Summer 2008 Student Placement Opportunity

An opportunity exists for a suitable 2nd or 3rd year undergraduate student on a full-time Electronics-based degree course to work over the forthcoming summer at Plextek. This is now our 8th year of offering placement opportunities to undergraduates.

The majority of our staff are degree qualified and a number also have higher degrees. Over the past 18 years we have grown from a staff of 3 to approximately 100 (2 of which are previous Summer Placement Students) and are now one of the leading consultancies in our field.

One of our specialties is in the design of radio communication systems, although the work we undertake is actually a mix between RF, analogue electronics, digital electronics and software. Most projects have some form of radio element.

Our consultants have significant hardware and software design experience from various areas of the electronics industry including HF to microwave communications, radar and high speed DSP. We also have in-house skills and facilities for the design of GaAs MMICs for systems operating at up to 50GHz, extensive laboratory facilities, and a wide range of software and CAD tools.

The successful applicant will have completed at least 2 years of a relevant full-time degree course and will be expected to work for a period of approximately 10 weeks within Plextek’s Radio Group. The placement usually consists of designing and building an item of equipment for laboratory or field use within Plextek.

Project Options

• It is envisaged that the project would be tailored to the specific skills of the successful applicant.

Previous Project Example

A phase noise measurement system was designed by a summer student. The phase noise measurement system controlled an external RF source driving one input of a phase detector, the other input of which was the signal under test. The system phase locked the external source to the signal to be measured, so that the controlling signal (the phase detector output) represented the signal under test when down converted to baseband. The resulting baseband signal was then filtered and digitised, and an FFT programme has been written to provide a real time display on a PC. In the short term, Math Cad was used to provide the display.

Other examples include:

• a frequency settling time analyser
• a configurable radar test target
• a location device

Technical Support

Support and supervision will be provided (particularly during the initial design stage), although the student should show willingness to be self-motivated, and have the ability to work on their own initiative wherever possible.

Scope of the Project

The work carried out by the student must be to (at least) design, build, document and test the hardware and software (if applicable) required to implement the basic system architecture.

Skill Required

An understanding of (some of) the following is required: analogue/RF electronics, A/D conversion principles, filter theory and the fundamentals of control loops. Some previous practical electronics experience would be beneficial (e.g. hobby electronics or a University project etc.). Similarly, depending on the particular project to be carried out, some understanding of digital principles and/or software skills (preferably C) would also be beneficial.

Package

An initial prize of £250 will be awarded upon commencement of the project, together with a competitive weekly wage (for nominally 10 weeks). Assistance in finding local accommodation can be provided if required, although this will be the responsibility of the student.

For the appropriate candidate there is a possibility that sponsorship could be offered, subject to mutual agreement at the end of the 10 weeks. There may also be potential recruitment opportunities upon graduation.

Application Process

Please complete an application form and email this and a covering letter to students@plextek.com. You should be aware that this is not a secure method for transmitting personal data and if you prefer you should send this by surface mail to:

Janice Nicoll
Human Resources Department
Plextek Ltd
Great Chesterford
Essex, CB10 1NY

Closing date for application is 31st March 2008.