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Balakrishnan Iyer
Silicon Design Engineer at Google
Professional Background
Dr. Balakrishnan Iyer is an accomplished Physical Design Lead with an extensive background in the realm of high-performance system-on-chip (SoC) designs. With significant expertise in conducting power, performance, and cost trade-offs, Dr. Iyer has played a crucial role in developing notable embedded consumer electronic SoCs, including the highly recognized Sony PlayStation 4 SoC. His deep knowledge encompasses various critical technologies such as CPU architectures (ARM, Tensilica, x86), DDR, PCIe, SerDes, HBM, USB, as well as both industry-standard soft and hard intellectual property (IP) blocks.
In his career, Dr. Iyer has assumed various key technical leadership roles, particularly in the areas of front-end (RTL) design and integration, static timing analysis (STA), and overall physical design, including place and route practices and custom designs. His expertise further extends to the methodologies of power and signal integrity analysis and the development and deployment of these methodologies in high-stakes environments.
A hallmark of Dr. Iyer's career is his successful track record of leading global cross-site teams in delivering critical projects efficiently and on schedule. His collaborative leadership style and commitment to excellence have proven essential in executing complex design objectives within the fast-paced semiconductor industry.
Education and Achievements
Dr. Iyer commenced his academic journey at BIT Mesra, where he completed his Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) with Honors in Electronics and Communication Engineering, laying a solid foundation for his future endeavors in electrical engineering and design. He further pursued an advanced level of education by obtaining a Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. His doctoral research and scholarly accomplishments have resulted in multiple publications in peer-reviewed journals, contributing valuable insights to the field of electrical engineering.
Professional Experience
Dr. Iyer's career has featured pivotal roles at some of the most renowned organizations within the semiconductor and consumer electronics sectors. He has served as a Silicon Design Engineer at Google, where his innovative approaches to SoC design enhanced product performance and market competitiveness. Previously, he held prominent positions at Intel Corporation, both as a System-on-Chip Design Lead within the Silicon Engineering Group and later as the SoC Physical Design Lead at Intel Custom Foundry, solidifying his reputation as an authority in the industry.
Prior to his tenure at Intel, Dr. Iyer made significant contributions as an SMTS Design Engineer at Advanced Micro Devices, where his work focused on creating efficient design methodologies. He also held roles as a Senior Hardware Design Engineer at Intel Corporation and as a Design Engineer within the prestigious Alpha Development Group at Compaq/Digital Equipment Corporation, showcasing his vast range of skills and knowledge. Additionally, he began his career as an Assistant Manager in R&D (Electronics Division) at Tata Steel, where he played a key role in initiating innovative electronics solutions.
Notable Contributions and Interests
Dr. Iyer's specialties lie in the exploration of design aspects where Power, Performance, and Area (PPA) trade-offs are critical. In the realm of RTL design and integration, he is adept in synthesis and the development of STA constraints, ensuring the reliable operation of complex circuits under varying conditions. His ability to address complex scenarios such as Clock Domain Crossing and Voltage Domain Crossing demonstrates his comprehensive understanding of SoC integration and design margining. Through electrical analysis, gatesim testing, and logical equivalency checks, Dr. Iyer exhibits a thorough commitment to low-power design practices, significantly impacting project outcomes positively.
Interestingly, Dr. Iyer is exploring hardware architectures conducive to accelerating algorithms in diverse applications, including Data Analysis, Augmented and Merged Reality Systems, Machine Learning, and IoT (Internet of Things) implementations. His keen interest in these evolving technologies positions him at the forefront of innovation within the tech industry, enabling him to leverage his past experiences to tackle the challenges of future technology landscapes.
Achievements
- Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from University of Massachusetts Amherst, with several publications in prestigious peer-reviewed journals.
- Key member of the design team for the Sony PlayStation 4 SoC, showcasing expertise in high-performance embedded systems.
- Leadership of global cross-site teams ensuring on-time delivery of critical projects in semiconductor design and integration.
- Substantial contributions at leading technology firms including Google, Intel, Advanced Micro Devices, and Compaq, reflecting a diverse and adaptable skill set.
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