100+ Br Biomedicals Interview Questions and Answers

Divide the horses into groups of 5 and race them. Take the top 2 from each race and race them again. Finally, race the top 2 horses to determine the top 3.

• Divide the horses into 3 groups of 5 and race them.

• Take the top 2 horses from each race and race them again.

• Finally, race the top 2 horses to determine the top 3.

Match the thickness of each pen with its cap and cap them accordingly.

• Sort the pens and caps by thickness.

• Match the first pen with the first cap, second pen with the second cap and so on.

• Cap the pens with their respective caps.

• If there are any leftover caps or pens, they do not have a match.

Find the minimum/maximum number of tries required to find the floor where the egg will break in a 100 floor building with 2 eggs.

• Use binary search approach to minimize the number of tries

• Start with dropping the egg from the 14th floor, then 27th, 39th, and so on

• If the first egg breaks, use the second egg to find the exact floor by checking each floor one by one

• If the first egg doesn't break, move up to the next floor and repeat the process

• The maximum number of tries is 14 if ...read more

Find duplicates in an array of elements in 0(n) time and 0(1) space.

• Use the property of inputs to your advantage

• Iterate through the array and mark elements as negative

• If an element is already negative, it is a duplicate

• Return all the negative elements as duplicates

To determine if a point is inside or outside a rectangle, we check if the point's coordinates fall within the rectangle's boundaries.

• Check if the point's x-coordinate is greater than the left edge of the rectangle

• Check if the point's x-coordinate is less than the right edge of the rectangle

• Check if the point's y-coordinate is greater than the top edge of the rectangle

• Check if the point's y-coordinate is less than the bottom edge of the rectangle

• If all four conditions are true...read more

To find line that divides rectangle into 2 equal halves through a point inside it.

• Find the center of the rectangle

• Draw a line from the center to the given point

• Extend the line to the opposite side of the rectangle

• The extended line will divide the rectangle into 2 equal halves

There are multiple combinations of 8-bit and 16-bit signed numbers. How many such combinations are possible?

• There are 2^8 (256) possible combinations of 8-bit signed numbers.

• There are 2^16 (65,536) possible combinations of 16-bit signed numbers.

• To find the total number of combinations, we can add the number of combinations of 8-bit and 16-bit signed numbers.

• Therefore, the total number of possible combinations is 256 + 65,536 = 65,792.

Static function in C++ class is used to access class-level data without creating an object.

• Static functions can be called using the class name and scope resolution operator (::)

• They cannot access non-static data members of the class

• They can be used to implement utility functions that do not require access to object-specific data

• Static functions are shared among all objects of the class

Virtual functions in C++ use vtables to enable dynamic binding. Example code included.

• Virtual functions allow polymorphism in C++

• Vtables are used to maintain a list of virtual functions

• Each class with virtual functions has its own vtable

• Vtable entries are function pointers to the virtual functions

• Example code: class Shape { virtual void draw() = 0; };

• Example code: class Circle : public Shape { void draw() override { ... } };

C++ is a general-purpose programming language while Objective C is a superset of C used for iOS and macOS development.

• C++ is widely used for developing applications, games, and system software.

• Objective C is primarily used for iOS and macOS development.

• C++ supports both procedural and object-oriented programming paradigms.

• Objective C is an object-oriented language with dynamic runtime features.

• C++ has a larger standard library compared to Objective C.

• Objective C uses a Smallt...read more

Implement an API to return the second minimum element in a stack.

• Create a stack and a variable to store the second minimum element.

• Whenever a new element is pushed, compare it with the current second minimum and update if necessary.

• Whenever an element is popped, check if it is the current second minimum and update if necessary.

• Return the second minimum element when the secondMin() API is called.

A dictionary can be represented in memory as an array of strings. Worst case complexity of search is O(n).

• A dictionary can be represented as an array of strings where each string contains a key-value pair separated by a delimiter.

• For example, ['apple: a fruit', 'banana: a fruit', 'carrot: a vegetable']

• The worst case complexity of a search in this DS is O(n) as we may need to traverse the entire array to find the desired key-value pair.

Class container is a class that holds objects of other classes, while class composition is a way to combine multiple classes to create a new class.

• Class container holds objects of other classes, acting as a collection or container.

• Class composition combines multiple classes to create a new class with its own behavior and attributes.

• In class container, the objects are typically stored in a data structure like an array or a list.

• In class composition, the classes are combined by...read more

malloc is a function in C that dynamically allocates memory on the heap. It is used to allocate memory for variables or data structures.

• malloc is used in C programming language.

• It is used to allocate memory on the heap.

• malloc is different from 'new' in C++ as it does not call constructors for objects.

To determine if a point is inside or outside a rectangle, compare the point's coordinates with the rectangle's boundaries.

• Compare the x-coordinate of the point with the x-coordinates of the left and right boundaries of the rectangle.

• Compare the y-coordinate of the point with the y-coordinates of the top and bottom boundaries of the rectangle.

• If the point's x-coordinate is between the left and right boundaries AND the point's y-coordinate is between the top and bottom boundari...read more

To determine the metal width for routing, calculate the resistance and use it to find the required width.

