How to make a carrier in RFIC and MMIC domain?

[sawaak]

RFIC and MMIC domain

Hi,
if any one wants to make a carrer in this technology, what should he do?? that is, how to get start :roll:
also i want to know that in which category RFIC and MMIC falls, that is,
one should opt for MS in microwave, RF design etc or MS in microelectronics, IC Design etc?? :?

thanks
sawaak

 

[sergio mariotti]

RFIC and MMIC domain

Microwave engeneers may can design topology and layouts, they may be able to get top performance of theyr cicrcuits taking the benefits that the technoloy offer.
But is the chemical and phisics applied to semiconductor technology that research and improve the ultimate performances.
If your interest is for semiconducto technology, choose microelectronics. regardeless for operative frequency.

 

[Mazz]

Re: RFIC and MMIC domain

To add some comment to sergio's one:
MMIC and RFIC have, in my opinion, a lot of overlap. Maybe, for historical reasons, people who works in these fields, come often from different background:
MMIC is more distributed circuit design, power match, S-parameter, GaAs and so Microwave designers...
RFIC is more complex design (lot of transistors), silicon, analog design techniques and so microelectronic designers...
But as I have said, there is a lot of overlap, that in my opinion will grow with time. So a good engineer should have both competences!
Correct me if I'm wrong.
Mazz

 

[Puppet1]

Re: RFIC and MMIC domain

RFIC is more analog IC based.
MMIC is more microwave IC based.

RFIC tends to be more voltage/current based, while MMIC is more power level based -- RFIC uses analog IC techniques for matching, and small signal analysis most of the time, MMIC uses S Parameters since power is a better measure at high frequency.

Take these courses:

grad degree good though to get the course work done !

Analog IC Design (Bipolar, CMOS)
RFIC Design
MMIC Design (if offered)
Microwave Engineering (microwave amplifiers)
VLSI Design
Semiconductor Physics/Layout (CMOS, Bipolar)

optional courses
Advanced Analog IC Design
Advanced RFIC Design

Most schools have these types of courses -- a microwave engineering course is good enough to know MMIC design, all the concepts are there.

You just need practice with tools -- Agilent ADS and Cadence SpectreRF are the hot ones now.

After having those course you are set to enter the field !

You have to LOVE RF ! Make some RF Stuff !

 

[sawaak]

Re: RFIC and MMIC domain

Analog IC Design (Bipolar, CMOS)
RFIC Design
MMIC Design (if offered)
Microwave Engineering (microwave amplifiers)
VLSI Design
Semiconductor Physics/Layout (CMOS, Bipolar)

optional courses
Advanced Analog IC Design
Advanced RFIC Design

Hi Puppet1,
can u please mention the recommended books for all the courses u mentioned, plus a link for download them

thanks
sawaak