The design and fabrication of high-performance Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuits (MMICs), commonly used in sensors and communications systems, dates back to 1995 in a partnership between DSO and NTU.

The MMIC Design Centre (MDC) which was setup in 2005 in Temasek Laboratories@NTU was subsequently renamed MTDC in 2010 to reflect the comprehensive suite of microfabrication capabilities such as the research of more advanced Gallium Nitride (GaN) Technology. The centre aims to transit these research developments into system applications via prototyping.

Since its establishment in 2006, EMERL has spearheaded research and provided state-of-the-art facilities in the areas of Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) and Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) for both military and civilian applications. This partnership between DSO and NTU, with support from DSTA and A*STAR has enabled the development of new tools and designs for electromagnetically compatible electronic systems.

DSO and Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) have been conducting joint researches since 2003 to overcome the rising challenges in the high-speed digital electronics industry. This joint effort saw the creation of the Innovation Centre for Application Specific Integrated Circuits (iCASIC) to conduct R&D in developing even smaller and more advanced chips with low power requirements for operational platforms.

Collaborating with the Singapore Institute for Neurotechnology (SINAPSE), DSO conducts research in human cognition with respect to cognitive engineering (human workload and mental fatigue) and neuromorphic computing. The research on cognitive engineering aims to enhance soldiers’ performance in battlefield, while neuromorphic computing has strong applications in autonomous systems.