Title, I heard most of the research jobs in EE/ECE requires a PhD, but on the other hand I saw LinkedIn profiles of few guys who work in reputed research labs like MIT, UCLA, GTech etc

Hello!

I'm a sophomore at a T25 university in the US majoring in EE and minoring in Physics. I finished my gen eds and much of my EE core (Intro Circuits, Intro Emag, taking Intro Signals next sem) and I'm trying to decide on what EE specialization classes to take.

I love physics, but I'm also interested in its practical applications to innovate technology. I'm fascinated by RF, optics/photonics, and semiconductors. My current plan is to take classes like Antennas/Wireless Systems, Photonics/Optoelectronics, and Semiconductor Devices to explore my interests.

My dream is to do a PhD, so I've been trying to gain research experience. I worked in a lab my freshman year where I made a device with Arduino programming and PCB design, but it was more of developing consumer products than scientific and technological innovation, so I've been cold emailing and trying to get into a better lab.

Considering my goals, I've been wondering if it's better to do breadth or depth. Should I focus on one field and go deep into it and take grad classes or is it fine to take intro classes in multiple fields as an undergraduate? Also, looking at the classes I mentioned, only around 20 people take them per sem. Sadly I see that RF is not as big in industry as embedded systems or VLSI, and that photonics is niche.

My EE friends are speedrunning classes like Logic Design and Computer Architecture, which hundreds of people take per sem. They're also grinding project teams and getting big tech internships, which is making me nervous and wonder if I'm doing the right thing in life.

Should I take a combination of both photonics and VLSI classes while trying to get into a research lab working on something like silicon photonics or quantum computing? Would this allow me to pursue physicsy yet practical fields and have the pathways of both academia and industry?

Thank you!

I want to start a project on verilog . A 32 bit risc v microprocessor. But I have no mentor or guide to help me with this. Could anybody help what are the pre requisites and what to do to get started

Hi everyone,

I’m a self-taught software developer with 10 years of experience who is looking for advice on how to move closer to working with hardware (I hope I am in the right place).

For my work, I’ve mostly been using Java, JavaScript/TypeScript, Rust, and SQL to build B2B SaaS apps. I also worked a bit with C++/C# for some side projects. I am originally from Germany but moved to the US a few years ago and plan on staying here long term.

I recently picked up a Raspberry Pi and started building my own mini-robot. I got really interested in the idea of transitioning my career to a field where I can combine coding with hands-on engineering. Some fields that have always been of particular interest to me are computer chips, robotics and anything related to aerospace.

I am uncertain how to proceed and whether I should keep going down the route I took for software development of self-teaching myself, which I presume is possible but seems harder than coding. The alternative I’ve considered is doing a remote bachelor's degree from an accredited university in Germany while working in the US, so I don’t need to take any substantial student loans since a degree costs roughly $2k there. The options I am considering are: - Electrical Engineering - Mechanical Engineering - Computer Engineering

In parallel, I could teach the necessary C, C++, and Python skills myself, as I have done with the other coding languages.

I’d love to hear from anyone who has made a similar switch or has experience in these engineering fields. Looking forward to your advice!

I thought they should be the same since DC operating point calculations are made by opening caps.

Can anyone simplify this expression using Boolean Algebra

hello everyone

i have in few days an interview for a position as Post Silicon Validation Lab Student

i was a student for computer science for 1 year then i stopped i only had courses in mathematics

i dont know ho to code in python but i can read codes somehow and i understand them kind of

this is my entry to the industry what do i need to know to pass the interview in terms if computer knowledge and lab ?

I will be starting an 8 month hardware engineering internship at Apple and I've been quite anxious as I want to do well to leave a good impression, learn/grow a lot, and get a return offer after grad. I've also been experiencing a lot of imposter syndrome ever since I got my offer. I would really appreciate any advice and tips for how I can perform well, especially within a professional setting. For example, would carrying around a notebook and pencil be seen as a positive thing that I'm eager to do well? How should I go about interacting with my coworkers/manager and asking questions when I'm confused about something? Should I try to finish my work asap and ask for more work?