• Calculate resistance using R = ρ * (L/A), where ρ is the resistivity of the metal, L is the distance between blocks, and A is the cross-sectional area of the metal.

• Use Ohm's Law (V = I * R) to find the voltage drop across the metal.

• Finally, use the voltage drop and current to determine the required metal width.

Block functionality of previous project involved data processing and storage. Layout started with floorplanning and power grid design.

• Implemented data processing block using Verilog HDL

• Designed storage block using flip-flops and registers

• Started layout with floorplanning to allocate space for different blocks

• Designed power grid to ensure proper distribution of power to all blocks

• Performed physical design tasks such as placement and routing

• Verified functionality through simula...read more

A variable can be allocated in different segments of memory.

• Global memory segment

• Stack memory segment

• Heap memory segment

• Code memory segment

The width of a tree can be calculated by finding the maximum number of nodes at any level.

• Traverse the tree level by level using breadth-first search

• Keep track of the maximum number of nodes at any level

• Return the maximum number of nodes as the width of the tree

The width of a tree is the maximum number of nodes at any level in the tree.

• To calculate the width of a tree, we can perform a level order traversal and keep track of the maximum number of nodes at any level.

• We can use a queue data structure to perform the level order traversal.

• At each level, we count the number of nodes in the queue and update the maximum width if necessary.

Object oriented programming is a programming paradigm that uses objects to represent and manipulate data.

• OOP focuses on creating reusable code through the use of classes and objects

• It emphasizes encapsulation, inheritance, and polymorphism

• Examples of OOP languages include Java, C++, and Python

Overloading is having multiple methods with the same name but different parameters. Overriding is having a method in a subclass with the same name and parameters as in the superclass.

• Overloading is compile-time polymorphism while overriding is runtime polymorphism.

• Overloading is used to provide different ways of calling the same method while overriding is used to provide a specific implementation of a method in a subclass.

• Overloading is achieved within the same class while ov...read more

Auto and volatile are storage classes in C language. Scopes of variables determine where they can be accessed.

• Auto variables are declared within a block and have a local scope.

• Volatile variables are used to indicate that the value of the variable may change at any time.

• Global variables have a file scope and can be accessed from any function within the file.

• Static variables have a local scope but retain their value between function calls.

• Extern variables have a global scope an...read more

Locate sum of 2 numbers in a linear array (unsorted and sorted) and their complexities

• For unsorted array, use nested loops to compare each element with every other element until the sum is found

• For sorted array, use two pointers approach starting from the beginning and end of the array and move them towards each other until the sum is found

• Complexity for unsorted array is O(n^2) and for sorted array is O(n)

Matching is the process of comparing two or more items to determine if they are the same or similar.

• Matching involves comparing characteristics or features of items to find similarities or differences.

• Types of matching include pattern matching, string matching, and image matching.

• Matching is used in various fields such as computer science, psychology, and genetics.

• Example: Matching fingerprints to identify a suspect in a criminal investigation.

• Example: Matching job candidates...read more

Higher metal jumps are preferred over lower metal jumps for resolving antenna issues due to better signal propagation and reduced interference.

• Higher metal jumps provide better signal propagation and reduced interference compared to lower metal jumps.

• Higher metal jumps help in achieving better antenna performance and coverage.

• Lower metal jumps may result in signal degradation and increased interference.

• Higher metal jumps offer improved signal strength and quality for antennas...read more

Count the number of set bits in a given number's binary representation.

• Convert the number to binary representation

• Iterate through each bit and count the number of set bits

• Use bitwise AND operator to check if a bit is set or not

• Keep incrementing the count for each set bit

Programs can crash due to various reasons such as memory errors, bugs, hardware issues, etc.

• Memory errors such as accessing uninitialized memory, buffer overflows, etc.

• Bugs in the code such as infinite loops, null pointer dereferences, etc.

• Hardware issues such as power failures, overheating, etc.

• External factors such as network failures, input/output errors, etc.

• Tools like Valgrind can help detect memory errors and other issues.

Command to find lines with 'ERROR' in log file and copy to new file

• Use grep command to search for 'ERROR' in log file: grep 'ERROR' logfile.txt

• Use redirection to copy the output to a new file: grep 'ERROR' logfile.txt > newfile.txt

Explanation of pointers with increment/decrement, address of and value at operators.

• Pointers are variables that store memory addresses.

• Increment/decrement operators change the address stored in a pointer.

• Address of operator (&) returns the memory address of a variable.

• Value at operator (*) returns the value stored at a memory address.

• Pointers can be used to manipulate data directly in memory.

It depends on the specific use case and implementation.

• C and C++ have different strengths and weaknesses.

• C is often used for low-level programming and system-level tasks.

• C++ is often used for object-oriented programming and high-level tasks.

• The performance difference between C and C++ can be negligible or significant depending on the implementation.

• Optimizations and compiler settings can also affect performance.

• Benchmarking and profiling can help determine which language is f...read more

Find subarray with highest sum in an array of numbers.

