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PHD-ICT-AND-ALLIED in Electrical Engineering at Dhirubhai Ambani Institute of Information and Communication Technology
Gandhinagar, Gujarat
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About the Specialization
What is Electrical Engineering at Dhirubhai Ambani Institute of Information and Communication Technology Gandhinagar?
This Electrical Engineering specialization within the PhD ICT and Allied program at DA-IICT focuses on advanced research in areas like Communication Engineering, VLSI Design, Signal Processing, and related interdisciplinary fields. It addresses critical needs of India''''s rapidly evolving digital infrastructure, telecom, and semiconductor industries, nurturing deep expertise to drive innovation and technological self-reliance.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for highly motivated individuals holding M.Tech/M.E. degrees in relevant engineering disciplines, B.Tech/B.E. graduates with exceptional academic records and research aptitude, and aspiring researchers or academicians seeking to make significant contributions to the electrical engineering domain within ICT. Professionals looking to transition into cutting-edge R&D roles will also find it suitable.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates of this program can expect to secure impactful roles in R&D divisions of major Indian and multinational companies, research labs, or pursue academic careers as faculty. Typical career paths include Research Scientist, Senior Engineer (VLSI/Telecom/Signal Processing), or Professor. Doctoral graduates command competitive salaries in India, often ranging from INR 10-25 LPA for entry to experienced roles in specialized tech fields, with strong growth trajectories in an innovation-driven economy.
Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Master Core Coursework and Research Fundamentals- (Semester 1-2)
Actively engage with the foundational and elective coursework (e.g., advanced digital communication, VLSI design) to build a strong theoretical base. Concurrently, attend workshops on research methodology, scientific writing, and literature review to hone essential PhD skills. Utilize the institutional library and online research databases (e.g., IEEE Xplore, ACM Digital Library) extensively.
Tools & Resources
Institutional Library, IEEE Xplore, ACM Digital Library, Scopus, Mendeley/Zotero for referencing
Career Connection
A robust foundation in core subjects and research methodologies is crucial for defining a strong research problem and publishing high-quality papers, directly impacting future R&D or academic career prospects.
Identify Research Gaps and Mentor Engagement- (Semester 1-2)
Conduct extensive literature reviews in your chosen Electrical Engineering specialization (e.g., 5G wireless, low-power VLSI) to identify significant, unsolved research problems. Regularly meet with your allocated supervisor to discuss potential research directions, refine problem statements, and leverage their expertise and network. Actively participate in departmental seminars.
Tools & Resources
Research papers (journals/conferences), Supervisor meetings, Departmental seminars
Career Connection
Early identification of a strong research problem under expert guidance sets the stage for impactful research that can lead to high-impact publications and successful thesis completion, critical for academic or industrial research roles.
Develop Advanced Simulation and Experimental Skills- (Semester 1-2)
Familiarize yourself with industry-standard simulation tools (e.g., MATLAB, Simulink, Cadence Virtuoso, Synopsys tools) relevant to your Electrical Engineering specialization. Seek opportunities to assist senior researchers or faculty in their lab experiments to gain practical hands-on experience, thereby strengthening your experimental design and validation skills.
Tools & Resources
MATLAB, Simulink, Cadence Virtuoso, Synopsys EDA Tools, Lab equipment
Career Connection
Proficiency in advanced tools and experimental techniques is highly valued in R&D roles, enabling you to translate theoretical concepts into practical solutions and contribute effectively to technological development.
Intermediate Stage
Publish Research Papers and Attend Conferences- (Semester 3-5)
Aim to publish at least one or two research papers in reputable national/international conferences (e.g., IEEE TENCON, NCC, VLSI Design Conference) or peer-reviewed journals. Actively seek out and attend workshops and PhD colloquiums relevant to your area, presenting your preliminary findings and receiving feedback from peers and experts.
Tools & Resources
Journal submission platforms (Elsevier, Springer), Conference submission portals, ResearchGate
Career Connection
Publications and conference presentations build your academic profile, validate your research, expand your professional network, and are often critical for thesis submission and securing post-doctoral or R&D positions.
Successfully Complete Comprehensive Examination and Proposal Defense- (Semester 3-4)
Prepare rigorously for the comprehensive examination, which tests your breadth and depth of knowledge in your chosen field. Develop a compelling PhD research proposal outlining your problem, proposed methodology, expected outcomes, and timeline. Practice presenting your proposal to peers and faculty to refine your communication skills.
Tools & Resources
Course material, Previous comprehensive exam papers (if available), Mock defense sessions
Career Connection
Passing these crucial academic milestones demonstrates your readiness for independent research and provides a structured roadmap for your doctoral journey, boosting confidence for future project leadership.
