Academics

A Research on an Open-Source 2.4 GHz LC-VCO Fractional-N PLL in 130-nm BiCMOS Accepted for Publication in the SMACD 2026

A paper has been accepted for publication in the SMACD 2026, the International Conference on Synthesis, Modeling, Analysis, and Simulation Methods and Applications to Circuit Design. This will take place in Dresden, Germany. The authors of the paper are Manimohan Thiriloganathan, Shenal Ranasinghe, Avishka Herath, Rajinthan Rameshkumar, Hansa Marasinghe, and Anjana Viduranga. The work is mainly supervised by Kithmin Wickremasinghe and co-supervised by Gayangana Leelarathne. It is the first paper of its kind in Sri Lanka and from the Department of Electronic and Telecommunication Engineering (ENTC).

The research is titled “ A 2.4 GHz LC-VCO Fractional-N Phase Locked Loop Open-Source Design in 130-nm BiCMOS.” This work presents a 2.4~GHz type-II fractional-N PLL implemented in the IHP SG13G2 130nm BiCMOS open-source technology. Consequently, prior work relies on ring-oscillator-based voltage-controlled oscillators (VCOs) with degraded phase noise performance due to limited open-source passive device models. The proposed design employs a cross-coupled differential LC-VCO integrated with a custom-designed spiral inductor, developed using an open-source electromagnetic modelling workflow in OpenEMS. This helps address challenges in accurate passive component design in open RF design environments.

The optimized inductor achieves an inductance of 4 nH and a quality factor of 16.8 at 2.45 GHz. The LC-VCO sensitivity is approximately 120 MHz/V, while the PLL phase noise is -100.8 dBc/Hz at a 1 MHz offset. The complete PLL is realized using a fully open-source electronic design automation (EDA) flow, occupying a total area of 660 µm × 526.5 µm (≈ 0.347 mm²) and consuming 12.73 mW, demonstrating the feasibility of RF integrated circuit design in an open-source CMOS IC design ecosystem.

This work originated from the Department of Electronic and Telecommunication Engineering (ENTC), University of Moratuwa. It reflects the growing strength of research in RF integrated circuit design in Sri Lanka. It also reinforces the department’s contribution to open-source semiconductor design and advanced wireless communication systems.

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A Final-Year Group-Led Research on a Dry-Contact EEG Monitoring System Accepted for Publication in Prestigious IEEE TBME

A paper authored by Nima Wickramasinghe, Dinuka Sandun Udayantha, Akila Abeyratne, and Kavindu Weerasinghe, co-supervised by Dr. Chamira U. S. Edussooriya, Dr. Anjula De Silva, Prof. Jithangi Wanigasinghe, and Kithmin Wickremasinghe, has been accepted for publication in the prestigious IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering (TBME).

The research, titled “An Active Dry-Contact Continuous EEG Monitoring System for Seizure Detection Applications in Clinical Neurophysiology,” details a novel approach towards developing a cost-effective and user-friendly continuous EEG monitoring system for seizure detection in representative clinical settings. This work is significant for its attempt to address a long-standing need for comfortable and reliable EEG monitoring systems, potentially improving patient care and extending to young children.

It began as a final-year project at the Department of Electronic and Telecommunication Engineering (ENTC) by a team of biomedical engineering undergraduates. This achievement highlights the calibre of biomedical research conducted by our students and faculty, demonstrating the department’s modest commitment to advancing wearable technology and personalized medicine. This publication in IEEE TBME, a top-tier Q1 journal ranked among the top 10 in the field, is a significant accomplishment for the university in advancing biomedical research.

The computational resources used in the project were funded by the Accelerating Higher Education Expansion and Development (AHEAD) Operation of the Ministry of Higher Education of Sri Lanka, sponsored by the World Bank. A special thanks is conveyed to the staff and technicians from Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children, Sri Lanka, for facilitating the patient experiments. This publication was further financially supported in part by the Senate Research Committee, University of Moratuwa.

Link to paper: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/11230808

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ENTC Wins Manamperi Main Award 2025 for the Best Inter-University Final Year Undergraduate Project in Engineering

A Final Year Research Project from the 2020 Batch of the Department of Electronic and Telecommunication Engineering (ENTC), University of Moratuwa, has been awarded the Manamperi Main Award 2025 for the Best Inter-University Final Year Undergraduate Project in Engineering.

