Felipe Rojas Barrantes

IP Design Verification Engineer
40802, Heredia, CR.

About

Felipe is a highly skilled IP Design Verification Engineer with a strong background in semiconductor memory interfaces, high-speed circuit validation, and foundational security IP development at Intel. With expertise in advanced debugging, test automation, and industry-standard protocols, he excels at leading complex verification efforts, optimizing test coverage, and driving critical analysis to ensure robust and secure CPU performance. His experience spans from design validation to research and development, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of the semiconductor lifecycle.

Work

Intel Corporation
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IP Design Verification Engineer

Heredia, Heredia, Costa Rica

Summary

Leading comprehensive verification efforts for foundational security IP within desktop/laptop CPUs, ensuring data integrity and confidentiality through advanced hardware features.

Highlights

Led Register Attribute and Design for Excellence (DFx) verification for Protected Sideband IP (pSB), safeguarding data integrity and confidentiality for critical security features.

Developed and executed detailed test plans and testbenches, performing rigorous coverage analysis to ensure thorough verification of security IPs.

Served as verification owner for critical foundational security IPs, including USBr and CLink IP, ensuring robust functionality of the Security Manageability Engine (CSME).

Applied advanced debugging techniques, systematically analyzing waveforms, log files, and simulation outputs from multiple random seeds to efficiently isolate and resolve complex design and verification issues.

Managed and optimized verification task execution using advanced simulation techniques to maximize test coverage and identify critical corner cases across IP designs.

Integrated advanced IDE tools (DVT, GitHub Copilot) into the testbench environment, leveraging AI to accelerate code development, enhance navigation, and improve productivity by optimizing debugging and maintenance workflows.

Intel Corporation
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Research and Development Engineer

Heredia, Heredia, Costa Rica

Summary

Contributed to a research and development team focused on characterizing industry-standard protocols and analyzing high-speed circuit behavior and silicon degradation.

Highlights

Contributed to a core R&D team, characterizing industry-standard protocols including DDR5, PCIe, and HBM3 to advance product development and performance.

Conducted in-depth behavioral studies of complex high-speed circuits (LJPLL, ADC, DAC, MC, LDO), providing critical data for performance optimization.

Investigated silicon degradation behavior over time, providing essential insights for long-term product reliability and design improvements.

Intel Corporation
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Design Validation Engineer

Heredia, Heredia, Costa Rica

Summary

Collaborated on DDR memory interface validation for Intel Xeon CPUs, developing automation tools and proposing novel methodologies for characterization.

Highlights

Developed Python-based test scripts utilizing VISA libraries, automating characterization of high-speed circuits (Xover, TX EQ, On-die Termination) to enhance validation efficiency and accuracy.

Successfully enabled and validated the DDR5 IP interface for Intel Xeon CPUs using a critical test vehicle, ensuring robust memory system functionality.

Spearheaded critical analysis and debugging efforts within cross-functional task forces, resolving complex issues alongside principal engineers.

Proposed and designed an automated routing topology for DDR5 signal driving, significantly enhancing signal integrity and performance.

Authored a white paper on "A New Methodology for Validation of Testbenches for DV Characterization of Memory Interfaces," accepted at Intel's DTTC.

Published final graduation project, "Development of a Methodology for Routing High-Frequency Analog Lines on a Processor Test Platform," demonstrating expertise in high-speed analog design.

CONLITH S.A
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IT Assistant Intern

Heredia, Heredia, Costa Rica

Summary

Provided essential IT support, maintaining hardware and software systems while gaining foundational knowledge in integrated circuits for printing machinery.

Highlights

Supported daily IT department operations, ensuring seamless technical functionality for staff and systems.

Maintained computer hardware and managed software updates, contributing to system stability and operational efficiency.

Gained foundational understanding of integrated circuits and their application within printing machine technology, enhancing technical knowledge.

Education

Universidad de Costa Rica
San Jose, San Jose, Costa Rica

Training Program

Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI)

Instituto Tecnologico de Costa Rica
Cartago, Cartago, Costa Rica

Bachelor's Degree

Electronics Engineering

Publications

Development of a Methodology for Routing High-Frequency Analog Lines on a Processor Test Platform

Published by

Instituto Tecnologico de Costa Rica

Summary

Final Graduation Project Report focusing on high-frequency analog line routing for processor test platforms.

A new Methodology for Validation of Testbenches for DV Characterization of Memory Interfaces

Published by

Intel's DTTC (Design and Test Technology Conference)

Summary

Published white paper presented at Intel's DTTC, detailing a novel methodology for validating testbenches used in Design Validation (DV) characterization of memory interfaces.

Languages

Spanish
English

Skills

Technical Skills

C Programming Language, Chip Design, Chip Design Software, Circuit Designs, UVM, Universal Verification Methodology, Logic Design, Signal Integrity, High-Speed Links, Synopsys Design Compilers, Python, C++, VHDL, System Verilog, Git, Verilog, Linux, Windows, RTL Coding, IP Verification, Formal Verification, IP Development, VLSI Designing, VLSI, Oscilloscope, JBERT, VNA, VISA Libraries, Netbatch Flow Manager, Cadence JasperGold, DVT, GitHub Copilot, Debugging, Test Automation.

Professional Skills

Critical Thinking, Customer Service, Prioritization, Self Motivation, Time Management, Problem-Solving, Leadership, Strategic Planning, Project Management.