Current student, Brady Kamali, shared the following about being a Summer Intern at AMRF Technologies …
What did you do as an intern at this organization?
Outside of independent research, I worked in three main ways as an intern: testing, simulating, and coding. I tested the brand new wideband radio-frequency chip for phase shifting on a vector network analyzer (VNA), managing inputs and analyzing outputs. In the simulation, I virtually tested the chip on Advanced Design System (ADS) software, which I used to predict test outputs. Finally, in order to visualize or find more data from tests and/or simulations, I wrote Python scripts that post-processed each set of S-parameter data. Through these scripts, I demonstrated the chip’s accurate phase shifting capabilities.
How did you find this internship?
I found this internship by reviewing the NSF award website. AMRF received a Small Business Innovative Research award, and since their technology piqued my interest, I cold-emailed the CEO. After several back-and-forth emails, we were able to plan my summer internship.
What did you enjoy most about your internship?
The hands-on testing was my favorite part of this internship. While simulation and code development were enjoyable, in-person projects are the most satisfying to work on. It was fun to see how even small changes in voltage inputs on one side of the chip altered the phase and magnitude outputs. Analyzing the results, I could physically see how they could be utilized in the development of a full front-end phased array.
What did you find challenging?
The most challenging part of my internship was developing my own algorithm to determine test inputs. Using simulation data, I needed to write a Python script to find the best chip input voltages, but I wasn’t sure where to start. Beginning by analyzing slope, intercepts, and standard error, I eventually arrived at a process of utilizing a mean-squared-error calculation. This process proved successful, and by the end of the summer, I demonstrated the wideband phase-shifting properties of the chip.
What advice would you offer to someone who wants to make the most of an internship like yours?
To someone who wants to make the most of an internship like mine, I would suggest asking as many questions as possible. Try to learn as much as you possible can by people who are so willing to give advice and help out. Furthermore, take note of conversations that you have and write any standout insights as you have them. This way, you have an accumulation of what you learned after the summer ends.
