Events Calendar

Integrated Systems Seminar Series

Speaker: Dr. Alireza Shirvani, Ralink Technology

Talk Title: Embedded RF Interfaces in Deep Submicron CMOS: Challenges and Opportunities

Abstract: For the past few years, most state-of-the-art wireless transceivers have evolved into single chip SoC’s in deep submicron CMOS technologies. Such high level of integration is mainly driven by cost and form factors demanded by the market. For RF and analog designers, however, such high level of integration is a mixed blessing. Keeping up with digital scaling imposes technical and strategic challenges for RF transceiver development. Furthermore, small die sizes with increased on-die digital activity necessitate substrate noise mitigation and isolation techniques. The added integration, however, provides numerous benefits. A higher level of system self test and calibration can be achieved on the die, alleviating the need for external test equipment and added time and cost. In addition, digitally assisted techniques can be more readily employed to overcome circuit and system impairments, saving precious die size and power.

Biography: Alireza Shirvani received the B.S. degree in electrical engineering from Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran, in 1997, and the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering from Stanford University, Stanford, CA, in 1999 and 2003 respectively. He was with Tavanza from 2000 to 2002 working on RF power amplifiers for cellular communications. From 2002 to 2009, he was with Marvell Semiconductor, most recently as Senior Director of RF and Analog Design, where he led development of several generations of Marvell WLAN products. He is currently with Ralink Technology, as Director of RFIC Engineering, engaged in design and development of integrated RF transceivers for wireless communications. Dr. Shirvani was a member of the Iranian team in the 24th International Physics Olympiad. He is a technical program committee member and chair of the Panels Subcommittee at the IEEE Custom Integrated Circuit Conference (CICC). He is also the author of Design and Control of RF Power Amplifiers (Springer, 2003) and the recipient of the 2002 IEEE Journal of Solid State Circuits Best Paper Award.

Host: Prof. Hossein Hashemi and Firooz Aflatouni

Location: Hughes Aircraft Electrical Engineering Center (EEB) - 248

Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

Contact: Hossein Hashemi