System Signal/Power Integrity Engineer

Broadcom•San Jose, CA

About The Position

This role involves supporting high data rate SerDes applications up to 400G systems. The engineer will be responsible for system-level Signal and Power Integrity design trade-offs and debug, collaborating with package, PCB, and silicon designers on measurement-simulation correlation projects. The position requires developing models using electromagnetic field solvers, understanding laminate design and fabrication, and evaluating material and connector solutions. The engineer will simulate schematic models in Keysight ADS, ensure model accuracy, and perform VNA/TDR measurements for correlation with simulations. Feedback from these investigations will be used to improve best practices. High-fidelity lab measurements will be captured for correlation and debug. The role also involves understanding and applying high-speed data communications principles, transmission-line and electromagnetic-field theory, numerical analysis, VNA/TDR measurements, and simulators for serial data links. Experience with oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, and optical oscilloscopes is expected. The engineer will work in either time or frequency domain, analyze phase noise, and perform jitter sensitivity measurements. Project management, documentation, and clear communication of complex concepts are essential. The role requires defining requirements for ASIC package and PCB designs, collaborating with engineers to meet System SI requirements while balancing objectives, and performing pre-layout and post-layout modeling and simulation. The engineer will document and deliver SI models, support customer analysis, and understand optical/electrical engine concepts and optical channel impairments. Power Integrity concepts include PDN impedance analysis, ultra-low impedance measurements, capacitor performance, and PDN simulations.

Requirements

BS +12yrs, MS +10 yrs or PhD +7yrs Electrical Engineering or Physics
Experience in one or more of: Signal integrity for high-speed digital applications, Electromagnetic transmission line theory, Microwave theory, Numerical Field solver theory, Power integrity, IC package design, Photonics
Experience with sampling and real-time oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, and optical oscilloscopes.

Nice To Haves

Matlab
Cadence APD/Allegro
Other layout tools
Linux
Keysight AEL

Responsibilities

Support high data rate SerDes applications - up to 400G systems
System level Signal and Power Integrity design trade-offs and debug
Collaborate with package, PCB, and silicon designers to complete measurement-simulation correlation projects
Develop models with electromagnetic field solvers: primarily with Ansys HFSS and electronic suite.
Ability to understand laminate design and fabrication techniques and limitations for both package and PCB designs.
Evaluate system, PCB and package material and connector solutions for future designs.
Simulate schematic models and environments within Keysight ADS.
Ensure and know trade-offs for the accuracy of models (3D/2.5D/2D) used for design simulations.
Perform and develop VNA/TDR (50GHz+) measurement techniques and correlate with models and simulations.
Provide feedback and learnings from measurement-simulation correlation investigations to improve best practices for modeling and simulations.
Capture high fidelity lab measurements to be used for correlation and debug purposes
Understand and apply: High speed data communications, Transmission-line and electromagnetic-field theory, Numerical analysis, VNA/TDR measurements, Bit-by-bit and Statistical simulators for serial data (SerDes) links, Insertion loss, return loss, crosstalk, BER, jitter, and statistical eye diagrams
Work in either time domain or frequency domain
Phase noise analysis as it applies to PLL’s, reference clocks, SerDes TX-RX links
Jitter sensitivity measurement and analysis for SerDes IP
Organize and manage multiple projects
Develop, clearly and effectively document, and track project plans
Effectively communicate complex concepts in conversation, presentations and written documents
Determine and document applicable requirements for ASIC package and PCB designs, drawing from industry standards, customer requirements, and/or APD Broadcom’s internal performance goals
Collaborate with Package and PCB Engineers to fulfill System SI requirements, while balancing objectives (reliability, cost, complexity, etc.)
Pre-layout and post-layout modeling and simulation to support package and PCB engineering for signal integrity
Document and deliver SI models with supporting documentation to customer and internal engineers
Support customer analysis and debug efforts related to our deliverables
Understanding of optical/electrical engine concepts and theory of operation, CWDM, OMA, etc..
Familiarity with optical channel impairments such as chromatic dispersion (CD) and four-wave mixing (FWM).
Power Integrity Concepts: PDN impedance analysis and design, ultra-low impedance measurements, understanding of SMT capacitor performance metrics, use of CPA and/or SI-Wave for PDN simulations.