Staff Profile

About me

I am currently a Research Associate in Machine Learning with the Microsystems Research Group working on the Scalability Oriented Novel Networks of Event Triggered Systems (SONNETS) project, which focuses on how financial risk analysis can be improved using computing research and Artificial Intelligence (AI). I am also currently a Teaching Assistant for the EEE3027 Integrated Circuits and Embedded Systems module for Semester 2 of the 2023/24 academic year, where I am creating teaching material for the practical sessions.

Prior to my current role, I worked as a Research Assistant with the Microsystems Research Group investigating how the machine learning algorithm called Tsetlin Machines can be modelled using an event-based approach like the formal model called Petri nets. During this time, I have also been a Teaching Demonstrator/Assistant for the EEE3027 Integrated Circuits and Embedded Systems module for Semester 1 of the 2023/24 academic year.

My PhD focused on the design and synthesis of speed-independent asynchronous circuits using distributed Finite State Machine models and was sponsored by Dialog Semiconductor. The results of this work included the proposal of a new formal model called Burst Automaton, several formalised translation methods from Burst-Mode Specifications to Signal Transition Graphs, and a Workcraft plugin that supports the design automation of Burst Automata and Burst-Mode Specifications. During my PhD, I have acted as the Postgraduate Student Representative for the Microsystems Reseach Group during the 2019/20 academic year, and have published several publications which details can be found in the research tab.

For my industrial placement, during my BSc studies, I worked as a School ICT Assistant at Newcastle University within the School of Engineering's Chemical Engineering department, with a focus on front-line support for customers within the school's offices, computer clusters, and research labs. Additionally, I also completed a 3 month secondment with the Infrastructure Systems Group to develop and deploy the University's Public Key Infrastructure.

My future goal is to continually on the foundations of my PhD/BSc by learning and exploring new technology areas, while investigating how they may be applied to other areas of expertise to implement new and/or improve current systems.

Qualifications

• 2023: Achieved a Doctor of Philosopher Degree (PhD) in Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering (EECE) at Newcastle University. Thesis title: "Automated Synthesis of Speed-independent Circuits using Distributed Finite State Machines".
• 2018: Achieved a Bachelors of Science (BSc) Degree in Computer Science with Industrial Placement at Newcastle University. Dissertation title: "A modelling language tool that investigates and demonstrates Set-nets".

Current Position(s)

• Research Associate in Machine Learning, Microsystems Research Group, Newcastle University, Feb 2024 to present

Previous Position(s)

• Research Assistant, School of Engineering, Microsystems Research Group, Newcastle University, Oct 2023 to Jan 2024.
• School ICT Assistant, Newcastle University IT Service, School of Engineering (Formerly in Chemical Engineering & Advanced Materials (CEAM) Department), Newcastle University, Aug 2016 to Aug 2017.
• Infrastructure Specialist Assistant, Newcastle University IT Service, Infrastructure Systems Group, Newcastle University, Feb 2017 to Apr 2017.
• Voluntary ICT Practitioner, Acorn Computer Recyling, Aug 2012 to Sep 2012.

Research Interests

Formal modelling, computer-aided design tools, design of distributed asynchronous systems, and machine learning algorithms.

Journal article(s)

• A. Chan, D. Sokolov, V. Khomenko, D. Lloyd and A. Yakovlev, "Burst Automaton: Framework for Speed-Independent Synthesis Using Burst-Mode Specifications" in IEEE Transactions on Computer-Aided Design of Integrated Circuits and Systems, vol. 42, no. 5, pp. 1560-1573, May 2023, doi: 10.1109/TCAD.2022.3206732.

Conference paper(s)

• A. Chan, A. Wheeldon, R. Shafik and A. Yakovlev, "Design of Event-Driven Tsetlin Machines using safe Petri nets", 2024. (Recently Accepted for a conference. Details to be confirmed).
• A. Chan, D. Sokolov, V. Khomenko and A. Yakovlev, "Bridging the Design Methodologies of Burst-Mode Specifications and Signal Transition Graphs," 2024 29th Asia and South Pacific Design Automation Conference (ASP-DAC), Incheon, Korea, Republic of, 2024, pp. 734-739, doi: 10.1109/ASP-DAC58780.2024.10473788.
• A. Chan, D. Sokolov, V. Khomenko and A. Yakovlev, "Formal Modelling of Burst-Mode Specifications in a Distributed Environment", 2022 Forum on Specification & Design Languages (FDL), Linz, Austria, 2022, pp. 1-8, doi: 10.1109/FDL56239.2022.9925657.
• A. Chan, D. Sokolov, V. Khomenko, D. Lloyd and A. Yakovlev, "Synthesis of SI Circuits from Burst-Mode Specifications", 2021 Design, Automation & Test in Europe Conference & Exhibition (DATE), Grenoble, France, 2021, pp. 366-369, doi: 10.23919/DATE51398.2021.9474117.