Technology
Emerging Specializations for MS in Electronics and Communication Engineering
Emerging Specializations for MS in Electronics and Communication Engineering
Introduction
As technology continues to advance, professionals in the field of Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE) have a wide range of specializations to choose from. Pursuing a Master's in Technology () specialization can significantly enhance career prospects, whether it's in senior positions or research-oriented domains. In this article, we explore some of the trending specializations in ECE, including analog electronics, digital electronics, microprocessors, embedded systems, and control systems, as well as VLSI technology.
Communication Engineering
Communication Engineering is primarily concerned with signal and image processing, with a focus on the communication side of ECE. This specialization covers topics such as wireless communications and signal processing. You will delve into various techniques and tools, including PSD (Power Spectral Density) curves and functional analysis. This field is quite mathematical, making it rigorous but also rewarding. It offers both job and research opportunities, and well-known companies such as Cisco, Tejas, Qualcomm, Cdot, Cdac, TI, Qualcomm, NXP, Lattice, ISRO, and SCL provide employment.
VLSI Technology and Microelectronics Systems
VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration) Technology and Microelectronics Systems is where the electronics aspect of ECE comes into play. This specialization deals with Integrated Circuits (ICs) and printed circuit boards (PCBs) and their design principles. It involves learning about specific tools such as Allegro, Eagle, and Virtuoso, as well as coding languages like SystemVerilog and VHDL. This field is highly rewarding and satisfying, but it also requires significant effort to start. Research in VLSI and microelectronics is rich, especially considering the relatively underdeveloped state of electronics in India. Promising research topics include FinFET, MEMS, thin channel MOS, and layout techniques.
Embedded Systems
Embedded Systems is a hybrid specialization that combines elements of both communication and microelectronics, along with some electrical engineering. It is highly industry-oriented, and you will learn to code using domain-specific IDEs. This specialization is focused on building solutions and working with Evaluation Modules (EVMs) and board cutouts. While the industry prospects are broad, ranging from startups to large corporations, the catch is that your worth may be less compared to a Computer Science Engineering (CSE) background. Consequently, the tolerance for varying expertise is lower.
Power Electronics
Power Electronics is a unique and versatile specialization. It focuses on power-related topics like power planes, structures, and reducing power consumption while maintaining efficiency. This field is research-oriented, and there are several power IC vendors like ON semi and Silicon Labs that work in the power and timing domain. However, opportunities in this field are limited due to the scarcity of specialized positions. Despite this, research topics in power electronics are abundant, and this specialization can open doors to the electrical domain. Professionals working in this field are in high demand, but they are quite rare, with only one or two per branch on average.
Conclusion
In summary, choosing the right specialization in ECE can greatly impact your career prospects. Whether you are interested in communication signals, electronic design, embedded systems, or power management, there is a specialization that aligns with your interests and career goals. Each specialization offers unique challenges and opportunities, making the decision based on your long-term objectives crucial.