Kandou is redefining AI infrastructure through innovative interconnect technologies that significantly reduce power consumption while maintaining high bandwidth and ultra-low latency. Our mission is to make AI systems more scalable, efficient, and accessible.
Today we have one internship position available for max 6 months, in our Advanced R&D, for MSc students in the following area :
Analog Design Intern
Internship Background
Modern computing systems increasingly rely on high-speed serial interfaces to transfer large volumes of data between processors, memory devices, and accelerator chips. Simultaneous bidirectional (SBD) signalling enables both ends of a copper channel to transmit and receive data concurrently over the same physical medium, offering a promising path toward higher bandwidth efficiency without increasing the number of interconnects.
Project Objectives
The objective of this internship is to investigate circuit and signal-processing techniques that enable simultaneous bidirectional communication over wideband copper serial links. The student will explore methods for separating the locally transmitted signal from the incoming signal while maintaining high data rates and robust link performance.
Specific goals may include:
- Reviewing the state of the art in simultaneous bidirectional and full-duplex wireline communication systems;
- Developing behavioural models of wideband copper channels and transceiver architectures;
- Studying self-interference cancellation techniques in the analog and/or digital domains;
- Evaluating the impact of channel impairments, mismatch, and non-idealities on link performance;
- Designing and simulating key building blocks using Python or circuit-level CAD tools;
- Assessing achievable data rates, energy efficiency, and implementation complexity.
Expected Outcomes
At the end of the internship, the student is expected to:
- Gain hands-on experience in the design and analysis of high-speed wireline communication systems;
- Develop simulation models for simultaneous bidirectional serial links;
- Quantify the benefits and challenges associated with full-duplex operation over copper channels;
- Present the obtained results in a technical report and oral presentation.
Depending on the progress and interests of the student, the work may lead to conference or journal publication opportunities.
Desired Background
The project is suitable for motivated Master's students in Electrical Engineering, Microelectronics, Communications Engineering, or Computer Engineering.
Preferred qualifications:
- Good level of familiarity with analog IC design and layout drawing;
- Familiar with analog circuit simulators (SPICE/SPECTRE);
- Strong background in signal processing;
- Strong communication and presentation skills.
If you recognize yourself in the description above, and love to be part of a growing Company, are a good team player with an upbeat approach to life, we would love to hear from you. Together We Kandou It!
Skills Required
- Enrolled in a Bachelor's or Master's program in Electrical Engineering, Microelectronics, Communications Engineering, or related discipline
- Knowledge of analog integrated circuits, communication systems, signal processing, or high-speed interfaces
- Familiarity with MATLAB, Python, Cadence, or similar simulation environments
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Interest in advanced communication and interconnect technologies
What We Do
Founded in 2011, Kandou is the innovative leader in high-speed, energy efficient, chip-to-chip link solutions critical to the evolution of the electronics industry. Kandou enables a better-connected world by offering disruptive technology through licensing and standard products that empower the devices we use every day to become smaller, more energy efficient and more cost effective. Kandou has a strong IP portfolio that includes Chord™ signaling, which has been adopted into industry specifications by JEDEC and the OIF. These innovations and implementations deliver a fundamental advance in interconnect technology that lowers the power consumed and improves the performance of chip links, unlocking new capabilities for customer devices and systems. Kandou is a fabless semiconductor company headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland with offices in Europe, North America and Asia.
