Tyndall National Institute at University College, Cork in Ireland invites applications for a PhD in Mixed-Signal Design for the Internet of Things in 2019.
Project details
Microelectronic Circuits Centre Ireland (MCCI) is an EI / IDA technology centre hosted at Tyndall National Institute. Its mission is to carry out industry-led world-class Analog, Mixed-Signal and RF integrated circuit research and to deliver trained people and IP to industry. MCCI is already collaborating with 35 companies and many of the staff eventually transfer into the thriving microelectronics industry in Ireland. MCCI targets real-life applications with its research and currently has projects in diverse topics such as DNA detection for food safety, next generation optical communications, bio-sensing, imaging for security applications and early cancer detection.
As microelectronics chips are manufactured in ever smaller geometries the performance of Analogue and Mixed-Signal circuits degrade while at the same time digital logic becomes cheaper, smaller and lower power. Applications associated with the Internet of Things is placing multiple challenges on the Integrated Circuit Chips that are required to enable the next generation of IoT applications.
Sampling aperture errors caused by jitter on the edges of the sampling clock is a major performance limitation for Analogue to Digital converters both at high speeds and at high precision. Applications such as Automotive Radar and 5G Cellular communications are limited by jitter. The requirement for sub 1ps rms jitter or even 10fs rms jitter for the latest State of Art GHz ADCs puts large demands on the clock source and clock buffers. The Clock source is usually a Phase Locked loop (PLL) and this has high power consumption to meet the tight precision specifications. This a large opportunity for innovative solutions to make ADCs more robust to jitter errors to overcome this performance and power limitation.
MCCI is opening up a number of PhD studentships in the area of Analogue Mixed-Signal Design for the Internet of Things. These will encompass areas such as Data Converters, Ultra Low Power Data Converters, Energy Harvesting, Power Management and RF IC design. There are particular opportunities in the areas of:
- Jitter Reduction techniques for Analogue to Digital converters.
- Electrochemical Sensor Interfaces.
- High-Speed Data Converters
- High Resolution
Worth of Award
An annual student stipend of €18,000.00 applies for this successful candidate for this position. Yearly University academic fees will be paid by the Tyndall National Institute.
Eligibility
- The minimum academic qualification is a first or upper second class honours degree (or an equivalent international degree) in electrical engineering, electronic engineering, physics or related relevant discipline.
- The successful candidate will be highly innovative with a strong desire to create world-beating integrated circuits research for real-life applications.
- The successful candidate will be highly analytical with good interpersonal and organizational skills.
- A Master’s Degree in Electronic/Electrical Engineering
- Good mathematical ability and knowledge of statistics
- Circuit knowledge on Analogue to Digital converters and Phase Locked Loops
- Experience in the area of Analog, Mixed-Signal or RF circuit design
- Knowledge of mathematical modelling tools such as MATLAB.
Any queries relating to this position can be forwarded to Dr. Ivan O’ Connell on email [email protected]
How to Apply
- Download the Application form and indicate IOC-17 as the job reference
- Return the completed application form, together with your CV and motivation letter to [email protected]
- Please note that Garda vetting and/or an international police clearance check may form part of the selection process.
- The University, at its discretion, may undertake to make an additional appointment(s) from this competition following the conclusion of the process.
Deadline: Applications close April 20, 2019.