Hello all!

I'm currently self reading Razavi's book on RF Electronics. I've taken an introductory course on transistors (have not really taken a course yet on building circuits, the course I've already finished only dealt with the physics of transistors itself), so the questions might seem a bit too amateur-ish.

In the chapter on LNAs, while talking about small-signal analysis, he always ground VDD. From what I understand, that's cuz it can be treated as an AC ground. Here are the questions:

1) Let's say I do the same analysis by also considering +VDD to be present. If I were to calculate voltages at some nodes of interest (can be any node, really), all I get is the same answer (as I would by considering VDD to be grounded) + some DC offset, is it?

2) If 1) is right, then while calculating gain and output impedance, wouldn't we need to also include the DC offset? (Cuz Vout/Vin is not the same as (Vout+VDD)/(Vin + VDD), for eg)

Thanks a lot

Hi guys. I was doing boolean algebra exercises and I came across these 2 problems. I know that for someone with experience in this domain this problems are easy, but I've just started to learn logic design and I don't know how to solve them. Can you please help me ? Have a nice day, thank you.

https://preview.redd.it/2304qkdsxf9e1.png?width=573&format=png&auto=webp&s=1505a553b9c7c7a1365de78b8e3012f3a7906835

EDIT: for the first problem I started to do something on logisim but I didn't know how to continue

https://preview.redd.it/u1ta898wyf9e1.png?width=1133&format=png&auto=webp&s=71fa2adca5b1d0adccfe8909c3569f6aab74cbff

And for the second one I made a) but I don't know how to start or what does b) even ask me to do

https://preview.redd.it/o8fo46o9zf9e1.png?width=1970&format=png&auto=webp&s=7b046bbfb383b44433d050c261e606aa01558a66

Hey everyone!! I have been into signal processing (filter design, algorithms ) all of that, and I'm pretty proficient with the theory and have experience with python and a little bit in mathworks. Now I'm clueless as to what to study next, do I delve into next??

Should I get into FPGA maybe, I have no idea, please let me know what I should do and what the current market expects. Thank you.

Hello everyone my situation seems a bit desperate and unique but I’m currently loss, I love computer engineering I’m currently studying it at mcgill in U0 coming from a French bac and I’m privileged enough to have really important connections with the tech industry due to parents network ( I’m talking about companies such as Microsoft open Ai etc I know it seems crazy ) and tomorrow I’m currently meeting somebody really important that could secure my first internship this summer but I don’t know exactly what to tell him, I need to explain him what I want precisely but it’s complicated I don’t know which company I should aim that could look good for later applications or should I go more towards software than hardware ? My passions are computers by far I follow all the news on new hardware I’ve had a big fascination for quantum computers and supercomputers but it seems to complicated for a U0 student should I just do a typical coding internship or a embedded system ? I don’t know I need some of you’re advice of what would be the best for somebody that hasn’t really started studying comp Eng ( I’ve mostly done math course and python ) I’ve still got the whole next term to increase my coding / hardware skills thank you

Hello everyone, apologies if this was asked before. I just wanted to ask if there is anyone who works or has had their WIL (work integrated learning) in the Oil and Gas industry or renewable energy sector. What does it take as an Electronics and Computer Engineering graduate to work in that field? What skills did you acquire/need in order to qualify working in that industry? Is it more hands on as an engineer? It seems like an interesting sector but I have no idea where to get that information where I am from. Thanks in advance.

Hello everyone,

I’ve been working on simulating an OFDM modulator and demodulator based on the LTE downlink, but I’ve run into an issue that I can’t resolve. Below is some context and the problem I’m facing:

• The system includes a channel with multipath effects and AWGN noise.
• At the receiver, I perform channel estimation and equalization based on pilot symbols transmitted along with the data.
• Channel estimation in magnitude works correctly.

