Hao-An Her

hohoward111@gmail.com
Resume

Hello everyone. My name is Hao-An Her (Howard). I am a Master's student at the University of Washington, Seattle with the major Electrical Engineering, with a focus of mixed signal VLSI design. I am zealous about electrical engineering with 2 years of experience specializing in mixed signal VLSI design and is proficient in using Cadence Virtuoso Layout Suite and PSpice. Previously, I graduated from the University of Maryland with a Bachelor's Degree in May 2022. My main focus in academics is about microelectronics. Sometimes, I also spend some time in learning image processing techniques. I am experienced in applying image processing techniques to solve a variety of tasks that we see in our daily life. Aside from school work, I am currently the grading teaching assistant of the EE 536 RF Integrated Circuits Course under the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department of the University of Washington, Seattle.

Experience

Teaching Assistant (Grader) @ University of Washington

- EE 536: RF Integrated Circuits

  • Grade homework, circuit design projects, maintain class webpage.
  • Resolve any questions that students may have
  • Technical Skills: background knowledge in microelectronics.
  • Soft Skills: Time Management, Communication, Analyzing skills.

    • March 2024 - Present

    MS Triage Committee Student Assistant

    University of Washington, Seattle

  • Review MS Application materials in VLSI, semiconductor devices specializations and provide feedback. Applications include a graduate statement of purpose, resume/CV, educational background information, transcripts, and reference letters.
  • Call attention to any concerns with Grad Staff Assistant and/or Grad Advising Team
  • Technical Skills: background knowledge in microelectronics.
  • Soft Skills: Time Management, Communication, Analyzing skills, Presentation skills.

    • December 2023 - January 2024

    Teaching Assistant @ University of Maryland

    - ENEE 140: Introduction to Programming Concepts for Engineers (Fall 2021) TA Evaluation
    - ENEE 150: Intermediate Programming Concepts for Engineers (Spring 2022) TA Evaluation

  • Lead computer recitations, 12 students each, 2 hours per week
  • Hold regular office hours, with additional ones before projects and exams, 2 hours per week
  • Grade homework, projects, quizzes, and exams
  • Maintain class webpages and update information
  • Technical Skills: C, C++, Ubuntu Linux, Linux tools, Scripting, Git.
  • Soft Skills: Teaching, Leadership, Time Management, Communication, Presentation skills.

    • August 2021 - May 2022

    Computer Vision Intern

    Utechzone Co. Ltd

  • Apply image processing techniques such as dilation, erosion, and edge detection methods to visualize defects on PCB boards, and display panels
  • Familiarize with the Automated Optical Inspection (AOI) procedures within the industry
  • Technical Skills: C#, Git
  • Soft Skills: Time Management, Communication, Logical Thinking

    • July 2019 - August 2019

    Education

    University of Washington, Seattle, USA

    Master of Science
    Electrical Engineering

    GPA: 3.91 / 4.0

    September 2022 - June 2024 (anticipated)

    University of Maryland, College Park, USA

    Bachelor of Science
    Electrical Engineering

    GPA: 3.92 / 4.0

    August 2018 - May 2022

    Wego Private Senior High School, Taipei, Taiwan

    High School Diploma
    Honors Program

    GPA: 3.9 / 4.3

    August 2015 - May 2018

    Projects

    Register File Design using 45nm Technology

    University of Washington, Seattle

  • Lead the design team by managing workload properly, deciding which circuit/subcircuit topology to use to meet the design specifications while ensuring the best efficiency in teamwork
  • Optimize the register file circuit design by adopting simpler topology to reduce the layout area of the circuit, increasing the overall read and write efficiency.
  • Design the overall circuit schematic, including master and slave latches, read and write decoders, and tri‑state buffers for circuit readout.
  • Complete the overall circuit layout with DRC and LVS checks, and simulate the post extracted circuit to ensure proper read and write functionality.
  • Technical Skills: Cadence Virtuoso Layout Suite, HSpice.
  • Soft Skills: Analytic Skills, Problem‑solving Skills, Time Management.

