard optical configurations, and software development that processes, filters, and classifies the point cloud generated by the system in real-time. LIDAR-based systems (Light Detection and Ranging or Laser Imaging Detection and Ranging) have various applications in Geospatial Technology, such as road projects and inspection, power lines, railways, pipelines, etc. High point densities allow obtaining information from the ground where photogrammetric methods do not reach, such as under dense vegetation cover. Research activity focuses on high-speed electronic design for using two-dimensional sensors in laser remote sensing (Flash-LiDAR).
SL1.2: IoT and M2M Networks
T1: Development of IoT devices Ad-hoc solutions in electronic design for IoT devices
New embedded software development techniques. Operating systems on IoT nodes. Advanced rapid prototyping techniques. Designs focused on manufacturability, certification, and homologation. CAD/CAM design of electronic products. More and more everyday items, such as appliances, vehicles, lights, etc., are now connected to the internet, giving rise to what is known as the Internet of Things (IoT). In this field, applied research projects are addressed in sports science (wearables).
T2: Development of wireless sensor networks
Sensor networks are an emerging technology with great application fields that will generate many application and development opportunities in IoT. This variety of interconnected sensors uses different wireless standards to establish connections such as Bluetooth, ANT+, NFC, RFID, Wi-Fi, ZigBee, SIGFOX, and LoRa, among others. The development of these systems involves combining processing technologies, wireless communications, and energy management in the IoT ecosystem.
L2: Integrated Systems Design
SL2.1: Integrated Systems for Multimedia
T1: SoC Design for Multimedia
Design of Intellectual Property (IP) modules and System on Chip (SoCs) for multimedia applications, especially in video compression according to H.264 and SVC (Scalable Video Coding) standards. In this activity, the use of hardware reconfigurability (both dynamic and static) for the implementation of high-performance multimedia systems will be particularly relevant. Hardware reconfigurability will be used as a means to improve the flexibility of multimedia systems while maintaining real-time execution or easily adapting to the application environment.
T2: Improvement of video and images through super-resolution algorithms
This activity involves the development of algorithms and processes for improving images and videos through Super-Resolution. IUMA has been researching this topic for a decade. The activity aims to develop algorithms that can be implemented in hardware to accelerate processing and expand the range of applications.
T3: Hyperspectral image processing and integrated systems for implementation
Hyperspectral images are obtained from special sensors that constitute an advanced technique for obtaining information in both the spatial and spectral domains. This activity focuses on the design of hyperspectral image processing systems, including hyperspectral sensors, advanced hyperspectral image processing algorithms, and implementation of these algorithms for real-time applications. Special attention will be given to all applications in which the capture of hyperspectral images in situ or from aircraft and/or satellites takes place.
T4: Verification of integrated systems
System-on-chip verification is one of the most time-consuming tasks in the design process. This line is dedicated to research on the verification of integrated systems based on the Universal Verification Methodology (UVM) methodology.
T5: Hardware/software systems for embedded electronics in satellites
The modernization of embedded electronics in satellites involves the use of innovations being made at both the hardware and software levels. This activity emphasizes the use of new paradigms such as FPGAs, reconfigurability, HLS design, and others in embedded satellite electronics. This would result in lower costs, reduced manufacturing periods, and an extension of the life of satellites. Studies are also being conducted for the use in space of Commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) devices.
L3: Mathematics, Graphics, and Computing
SL3.1: Mesh Generation and Refinement Algorithms
T1: Development and application of mesh refinement and derefinement algorithms
Mesh generation and refinement algorithms are techniques for discretizing geometric domains in any dimension. Research activities in this line focus on the design, implementation, and validation of new refinement and derefinement algorithms. We also address, through mathematical methods, the characterization and properties of these algorithms, such as convergence, quality, finiteness, etc.
