IC – Design Talents

In the BCDC, we are working in the IC - Design Talents pillar to strengthen competitiveness by expanding chip design expertise in Bavaria.

Our goal is to actively counteract the shortage of skilled workers by increasing the number of qualified specialists in chip design. To this end, we offer fast, certified further training for graduates, young professionals and company employees. Our "Applied Chip-Design" trainee programs are aimed at graduates in electrical engineering, related fields of study and career changers. With our "Chip-Design Experts" course program, we offer further training for engineers and designers with professional experience.  

As BCDC, we follow the Fraunhofer mission to train specialists in future technologies and can draw on many years of experience in practical training in both research and industrial projects. In theoretical training, we use our partnerships with leading universities and colleges as well as our connection to training and further education programs, e.g. from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the EU.

Another building block is the planned "Summer Schools", which are intended to provide students with initial training in chip design and generate enthusiasm for the subject.

From April 2025, the BCDC will launch its practice-oriented trainee programs for Analog IC Design and Test & Validation.

Digital IC Design and System Engineering will follow soon.

The trainees will work on research and development content at the BCDC and will be trained as specialized designers and engineers.

Next start: April 1, 2025

Duration: 6 months 

Weekly working hours: 39 hours

Procedure:

Within six months, the trainees undergo practical training in which they work on real projects and acquire the necessary know-how for the profession of IC designer. In addition to practical skills, technical and interdisciplinary knowledge is taught in numerous training courses. A certificate examination takes place at the end.

Prerequisites: 

• Master's degree in electrical engineering or related courses such as physics, mathematics or medical technology.
• Team spirit, communication skills and ability to work independently

Application: 

Our trainee positions are advertised in our Fraunhofer IIS job portal.

If no positions are currently advertised, you can express your interest by sending an e-mail to Yevgeniy Itskovych. You will then be informed as soon as an application is possible.

Contents of trainee programs

Analog IC Design

Trainees in the Analog IC Design trainee program receive a comprehensive introduction to analog IC design and work on real projects under the guidance of experienced engineers. Practical experience is gained in the design, simulation, layout and verification of analog integrated circuits, with a focus on optimizing circuits in terms of power, speed and area efficiency.

In addition, there is the opportunity to work with other teams such as layout, test and product management, which fosters a collaborative working environment and provides insight into various aspects of semiconductor design.

Test and Validation

Our Test and Validation trainee program provides a comprehensive introduction to the characterization and testing of integrated circuits. The trainees also work on real projects under the guidance of experienced engineers. Practical experience is gained in the use of state-of-the-art test equipment and methods, test setups (PCB, test code, etc.) are developed and the reliability and quality of IC product testing is prepared and ensured.

In addition, there is the opportunity to work with other teams such as IC design and product management, which fosters a collaborative working environment and provides insights into various aspects of semiconductor design.

We are developing the exclusive Chip-Design-Experts training program especially for companies. This program offers industry the unique opportunity to benefit from the latest findings and expertise of Fraunhofer IIS.

Our training program includes hands-on courses that enable your employees to design state-of-the-art chips and sensors that meet the demands of the modern technology landscape.

We are convinced that this program will not only contribute to the professional development of your specialists, but also strengthen your company's ability to innovate and compete in the long term.

Below you will find our constantly growing range of training courses:

Target Group: Radio Frequency IC Designers (RFIC) with and without work experience

Description: 

Wireless communication has gained considerable importance in recent years. The connection of real components or things with virtual images on the Internet poses a fundamental challenge to integrated radio technology. The provision of wireless connectivity must be carried out under the aspects of low power, low latency and high data throughput. The Bavarian Chip Design Center (BCDC) offers companies trainee and further training programs in this area.

The radio frequency IC designer (RFIC) occupies a special position in the value chain. The RFIC designer is indispensable both in system design for innovative transmitter and receiver concepts and in the implementation of integrated radio components in CMOS or SiGe technologies. A deeper understanding of the RF-related correlations in the field of high-frequency and communications engineering goes beyond the basic knowledge of a general IC developer. In addition to the pure skills for developing circuits and systems, there are also skills for evaluating existing RFIC solutions. Knowledge of RFIC design with regard to series product maturity and testability is also taught.

Contents:

• Fundamentals of MOSFETs, bipolar, HBTs
• Drain efficiency gm/ID concept
• Methods for ultra-low-power RFIC design
• TX/RX architectures for RF integration
• RF properties of integrated passive components
• Principle and design of integrated RF oscillators, frequency tuning of VCOs

Learning objectives:

After completing the seminar, participants will be able to design and evaluate systems and circuits of integrated radio electronics such as receivers, transmitters and integrated high-frequency circuits such as PLL synthesizers, low-noise amplifiers, power amplifiers and mixers. 

• Understanding of dimensioning of analog and RF circuits with MOSFET or bipolar transistors
• Understanding the advantages and disadvantages of different receiver and transmitter architectures
• Insight into RF-related restrictions on integrability and system interrelationships
• Dimensioning of oscillator circuits and PLL frequency synthesizers
• Knowledge of the basic properties of typical RF components (passive and active)
• Knowledge of the RF IC-specific design flow

Format: Presence

Duration / Program: 5 days

Completion: Certificate of attendance

Language: English or German

Fee: On request by e-mail to Yevgeniy Itskovych