{"id":2121,"date":"2026-03-10T13:18:37","date_gmt":"2026-03-10T18:18:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/faculty.eng.ufl.edu\/quanta\/?page_id=2121"},"modified":"2026-03-20T13:44:33","modified_gmt":"2026-03-20T18:44:33","slug":"oscillator-research","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/faculty.eng.ufl.edu\/quanta\/research\/oscillator-research\/","title":{"rendered":"Oscillator Research"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Overview<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Feng Research Group studies tiny vibrating mechanical devices called MEMS and NEMS oscillators. Our goal is to understand how networks of these oscillators interact and how their collective behavior can be used to solve complex optimization problems. Today, such problems are typically solved using digital processors. While powerful, these systems can require large amounts of energy and time when many interacting variables are involved. Alternative approaches based on physical systems are being explored, but many rely on simulations or electronic circuits that are difficult to scale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our work develops networks of micro- and nanoscale mechanical oscillators that influence each other through controlled coupling. Building on earlier work demonstrating stable, high-frequency oscillators in materials such as silicon and aluminum nitride, we now focus on synchronization and collective dynamics in oscillator arrays. If successful, this research could enable new computing platforms that solve certain optimization problems faster and more efficiently, while also advancing MEMS oscillator technologies for sensing and timing applications.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Featured Publications:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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A Programmable Sustaining Amplifier for Flexible Multimode MEMS-Referenced Oscillators<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This paper presents a programmable single-chip sustaining amplifier for MEMS oscillators with integrated low-noise amplification, tunable filtering, automatic level control, and feedthrough cancellation. Fabricated in 0.5 \u03bcm CMOS and tested with 10\u201390 kHz resonators, the system achieves a 20 dBc\/Hz reduction in close-in phase noise (10 Hz offset) using high-Q (~13,000) single-crystal devices versus low-Q (~320) polysilicon. These results demonstrate effective background cancellation, phase optimization, and stable frequency locking for low-noise MEMS oscillator applications.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Parametric Frequency Divider based Ising Machines<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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This paper presents a new class of Ising machines based on coupled parametric frequency dividers (PFDs), eliminating the need for strong injection or DC bias and enabling nanowatt-level power per spin. A 4-node prototype solves Max-Cut problems at 600 nW per spin\u2014two orders of magnitude lower power than state-of-the-art SHIL-based designs\u2014while achieving fast synchronization and reduced time-to-solution.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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A Self-Sustained Frequency Comb Oscillator via Tapping Mode Comb-Drive Resonator Integrated with a Feedback ASIC<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this conference paper, we demonstrate the first reconfigurable self-sustained MEMS oscillator capable of generating either a single stable tone or a frequency comb with tunable spacing. The system integrates a single-crystal SOI comb-drive resonator with a programmable CMOS sustaining amplifier, enabling operation across linear, nonlinear, and tapping regimes. By tuning DC bias and loop gain, the oscillator produces controllable combs with ~0.8\u20132.6 kHz spacing, highlighting a compact and versatile platform for multi-frequency signal generation.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

References:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Journal Papers<\/h4>\n\n\n\n