The problem: However, the phase channel estimation is not working correctly. I’m unable to correct the phase errors at the receiver.
I'm using python for this simulation. The figure shows the error in phase estimation.

https://preview.redd.it/z4pka1cjeg9e1.png?width=1472&format=png&auto=webp&s=3bcada141e51687604da3c3a43a2cf9d767d8fb2

Here is the portion of code responsible for estimating the channel:

def estimate_channel(y: np.array, pilot_positions: np.array, pilot_value: complex) -> np.array:
"""
Estimate the channel response using the pilot subcarriers.
Parameters:
y: np.array
The received signal.
pilot_positions: np.array
The positions of the pilot subcarriers.
pilot_value: complex
The value of the pilot subcarriers.
Returns:
H_est_matrix: np.array
The estimated channel response.
"""

pilot_tx = pilot_value
H_est_matrix = []
last_H_est = None  

for i, row in enumerate(y):
if len(pilot_positions[i]) > 0:
H_est_row = np.array([])
for j in range(len(pilot_positions[i])):
#pilot_rx = row[pilot_positions[i][j*2]]
pilot_rx = row[pilot_positions[i][j]]
H_est = pilot_rx / pilot_tx
H_est_block = np.repeat(np.mean(H_est), 6)
H_est_row = np.concatenate((H_est_row, H_est_block))

last_H_est = H_est_row  
else:
H_est_row = last_H_est

H_est_matrix.append(H_est_row)

return np.array(H_est_matrix)

Here the full code: https://github.com/ErickDum/OFDM_LTE/blob/main/downlink.ipynb

I'm deciding between two internships as a junior. I'm really interested computer architecture and cpu performance but I wasn't able to land those roles for the summer '25.

Here are my current options

1. R&D Intern at a national lab: not sure what the project is yet but I could get matched into areas like robotics, navigation, and fpga design. Past projects are really interesting and the people are nice. Only concern I have is whether tech used there is outdated compared to industry. If people could share there experiences that would also be helpful.
2. Embedded Software Intern: Not really well known but would give me some experience in software development and low-level programming. I see a lot of people progress from embedded systems to architecture so that's why I kept this as an option.

Pay is about the same for both so a non-issue. I'm really not sure what to pick because they both aren't exactly what I want to pursue in the future. If I want to pursue more architecture related roles in the future how would you weigh the two options?

Thanks.

How can I get my a levels accredited in USA? The ECE requires them to be sent in a signed/stamped and sealed envelope and the examining boards (AQA and edexcel) will not send it like that.

I want to build a flash drive with hardware based encryption. I was googling but since I'm a newbie gonna ask here a few questions.
- Is there any schematic for a basic usb flash drive? I didn't find any and I have not enough experience to build one based on datasheets only.
- What would be the best IC to intercept the data goes to the flash IC encrypt it and while reading data decrypting it with the same key?

Can someone help me with this assignment please

I am currently in learning stage of frontend vlsi design and verification I need a who can practice and grow with me in verilog, system verilog and synthesis tools like cadence etc,.

https://preview.redd.it/dlomsa7e469e1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=eeaa112733c58d03aa46edcb6187db32064c195f

https://preview.redd.it/zukh1ezf469e1.png?width=1024&format=png&auto=webp&s=1a1d32e0aabe6a089d07dbed0265590ded41f7f3

Hi! I'm a EE bachelor graduate. i'm going to study there courses because i haven't learnt them well during my bachelor:

• differential equations
• engineering math (calculus3)
• signals and systems
• probabilty statistics
• circuits theory 2

i was looking for peers to have a study group kind of thing, so i decided to make a post about it on this sub reddit.

we're gonna have a discord server for our study group in which we discuss our problems and hold meetings.

If you’re going to study the course from zero, or even doing some recaps for refreshing your knowledge or filling some gaps, feel free to DM me or drop a comment here.