Perform a simple impedance match between two impedances.
Rfic Design Engineer Interview Questions
46 rfic design engineer interview questions shared by candidates
Why do we use cascoding amplifier?
Describe the biasing scheme you used for an LNA project, and why you chose that biasing scheme.
Smith charts for LNA matching + LNA design (gain/NF/IIP3 optimization) + Inductor design + RF Switch design + OpAmps/LDOs + Bandgaps
Since I work for a big RFIC giant in San Diego and Microchip had to compete with it therefore their questions seemed not focused on testing me rather were focused on my experience. They tried hard to learn and get a word out of me regarding my current experience but I kept it professional . After they failed they declined me an offer saying that they could not get high compensation aligning with my experience.
Phone interview was about 15 to 20 questions in 45 minutes. I would most definitely recommend studying Razavi's 2nd edition analog design textbook whether you are applying for RFIC or Mixed Signal. Half of questions I was asked are on fundamental things starting from MOS transistors and device physics to Op amp design and Bandgap. The other half were on my specialties. If you are a PLL designer, you will be asked synthesizer questions. If you are an ADC designer, you will be asked ADC... and so on. Some of the questions that kept showing up through these interviews from both Qualcomm and other companies were the impedance transformation by MOSFET: what happens to the impedance of a resistor when it is in series with a MOSFET gate, drain, or source (source degeneration, input impedance of CG amplifier, CD amplifier, and so on). Bandgap will probably be asked. Impedance matching, if RFIC. I think that the outcome of the interview is highly dependent on the quality of the research presentation. If one claims to have done a design of such and such blocks, then one is expected to know pretty much everything about the block.
Some questions about the architecture of receiver system, like why nowadays passive mixer is preferred than active one.
Nonlinearity of the circuit Stability in amplifier
Tradeoffs in circuit blocks (e.g LNAs, mixers). System questions (e.g nonlinearity, quantization noise). Testing, measurements and calibration.
Questions including a cascode amplifier, source degenerated amplifier, and Wilkinson power divider.
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