SL3.2: Computational Geometry and Geometric Design
T1: Computational Geometry and Geometric Design
Computational Geometry and Geometric Design are interdisciplinary research areas that involve mathematics, computer science, and engineering. This line integrates three more specific sub-areas: Meshes, Surfaces, Subdivision, and Multiresolution. We focus on algorithms, data structures, and geometric properties of meshes and surfaces with an interest in engineering.
SL3.3: Generalized Fibonacci Sequences
T1: Certain types of generalized Fibonacci sequences
Numerical and geometric properties of integer sequences are studied. Among them, the k-Fibonacci sequences have been defined, which are a generalization of the classical Fibonacci sequence. These sequences appear in various fields of science, such as physics, architecture, and even biology. They are also related to Pascal's triangle and its generalizations, triangulations, polynomials, generalized hyperbolic functions, and complex variable theory.
SL3.4: Graphics Engineering, Modeling, and CAD
T1: Graphics Engineering, Modeling, and CAD
It focuses on techniques and tools for geometric representation and modeling. There is specialized 2D and 3D software, including CAD tools. This line aims at their efficient use for producing high-quality graphic information in engineering, such as the development of plans and 3D models and advanced visualization.
SL3.5: Geodetic Engineering and Geospatial Applications
T1: Geodetic Engineering and Geospatial Applications
Analysis of GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) data using application software. For example, an automatic and visual application for the selection of GNSS stations is developed. Development of geo-referenced virtual balloons for personal computers and mobile devices. Some achieved results in which we have participated include Capaware and Glob3 mobile. Capaware and Glob3 mobile.
L4: Microelectronics and Microsystems
SL4.1: Nano and Micro Electromechanical Systems
T1: MEMS Design
The field of microsensors and microactuators, called MEMS ("microelectromechanical systems"), has grown spectacularly in this century. Using the same tools developed for electronic circuit design and complementing them with others specific to mechanics and electricity, such as finite element analysis, 3D CAD, among others, miniature sensors, transducers, and mechanical structures are designed, simulated, and manufactured on silicon and other materials. This research line aims to acquire the most complete possible vision of this field, its applications, current and future developments; starting with microfabrication, continuing with advances in microsensors and microtransducers used in the aerospace sector, biomedicine, bioengineering, and their applications; and ending with microelectronic integration techniques of these devices.
T2: Performance Analysis of Systems and Energy Management Analysis
This research line focuses on the performance analysis of systems and energy management and includes associated engineering to find simulated and analytical solutions for real micro and nano systems. The research line includes other areas of interest: heuristic and deterministic optimization methods, quantitative evaluation of systems, stochastic process algebra, queue networks, distributed generation, and solution of very long chains of Markov, discrete event simulation, modeling network traffic and topologies. Research in this group is oriented towards hardware performance analysis, software performance analysis, embedded system performance analysis, system-level performance analysis, and application performance analysis (algorithms).
T3: Modeling of Systems on Chip and Structured Simulation
This activity focuses on two complementary techniques for system design: modeling of Systems on Chip (SoC) and structured simulation of their operation and performance. Modeling techniques are oriented towards describing these systems at high levels of abstraction, so it is necessary to disregard the need to refer to details that are not decisive for their conception at this level. Likewise, at the simulation level, the precise separation of information that is really relevant to the integration of all components within the system is useful, fundamentally affecting the proper transfer of data between them, studied with various quality criteria typical of network study.
T4: Numerical Simulation of Micromechanical Systems for Analysis and Synthesis of MEMS Devices
The finite element method (FEM) is the most widely used method for solving engineering problems, and at the microscale, the interaction of mechanical and electrical properties is of great interest for the design of sensors and actuators.
L5: Industrial Systems and CAD
SL5.1: Methods for the design of integrated systems on chip and industrial embedded systems
T1: Modeling and implementation of integrated systems on chip
The complexity of Systems on Chip (SoC) has led to the development of description models, hardware and software co-design, and high-level synthesis: ESL and TLM levels. These models and design flows are mostly based on standardization around schemes derived from C++ and SystemC such as TLM. The most interesting applications are found in video coding for handheld and portable devices in electronic multimedia communications via wireless telecommunication networks and in industrial data communications in sensor networks and industrial networks.