The research project, titled “A Screening Tool for Cardiovascular Disease Management in Resource-Constrained Environments,” was carried out by a team comprising three students from the Biomedical Engineering specialization: Avishka Herath, Malith Jayalath, Sanjana Kapukotuwa, and one student from the Electronic and Telecommunication specialization: Kumudu Kaushalya, under the supervision of Dr. Chamira Edussooriya and Dr. Wageesha Manamperi.

The project focuses on the development of a low-cost, intelligent cardiac screening device that can record and analyze heart sounds (phonocardiograms) and ECG signals simultaneously to assist doctors in the early detection of cardiovascular abnormalities. Designed specifically for use in resource-limited healthcare settings, the device serves as an intermediate diagnostic tool between traditional stethoscope examinations and echocardiography, aiming to support clinical decision-making.

This prestigious national recognition highlights the team and department’s commitment to innovation in biomedical instrumentation and its potential impact on improving accessible and affordable healthcare technologies in Sri Lanka and beyond.

The team extends their heartfelt gratitude to their co-supervisor, Mr. Kithmin Wickremasinghe, for his continuous guidance and support, and to Mr. Pahan Mendis and Ms. Chathuni Wijegunawardena from Voex Technologies for their valuable mentorship throughout the project. The team also wishes to express sincere appreciation to Voex Technologies for funding the project. Special thanks are also extended to Dr. Duminda Samarasinghe, Consultant Paediatric Cardiologist at the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children, for his invaluable medical guidance, expert insights, and support in facilitating the clinical aspects of the research.

The “Manamperi Award” is awarded by the Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science (SLAAS) each year for the Most Outstanding Undergraduate Engineering Research Project. It is open to all Engineering graduates who have graduated from a recognized university in Sri Lanka and completed a Final Year Research Project (Individual or Group) within the duration of the year this award is presented.

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University of Moratuwa’s ENTC Undergraduates Shine at 2024 Carrier Fair

The Department of Electronic and Telecommunication Engineering (ENTC) at the University of Moratuwa is proud to announce the success of their annual Carrier Fair, held on January 5, 2024. This event brought together talented ENTC undergraduates from Batch 19 and leading companies, fostering connections and opening doors to exciting opportunities.

The Carrier Fair served as a platform for Batch 19 students to showcase their skills and potential to prospective employers. The event provided a valuable opportunity for companies to connect with the University of Moratuwa’s brightest minds and identify future talent ready to tackle the challenges of tomorrow’s workforce.

Highlights of the Event:

• ENTC undergraduates from graduating class interacted with representatives from leading companies.
• Students gained valuable insights into the industry and explored potential career paths.
• Companies identified highly skilled and motivated individuals to join their workforce.

The University of Moratuwa continues its tradition of excellence in nurturing future engineers. The ENTC department’s commitment to providing students with practical experience and industry exposure ensures they are well-equipped to succeed in their chosen fields.

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Department Receives a Laboratory Equipment Upgrade with Four Tektronix TBS1052 Oscilloscope

The Department of Electronic and Telecommunication Engineering of the University of Moratuwa has received a laboratory equipment upgrade with four Tektronix TBS1052 Oscilloscopes. The oscilloscopes were acquired through funding from the SPARK project, which seeks to recognize individuals and groups who devise unique, innovative, socially, and environmentally responsible solutions that foster significant positive transformations in society, industry, and the broader environment. The TBS1052 Oscilloscope is a digital storage oscilloscope that provides affordable performance in a compact design. It comes with a 7-inch WVGA TFT color display, up to 2 GS/s sampling rate, bandwidth of 50 MHz, and dual channel frequency counters.

The Department of Electronic and Telecommunication Engineering has about 25 workstations each in both analog and digital electronics laboratories, enabling about 50 students to be accommodated simultaneously. Each workstation has a dual-tracking power supply, an analog multimeter, a digital multimeter, a signal generator, and a digital storage oscilloscope. The new Tektronix TBS1052 Oscilloscopes will replace old ones and support regular laboratory classes and SPARK projects.

