Arushi Sonkhya SOP

Arushi Sonkhya
International Graduate Applicant - Fall, 2014

M.S. in Electrical Engineering
University of Washington
I am a senior year engineering student in the LNM Institute of Information Technology (LNMIIT)
majoring in Electronics and Communication. I have developed a strong interest in VLSI system &
design during the last 2 years and this has motivated me to pursue an M.S. in Electrical Engineering
(VLSI & Digital System) from University of Washington. I believe that my strong academic
background complemented with my diverse experiences in research, practical training and extracurricular activities will hold me in very good stead during my graduate studies at University of
Washington.
It all started on a wonderful, fun-filled fall evening during the 8 th grade that I decided to make my own
rain alarm for a science fair exhibition. The absolute pleasure of watching my own creation work was
far more valuable than the second place award I won for my effort. The alarm is still outside my
bedroom window, and it still works! In retrospect, it was the first-time I realized I was interested in
science.
I chose to make science my focus during high school and after. I took the AIEEE (All India
Engineering Entrance Examination) in 2009 and scored in the top 3 percentile of the 1 million
students that took the exam. My success in the AIEEE helped me get accepted to LNMIIT, Jaipur. I
have excelled in many core subjects such as VLSI fabrication technology, Microprocessors and
Interfaces, Digital Circuits and Systems, Data Structures and Algorithms, Computer networks and
Nanotechnology, which is manifested through my CPI of 9.19/10. I developed a very strong interest
in VLSI system & design during my junior year. I designed a 2:1 multiplexer and used design tools
such as Micro Wind2 and DSCH to observe its efficiency.
My interest in VLSI system & design was further strengthened during my major undergraduate
project. I created an area efficient design for highly compact, low power digital processing unit of a
receiver for passive RFID tags using Micro Wind2 and DSCH. The design consisted of three
modules- a detector, a correlator (synchronization circuit) and an integrator. These modules were
tested for various technologies and parametric analysis was done in Micro Wind2 to analyze which
technology showed the best result. The simulations showed that the best proposed design for the DPU
would be 90nm technology with an optimal trade-off between dissipated power, maximum current
and the area occupied.
In order to get a deeper exposure to VLSI area and also a flavour for research work, I am currently
pursuing a 6-month internship at CADSL, IIT, Bombay with Associate Professor Virendra Singh who
specializes in VLSI design. My work with him has focused on improving the network performance
of HPC interconnection networks by combining congested-flow isolation and injection throttling
techniques in a simulator named gMemNoCsim. The project has led me to a deeper understanding of
the power of VLSI system design and testing. Network-on-chip design was a completely new topic
for me and I had to conduct independent research to gain the necessary proficiency on the subject.
The internship has further crystallized my interest and desire to pursue graduate studies and research.
I have balanced my academic pursuit with gaining practical experiences. For summer 2012, I was
delighted to be one of thirty students from India to be offered an opportunity to work at
ARCELORMITTAL in Kazakhstan, the worlds largest steel plant. The project was aimed at
converting the existing manually controlled underground sludge pumps in a hot rolling mill to a fully
automated system. The system was designed on Siemens Simatic S7 Manager using LAD and STL
languages. I really enjoyed the opportunity to work on a live project with so much practical
implication. My enthusiasm for practical work was reflected in my performance and I received a
certificate of excellence.
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I successfully completed the Excel Telecom professional certification program conducted by Ericsson
in 2012. I went on several site visits and had hands-on experience of the various tools used in the
telecom industry. I also completed a Microcontrollers Camp by Technophilia Pvt. Ltd. and worked on
the AVR platform to create a motion sensor car. I attended a Robotics Workshop conducted by
ThinkLabs SINE IIT-Bombay and gained elementary knowledge about robot locomotion, actuators,
control and transmission systems. By the end of the workshop, I was able to build a robotic platform
which was equipped with a pick and place mechanism.
Having enjoyed these diverse experiences, I wish to solidify my theoretical foundation by pursuing
graduate studies and thus I am applying for admission in the MSEE program offered by the
Department of Electrical Engineering at University of Washington. As one of the top ten students in
my department, I am confident that I will flourish at University of Washington.
I am particularly interested in the integrated systems, circuits and VLSI research area because of its
comprehensive approach. I hope to contribute to the research activities at Silicon Systems Research
Laboratory in project such as channelizing digitizer design support with Professor C. J. Richard Shi. I
also look forward to working at Adaptive Computing Machines and Emulators lab with Professor
Scott Hauck. The research work carried out by Professor Visvesh Sathe and Professor Shwetak Patel
intersects with my research interests. Under their guidance, I am positive that I would refine my
research domain and can work ardently.
I also look forward to participating in the many extra-curricular activities available at UW.
Throughout my education, even as I have been intensely focused on my academics, I have always
taken time to interact with my peers and colleagues. In college, I was a member of the organization
committee and the coordinator of our annual cultural-technical fest. In 2012-13, I was elected as the
senator of the student gymkhana and worked directly under the Dean of Academics as student body
representative. The Director recognized my outstanding work during my tenure as senator with a
medal. As a sports loving person, I was also in my institutes table-tennis team. I am well-prepared to
interact and network with my peers and colleagues at UW.
My. B. Tech. degree and subsequent work experiences were milestones in my journey to define the
future. I believe that earning an MS in Electrical Engineering at University of Washington will
provide me with front-line exposure to technological advances and will also give me a competitive
edge with which I can enter the academia or industry and pursue a fulfilling career.
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Arushi Sonkhya

International Graduate Applicant - Fall, 2014

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