T2: Embedded systems in integrated chip systems and industrial systems
Addresses the problems of hardware and software design of embedded systems for industrial communications, as well as the integrated management of real-time industrial control networks. Optimized solutions are analyzed, studied, and developed for use in interface systems with field buses based on SoC, DSPs, and general-purpose microcontroller circuits.
T3: Methods of manufacturing electronic systems
The manufacturing and testing of current complex electronic systems that combine multilayer printed circuits and tiny electronic devices with a high number of interconnections (BGA, uBGA, CSP, QFN) require the most modern techniques for the design, assembly, soldering, and testing of devices. Different soldering strategies and methods are studied, analyzed, and tested, aiming for the selective reuse of electronic components.
L6: Information Technology
SL6.1: Information Technology
T1: Collaborative and semantic recommendation systems applied to the distribution of multimedia content and the tourism sector
This line focuses on the analysis and development of engines that generate product recommendations to end-users based on their tastes and preferences. Techniques used for this purpose range from collaborative filtering techniques to those based on ontologies. Adjustment of ontology-based filtering techniques is done based on results obtained through data mining techniques.
T2: User-targeted advertising in web applications
This line exploits personalized Internet advertising distribution. In other words, advertising moves away from the mass delivery scheme to reach only those users who find it of interest.
T3: Social networks and web 2.0 applied to different sectors
This line takes advantage of the cooperation and collaboration of social networks and web 2.0 in different web applications.
T4: Augmented reality and image characterization on mobile devices
This line seeks to complete physical information around the user with virtual information. With this technology, information about the real world around the user becomes interactive and digital.
T5: Workflow
Development of platforms for the automation of online administrative processes with support for electronic invoicing and document management.
T6: High availability systems
Development of distributed applications with fault tolerance and/or load balancing for high availability applications.
T7: Online authentication systems
In this line, online authentication systems are analyzed and evaluated to identify weaknesses and strengths for specific applications.
T8: Computer communication security
Security in electronic banking systems and payment methods. In the field of electronic banking security, a novel electronic signature system based on autonomous tokens is being developed, leading to a worldwide patent and exploitation through a spin-off company. This company has obtained public and private funding to carry out the integration of this device in smart card format.
T9: Data mining
This line is based on the ability to explore, automatically or semi-automatically, massive data sources to find repetitive patterns, trends, or rules that explain data behavior in a specific context.
T10: Programming languages and compilers
This research line focuses on the development of programming languages and tools. Currently, active participation is ongoing in the development and maintenance of the official ADA language compiler in close collaboration with the University of New York.
L7: Microelectronic Technology
SL7.1: Radio Frequency Integrated Circuits (RFIC) and Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuits (MMIC)
T1: RFIC and MMIC Design
This activity focuses on the design of Radio Frequency Integrated Circuits (RFIC) and Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuits (MMIC) for different wireless communication standards and technologies such as CMOS, SiGe, GaAs, GaN, etc. Applications targeted by our integrated circuits include the Global Positioning System (GPS), Local Multipoint Distribution Services (LMDS/MMDS), wireless local area networks (WiFi), sensor networks for the Internet of Things (IoT), terrestrial and satellite digital television (DVB-H and DVB-SH), radiofrequency identification systems (RFID), satellite communication systems (SATCOM), etc.
T2: Modeling of devices (active and passive) for RFIC and MMIC
This research activity is dedicated to the characterization, modeling, and simulation of semiconductor devices used in RFICs and MMICs, both active (transistors, diodes, etc.) and passive (integrated inductors and varactors) in different technologies such as CMOS, SiGe, GaAs, GaN, SOI, etc.