The University of Moratuwa has always been at the forefront of innovation and research in electronics, telecommunications, biomedical engineering, and allied disciplines in engineering. The success of the Department of Electronic and Telecommunication Engineering is a testament to the quality of education and research offered by the university.

Picture source: https://www.tek.com/en/datasheet/digital-storage-oscilloscope-tbs1000c-series-datasheet

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ENTC Open Day

The Department of Electronic and Telecommunication Engineering at the University of Moratuwa held an Open Day on January 17, 2023, to showcase the department’s facilities, projects, and laboratories to the new intake of students. The event was organized by the Electronic Club and saw a large number of students in attendance.

The Open Day began with a series of brief talks by the faculty members of the department, who provided an overview of the programs and opportunities available. The students were then given the opportunity to explore the department’s facilities and interact with faculty members and senior students.

The final year, third year, and second-year students actively participated in the event, organizing, demonstrating, and explaining various aspects of the department’s projects and facilities to the prospective students.

The Open Day showcased many projects, including final-year projects in computer vision, metaverse, augmented reality, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), machine learning, software-defined radio, mobile robotics, electronics, and processor design. In addition, the second-semester projects were also demonstrated.

The prospective students were taken on a tour of the department’s various laboratories, including the biomedical engineering laboratory, analog electronics laboratory, digital electronics laboratory, telecommunication laboratory, computer vision laboratory, unmanned aerial vehicles laboratory, and K. K. Y. W. Perera Mobile Communications laboratory, among many other facilities.

The Open Day was well-received by the students, who appreciated the opportunity to experience the department’s facilities and projects first-hand. Many of the prospective students expressed their interest in pursuing a career in electronic and telecommunication engineering, noting the exciting and diverse range of projects and opportunities available within the field.

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Workshop on Quantum Computing

The Electronic and Telecommunication Engineering Department of the University of Moratuwa, in collaboration with the UBC Quantum Club, IEEE Sri Lanka Section, and Skill Surf, organized a one-day workshop on “Introduction to Quantum Computing” on January 21, 2023. The workshop aimed to introduce participants to the basics of quantum computing, its applications, and its future potential. The workshop featured key resource personnel who are experts in the field of quantum computing. Dr. Harini Hapuarachchi from RMIT University, Australia, Mr. Kithmin Wickremasinghe from the University of British Colombia, Canada, Mr. Ravi Tharaka from Monash University, Australia, and Theshani Nuradha from Cornell University, USA, were the keynote speakers for the workshop.

The one-day workshop attracted a significant number of participants, including students, academics, and industry professionals. The workshop offered a comprehensive introduction to the basics of quantum computing, including quantum mechanics, qubits, quantum gates, quantum circuits, and quantum algorithms. Participants also had the opportunity to learn about quantum computing applications in various fields, including cryptography, machine learning, and optimization. The workshop included interactive sessions, demonstrations, and hands-on exercises to provide a practical understanding of the concepts covered in the lectures. The resource personnel also provided valuable insights into the future of quantum computing and the opportunities it presents.

The workshop was a great success, with participants expressing their satisfaction with the content and delivery of the program. The participants also had the opportunity to network and exchange ideas with the experts in the field. The organizers of the workshop thanked the resource personnel, participants, and sponsors for making the event a success. They also encouraged participants to continue to explore the world of quantum computing and stay updated with the latest developments in the field.

Overall, the “Introduction to Quantum Computing” workshop was a great initiative by the Electronic and Telecommunication Engineering Department of the University of Moratuwa, together with its partners. The department has a thrust area in quantum computing.  The workshop was an excellent opportunity for participants to expand their knowledge and skills in quantum computing and explore the exciting potential of this emerging field.

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Ceremonial Opening of K. K. Y. W. Perera Mobile Communications Laboratory

The Department of Electronic and Telecommunication  of the University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, recently celebrated the opening of its new K. K. Y. W. Perera Mobile Communications Laboratory, which was established in collaboration with SLT-Mobitel and Huawei Technologies on 12 December 2022. The lab was named in honor of Vidyajothi Prof. K. K. Y. W. Perera, the founding head of the Department of Electronic and Telecommunication Engineering and the current chancellor of the university.

