Nonlinear Circuits and Systems: Latest Advances and Prospects

A special issue of Electronics (ISSN 2079-9292). This special issue belongs to the section "Circuit and Signal Processing".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 June 2025 | Viewed by 6061

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Information Engineering and Mathematics, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
Interests: mixed-signal electronics; front-end electronics; sensors and sensing systems; nonlinear circuits and systems

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Guest Editor
Department of Electronics and Telecommunications, Politecnico di Torino, 10129 Torino, Italy
Interests: analog electronic design; switching power supply; chaotic circuits; random number generators

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The study of nonlinear circuits and systems has played a crucial role in recent advances in microelectronics, with particular emphasis on analog and mixed-signal electronics, and power electronics.

The goal of this Special Issue is to gather original research papers as well as review articles that highlight the latest developments and breakthroughs in this area, with particular emphasis on multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary applied research.

Topics of interest for this Special Issue include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Cryptography and true random number generators;
  • Hardware security and physically unclonable functions;
  • Nonlinear signal processing;
  • Integrated chaotic circuits;
  • Power electronics and energy conversion circuits;
  • Analog computing and memristor-based circuits;
  • Nonlinear circuits for artificial intelligence;
  • Nonlinear circuits for biomedical applications;
  • Nonlinear control systems;
  • Complex networks;
  • Applications in telecommunication.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Tommaso Addabbo
Dr. Fabio Pareschi
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • cryptography
  • nonlinear signal processing
  • chaotic circuits
  • energy conversion
  • memristor-based circuits
  • nonlinear circuits for artificial intelligence
  • biomedical systems
  • control systems
  • complex networks
  • telecommunications

