My Job As Analog Design Engineer

As an Analog Designer, my work revolves around designing and optimizing the analog components of integrated circuits. These components ensure that the final product meets the customers specifications while maintaining robust and reliable performance. My role covers all stages of the design cycle, from understanding customers needs to delivering a fully functional design.

how is my work organized ?

A typical project often starts with project planning and specification drafting. This involves working with customers to make sure we correctly understand their needs and break-down complicated functions into smaller, manageable blocks. For example, a filter might be decomposed into basic elements such as amplifiers and switches, each with specific design constraints. Often several candidate solutions are available which address a set of requirements, and the selection criteria might not be clear at first sight. Pre-design projet phase highlights which candidate solution is the  best trade-of to meet the requirements. Once specifications are clear, I move on to the implementation optimization phase. Pre-design and design optimization phases make extensive use of CAD tools to study PDK devices, create schematics, simulate circuits and ensure their behavior matches with the requirements.

Throughout the process, I aim to create a robust design that can handle a variety of customers use cases. This means anticipating potential challenges, testing rigorously, and incorporating safety margins to ensure stability and reliability under all operating conditions.

Key Responsibilities

My work can be compared to assembling Matryoshka dolls: each block must seamlessly fit with others to create a cohesive system. And to do this we have a set of responsibilities that includes:

• Decomposing complex functions into smaller, testable blocks.
• Implementing designs using selected PDK (Process Design Kit) components to minimize the ASIC manufacturing maskset what shrinks the NRE (Non Return Engineering costs) while meeting requirements.
• Anticipating and mitigating risks by conducting risk analyses and executing extensive verifications including robustness checks like running Safe-Operating Area verifications.
• Collaborating with customers to refine specifications and ensure alignment of our work with their needs.

Skills and Expertise :

Being an Analog Designer requires technical rigor, organization, and a critical mindset. The design work starts by indentifying sizing parameters and writing sizing calculations. Experience teaches humility, starting each new design with a fresh perspective ensures no bias in decision-making. Anticipating how components interact and adapting designs based on their properties are key aspects of the job.

A Memorable Project i worked on :

One of the standout projects I’ve worked on was a current sensor for automotive applications. This sensor uses TMR (Tunnel Magneto-Resistive) technology to measure magnetic fields . I was involved in the design of various blocks including a feature-rich output amplifier, which required a deep understanding of the interfaces between the ASIC and the external environment.

Placed near to a cable, the sensor measures the current flowing through it what finds applications like monitoring the state of charge of a battery. This project exemplifies how analog design combines technical precision with innovative problem-solving to deliver impactful solutions.