Validation/Characterization Engineer

Job description

Texas Instruments RF Connectivity group is expanding their RF Transceiver Validation Group in Bangalore, India. This group develops cutting edge RF Transceiver products (+MCU integrated) for Wireless-LAN (WIFI) and Ultra-Wideband Systems (UWB). The typical transceiver blocks include RF blocks such as LNA, TA, Down-conversion Mixers, Base-band filters, High Speed ADC to send data to the Modem. Reverse Chain namely for Transmitter, starting from DAC, Base-band filter, Up-conversion mixer and Power Amplifier stages to drive the TX Pin.

LO system includes Chrystal Oscillator, integer/fractional PLL and LO Distribution systems. Various Calibration modules (AGC, PDET, Gain, Offset, IQMM, etc) to calibrate the Transceiver chain is part of the design. Low Current Mode and Complex Power Management to operate at low LDO input voltage.

The required skills in the job are: System Level Understanding of Radio Transceiver: Basic operating principles of Transmit & Receiver chains, Modulation and system parameters such as PER/BER/SNR and EVM/RMSEE.

Debug of the RF Transceiver SoC

Fast and Systematic Identification of the issues in the blocks. Observe and identify the root cause. Drive solutions and not just report problems. The debug would involve either Power & Biasing issues, Incorrect register sequence or incorrect values, Board level issues, Semiconductor Process marginalities etc.

RF Measurements

Understanding of each RF, IF and DC measurement. Example in Receiver chain, measurement of Noise Figure & Gain of the chain, Linearity measurements such as P1dB, IIP2, IIP3, IQ gain & Phase error, LO Leakage and DC offsets. DC operating point measurement via Test Mode, DC Voltages and Current Consumption. Similar measurements for TX chain, PLL, Reference Clock.

PCB Board Development

Development of PCB Schematic and Layout, PCB material selection, stackup, review the design and implement the changes. Working with 3 rd party PCB service companies. Familiarity with Altium and Cadence Allegro flows.

Test Automation and Interpretation of Measurements

Person is expected to have proficiency in Coding & Automation of the measurement flows including interfacing of instruments. Processing of the measured data across PVT corners, Visualization and the ability to identify between IC and setup issues. Basic understanding of statistics and sources of error.

Interfaces

Ability to design and program interfaces such as SPI, UART, UCI. The candidate is expected to have strong proficiency in 2 or more of the above lists in particular 1-3. A strong team player who is deeply engaged with the Product Development team especially the Radio Design Team. Minimum expected experience is 6 years. Position is on-site in Bangalore. TI offers attractive compensation and a highly enriching technical environment.

Ample opportunities to file Patents and become a Recognized Leader in the respective domain over time.

Qualifications

Minimum requirements

Minimum education (ie bachelor's degree in electrical engineering) 3 years of experience.

The required skills in the job are: System Level Understanding of Radio Transceiver: Basic operating principles of Transmit & Receiver chains, Modulation and system parameters such as PER/BER/SNR and EVM/RMSEE.

Debug of the RF Transceiver SoC

Fast and Systematic Identification of the issues in the blocks. Observe and identify the root cause. Drive solutions and not just report problems. The debug would involve either Power & Biasing issues, Incorrect register sequence or incorrect values, Board level issues, Semiconductor Process marginalities etc.

RF Measurements

Understanding of each RF, IF and DC measurement. Example in Receiver chain, measurement of Noise Figure & Gain of the chain, Linearity measurements such as P1dB, IIP2, IIP3, IQ gain & Phase error, LO Leakage and DC offsets. DC operating point measurement via Test Mode, DC Voltages and Current Consumption. Similar measurements for TX chain, PLL, Reference Clock.

PCB Board Development

Development of PCB Schematic and Layout, PCB material selection, stackup, review the design and implement the changes. Working with 3 rd party PCB service companies. Familiarity with Altium and Cadence Allegro flows.

Test Automation and Interpretation of Measurements

Person is expected to have proficiency in Coding & Automation of the measurement flows including interfacing of instruments. Processing of the measured data across PVT corners, Visualization and the ability to identify between IC and setup issues. Basic understanding of statistics and sources of error.

Interfaces

Ability to design and program interfaces such as SPI, UART, UCI.