My name is Sean Flynn and I am a third year undergraduate, studying for an MEng in Electronic Engineering from the University of Manchester. I am currently on a three-month summer placement working with the CMOS Sensor Design Group (CSDG) at STFC’s Technology Department.
During my time at the STFC, I have been helping my colleagues Iain Sedgwick and Roy Wastie with their work on the upcoming Electron-Ion Collider (EIC) located at Brookhaven Laboratory in New York. Specifically, I have been helping to design and test the shunt low-dropout regulators (SLDO) which will power the EIC’s sensors. Working on this project has proven rewarding not only in providing me with hands-on industrial experience, but I am also learning new skillsets and broadening my knowledge of electronic engineering as a whole.
Being a part of the Electron-Ion Collider project has given me experience in several areas I know will benefit my future career. These include designing testbenches, running simulations, debugging circuits and opening Cadence. I have acquired these skills thanks, in no small part, to my fellow co-workers who are always happy (as far as I can tell) to help me with any problems I have or questions I ask. I am learning how to use software such as Cadence EDA, which is an industry standard for analogue circuit design. In addition to testing and simulations, I have also implemented undervoltage protection for the SLDOs which will stop the circuit from breaking down if an overload happens.
The Electron-Ion Collider will be a particle accelerator that should allow a better understanding of the internal structures of protons and neutrons. I am excited to be working on a project that will develop our knowledge of the strong nuclear force and gluons. It is amazing to think that a circuit I helped to create may lead to discoveries on the fundamental building blocks of visible matter in the universe.
What I am enjoying most about working for the STFC is the positive attitude towards learning that is present here. The CMOS Sensor Design Group office has an incredible collection of books on every facet of analogue, digital and mixed integrated circuit design. I have been able to deepen my learning on several more topics ranging from bandgap voltage references to analogue layout to Verilog A, complementing my day-to-day practical work experiences.
Participating in the CMOS group's annual pitch and putt competition!Office life in the Technology Department comes with its perks too. Every Thursday my group goes to the pub for lunch which offers a great opportunity for everyone to catch up and talk about something other than transistors for an hour or so. I have also taken part in the annual pitch and putt golf competition and a Euro 2024 sweepstake. I’m devastated that I won’t be around in January for the “CMOS Nations” fantasy rugby tournament, which I think I’d have a much better chance in than the golf!
Overall, I would highly recommend an STFC Summer Placement to any aspiring electrical/electronic engineer. The team are passionate experts in their respective fields, and working with them on cutting-edge technology that will contribute to the scientific discoveries of the future has been an invaluable experience for me. However, what I’ve enjoyed most about working for the STFC is how learning and continual development is so strongly encouraged here. It makes it the perfect place for any student looking to branch out from their undergraduate degree into the world of professional engineering. It has certainly been the perfect place for me to do just that.
