2004 Technical Excellence Award

The 2004 Technical Excellence Award was presented by SRC Board of Directors' Chairman, Craig Sander at the November 2004 Board of Directors' meeting.

The SRC Technical Excellence Award is given annually to researchers who, over a period of years, have demonstrated creative, consistent contributions to the field of semiconductor research; who are ground-breakers and leaders in their fields; and who are regarded as model collaborators with their colleagues in the SRC member community. The Award is shared among researchers who have made key contributions to technology that significantly enhance the productivity of the semiconductor industry. The award consists of a $5,000 cash award which is divided equally among the research contributors.

This year SRC has selected three professors who lead two technical programs, one at the University of Washington and the other at Carnegie Mellon University. All three have a long-term relationship with SRC. Collectively, they have influenced nearly a generation of students who now are making a difference within the SRC member community. They have consistently tackled tough, real-world issues and offered creative technical solutions that are transferred into many member company processes.

Rob Rutenbar	Rick Carley

Professors Rob Rutenbar and L. Richard Carley have been part of the SRC's research team for more than 20 years. During that time they have been pioneers in the field of electronic design automation for analog/ mixed-signal design. According to William Joyner, an IBM assignee to SRC, SRC member companies, most notably Texas Instruments and Cadence Design Systems, have applied the innovation techniques developed in this research to production circuits.

John Cohn's (IBM) nomination of Professors Rutenbar and Carley describes the relationship "as one of the most enduring and productive collaborations in the history of SRC funded research". According to Dr. Cohn, "their work has set the groundwork for the entire emerging analog CAD industry". In conclusion, he shares that, "the collaboration has been so sweet and productive that it's tempting to think of Rob and Rick as the Ben and Jerry's, of Analog CAD."

Mani Soma

Professor Mani Soma of the University of Washington has been part of the SRC design community for more than 10 years. His work in the area of Test Methods for RF System has influenced many within the SRC community. Nominator, Dr. Hosam Haggag of National Semiconductor Corporation, writes that one of the strongest values of Dr. Soma's work "is that he bases his research on specification of real products and realistic case studies and not on a hypothetical matrix of parameters; in addition, he delivers his solutions ready to be implemented on silicon form processing and not merely a simulated file.

Dr. Soma's students are in great demand by SRC member companies, as they "have a strong unique technical and practical knowledge in the difficult field of Analog/Mixed Signal and RF build in self test." Professor Soma makes a special effort to encourage direct interaction between current students and the SRC member community. Over the years, his students have spent many internships at member company sites, the positive impact of these internships has been felt by both the student and the member company.