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Irshad Haji ’02 and Tarik Ghanim ’03 both envision professional lives in which they will design and build computer chips.
Haji, an electrical and computer engineering major from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and Ghanim, a double major in electrical and computer engineering and International Studies from Amman, Jordan, are getting some early experience doing just that as EXCEL Scholars with David A. Rich, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering.
Rich, who joined Lafayette’s faculty last fall after working as a research engineer for 22 years, most recently with Agere Systems, says his current research at Lafayette focuses on finding a way to make digital integrated circuits work with the analog signals used in communications devices.
“One of the fundamental problems has been that digital technology keeps getting better — transistors get smaller and faster each year,” Rich says, explaining that meanwhile, analog signals can’t shrink in a similar fashion without becoming distorted. “We’re trying to build an internal power supply to boost a digital chip to make analog signals.”
Rich says that Haji and Ghanim spent much of the fall and interim semesters learning to use the complex computer software needed for their work and researching patents on similar projects. Now the two are using the software, including Cadence Design System’s PSPICE circuit simulator, to build virtual circuits with power supplies in varying voltages. Once the students build a virtual circuit, Rich says, they can have it manufactured courtesy of MOSIS, a program for students supported by the Semiconductor Industry Association.
Both Ghanim and Haji say they’re glad for the learning experience.
“It’s given me a very good chance to get more acquainted with the computer software,” Ghanim says.
“It’s a unique project,” Haji adds. “And Professor Rich has a lot of experience. He has some very, very good knowledge to impart.”
Haji spent the summer of 2000 working on electrical circuits in an internship with Lutron Electronics Co. Inc. in Coopersburg, Pa. On campus, he’s cochair of the Experience Lafayette Committee, public information officer for the International Student Association, and a resident adviser in Ramer Hall. He also works part-time fixing computers for Lafayette’s Computing Services and is a member of a Technology Clinic that is researching ways of making hotels both environmentally friendly and luxurious.
Ghanim spent the summer helping to maintain the computer network for Royal Jordanian Airlines at Queen Alia Airport in Jordan. On campus, he is president of the Muslim Students Association and a member of the International Students Association and the Asian Cultural Association.
Irshad Haji ’02 and Tarik Ghanim ’03 pursued their interest in designing and constructing better computer chips in an EXCEL research project with David A. Rich, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering