Pioneering Innovation in Electrical Failure Analysis Done By Amrutha Sampath
Amrutha Sampath is an accomplished electrical failure analysis engineer based in Austin, Texas. With a strong educational foundation, including a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from Texas A&M University and a Bachelor of Technology in Instrumentation and Control Engineering from the National Institute of Technology, Trichy, India, Amrutha combines academic excellence with practical expertise. Her professional journey has been marked by significant contributions to failure analysis research and techniques, where she has honed her skills in advanced electrical isolation techniques, root cause analysis, and innovative problem-solving approaches.
Q 1: What motivated you to enter into electrical failure analysis?
A: I find electrical failure analysis to be a beautiful field to order my solving of intricate puzzles. I discovered this passion of wanting to know the ‘why’ behind technology failures during my research experiences at Nanyang Technological University and from the Indian Institute of Science. The field marries neatly all my interests of electrical engineering, materials science, and analytical problem-solving. That each case presents a unique challenge is what most excites me-it’s almost like being a detective for technology because it would mean that the root cause can be discovered to avert such failures against the reliability of the products.
Q 2: Could you tell us about your approach to root cause analysis for complex semiconductor issues?
A: My method of root cause analysis is a well-structured and well-rounded one. I start by mapping out the failure in terms of all the data so collected within the failure such as the testing conditions, the environmental factors surrounding the time of failure, and the performance history. After which, I carry out several advanced electrical failure isolation techniques such as LADA, SDL, OBIRCH, and LVP for suspect circuit analysis. Throughout the whole process I keep communicating with the stakeholders. What sets me apart from others is the ways I use to demystify somewhat complex technical findings through the knowledge of design and solid state devices, which means driving design improvements to avoid similar future failures.
Q 3: How do you handle particularly challenging failure analysis cases?
A: Develop and design new test setups for the isolation of stuck-at-reset hard failures, which are said to be the most difficult to isolate, whilst normal techniques do not work at all. This involves a deep understanding of device behavior, how one IP interacts with another, and creative problem solving. At this point, I teamed up with design teams to understand the expected behavior, designed innovative trigger schemes, and combined the triggering methodologies with various isolation techniques in novel ways to achieve the goal. Not only did this lead to successful root cause identification; the methodological approach also spawned a publication recognized as one of the best papers at the ISTFA conference.
Q 4: How do you approach mentoring and knowledge sharing in your field?
A: Of course, knowledge sharing is part of my professional self. Actively mentoring junior engineers in both technical tales of failure analysis and critical thinking involved in it is majorly part of this identity. To students seeking internships-and career-related advice, I’ve written blogs and articles about my experiences. I also review technical papers for ISTFA, which keeps me updated while contributing to the quality of research in our field. Empathy is my belief, and that’s why I’m involved with Women in Electronics Failure Analysis, organizing networking events brokering inclusion and growth in my profession.
Q 5: How do you balance technical precision with effective communication when presenting your findings?
A: Striking the right balance between precision and clear communication in failure analysis is essential. While presenting my findings, I ensure that I’m tailoring my message to my audience, using relevant technical depth for engineering teams while focusing on impacts and solutions for management. I work the latest technologies like classical aids and simplified models, from a component of stickers to the invention of some models with actual objects in an effort to bridge the gap between technical complexities and practical understanding. Participating in conferences such as ISTFA has helped improve the practice of breaking down complex points to be more easily comprehensible. The essence of the whole exercise is that everyone should understand not only the what but also the why and what ought to follow from it.
Q 6: What role does innovation play in your approach to failure analysis?
A: Innovation is the core of failure analysis effectiveness, with the continuous advancement of semiconductor technology. Besides, I am constantly evaluating and introducing new optimized ways of working into our analysis workflows. For instance, secure IP analysis where the traditional ways of doing things were limiting were an interesting challenge for me and my team, and so the development of new methodologies was started, to provide an equilibrium between analyzability and hardware security concerns. This approach was later nominated for best paper at ISTFA. I think curiosity coupled with the openness to new ideas is critical-allowing me to realize transformational breakthroughs by working with conventional methods that do not just work in my favor.
Q 7: How do you see the field of electrical failure analysis evolving in the coming years?
A: The current status is one of rapid change as the field advances with semiconductor technologies. As devices become far more complex and miniature, increasingly sophisticated analysis techniques will be needed. Analysis, I believe, will make even greater use of AI and machine learning to improve prognosis, drawing upon historical failure data. Security will increasingly raise concerns, consequently, creating us a position to render guaranteeing analysis while protecting very sensitive material. Also, FA will shift towards being much more of a preventive, proactive effort in the earlier phase of the design cycle-averting issues and only resorting to superior diagnostics to understand different types of failure mechanisms, rather than looking at simpler culpable mechanisms to blame failure according to traditional methods. The real need to merge failure analysis with design for test methodologies will gain in importance among technical matters.
Q 8: What advice would you offer to someone looking to break into semiconductor failure analysis?
A: To the novice entering the profession, I would recommend getting a firm grounding during their studies, particularly in semiconductor physics and circuit design fundamentals. Such experiences, especially if gained in internships or such other lab work as exposes one to actual characteristics equipment, will be priceless. Do sharpen the technical and focus equally on the communication aspect since one has to get those complex findings across clearly. And remain curious; keep learning – this is a field that does not stop evolving, with advanced technology and techniques continually being introduced. Last but not least, try forming a professional network with such organizations as ASM International or IEEE or EDFAS Students and Young Professionals (SYP) to make that connection to mentors and opportunities for professional growth with the experienced professionals in the field.
Q 9: What do you do to maintain a work-life balance while being busy with such an exciting technical field?
A: It takes conscious effort and intentionality to balance work and life in a technical demanding field. I am alone on work hours and set boundaries into personal time. For example, I am part of cultural and community organizations like Asian Cultural Team and Women in Technology that give me opportunities to volunteer and network with other people outside of work, broadening perspectives. I have also found community service and leadership opportunities in these organizations to boost my professional performance by developing complementary skills while combating burnout. It is about understanding that the excellence one would want to sustain requires periods of rest and diversions into a variety of things – something I encourage team members to whom I serve as a mentor to do as well.
Q 10- What could be the long term vision of someone in the semiconductor industry?
A: I envision myself as a leader who can bring out innovation in failure analysis to deal with the tough challenges afoot in advanced semiconductor technologies. I shall make an effort to introduce cross-tagging methodologies between failure and design engineering for creating feedback loops that improve reliability from the very early stage of design, an area of marked interest. I want to work on new techniques for analysis of secure IPs which allow for security intact while being debugged effectively. While technically enriching, I wish to grow as a source of responsibility that will be involved in mentoring the forthcoming generation in Tech. I also wish to take part in organizations like Women in Electronics Failure Analysis to promote diversity in our field. And ultimately: to bring about the advancement of technology and life in technology together via their industry standards and best practices.
About Amrutha Sampath
Amrutha Sampath is a highly qualified Electrical Failure Analysis Engineer skilled in advanced Electrical Fault Isolation techniques and root-cause analysis. Holding degrees from Texas A&M University and the National Institute of Technology, Trichy, Amrutha has demonstrated great problem-solving expertise in semiconductors and made contributions to industry knowledge. Her work was recognized through nominations for Best Papers at ISTFA in 2006 and 2007, and she received the coveted NIT-Tiruchirappalli Best Outgoing Student award for brilliant research potential and exemplary leadership abilities. Outside her technical expertise, Amrutha is deeply committed to mentoring, community service, and alliances to promote diversity in technology through her associations with Employee Resource Groups as well as Women in Technology and other professional organizations.
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