Post-Silicon Validation Architect

Post-Silicon Validation Architect (Display Team)

Role Overview

The Post-Silicon Validation Architect defines the validation strategy, test plans, and automation frameworks to bring up and qualify next-generation display chips. This role bridges hardware design, FPGA prototyping, and production software to ensure the silicon meets all functional, performance, and reliability targets before mass production.

Key Responsibilities

• Architecture & Strategy: Define the post-silicon validation architecture, methodologies, and test strategies for display chipsets.
• Bring-up & Debug: Lead the bring-up of silicon, reference boards, and FPGA prototypes, isolating complex hardware and software defects.
• Test Development: Create comprehensive test plans covering display protocols, frame buffer management, pixel pipelines, and image processing algorithms.
• Automation: Design and scale automated test frameworks to interface with high-speed validation equipment.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Partner with Design, Pre-Silicon Verification (SV/UVM), Emulation, and Firmware teams to root-cause chip bugs.

Required Technical Skills

Display, Video, & Pixel Processing

·         DSI2 & MIPI: Deep knowledge of MIPI DSI-2 physical and protocol layers for high-speed mobile and automotive displays.

·         Pixel Formats & Formats: Mastery of raw pixel data formats, including PACKED YUV444 and RGB data streams.

·         Bit Depth & Color: Expertise in validating variable bit depths (e.g., 8-bit, 10-bit, 12-bit per channel) and their impact on color fidelity. [1]

·         Scaling & Processing: Strong understanding of image processing pipelines, specifically upscale and downscale filtering engines.

·         Display Technologies: Deep knowledge of display panels, display drivers, demura (mura correction) algorithms, and color management systems.

Hardware Validation & Equipment

·         Introspect Technology: Hands-on experience using Introspect SV series systems (or similar MIPI protocol analyzers/exercisers) for protocol conformance and physical layer testing.

·         FPGA Prototyping & Emulation: Experience using FPGA platforms (Xilinx/AMD, Intel, or Zebu environments) for pre-silicon development and early post-silicon software alignment.

·         Lab Instrumentation: Mastery of high-speed oscilloscopes, multimeters, logic analyzers, and bit error rate testers (BERT).

Silicon Characterization & Verification Methodologies

·         Bitstream Verification: Experience developing and executing bitstream verification methodologies to validate code compliance and pipeline robustness.

·         SV/UVM Understanding: Strong understanding of SystemVerilog and UVM (Universal Verification Methodology) to effectively bridge pre-silicon testbenches with post-silicon test plans.

·         PVT Testing: Experience characterizing silicon performance across Process, Voltage, and Temperature corners.

·         Frame Buffer: Expertise in validating memory interfaces, frame buffer bandwidth, display refresh rates, and power-saving modes.

·         Functionality: Full-stack functional validation of chip configuration, register maps, interrupts, and power management states.

Software, OS, & Automation

·         Python Programming: Advanced Python programming skills for building, scaling, and maintaining automated test scripts, with tools and frameworks.

·         Low-Level Software: Experience writing and debugging firmware in baremetal environments and RTOS platforms.

·         OS Ecosystems: Familiarity with display subsystem pipelines within host operating systems, specifically Android (SurfaceFlinger/HWC) and Linux (DRM/KMS drivers).

·         Excellent problem-solving abilities and attention to details

·         Good software debugging skills using tools like gdb, Valgrind etc.

·         Experience in Continuous Integration tools like SVN, Git, Jira etc.

Soft Skills:

·           Strong communication skills for clearly communicating ideas and concepts to team/customer

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience: 8+ years of experience in post-silicon validation, specifically within display, multimedia, or high-speed SoC environments.