Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1256432
JUNE 2020 I DESIGN007 MAGAZINE 77 Shaughnessy: I understand that you learned PCB design by working, almost for free, using Protel. Tell us how you got started in design work. Aggarwal: When I was first learning about elec- tronics, the PCB was always a part of the cir- cuit. I became curious and started to learn about PCBs, including how they're manufac- tured and which software tools were used to design them. I somehow arranged to get a copy of Protel 2.7 and started learning design tech- niques by using the help file. The shortcuts in the help file gave me a quick idea of how to use it. I found it very interesting, and I started making some PCBs to see what I could do. I visited the Lajpat Rai Market and saw one shop that sold PCBs, such as inverters, char- gers, and LED boards, etc. I asked the shop- keeper if I could buy one small PCB. He asked why I wanted a PCB, and I told him that I was learning PCB design and planned to try to de- sign this PCB. The shopkeeper gave me a PCB for free and said, "If you design it correctly and give me the design, I will pay you for it." I was very happy. I came home, designed the PCB, and I think I was paid 40 Indian rupees (about $0.50) for my first PCB design job. This episode gave me an idea about how to capitalize on my skill. I worked hard and im- proved my PCB design skills, and then I decid- ed to contact various companies in my city and ask if they had any design work. I explored the phone directory to find all the PCB manufac- turers, and I called them all. I told them I was a PCB designer, and soon I was working for 17 different companies. I was getting 10–15 Indian rupees per square inch for my design work. It was very little, but I was on a mission to learn— not to earn. The money was just a bonus. Shaughnessy: You're involved with embedded system design, AI, and all kinds of Arduino projects. What is your favorite part of your job or your sweet spot? Aggarwal: I help companies build embedded products, which includes hardware and firm- ware/software. For many, I help improve the company's existing designs for size, power consumption, cost, reliability, etc. I do both hardware design and firmware as part of the complete embedded design. I regularly review technical specs, hardware designs/schematics, and overall design architecture. I have gained many years of embedded firm- ware (MCUs/MPUs) design experience as well, so I love architecting new products, finding is- sues in a client's specs and designs, and help- ing them improve based on my field experi- ence. The best part of my job is determining the client's new project requirements and chal- lenges and helping them with different archi- tectures and strategies in the design. That's the most challenging part as well. Shaughnessy: Do you primarily design for com- panies that export products or for the domestic market in India? Aggarwal: I have clients in India, Africa, Sau- di Arabia, and in other parts of the world as well. My clientele is a mix: Some manufacture for domestic needs and others are exporters. I am now exploring opportunities in the U.S. and Europe. I want to associate with a few good companies and help them build success- ful products. Shaughnessy: How has the COVID-19 outbreak changed the way you do your job and the elec- tronics industry in India? Aggarwal: COVID-19 is terrible. Everyone is at home. Just before India started the lockdown, I had traveled to Dubai for an exhibition and a few meetings. I can see that business is mov- ing very slowly. New projects are on hold until the situation improves. Many companies have taken this as an opportunity to face their short- comings and improve what they've always wanted to improve but never had the time. Likewise, while I have a smaller load of com- mercial projects, I am building some software IP that could be reused in projects in the fu- ture. I have started developing some open- source embedded projects that can help the embedded community at large. One is a low-