1979
Began a part-time research studentship funded by INIC (Instituto Nacional de Investigação Científica), focused on the design of high-quality RC-active filters for implementation using hybrid integrated circuit technology.
1980-1982
Conducted extensive research on high-quality RC-active filters. Notable contributions include a preliminary filter design for the 28–32 kHz channel in FDM transmission systems then under development at CET-Aveiro (Centro de Estudos de Telecomunicações), as well as a research project submitted for the Scientific Capacity Examination at Instituto Superior Técnico (IST).
August 1980
Completed a research internship at the Department of Electrical Engineering, Imperial College London. Designed a preliminary switched-capacitor filter for PCM transmission systems.
August–November 1982
Engaged in a short research project for the Admiralty Underwater Weapons Establishment, focusing on monolithic integrated filters in bipolar technology.
1983–1985
From January 1983 to June 1985, joined Imperial College London as a Ph.D. Research Student, integrating into a research group specialising in microelectronic filters. Funded by a British Telecom scholarship. For his outstanding academic performance and research contributions, he was awarded the prestigious ORS (Overseas Research Student) Award in both 1983/84 and 1984/85.
July–September 1985
Served as a consultant to the British Telecom Research Laboratories. Conducted a feasibility study on implementing a 16- channel spectral analyser in monolithic IC technology for speech recognition systems.
August–September 1986
Consultant to the Admiralty Research Establishment, through a research project based at the Department of Electrical Engineering, Imperial College. Investigated a new generation of decimation circuits using switched-capacitor techniques for PCM system interfaces.
1996 and Beyond – Scientific Leadership and Research Group Founding
In 1986, he independently founded what would become the Integrated Circuits and Systems Group at IST. The group’s mission was to build scientific and technological capacity in analog–digital integrated circuits and systems, primarily in silicon technologies. Research areas included analog and digital signal processing, the design of basic circuit components, testing, and computer-aided design (CAD).
The group’s strategic direction was articulated early on, notably in the invited lecture “From Circuits to Systems – A View of the Role and Needs of Analogue Signal Processing Now and in the Future”, presented in September 1986 at the 8th CAVE (CAD for VLSI in Europe) Workshop, Grassau, Germany.
Strategic Objectives:
Support advanced undergraduate education in electrical and computer engineering.
Strengthen postgraduate programs, particularly Master’s-level research projects.
Enable doctoral research activities in advanced IC design and signal processing.
Equip laboratories and computing environments with high-quality resources and access to advanced IC fabrication technologies.
Foster collaboration with national electronics industry, through joint R&D initiatives and professional development programs.
Establish a diversified base for European research funding, leveraging both European Framework Programmes and direct partnerships with international companies.
Build an international research and exchange network across Europe and the U.S., facilitating placements of IST researchers in top universities, laboratories, and companies.
Integration with National Research Structures
In 1992, he was a leading proponent of the successful application of the Instituto de Telecomunicações (IT) to the national CIÊNCIA Programme, through which the Integrated Circuits and Systems Group became a core unit.
By 1996, following the international evaluation of Portuguese research units, the Group earned a 5/5 (Excellent) rating from all reviewers — the only group within IT to receive the top score across the board.