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(Photos down)
2009 Nigeria Microelectronics Seminar/Workshop Series
Theme: Towards a Creative Microelectronics Industry in Nigeria
Introduction:
Microelectronics is the engine of modern commerce that continues to shape all aspects of human endeavors. It is the most dominant technology in modern history, revolutionizing industries with ubiquitous impacts that span from entertainments to aerospace. Unfortunately, this vital 21st century technology remains to be transferred, adopted and diffused in Africa (including Nigeria). A vision of knowledge workers cannot easily be achieved without a creative microelectronics program in Nigeria.
This seminar will provide ideas and awareness on the necessity of this industry in Nigeria by discussing it under the following broad topics: design, processes & technology, education, tools, business opportunities, economics and finance, technology transfer, etc. Our expectation is that these interactions will facilitate the provision of the necessary instruments or policies for the emergence of this industry that promises to transform our economy and makes it globally competitive. It would be a paradigm shift from consuming ICT to creating it. Discussions will be multifaceted, thorough and fresh with practical contents.
Key Goals:
1. Provide information and networks to Nigeria’s academic community on linkages, vendor programs, designkits, technology files and other opportunities on microelectronics education. This will facilitate practical bottom-up creative microelectronics technology diffusion via institutions.
2. Facilitate microelectronics diffusion through small and medium enterprises (SMEs) by offering them information on global vendor programs on VLSI and general microelectronics CAD (computer aided design) tools and software. We believe that ‘computer center model’ engineered by SMEs that helped diffused computer knowledge in Nigeria can be relevant for microelectronics. Nonetheless, microelectronics is high-tech with specialized skills; modifications are necessary and we will discuss them.
3. Form local Academic Networks to assist Nigerian institutions seek for royalty-free educational CAD tools as done in many advanced nations
4. Help structure central Multi-Project System to coordinate design and fabrication activities
5. Plan for the right way to fund shared core infrastructure like cleanroom and microfab at national level
For Whom? This seminar is for the whole academic community (professors, lecturers, administrators, science and engineering students); NYSC members; microelectronics researchers and professionals; ICT experts and professionals; government and policy-makers; trade associations, general public, roboticists, technical business-owners, technology transfer economists, press, etc.
This program is 100% free.
Seminar Date/Venue: April 20, 2009 (Monday): 8am-5pm.
For SME and technical business owners at Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja
We have confirmed the following schools, agencies, etc for seminars or workshops or visits
Federal University of Technology, Akure
NigComSat (Nigeria Communication Satellite Ltd), Abuja...
Lagos Seminar at Ikeja Airport Hotel (mainly for SMEs without school affiliations)
Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-ife
University of Agriculture, Abeokuta
Usman Danfodio University, Sokotoa
Experts Forum, House of Assembly Committee on Science & Technology (both Senate and House of Reps) at NACETEM
Igbinedion University, Okada
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
University of Benin
Federal University of Technology, Owerri
NACETEM (National Centre for Technology Management)- a federal agency
Center for Energy Research & Development- a federal agency, Ile-Ife
Sokoto Centre for Energy and Research, Sokoto
Federal Ministry of Information & Communication office at Radio House, Abuja
University of Lagos, Lagos
[many small firms in Ikeja Computer Village, Lagos]
etc
Seminar Topics:
The event will have the following sections. There will be many videos to help participants feel the reality of this amazing technology.
