Paul Franzon
Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Director of Graduate Programs
Cirrus Logic Distinguished Professor
Monteith Engineering Res.Ctr. 443
919-515-7351 [email protected]Bio
My teaching and research focuses on building microsystems (systems constructed of silicon chips, both analog and digital, and silicon micomachined components) for applications in computing, communications, sensors, robotics, and signal processing.
Education
Ph.D. Electrical Engineering University of Adelaide, Australia 1988
Bachelor's Electrical Engineering University of Adelaide, Australia 1984
Bachelor's Physics and Mathematics University of Adelaide, Australia 1982
Area(s) of Expertise
Quantum Information Science and Engineering
Physical Electronics, Photonics & Magnetics
Networking
Electronic Circuits and Systems
Computer Architecture and Systems
Publications
- Can an Actor-Critic Optimization Framework Improve Analog Design? , arXiv (Cornell University) (2026)
- Language-Model Interfaces for SerDes Design Optimization: Comparing Prompt-Based and Agentic Approaches , 2022 IEEE 72nd Electronic Components and Technology Conference (ECTC) (2026)
- Laser-Induced-Plasma-Filament Antenna Transmitting 30 MHz VHF , IEEE Journal of Microwaves (2026)
- Modeling High-Speed Serdes Links with Symbolic Regression , IEEE Workshop on Signal and Power Integrity (2026)
- 3-D Stacking for AI Systems: Emulating Heterogeneous 3-D Architectures for AI , IEEE Transactions on Components Packaging and Manufacturing Technology (2025)
- 3D Guard-Layer: An Integrated Agentic AI Safety System for Edge Artificial Intelligence , SSRN Electronic Journal (2025)
- 3D Stacking for AI Systems: Emulating Heterogeneous 3D Architectures for AI , SSRN Electronic Journal (2025)
- A 27–30 GHz T/R Module With Reflection-Type Phase Shifting and Machine-Learned Calibration , IEEE Transactions on Circuits and Systems I: Regular Papers (2025)
- A Conditional Diffusion Framework for Sample-Efficient Thermal Modeling in 3DICs , IEEE Conference on Electrical Performance of Electronic Packaging and Systems (EPEPS) (2025)
- Q2SV: A High‐Level Synthesis Approach for State Vector Quantum Simulation , Quantum Engineering (2025)
Groups
Honors and Awards
- 2007 - Australian Defence Medal
- 2007, 2005 - ECE Graduate Teacher of the Year Award (NC State)
- 2007 - ECE Most Helpful Teacher of the Year Award (NC State)
- 2006 - ECE Teacher of the Year Award (NC State)
- 2006 - IEEE Fellow
- 2005 - ALCOA Distinguished Research Award (NC State)
- 2003 - Alumni Undergraduate Distinguished Professor (NC State)
- 2003 - NSW Australia Expatriate Scientist Award
- 2001 - Academy of Outstanding Teachers (NC State)
- 1997 - IEEE Student Branch, Teacher of the Year (NC State)
- 1993 - NSF Young Investigators Award
- 1990 - US Army Commendation Medal