IMSE-CNM

Implementing innovative concepts in silicon

Research Areas

Analog Signal Processing
Analog Signal Processing

Digital Signal Processing & VLSI Systems
Digital Signal Processing & VLSI Systems

Brain-Inspired Neural Networks and Artificial Intelligence
Brain-Inspired Neural Networks and Artificial Intelligence

Sensory & Photonic Vision Systems
Sensory & Photonic Vision Systems

Nanoelectronics and Emerging Technologies
Nanoelectronics and Emerging Technologies

Biomedical and Bioinspired Circuits and Systems
Biomedical and Bioinspired Circuits and Systems

Integrated Circuits for Space Applications
Integrated Circuits for Space Applications

Hardware Security
Hardware Security

News

IMSE develops project Q-FENCE
The CSIC will lead the development of quantum-resistant cryptographic hardware in the European project Q-FENCE

The Institute of Microelectronics of Seville (IMSE-CNM) will lead the CSIC's participation in the project entitled *"Securing Tomorrow's Digital Infrastructure with Quantum-Resistant Cryptography,"* under the acronym Q-FENCE.

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IMSE sponsor at Debate Tournament
IMSE, sponsor for the second consecutive year of the national debate tournament

The Institute of Microelectronics of Seville once again supported this annual event, whose objectives include the development of critical thinking and civic engagement.
May 6, 2025

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Science Fair 2025
Microelectronics featured at the Science Fair Through IMSE's Participation

IMSE participated once again in the Science Fair, now in its 23rd edition. Over the course of three days (April 22, 23, and 24), the event—organized by the Andalusian Society for the Promotion of Science (SADC)—transformed the Seville Conference and Exhibition Center into the epicenter of scientific outreach in Andalusia.
April 25, 2025

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IMSE leads ARC 2025
IMSE Leads the Organization of the 21st International Symposium on Applied Reconfigurable Computing – ARC 2025

The international event brought together leading researchers and companies in reconfigurable computing at the School of Computer Engineering (University of Seville).
April 21, 2025

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Thesis awarded Researchers IMSE
Recognition of Excellence: One of the IMSE theses, awarded for its impact on scientific research

The award ceremony was organized jointly by the Ayuntamiento de Sevilla and the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC).
March 27, 2025

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Empowering female talent in science
Researchers Juan Antonio Leñero Bardallo and Ángel Rodríguez-Vázquez publish a book on SPAD image sensors and LiDAR technology

We are pleased to announce the publication of the book "Design of event-driven spad-based 3D image sensors" in which our Institute's researchers, Juan Antonio Leñero Bardallo and Ángel Rodríguez-Vázquez, appear as co-authors.
March 20, 2025

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PREVIOUS EVENTS & NEWS

New Director of the IMSE-CNM

IMSE researcher Teresa Serrano Gotarredona has been appointed as the new Director of the Instituto de Microelectrónica de Sevilla.

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Education at IMSE

- Doctoral Studies
- Master Studies
- Degree Studies
- Final Degree Projects
- Internships

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Recent publications

Harvesting random telegraph noise for true random number generation
F.J. Rubio-Barbero, F. de los Santos-Prieto, R. Castro-López, E. Roca and F.V. Fernández
Journal Paper · AEU - International Journal of Electronics and Communications, vol. 196, June 2025
AEU    
abstract      doi      

At first glance, Random Telegraph Noise (RTN) in deeply scaled CMOS transistors may seem like a reliability nuisance. Yet, behind the discrete trapping-and-detrapping events lurks a potent source of hardware entropy. In this paper, we harness RTN to build a dual-purpose security module that serves as both a Physical Unclonable Function (PUF) and a True Random Number Generator (TRNG). By measuring the so-called Maximum Current Fluctuation (MCF) at carefully chosen observation windows, our design switches effortlessly between the stable outputs needed for a PUF and the maximally unpredictable bitstreams demanded by a TRNG. Although single-defect RTN has long been deemed ideal for randomness, we show that multi-defect RTN scenarios, much more prevalent in real-world manufacturing, can also yield high-quality random bits, especially when aided by lightweight post-processing. Simple statistical metrics guide the initial tuning, after which the final bitstreams pass the NIST SP 800-22 test suite to validate the statistical soundness of our proposal. In doing so, we address key challenges that arise when designing an RTN-based TRNG and compare our results against state-of-the-art solutions, highlighting advantages in circuit simplicity, bit-rate scalability, and dual-use capability.

