Prof. Michael Flynn elected IEEE Fellow for contributions to analog-digital interfaces

Prof. Michael Flynn has been elected IEEE Fellow, Class of 2015, for “contributions to analog-digital interfaces.”

Prof. Flynn has achieved important breakthroughs in the performance and energy efficiency of analog-digital interfaces. His research has significantly impacted three primary areas: 1) analog to digital conversion; 2) the analog-digital interface in wired and wireless communication systems; and 3) applications to complete systems, particularly brain-machine interfaces.

Prof. Flynn has helped transform the field of analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) by introducing novel and creative techniques that have resulted in key performance improvements. He introduced new architectures and techniques that allow analog circuits to take advantage of process scaling. Finally, his techniques greatly expanded the usefulness of successive-approximation (SAR) ADCs, and led to successful CMOS folding ADCs. Several of his ADC schemes have been widely adopted by industry and academia.

With his research group, Prof. Flynn enhanced the analog-interface in wireless receivers by improving both the capability and energy efficiency of wireless transceivers. His group was one of the first to incorporate an efficient ADC in a CMOS RFID tag to make a complete RF-powered sensing system. In later work, his group transcended one of the fundamental limitations of fractional-N PLLs when he introduced the first all-digital fractional-N PLL modulator with a single-bit phase detector. Prof. Flynn has applied aspects of this research to wireless sensor networks for the purpose of monitoring and ensuring the safety of the nation’s infrastructure.

In the field of integrated brain-machine interface circuits, Prof. Flynn demonstrated the first single-chip closed-loop stimulation device for the treatment of Parkinson’s Disease. This research has paved the way for practical closed-loop commercial devices that better treat the disease.

Prof. Flynn’s current research is focused on analog and mixed-signal circuits, analog-to-digital conversion, and other interface circuits. These include high-speed serial transceivers, RF transceivers and sensors. He and his research group mainly focus on circuits that transfer information between the analog and digital domains.

Prof. Flynn is currently editor-in-chief- of the IEEE Journal of Solid State Circuits and a Distinguished Lecturer for the IEEE Solid-State Circuits Society. He is a Guggenheim Foundation Fellow and recipient of the NSF CAREER Award, the CoE Kennedy Family Team Excellence Award, and the CoE Education Excellence Award. Prof. Flynn received the latter award in part for his overhaul of the analog circuits curriculum, making it one of the strongest programs of its kind in the country.

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About IEEE Fellows:

IEEE is the world’s largest professional association dedicated to advancing technological innovation and excellence for the benefit of humanity. The IEEE Grade of Fellow is conferred by the IEEE Board of Directors upon a person with an extraordinary record of accomplishments in any of the IEEE fields of interest.