Engage in Interdisciplinary Collaboration and Project Work- (Semester 4-5)
Explore collaborative research opportunities with faculty or PhD scholars from allied disciplines within ICT (e.g., Computer Science for AI in VLSI, Data Science for signal processing). Participate in departmental or inter-departmental research projects to broaden your perspective and develop teamwork skills in a complex research environment.
Tools & Resources
Inter-departmental research groups, Collaborative grants, Institutional workshops
Career Connection
Interdisciplinary exposure enhances problem-solving abilities and creates a versatile profile, highly attractive to organizations working on integrated ICT solutions and complex engineering challenges.
Advanced Stage
Focus on Thesis Writing and Intellectual Property- (Semester 6 onwards)
Dedicate significant time to systematically writing your PhD thesis, ensuring clarity, coherence, and originality. Work closely with your supervisor on chapters, refining arguments and results. Explore the possibility of filing patents for novel contributions, guided by the institution''''s IP cell.
Tools & Resources
LaTeX/Word for thesis writing, Plagiarism checkers, Institutional IP cell
Career Connection
A well-written thesis is the culmination of your PhD, opening doors to academic positions, and patenting strengthens your profile for R&D roles focused on innovation and product development.
Actively Participate in Academic Mentoring and Teaching- (Semester 5 onwards)
Mentor junior PhD scholars or M.Tech/B.Tech students in their research projects or coursework. Take up opportunities to deliver guest lectures or assist in teaching relevant courses. This strengthens your understanding, communication, and leadership skills.
Tools & Resources
Departmental mentorship programs, Teaching assistantships
Career Connection
Mentoring and teaching experience are invaluable for academic careers and demonstrate leadership and communication skills highly sought after in senior research or managerial roles in industry.
Network and Prepare for Career Transition- (Final year/Semester 6 onwards)
Attend industry-academia meets, job fairs, and expert talks to network with potential employers and understand industry requirements. Prepare a strong CV highlighting your research contributions, publications, and skills. Practice mock interviews tailored for research scientist or academic positions to build confidence.
Tools & Resources
LinkedIn, Professional networking events, Career services cell, Mock interview sessions
Career Connection
Proactive networking and thorough preparation for career transition are key to securing desired positions in a competitive job market, ensuring a smooth transition into your chosen professional path.
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- M.Tech./M.E./M.S. (by Research) in ICT or allied disciplines with specified academic performance OR B.Tech./B.E. in ICT or allied disciplines with an excellent academic record (CPI > 8.0/10 or equivalent) and a valid GATE score/NET JRF.
Duration: Minimum 3 years (full-time), coursework typically in the first 1-2 years.
Credits: Minimum 16 credits for coursework Credits
Assessment: Internal: Varies by course, External: Varies by course
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MT 503 / 703 | Digital VLSI Design | Elective (Potential PhD Coursework) | 3 | CMOS Technology, MOS Transistor Theory, Inverter Characteristics, Combinational Logic Circuits, Sequential Logic Circuits, Memories and Array Subsystems, Low Power VLSI Design, Design for Testability |
| MT 507 / 707 | Wireless Communication | Elective (Potential PhD Coursework) | 3 | Wireless Channel Characterization, Fading and Diversity Techniques, MIMO Systems, Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM), Cellular Systems, Cognitive Radio, Wireless Sensor Networks, 5G and Beyond |
| MT 508 / 708 | Advanced Digital Communication | Elective (Potential PhD Coursework) | 3 | Digital Modulation Techniques, Channel Equalization, Spread Spectrum Communication, Multiuser Detection, Channel Coding Principles, Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM), Error Control Coding, Synchronisation Techniques |
Semester 2
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MT 505 / 705 | Analog & Mixed Signal VLSI Design | Elective (Potential PhD Coursework) | 3 | MOSFET Physics and Models, Current Mirrors and Bandgap References, Operational Amplifiers (OP-AMPs), Comparators, Sample-and-Hold Circuits, Data Converters (ADC/DAC Architectures), Phase-Locked Loops (PLLs), Noise in Analog Circuits |
| MT 512 / 712 | Information Theory and Coding | Elective (Potential PhD Coursework) | 3 | Entropy and Mutual Information, Channel Capacity, Source Coding Theorems, Huffman Coding, Lempel-Ziv Coding, Linear Block Codes, Cyclic Codes, Convolutional Codes, Turbo Codes and LDPC Codes |
| MT 517 / 717 | Random Processes | Elective (Potential PhD Coursework) | 3 | Probability Theory Review, Random Variables and Vectors, Stochastic Processes Definition, Stationary and Ergodic Processes, Autocorrelation and Power Spectral Density, Linear Systems with Random Inputs, Gaussian Processes, Markov Chains |
