Master Thesis: Chasing Nanoseconds - Packet Timing and Data Flow Inside 5G/6G Silicon

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About this opportunity:

Have you ever wondered how data moves through a chip fast enough to power a 5G network, and how every packet is timestamped with nanosecond precision? This thesis offers the opportunity to explore and validate exactly that, from inside the silicon.

Ericsson ASICs move large volumes of data between different engines on the chip, through dedicated DMA components that transfer data independently, out through the Ethernet interface, and to and from memory. For the chip to be trusted, the timing must remain correct even when these data paths are driven to their limits. Developing the test content that proves this is the focus of the thesis.

You will develop test content that sends packets from the on-chip engines, such as the Ericsson Many Core Architecture (EMCA) and the DMA components, out through the Ethernet physical interface (PHY). The central idea is to run the data paths at their maximum throughput, representing the worst-case load, and to verify that synchronization and timestamping remain accurate under that stress. You will exercise the different DMA components and the data paths between the engines, Ethernet, DDR, and internal RAM, first on existing project hardware and later on the SVP (System Virtual Platform), a software model of chips still under development.

You will be supported throughout by an experienced validation team, and building familiarity with the parts you have not encountered before is an expected and welcome part of the thesis.

What you will do:

- Study the Ethernet interface, the on-chip data engines (such as the EMCA and the DMA components), and the paths that data takes through the chip.
- Develop test content that sends and receives packets through the Ethernet physical interface (PHY).
- Drive the data paths at their maximum throughput to create a worst-case stress condition on the chip.
- Verify that synchronization and timestamping remain accurate, to nanosecond precision, under this maximum load.
- Exercise the different DMA components to move data between the engines, Ethernet, DDR, and internal RAM at full rate.
- Bring up and validate the test content on existing project hardware as a proof of concept.
- Port it to the SVP virtual platform, targeting chips that are still under development.
- Measure timing accuracy, latency, and throughput, and document a reusable methodology for the team.

What you will gain:

- Hands-on experience with real silicon bring-up, an opportunity few engineers have early in their careers.
- Skills in high-speed networking, timing, and embedded testing that are valued across the industry.
- A concrete contribution that will be used in future Ericsson silicon bring-up.
- Experience working alongside engineers who design world-class hardware.

The skills you bring:

- Master’s student in electrical/computer engineering, embedded systems, or a related field.
- Enjoy programming (particularly in C) and are curious about how hardware and networks operate.
- Have an interest in understanding how a system behaves at a low level.

Good to have (but no requirement):

- Knowledge of Ethernet and packet-based networking.
- Familiarity with DMA, memory, and on-chip data paths.
- Experience with bare-metal or firmware programming.
- Knowledge of synchronization and timestamping, such as IEEE 1588/PTP.
- Experience with scripting, such as Python, for test automation and analysis.

Why join Ericsson?

At Ericsson, you´ll have an outstanding opportunity. The chance to use your skills and imagination to push the boundaries of what´s possible. To build solutions never seen before to some of the world’s toughest problems. You´ll be challenged, but you won’t be alone. You´ll be joining a team of diverse innovators, all driven to go beyond the status quo to craft what comes next.

What happens once you apply?

Click Here to find all you need to know about what our typical hiring process looks like.Encouraging a diverse and inclusive organization is core to our values at Ericsson, that's why we champion it in everything we do. We truly believe that by collaborating with people with different experiences we drive innovation, which is essential for our future growth. We encourage people from all backgrounds to apply and realize their full potential as part of our Ericsson team. Ericsson is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.  learn more.

Primary country and city: Sweden (SE) || Stockholm

Req ID:  790609