Design of Event-Driven SPAD-Based 3D Image Sensors
R. Gómez-Merchán, J. A. Leñero-Bardallo and Á. Rodríguez-Vázquez
Book · 234 P, 2024
CRC Press    ISBN: 978-10-32-51353-9    
abstract     

The book presents a top-down circuit description for the implementation of asynchronous vision sensors based on Single-Photon Avalanche Diodes (SPADs). It provides design considerations to convey the SPADs pulses through a channel shared by all the pixels. The book also presents architectures where dynamic vision sensors and SPADs converge.

Design of Event-Driven SPAD-Based 3D Image Sensors provides detailed technical insights about novel image sensor architectures with SPADs with asynchronous operation. At the sensor level, the book provides asynchronous circuitry to read and arbiter the pixel outputs. The authors explore new LiDAR architectures with asynchronous operation and provide insights into their design. A detailed benchmark of modern and competitive LiDAR systems is also presented. At the pixel level, the book provides design considerations to convey the SPADs pulses through a channel shared by all the pixels. At the sensor level, the book provides asynchronous circuitry to read and arbiter the pixel outputs. Finally, experimental results of very novel LiDAR systems with asynchronous operation will be provided and analyzed.

The book is written for professionals who want to explore new tendencies on the design of image sensors for the implementation of LiDAR systems.

Exploiting the acousto-optic effect for developing secure digital identifiers
D. Martín-Sánchez and P. Brox
Conference · Moscone South, Room 302 (Level 3), San Francisco, Estados Unidos, 28 Enero 2025
abstract     

Cybersecurity is rooted in hardware to achieve high security. Physical unclonable functions (PUFs) are cryptographic primitives that implement one-way functions to generate cryptographic keys on-demand. Current approaches implement PUFs using microelectronic circuits that exploit the random manufacturing variabilities. Other alternatives exploit optical principles to offer higher security. However, their reliability is compromised by environmental effects and integrated systems are still to be realized. Here a novel approach is proposed to enhance reliability and potentially enable integration in digital security systems. The proposed method uses the acousto-optical effect to interrogate optical PUFs, avoiding precision alignment of moving parts and bulky equipment. This way of interrogating the PUF can also be miniaturized in a photonic integrated circuit. The experimental results demonstrate the feasibility of this approach and the potential for generating a large number of truly random cryptographic keys.

Open Source API for a Hardware Root-of-Trust
E. Camacho-Ruiz, L.F. Rojas-Muñoz, A. Karmakar, P. Navarro-Torrero, P. Brox and M.C. Martínez-Rodríguez
Conference · XVIII Reunión Española de Criptología y Seguridad de la Información, 23-25 octubre 2024, León (España)
abstract     

This paper presents an API designed for a hardware-based Root of Trust that provides a suite of essential cryptographic and security functions based on hardware cryptographic IP cores. The high-level abstraction of the API enables software developers to create secure applications within secure computing systems by leveraging the benefits of hardware IP cores. The hardware IP cores that support the API are compliant with international standards, ensuring robust security and reliability. The API development adheres to the open-source science policies and is published online under a public license. Additionally, the portability of the API across multiple platforms ensures wide compatibility and accessibility, enabling seamless integration and reproducibility.

ALL PUBLICATIONS

IMSE corporate video

What we do

Our main area of specialization is the design of CMOS analog and mixed-signal integrated circuits and their use in different application contexts such as wireless communications, data conversion, smart imagers & vision sensors, biomedical devices, cybersecurity, neuromorphic computing and space technologies.

The IMSE-CNM staff consists of approximately one hundred people, including scientists and support personnel. IMSE-CNM employees are involved in advancing scientific knowledge, designing high level scientific-technical solutions and in technology transfer.

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IMSE-related sites

Master in Microelectronics. Design and Applications of Micro/Nanometrics Systems

Physical Sciences and Technologies Doctoral Programme

Informatics Engineering Doctoral Programme

SIMSIDES: A Time-Domain Behavioral Simulator for Sigma-Delta Modulators in MATLAB/SIMULINK

SHORES: Software & Hardware Open Repository for Embedded Systems

Fuzzy Logic Design Tools

IMSE in the media
IMSE in the media

The World of Chips
The World of Chips

Catalog of Scientific-Technical Services
Catalog of Scientific-Technical Services

Career at IMSE
Career at IMSE