interview 1 Flashcards
(8 cards)
What is your role in the design context?
work at the intersection of design and implementI tion, focusing on optimization and automation. My primary contributions include SRAM performance optimization, design flow automation through scripting, and creating tools that support design teams.
While I haven’t done front-end RTL design directly, my work requires deep understanding of timing constraints, power/area trade-offs, and verification flows. This gives me a systems-level perspective that I’m eager to apply more directly to design tasks.
PVT (Process, Voltage, Temperature) analysis; Failures emerge at extreme corners due to physical limitations (e.g. bitline swing at Vmin)
What is your technical contribution?
I detect marginal behavior through automated analysis of physical effects – such as voltage-related instability in SRAM cells.
SRAM retention and write margin; Dependence on transistor threshold voltage, leakage, and temperature effects
Why are you not a classical designer?
I’m not a schematic designer, but I help ensure design correctness through automation, analysis, and close interaction with design and validation teams.
Variation-aware testing; Debug of failure cases using corner analysis and statistical variation
What is your approach to addressing limited design experience?
Focus on optimization and automation in the design flow, gaining insight into design constraints and requirements.
Developed understanding of timing closure, power optimization, and design rule checking through debugging scripts and optimizing designs like SRAM.
How is your database experience relevant to VLSI design?
Strengthened data management and analysis skills for handling large design datasets and optimization metrics.
Enhanced ability to analyze performance data and understand hierarchical design structures.
What was your biggest professional success?
Optimizing SRAM performance in [product name], achieving [X% improvement in speed/power/area].
Required deep analysis of timing paths and power consumption, collaboration with teams, and systematic testing of optimization approaches.
Why are you looking to change jobs?
Seeking to apply optimization skills more directly to design challenges and work on cutting-edge technology at TSMC.
Transitioning toward more design-focused responsibilities for strategic contributions.
Why do you want to work at TSMC?
TSMC is a technology leader in semiconductor manufacturing with advanced process nodes.
Excited about contributing to cutting-edge projects and aligning optimization background with advanced node design requirements.