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 2697 KiB  
Article
A Non-Linear Successive Approximation Finite State Machine for ADCs with Robust Performance
by Gisela De La Fuente-Cortes, Guillermo Espinosa Flores-Verdad, Alejandro Díaz-Méndez and Victor R. Gonzalez-Diaz
Electronics 2024, 13(14), 2756; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13142756 - 13 Jul 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1031
Abstract
This work presents the detailed design of a Successive Approximation Analog to Digital Data Converter (SAR ADC) using bulk 180 nm CMOS IC technology. The focus of the study is on replacing the typical Successive Approximation Register array with a Finite State Machine. [...] Read more.
This work presents the detailed design of a Successive Approximation Analog to Digital Data Converter (SAR ADC) using bulk 180 nm CMOS IC technology. The focus of the study is on replacing the typical Successive Approximation Register array with a Finite State Machine. This converter features a fully differential and bipolar architecture, which leads to the logic SAR nonlinear behavior. A novel digital control logic mitigates the conversion errors through the conditions in the previous logic states. The logic scheme, in combination with a robust continuous comparator, demonstrates tolerance to Process, Voltage, and Temperature variations. The architecture does not include calibration or additional redundancies in post-layout simulations to emphasize the exclusive benefits of the new SAR logic. The proposed SAR ADC achieves a 14.07 effective number of bits with 7.04 fJ/conversion step Walden figure of merit in biomedical applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nonlinear Circuits and Systems: Latest Advances and Prospects)
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28 pages, 51104 KiB  
Article
N-Dimensional Non-Degenerate Chaos Based on Two-Parameter Gain with Application to Hash Function
by Xu Dai, Xiaotong Wang, Haotong Han and Erfu Wang
Electronics 2024, 13(13), 2627; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13132627 - 4 Jul 2024
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1234
Abstract
The Lyapunov exponent serves as a measure of the average divergence or convergence between chaotic trajectories from the perspective of Lyapunov exponents (LEs). Chaotic systems with more and larger positive LEs have more complex dynamical behavior and can weaken the degeneration of digital [...] Read more.
The Lyapunov exponent serves as a measure of the average divergence or convergence between chaotic trajectories from the perspective of Lyapunov exponents (LEs). Chaotic systems with more and larger positive LEs have more complex dynamical behavior and can weaken the degeneration of digital chaos. Some existing control algorithms for chaos need more and larger preset parameters, which are not favorable for practical application; others require the original system to satisfy specific conditions, which lack generality. To address the deficiencies of these algorithms, this paper proposes a construction algorithm of N-dimensional discrete non-degenerate chaos based on two-parameter gain (ND-NCTG), which can realize the non-degenerate or non-chaotic control of chaotic systems by only two control parameters. We take a 3D chaotic system as an example and analyze the relationship between control parameters and LEs, as well as the characteristics of chaotic sequences, to verify the effectiveness and reliability of the algorithm. In addition, since the initial value sensitivity of the chaotic system coincides with the sensitivity in input information for the hash function, this paper takes the proposed chaotic construction algorithm as the basis to design a bidirectional diffusion chaotic hash function. The effectiveness and security of this hash algorithm are verified by sensitivity, statistical distribution and collision analysis. Compared with similar algorithms, both the non-degenerate chaotic construction algorithm and the hash function algorithm proposed in this paper have better performance and can meet the application requirements of secure communication. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nonlinear Circuits and Systems: Latest Advances and Prospects)
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19 pages, 13018 KiB  
Article
Secure Encryption of Biomedical Images Based on Arneodo Chaotic System with the Lowest Fractional-Order Value
by Berkay Emin, Akif Akgul, Fahrettin Horasan, Abdullah Gokyildirim, Haris Calgan and Christos Volos
Electronics 2024, 13(11), 2122; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13112122 - 29 May 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1041
Abstract
Fractional-order (FO) chaotic systems exhibit richer and more complex dynamic behaviors compared to integer-order ones. This inherent richness and complexity enhance the security of FO chaotic systems against various attacks in image cryptosystems. In the present study, a comprehensive examination of the dynamical [...] Read more.
Fractional-order (FO) chaotic systems exhibit richer and more complex dynamic behaviors compared to integer-order ones. This inherent richness and complexity enhance the security of FO chaotic systems against various attacks in image cryptosystems. In the present study, a comprehensive examination of the dynamical characteristics of the fractional-order Arneodo (FOAR) system with cubic nonlinearity is conducted. This investigation involves the analysis of phase planes, bifurcation diagrams, Lyapunov exponential spectra, and spectral entropy. Numerical studies show that the Arneodo chaotic system exhibits chaotic behavior when the lowest fractional-order (FO) value is set to 0.55. In this context, the aim is to securely encrypt biomedical images based on the Arneodo chaotic system with the lowest FO value using the Nvidia Jetson Nano development board. However, though the lowest FO system offers enhanced security in biomedical image encryption due to its richer dynamic behaviors, it necessitates careful consideration of the trade-off between high memory requirements and increasing complexity in encryption algorithms. Within the scope of the study, a novel random number generator (RNG) is designed using the FOAR chaotic system. The randomness of the random numbers is proven by using internationally accepted NIST 800-22 and ENT test suites. A biomedical image encryption application is developed using pseudo-random numbers. The images obtained as a result of the application are evaluated with tests such as histogram, correlation, differential attack, and entropy analyses. As a result of the study, it has been shown that encryption and decryption of biomedical images can be successfully performed on a mobile Nvidia Jetson Nano development card in a secure and fast manner. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nonlinear Circuits and Systems: Latest Advances and Prospects)
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20 pages, 1768 KiB  
Article
A Deterministic Chaos-Model-Based Gaussian Noise Generator
by Serhii Haliuk, Dmytro Vovchuk, Elisabetta Spinazzola, Jacopo Secco, Vjaceslavs Bobrovs and Fernando Corinto
Electronics 2024, 13(7), 1387; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13071387 - 6 Apr 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1379
Abstract
The abilities of quantitative description of noise are restricted due to its origin, and only statistical and spectral analysis methods can be applied, while an exact time evolution cannot be defined or predicted. This emphasizes the challenges faced in many applications, including communication [...] Read more.
The abilities of quantitative description of noise are restricted due to its origin, and only statistical and spectral analysis methods can be applied, while an exact time evolution cannot be defined or predicted. This emphasizes the challenges faced in many applications, including communication systems, where noise can play, on the one hand, a vital role in impacting the signal-to-noise ratio, but possesses, on the other hand, unique properties such as an infinite entropy (infinite information capacity), an exponentially decaying correlation function, and so on. Despite the deterministic nature of chaotic systems, the predictability of chaotic signals is limited for a short time window, putting them close to random noise. In this article, we propose and experimentally verify an approach to achieve Gaussian-distributed chaotic signals by processing the outputs of chaotic systems. The mathematical criterion on which the main idea of this study is based on is the central limit theorem, which states that the sum of a large number of independent random variables with similar variances approaches a Gaussian distribution. This study involves more than 40 mostly three-dimensional continuous-time chaotic systems (Chua’s, Lorenz’s, Sprott’s, memristor-based, etc.), whose output signals are analyzed according to criteria that encompass the probability density functions of the chaotic signal itself, its envelope, and its phase and statistical and entropy-based metrics such as skewness, kurtosis, and entropy power. We found that two chaotic signals of Chua’s and Lorenz’s systems exhibited superior performance across the chosen metrics. Furthermore, our focus extended to determining the minimum number of independent chaotic signals necessary to yield a Gaussian-distributed combined signal. Thus, a statistical-characteristic-based algorithm, which includes a series of tests, was developed for a Gaussian-like signal assessment. Following the algorithm, the analytic and experimental results indicate that the sum of at least three non-Gaussian chaotic signals closely approximates a Gaussian distribution. This allows for the generation of reproducible Gaussian-distributed deterministic chaos by modeling simple chaotic systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nonlinear Circuits and Systems: Latest Advances and Prospects)
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11 pages, 4274 KiB  
Brief Report
Spectral Detection of a Weak Frequency Band Signal Based on the Pre-Whitening Scale Transformation of Stochastic Resonance in a Symmetric Bistable System in a Parallel Configuration
by Zhijun Qin, Tengfei Xie, Chen Xie and Di He
Electronics 2024, 13(18), 3637; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13183637 - 12 Sep 2024
Viewed by 616
Abstract
The spectral detection of weak frequency band signals poses a serious problem in many applications, especially when the target is within a certain frequency band under low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) conditions. A kind of novel technique based on the pre-whitening scale transformation of [...] Read more.
The spectral detection of weak frequency band signals poses a serious problem in many applications, especially when the target is within a certain frequency band under low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) conditions. A kind of novel technique based on the pre-whitening scale transformation of stochastic resonance (SR) in a symmetric bistable system in a parallel configuration is proposed to solve the problem. Firstly, pre-whitening can ensure the Gaussian distribution of the receiving signal fits the requirements for SR processing. Secondly, scale transformation can help to effectively utilize the properties of a weak signal, especially under a low-frequency band. Thirdly, the SR in a symmetric bistable system in a parallel configuration can try to smoothly reduce the variances in the clutter and additive noise. Fourthly, by subtracting the steady state response of the SR in the selected symmetric bistable system from the parallel output, the spectral detection of a weak signal can be realized successfully. Experiment results based on actual sea clutter radar data guarantee the effectiveness and applicability of the proposed symmetric bistable PSR processing approach. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nonlinear Circuits and Systems: Latest Advances and Prospects)
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