    • November 2023 ‑ December 2023

    Design of a 12.5 Gbps Data Link using 65nm Technology

    University of Washington, Seattle
    SerDes Project Report

  • Analyze the operation of Serializer, Transmitter Equalizer, Wireline Channel, Active CTLE, Comparator, and Deserializer
  • Design a Transmitter Equalizer to equalize the wireline channel output by providing convolutional effect on pre‐cursor, main cursor, and post‐cursor signals
  • Design a binary current DAC for the transmitter equalizer to increase the programmability when different tap coefficients are given
  • Technical Skills: Cadence Virtuoso Layout Suite.
  • Soft Skills: Analytic Skills, Problem-solving Skills, Time Management, IEEE Format Writing.

    • March 2023 - June 2023

    Design of a Bandgap Reference with Minimal Temperature Dependence

    University of Washington, Seattle
    Bandgap Reference Report
    Operational Amplifier Report

  • Theoretical analysis of the Bandgap Reference Circuit to correctly bias the PTAT current generation subcircuit
  • Analysis of balancing the CTAT and PTAT current generation to form a constant output voltage given a temperature range
  • Design a Two Stage Operational Amplifier with an open loop gain of 80dB, unity gain frequency of 270MHz, and a phase margin of 60 degrees to ensure its stability throughout different frequency ranges
  • The circuit have a constant output voltage with only 2mV of variation from -40 to 120 degrees Celsius, with an ability to generate 25 micro amp (at room temperature) PTAT current
  • Technical Skills: Cadence Virtuoso Layout Suite.
  • Soft Skills: Analytic Skills, Problem-solving Skills, Time Management, IEEE Format Writing.

    • February 2023 - March 2023

    Design of a Full Direct Conversion Receiver Chain

    University of Washington, Seattle
    LNA Report
    VCO Report
    Mixer and Receiver Chain Report

  • Theoretical analysis of the inductively source degenerated common source amplifier in terms of noise figure, gain, and impedance matching
  • Design a low phase noise Voltage Controlled Oscillator to drive a Double Balanced Passive Mixer
  • Design a Double Balanced Passive Mixer to down-convert the input signal
  • Implement a Transimpedance Amplifier stage to convert the current output to voltage output with output amplitude amplified
  • Technical Skills: Cadence Virtuoso Layout Suite
  • Soft Skills: Teamwork, Analytic Skills, Problem-solving Skills, Communication, Time Management, IEEE Format Writing

    • October 2022 - December 2022

    Microfluorometer VLSI Design Project

    University of Maryland, College Park
    Microfluorometer Report

  • Design a 16x16 microfluorometer circuit that is capable of sensing the light (520-530 nm) emitting from the fluorescence dye using to visualize blood flow within our eyes.
  • Design the schematic and layout views of the 4 parts of the circuit: CTIA APS, ADC, Memory Storage, and Readout Circuit
  • Complete the layout with DRC and LVS checks and install the components in a 1mm x 1mm padframe
  • Technical Skills: Cadence Virtuoso Layout Suite, PSpice
  • Soft Skills: Presentation Skills, Leadership, Teamwork, Analytic Skills, Problem-solving Skills, Communication, Time Management

    • January 2022 - May 2022

    Study of Winner-Take-All Circuit and Modifications

    University of Maryland, College Park
    Winner-Take-All Circuit Report

  • Explore the functionality of the well-known Lazarro's Winner-Take-All circuit.
  • Design improved version of the Winner-Take-All circuit by adding cascode transistors with appropriate bias voltage
  • Design a "Loser-Take-All" circuit that is with completely opposite functionality
  • Technical Skills: PSpice
  • Soft Skills: Time Management, Logical Thinking, Presentation skills, IEEE Format Report Writing

