Complex-sensing integrated circuits for built-in self test of millimeter-wave transceivers​

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The integration of millimeter-wave and sub-THz functionalities is growing and consolidating on many monolithic technologies, from CMOS to bipolar and hetero-junction based. On the one hand, this allows to design radio-frequency integrated circuits (RFICs) for many fascinating applications, such as multi-Gbit/s communication, RADAR sensing and spectroscopy. On the other hand, this requires expensive measurement equipment with sometimes complicate calibrations. Further, the design for built-in self test (BIST) poses interesting challenges at such high operating frequencies.

This PhD research aims at integrating capabilities of measurement, characterization and BIST within the mm-wave/sub-THz RFICs. Starting from circuit techniques available in literature (such as detection of power/envelope, sensing of complex impedance, and coherent/incoherent sensing of transmit/reflection coefficients), this research will investigate and develop circuit solutions that operate at mm-wave/sub-THz on different technologies, on wide bandwidths, consume small powers and are compact in area. This is meant to complement or even replace expensive measurement equipment and calibrations, and to innovate on BIST for such high operating frequencies.

This PhD research will benefit of guidance and teamwork within the Advanced-RF department at imec, with expertise on RF technologies and devices, on RFIC design, on communication and radar systems. The position will be based in the headquarter of imec in Leuven, Belgium.

Who you are

• MSc degree in electrical, electronic or communication engineering or equivalent.
• Solid knowledge of RF and analog IC design
• Solid understanding of RF basics (signal theory, electromagnetics fundamentals)
• Experience with high-frequency design, lumped or distributed, is a plus
• Experience with layout or measurement techniques is a plus
• You are a team player and have good communications skills
• Ready to focus on tasks and open to the big picture
• You work independently, have a strong feeling of responsibility and can commit to milestones of a research plan
• You are proficient in English writing and with good presentation skills
• Open to learn and grow in all the points forementioned, inspired by colleagues and the imec unique environment, mingling academic and industrial approaches​