I've asked other questions about having a career in electronics without an EE degree. I'm wondering specifically about being an analog IC designer. What would it take to land a position doing that before having that degree? What would convince an employer to hire me despite lacking that piece of paper? What kind of employer would I best off sending my resume and other info to?
Electronic – Earning a living in analog IC design w/o an EE degree
analogdesignintegrated-circuit
Related Solutions
Jim Williams and friends, Analog Circuit Design.
Bob Pease, Troubleshooting Analog Circuits. Despite the name, this is as much about design as it is about troubleshooting.
The book I learned from, and that I still see new hires bringing with them from school was Grey & Meyer (now Grey, et al.), Analysis and Design of Analog Integrated Circuits. This was the text in the main analog design course at Berkeley in the '90's, and I believe it's also used at numerous other institutions. It's got as much theory as they teach undergrads anywhere in the country. Of the topics you expressed specific interest in, this book does cover current mirrors, differential stages, and feedback theory. It also has a very quick chapter on device models of diodes, BJTs and MOSFETs. It doesn't go particularly deeply into device physics -- only enough to motivate the models.
On the other hand, its heavily aimed at future IC designers, and at CMOS op-amp designers, which implies a whole different set of design techniques than you'll use building analog circuits from discrete components or op-amp ICs.
For board-level circuit design, app notes from the various vendors are probably as good as any textbook. For example, TI's Op Amps for Everyone, or Analog's Op Amp Applications Handbook. Even if these guides will tend to recommend a particular vendor's products, they do provide a strong background in theory that applies to using any vendor's parts, and they do provide a good balance between theory and practical issues. You haven't stated what you mean by "wideband" applications, but op amps are available off the shelf with gain-bandwidth products above 1 GHz, so these op-amp-focused books may apply better than you think.
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Best Answer
The fastest route would be to get an EE degree, then a Masters specializing in analog IC design. I can't imagine how you'd work your way up in less time, or that many companies would give you the opportunity. Most analog IC designers have advanced degrees, and so there is a high barrier of entry. A BS in EE actually provides very little in the way of analog IC design, and unlike things like programming, you can't really build an impressive resume hacking away in you're mom's basement. The amount of money you have to drop for getting your own designs fabricated would be better spent on a degree. Analog IC design is something where the "piece of paper" really comes in handy. If you can't devote all your time to schooling, try getting a job at a tech company and go to school part time. They may help pay for some of your education.