Student project: High-speed serial link for transferring data from multi-GSps ADC

What you will do

For evaluating custom designs of high sample-rate ADCs, typically on-chip data capture or down sampling is used. Both these techniques have downsides, and it would be advantageous to transmit the ADC output data real-time to an FPGA platform with data processing or data capture. This requires a serial link between the ADC chip and the FPGA, which you will develop. You will do:

• Literature studies on state-of-the-art serial link transmitters
• Architecture study and proposal for serial transmitter
• Circuit implementation of serial transmitter
• Layout and post-layout simulation for serial transmitter
• FPGA programming for receiving serial data
• Thesis writing and documentation
• In case of high-quality design: making design into a test-chip which will be produced (tape-out)

What we do for you

As a world-best research institute, we are the center of excellence in RF research. You will receive supervision from world-renown researchers. You will collaborate with experts in the field of data converters, high-speed circuit design and digital signal processing. You will get the opportunity to experience all steps of a research project, from architecture design to chip fabrication and possibly measurements.

Who you are

• You are a MSc student
• You are available for a period of 9-12 months
• Good analytical skills (e. g. Mathematical skills)
• Good CAD skills (e. g. MATLAB/Cadence)
• Knowledges of designing CMOS circuits
• Knowledges of digital (RTL) design
• Structured way of reporting, both orally and written
• Motivated student eager to work independently and expand knowledge in the field
• Good written and verbal English skills

Interested

Does this position sound like an interesting next step in your career at imec? Don’t hesitate to submit your application by clicking on ‘APPLY NOW’.
Should you have more questions about the job, you can contact jobs@imec.nl.