    • August 2021 - December 2021

    Ultrasonic Sensor Follow Car with PID Control

    University of Maryland, College Park
    Ultrasonic Sensor Follower Car Report

  • Within Matlab Simulink, design P, PD, and compensator controllers that allows a car to follow its user given the feedback from its ultrasonic sensors.
  • Explore different methods to improve the follower car's performance.
  • Technical Skills: Matlab, Simulink
  • Soft Skills: Report Writing, Logical Thinking, Critical Thinking, Presentation Skills, Communication

    • January 2022 - May 2022

    License Plate Recognition Program

    Personal Project
    License Plate Recognition Project Report

  • Develop a license plate recognition program using the OpenCV module of Python.
  • Apply optimized Canny filter to find edges within a photo and attempt to find the rectangular object that has the aspect ratio of a license plate.
  • Explore ways to highlight the edges other than using convolution filters
  • Perform perspective transform of the license plate captured and identify the characters within it
  • Technical Skills: Python, OpenCV, Pytesseract, Image Processing Skills
  • Soft Skills: Logical Thinking, Critical Thinking

    • May 2020 - August 2020

    Skills

    Programming Languages & Tools
  • Virtuoso Cadence Layout Suite
  • PSpice
  • C
  • C++
  • C#
  • Matlab
  • Simulink
  • Python
  • PLECS
  • HTML
  • Verilog
  • SAS
  • Git
  • Microsoft Office Tools

    • Interests

    A famous divine dog statue at the northern coast of Taiwan.

    Aside from being an electrical engineering student, I enjoy spending my time doing a variety of sports, such as basketball, running, and road cycling. I really like the cycling environment in Taiwan where I can literally ride from a coastal area to a 3000 meters high mountain within several hours. Besides, the easy access to convenience stores also provides a cycling-friendly environment for those who need a break or some drinks during their ride.

    When forced indoors, I follow a number of cycling youtube shows and televised basketball games, and I spend a large amount of my free time exploring the latest technology advancements in the world.


  • The "Buddha's Palm Ride" that I finished on April 30, 2021!


  • Finishing Lake Washington Loop with UW Cycling Club Riders on March 18, 2023!
    • UW_Cycling.jpg

    Awards & Certifications

    • University of Maryland - Engineering School Cum Laude Graduate Honors
    • University of Maryland - Electrical and Computer Engineering Honors Program, January 2019 - May 2022
    • University of Maryland - Academic Honors, August 2018 - May 2022
    • Taipei Wego Private Senior High School - Honors Program, August 2015 - June 2018
    • Taipei Wego Private Senior High School - Full Tuition Waived, August 2015 - June 2018

    Courses Taken

    University of Maryland
  • ENEE101 Introduction to Electrical and Computer Engineering
  • ENEE140 and ENEE150 Programming in C
  • ENEE205 Electric Circuits
  • ENEE244 and ENEE245 Digital Logic Design and Lab
  • ENEE222 and ENEE322 Signal and System
  • ENEE303 Analog and Digital Electronics
  • ENEE307 Electronic Circuits Design Laboratory
  • ENEE313 Introduction to Device Physics
  • ENEE324 Engineering Probability
  • ENEE350 Computer Organization
  • ENEE380 Electromagnetic Theory
  • ENEE381 Electromagnetic Wave Propogation
  • ENEE408D Capstone Design Project: Mixed Signal VLSI Design
  • ENEE411 Advanced Digital and Analog Electronics
  • ENEE425 Digital Signal Processing
  • ENEE461 Control Systems Laboratory
  • ENEE489I Topics in Electrophysics; SOLAR ENERGY CONVERSION

    • University of Washington (Course Description)
  • EE 437 SerDes Optical Transmission Link Circuit Design
  • EE 476 Custom IC Design
  • EE 477 Digital IC Design
  • EE 478 Digital IC Design Capstone
  • EE 500 Engineering Seminar
  • EE 504 Introduction to MEMS
  • EE 532 Power Electronics Design
  • EE 536 Design of Analog Integrated Circuits and Systems
  • EE 538 Linear IC Design
  • EE 542 Advanced Embedded System Design
  • EE 576 Computer Vision
  • EE 598 Special Topics in Electrical Engineering