Introduction
The hardware team in Boeblingen develops the most powerful server systems in the world - in an international work environment with our partner labs in the USA, Israel and India. We are using modern verification methods and are continuously optimizing our development processes.
Your role and responsibilities
We are offering an Master-Thesis: Enabling an open-source verification flow for IBM processors
Are you interested in software development with C++, open source, and how processor chips are made? Do you want to explore this area further in a Master's Thesis at IBM?
At IBM we develop complex processor chips. Before the actual chip is produced we simulate the chip's behavior using a software tool called "logic simulator". For the majority of our work we use a high-speed in-house simulator. In the first part of this thesis you will be evaluating an alternative: the open source tool Verilator. Verilator has been around for a long time (in software terms) and has grown into a powerful and capable tool with a very active community. But does it also work for our chip designs, and in our environment?
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A logic simulator alone is not enough to know if the processor chip will work after it has been produced. To do the testing we write a testbench, essentially a large C++ application that produces inputs for the simulation and checks the outputs against our expectations. In the second part of your thesis, your task is to connect our testbench framework with Verilator and evaluate this integration: does it work? how fast is it? what are the limitations?
This thesis will give you an insight into how the chips that power our world are created. You will be able to use and advance your software development skills, and strengthen your analytical skills when identifying and understanding software performance. Thankfully, you're not alone: we are a friendly and international team that knows not only how to use tools, but also how to develop them. We are here to help you out when you're stuck, to discuss your findings, and to celebrate your success.
If you're interested please get in contact with us and include in your response all relevant documents (preferably all in one single pdf file):
- Cover Letter incl. your availability (earliest start and latest end date)
- CV incl. your level of German
- Certificate of enrollment from you university
- Current transcript of records and other relevant certificates / references
- Non-EU citizen studying in Germany: copy of passport, residence and work permit
- Non-EU citizen studying elsewhere: prove of identity incl. place of birth
We are looking forward to your application !
Required education
High School Diploma/GED
Preferred education
Bachelor's Degree
Required technical and professional expertise
- Study of computer science, electrical engineering or a similar direction
- Both Verilator and our testbenches are written in C++, and both are reasonably large code bases. Prior experience with software development on more than toy projects will help you.
- Knowledge of Development tools / technologies (e.g. git)
- Strong abilities in communication in English
Preferred technical and professional experience
- Interest in chip design or first experience with Verilog
- Experience in software profiling methodologies and tools
- Experience in open-source projects
ABOUT BUSINESS UNIT
IBM Systems helps IT leaders think differently about their infrastructure. IBM servers and storage are no longer inanimate - they can understand, reason, and learn so our clients can innovate while avoiding IT issues. Our systems power the world's most important industries and our clients are the architects of the future. Join us to help build our leading-edge technology portfolio designed for cognitive business and optimized for cloud computing.
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Being an IBMer means you'll be able to learn and develop yourself and your career, you'll be encouraged to be courageous and experiment everyday, all whilst having continuous trust and support in an environment where everyone can thrive whatever their personal or professional background.
Our IBMers are growth minded, always staying curious, open to feedback and learning new information and skills to constantly transform themselves and our company. They are trusted to provide on-going feedback to help other IBMers grow, as well as collaborate with colleagues keeping in mind a team focused approach to include different perspectives to drive exceptional outcomes for our customers. The courage our IBMers have to make critical decisions everyday is essential to IBM becoming the catalyst for progress, always embracing challenges with resources they have to hand, a can-do attitude and always striving for an outcome focused approach within everything that they do.
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ABOUT IBM
IBM's greatest invention is the IBMer. We believe that through the application of intelligence, reason and science, we can improve business, society and the human condition, bringing the power of an open hybrid cloud and AI strategy to life for our clients and partners around the world.
Restlessly reinventing since 1911, we are not only one of the largest corporate organizations in the world, we're also one of the biggest technology and consulting employers, with many of the Fortune 50 companies relying on the IBM Cloud to run their business.
At IBM, we pride ourselves on being an early adopter of artificial intelligence, quantum computing and blockchain. Now it's time for you to join us on our journey to being a responsible technology innovator and a force for good in the world.
OTHER RELEVANT JOB DETAILS
For additional information about location requirements, please discuss with the recruiter following submission of your application.