Circuiting Progress: Academics to Analog Design Engineer

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How do the soothing sounds of birds chirping or the melody of your favorite singer’s song make you feel? What if I told you that all these experiences are examples of analog information. Analog design captures this meaningful information and processes it through electronic integrated circuits, creating a seamless connection between the analog world and modern digital technology.

This article discusses the analog circuit design cycle, exploring opportunities within the analog design domain, and the future of circuit design.

I am a senior analog designer based in the Greater Boston area. My engineering journey began when I chose Electronics as my core course in my junior and senior years of high school. Which eventually paved the way for me to obtain a Bachelor of Engineering in Electronics and Communication. During engineering, I was exposed to analog communication, hardware descriptive language, and linear integrated circuits and very large-scale integrated circuits (VLSI) courses. I also received hands-on practical training at Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) where I was trained under the Employment Enhancement Training program and was certified as a BSNL platinum-certified Engineer; this gave me the confidence to pursue a career in Integrated Circuit Design. I pursued my master’s in electrical engineering with a focus in Circuits and Devices which eventually helped me to start my career in Analog Circuit Design.

Analog Integrated Circuit (IC) Design Flow:

Analog design involves creating intricate integrated circuits based on continuous signals. The analog design flow starts with developing system-level specifications, followed by architectural design, which is then reviewed with peers before moving on to design entry.

During the design phase, designers typically focus on the power consumption, performance, and area of the custom-building blocks of the chip, as well as the top-level integrated circuit itself. For example, when designing a Linear Dropout Regulator (LDO), you’ll need to consider factors such as the maximum output current load, the gain of the amplifier used in the LDO, and the power consumption of the block. Figure 1 shows the example of schematic.

Additionally, you must determine if the LDO will be capacitor-based or non-capacitor-based and whether it will be an input pole-dominant or output pole-dominant system. It’s also crucial to measure the output impedance of the LDO, as it aims to mimic an ideal voltage source. These designs are typically executed using a CAD tool and are called Schematics.

Inverter Circuit

Once the Schematics are complete, simulations are conducted using industry-standard Simulators. These simulations involve various analyses, including DC, AC, Noise, and Transient analyses. If the results align with the expected specifications, the designer proceeds to the physical implementation of the circuit, known as Layout Design, which is later fabricated. Figure 2: shows the example of Simulation waveform for a sense amplifier design.

In Layout Design, designers primarily consider the area of the design and the parasitics along the routing paths. Following the layout design, a Layout versus Schematic (LVS) check is performed to ensure that the layout functionally matches the schematics. Figure 1 shows the Layout of a basic layout of an inverter.

Once the layout passes the LVS check, layout verification simulations are conducted, which include parasitic extraction. After verification, Design Rule Checks (DRC) and antenna checks are performed. Each custom-building block undergoes these steps, and connectivity between these blocks is ensured at the top level of the integrated circuit.

The top-level circuit also includes Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) protection circuits, such as power clamps, general-purpose inputs and outputs (GPIOs), and analog I/Os. Suppose the top-level circuit incorporates both analog and digital designs; it is referred to as Mixed-Signal Circuit Design and requires co-simulation to ensure that all system-level specifications are met.

After these verifications, the layout database is sent to the foundry for fabrication. Once the Integrated Circuit returns from fabrication, its performance is tested in the Lab and then sold as an IP to the customers.

Team Culture and Why it Matters:

A significant percentage of engineers choose jobs immediately after school, mainly based on financial benefits, often sidelining their long-term career satisfaction and exposure; the presence of experienced engineers who could provide valuable guidance is equally essential for successful professional growth.

Every company has good and bad teams, so choosing the right team during the interview process is crucial. The right questions during this time provide insights into the team’s culture. We must seek a team that maintains professional relationships, provides support and opportunities, and promotes a healthy work-life balance.

A trait of a leader is their sensitivity towards employees. Choosing the right leader to work for is crucial as it impacts your professional growth and overall job satisfaction and can make or break your long-term career growth.

Testing the Waters, when is the right time?

Testing the waters depends on your current personal circumstances. Consider your present job satisfaction and your long-term career goals. Consider exploring other opportunities in the field, such as becoming a reviewer for peer-reviewed international electronics and electrical journals or participating in exhibitions and conferences.

Interacting with customers to learn their expectations for IC design products is a valuable experience. Exhibitions like the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) can enhance customer interaction and boost Demo Skills.

Exhibiting at CES provided me with job satisfaction and boosted my confidence, thanks to my team’s support at CES. Also, becoming an author for IEEE papers and other industry-standard conferences can broaden your horizons, and expand your professional network.

The Future of Analog Circuit Design:

There is a significant demand for analog circuits in various fields such as consumer electronics and automotive application. Therefore, the future of analog design engineering looks promising. Analog designers have the opportunity to innovate in electronics by developing new architectures in smaller process nodes that consume less power and area while delivering high performance.