The ceremonial opening was attended by a number of university officials, including the Vice Chancellor, Prof. N. D. Gunawardena, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. D. P. Chandrasekara, and the Acting Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Prof. Asoka Perera. The event was also attended by representatives from SLT-Mobitel, including Mr. Rasantha Hettithanthrige, the Chief Technology Officer of  Mobitel (Pvt.) Ltd., who took pioneered the establishment of the laboratory, and Mr. Raveendra Manivelwadu, as well as Mr. Rohan Fernando, Chairman of SLT-Mobitel, Mr. Lalith Mohan Seneviratne, Group Chief Executive Officer of SLT-Mobitel, Mr. Janaka Abeysinghe, Chief Executive Officer of Sri Lanka Telecom, Mr. Chandika Vitharana, Chief Executive Officer of Mobitel (Pvt.) Ltd., Mr. Saman Abeysekera, Chief Operating Officer of Sri Lanka Telecom, Mr. Prabhath Dahanayake, Chief Marketing Officer of Sri Lanka Telecom, Mr. Sudharshana Geeganage, Chief Financial Officer of Mobitel (Pvt.) Ltd., and Mr. Saman Perera, Group Chief Information Officer of SLT-Mobitel. Representatives from Huawei Sri Lanka also attended the event, including Mr. Tony Lee, Chief Technology Officer, Mr. Indika De Zoysa, Strategic Advisor, and Mr. Nadun Gunawardena. The ceremony was also attended by student representatives, including the President of the Electronic Club and four student network administrators.

The mobile communication laboratory will be an invaluable resource for teaching wireless communication and telecommunication core networks. As the demand for skilled professionals in these fields continues to grow, the laboratory will provide students with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a real-world environment. This will not only enhance their knowledge and skills, but also prepare them for successful careers in the telecommunications industry.

In addition to providing practical experience, the mobile communication laboratory will also allow students to keep pace with the latest developments in the field. With the rapid advancement of technology, it is essential for students to stay up-to-date on the latest techniques and methods used in the telecommunications industry. The laboratory will provide them with the opportunity to learn about and experiment with the latest technologies and innovations.

Overall, the establishment of the K. K. Y. W. Perera Mobile Communications Laboratory is a major milestone for the University of Moratuwa. It will provide students with the opportunity to gain valuable knowledge and experience, and prepare them for successful careers in the rapidly evolving telecommunications industry. The university community is excited to see the impact this facility will have on the education and training of its students. Special thanks go to Dr. Jayathu Samarawickrama for coordinating the establishment of the laboratory on behalf of the department.

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Multi-Label Reduced-Lead EEG Classification Using CNNs

Nima Wickramasinghe from the Department of Electronic and Telecommunication Engineering (ENTC), together with his mentor Mohamed Athif from the Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University (previously an undergraduate at ENTC) have written a research paper, titled “Multi-label Classification of Reduced-lead ECGs using an Interpretable Deep Convolutional Neural Network” which has been accepted to be published in the journal Physiological Measurement as a special issue paper.

In their work, they propose a novel method to identify the presence of 26 cardiac abnormalities in an ECG recording with reduced leads. Even though most of the previous work relies on 12-lead ECGs, classification using reduced leads remained unexplored. In their research, they trained a deep convolutional neural network to classify the ECG recordings and showed that the reduced-lead model performs comparably to the 12-lead model. In addition to accurately classifying the cardiac abnormalities, they have used SHAP (shapley additive explanations: a game-theoretic approach used to explain the output of any machine learning model) to interpret the deep learning model. The authors identified that the model learns almost the same diagnostic criteria used by cardiologists to classify cardiac abnormalities. By analyzing the model through SHAP, they were able to detect why the model underperforms in some of the classes, which was mainly due to the lack of discriminating features in reduced leads, labeling inconsistencies in the dataset, and low number of samples.

Physiological Measurement is a journal that covers the quantitative measurement and visualization of physiological structure and function in clinical research and practice, with an emphasis on the development of new methods of measurement and their validation. The Sustainable Education Foundation facilitated the collaboration between the 2 authors.

DOI Link to the paper: https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6579/ac73d5

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