Introduction
-Microelectronics: introduction, history, evolution and global trends
-CMOS IC Design/manufacturing process (with 3D modeling/videos)
-Device Physics: performance/reliability, device material, and process technology
-Areas: Nanotechnology, Neuromorphics/biomorphic, MEMS and BIOMENS
-Neuromorphs: Replaceable human organs of the future?’ N. Ekekwe, IEEE Potentials Magazine, Issue 1, Vol. 27, pp 8-25, Feb 2008
VLSI
-Introduction and overview of VLSI CMOS design
-Fundamental of digital, analog and mixed signal designs
-Steps: specifications and device physics, schematics, layout, extraction, etc
-CMOS Nanometer challenges: power dissipation & interconnect noise
-Fabrication and multi-project foundries
-CAD: uses, vendors and programs for schools
-Designkits, modeling, technology libraries, etc
-CMOS roadmap
PCB, FPGA, Microcontroller Designs
-PCB Design process
-PIC/SX (microcontroller) Designs and General DSP process (prototyping Boards)
-Hardware description Language (VHDL)/FPGA design
Design flows of some demonstrative systems
-Biosignal (brain, eye, muscle, etc) acquisition and processing chip
-Pipelined/Delta Sigma ADCs and R-2R ladder DAC
-Amplifiers/comparators
-Motion controller chips for medical robots
-Hearing aids chips
-RISC Microprocessor (with counters, ALU, control unit, etc)
-Silicon neuron and synapses
-Intra-chip optical communication (waveguide)
-Cell holding system for visualization and imaging (BIOMENS)
Microelectronics Lab & IC Design tools
- Demonstrations/Design sessions using CAD
- Establishing a microelectronics lab: tools, equipment, Labware, manuals, etc
Microelectronics infrastructures and budgets
-Cleanroom: cost and services (will provide list of open multi-project vendors)
-CAD
-Equipment, tools, probe station, etc with prices
-Human resources
-MOSIS/CMC/CMP and multi-fab services
-Cost of FPGA, Dev boards for PIC, SX, etc
Business opportunities in Nigeria/economics of Microelectronics: Transfer, adoption and diffusion
-The roles of small and medium enterprises (SMEs)
-Opportunities in Nigeria (vibrant ICT) and how microelectronics can leverage them
-Implications to SME and the opportunity: CAD vending, specialised training, etc
-Technology transfer and microelectronics economics/finance
- Correlation of KE and microelectronics development; economics, policy and diffusion trajectory of microelectronics
Grant, scholarships, opportunities and collaborations
-Scholarships/fellowships opportunities in the US (I have had 5 since I came here; sounds good)
- Grant sources, jobs opportunities in this area (for well trained people)
The Workshop
The workshop will begin from the basic principles of mixed signal VLSI. It will cover among others the following using standard computer aided design (CAD) tools.
MOS implementation
Basic Analog Cells
Converters
IO design
Memory cells design
Signal integrity
Biomorphic and neuromorphic circuits
Biomedical circuits and systems
We have more than 500 photos from this project. Below are samples...
Dr Ekekwe leading a workshop at Abuja. I met the Deputy Senate President of the Nigerian Congress the same day
Q/A Session
Workshop at NigComSat (Nigeria Communication Satellite), Abuja, Nigeria
@ NigComSat, Abuja
@ Federal University of Technology, Akure
@ Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria - photo session after a workshop
@ Federal University of Technology, Owerri
@ Federal University of Tech, Akure (FUTA). This is Q/A time.
@ FUTA
@ FUTA. Answering the Questions
@ FUTA. Another question
@ FUTA: Future Nigerian Technical Leaders...after a workshop
@ Our satellite firm; we had a workshop here. Nice building
@ At Obafemi Awolowo University- Africa's most beautiful campus
This is OAU-Ile Ife: for culture and learning
This is University of Agriculture, Abeokuta. This is the Senate Building
In University of Agriculture, Abeokuta.
Getting ready for workshop at Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto
I spoke at Igbinedion University anniversary dinner. Dancers entertaining
At the hotel, Benin
Here, I was about giving a press conference at Abuja. NICON Luxury, Abuja. I gave about 10 of them throughout the project
At UNIBEN, Benin.
In the hotel in Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. The university guest house at Kongo
@ ABU, Zaria during a workshop. I think the students are smiling
This is my undergraduate university. I obtained my B.Eng from Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), Nigeria where I finished as my class best student. This particular day and most of the days, the university teachers were on industrial strike. But you can never stop FUTOites. They came!
Prof Onwuliri, the university Vice Chancelor speaking while I looked on along with the audience
Taking the podium to give the University 15th Public Lecture. My greatest academic honour so far
Questions time after the Public Lecture
This is University of Lagos.
University of Lagos after the workshop
At NACETEM where I had the opportunity of meeting Senators and House members of Nigerian Congress besides many leaders of Nigeria's technical institutions. Front row, 4th from left is the senate leader on S&T
@ University of Lagos (notice 3rd Mainland Bridge); photo was taken from the UNILAG Guest House
@ University of Lagos
@ Inside Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto
Dr Ekekwe delivered the Federal University of Technology, Owerri 15th Public Lecture
The posters for the lecture: all over campus.
I LOVE FUTO-my alma mater. It was a great experience.
@ Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
@ This is University of Benin. I spoke at the NSBE program
@ UNIBEN
@ Igbinedion University.
@ Sokoto; guest of Usman Danfodio University
@ Usman Danfodio University.
I was a speaker in this dinner hosted by the Esama of Benin; Chief Igbinedion. That was the honorable minister of education (state) speaking while Prof Akunyili looks on.
This is NACETEM.
@ University of Agriculture, Abeokuta
@ University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (the classroom is very clean).
@ FUT, Minna student showing a design. This guy is just bright. He has some great stuffs
@ Federal University of Technology, Akure.
@ The Great Ife-Obafemi Awolowo University
@ Back to America (guessssss! Motor town?)