• Use Kadane's algorithm to find maximum subarray sum

• Initialize max_so_far and max_ending_here to 0

• Iterate through the array and update max_ending_here and max_so_far

• Return the subarray with highest sum

• Example: [-2, 1, -3, 4, -1, 2, 1, -5, 4] => [4, -1, 2, 1]

I know various sorting algorithms including bubble sort, insertion sort, selection sort, merge sort, quick sort, heap sort.

• Bubble sort - repeatedly swapping adjacent elements if they are in wrong order

• Insertion sort - inserting each element in its proper place in a sorted subarray

• Selection sort - selecting the smallest element and swapping it with the first element

• Merge sort - dividing the array into two halves, sorting them and then merging them

• Quick sort - selecting a pivot...read more

Pointers are used to manipulate memory addresses and values in C++. Increment/decrement, address of and value at operators are commonly used.

• Incrementing a pointer moves it to the next memory location of the same data type

• Decrementing a pointer moves it to the previous memory location of the same data type

• The address of operator (&) returns the memory address of a variable

• The value at operator (*) returns the value stored at a memory address

The width of a tree refers to the maximum number of nodes at any level in the tree.

• The width of a tree can be determined by traversing the tree level by level and counting the maximum number of nodes at any level.

• The width of a tree can also be calculated using breadth-first search (BFS) algorithm.

• The width of a tree is not related to the height or depth of the tree.

Latchup is a condition in integrated circuits where parasitic thyristors are inadvertently triggered, causing a high current flow.

• Latchup can be resolved by adding guard rings around sensitive components to prevent parasitic thyristors from triggering.

• Using layout techniques such as spacing sensitive components further apart can also help prevent latchup.

• Properly designing the power distribution network and ensuring proper grounding can also mitigate latchup issues.

Antenna effect is the phenomenon where the gate of a transistor behaves like an antenna, causing unwanted signal interference.

• Antenna effect occurs in integrated circuits due to the gate acting as an antenna and picking up external signals.

• It can lead to performance degradation and reliability issues in the circuit.

• To resolve antenna effect, techniques like adding shielding layers, changing layout design, and using guard rings can be employed.

• Simulation tools can also be used...read more

WPE stands for Water Pressure Equalization. It is a system used to maintain equal pressure in a water distribution network.

• WPE helps prevent water hammer, which can damage pipes and fittings.

• It ensures consistent water pressure throughout the network, even when demand fluctuates.

• Regular maintenance of valves, pumps, and pressure regulators is essential to ensure the WPE system functions properly.

Em&IR stands for Emissions and Immunity in the context of design engineering. Resolving these issues involves identifying sources of electromagnetic interference and implementing mitigation techniques.

• Em&IR refers to the study of electromagnetic emissions from electronic devices and their susceptibility to external interference.

• Common sources of electromagnetic interference include power supplies, motors, and wireless communication devices.

• To resolve Em&IR issues, design engi...read more

Defect life cycle is the process of identifying, reporting, fixing, retesting, and closing defects in software development.

• Defect is identified by testing team

• Defect is reported in a defect tracking tool

• Development team fixes the defect

• Testing team retests the fixed defect

• Defect is closed if it passes retesting

C++ is an extension of C with object-oriented programming features.

• C++ supports classes and objects while C does not.

• C++ has better support for polymorphism and inheritance.

• C++ has a larger standard library than C.

• C++ allows function overloading while C does not.

• C++ supports exception handling while C does not.

Static binding is resolved at compile-time while dynamic binding is resolved at runtime.

• Static binding is also known as early binding while dynamic binding is also known as late binding.

• Static binding is faster than dynamic binding as it is resolved at compile-time.

• Dynamic binding is more flexible than static binding as it allows for polymorphism.

• An example of static binding is method overloading while an example of dynamic binding is method overriding.

Blocking assignments wait for the assigned value to be calculated before moving on to the next statement, while non-blocking assignments allow multiple assignments to occur simultaneously.

• Blocking assignments use the = operator, while non-blocking assignments use the <= operator

• Blocking assignments are executed sequentially in the order they appear in the code, while non-blocking assignments are executed concurrently

• Blocking assignments are used for combinational logic, while...read more

Check if rectangles overlap by comparing their coordinates

• Compare the x and y coordinates of the two rectangles to see if they overlap

• If one rectangle is to the left of the other, or above the other, they do not overlap

• If the rectangles overlap, the x and y ranges will intersect

Allocate a 2-D array using C/C++

• Use the 'new' operator to allocate memory for the array

• Specify the number of rows and columns in the array

• Access elements using array indexing

The height and diameter of a tree are important measurements for forestry and landscaping purposes.

• Height can be measured using a clinometer or by using trigonometry and a measuring tape.

• Diameter can be measured at breast height (4.5 feet above ground) using a diameter tape or by measuring circumference and dividing by pi.

• These measurements are important for determining the health and growth of a tree, as well as for planning and managing forests and landscapes.

• For example, a...read more

Capacitors in series add reciprocally, in parallel add directly. Voltage in series is the sum, in parallel is the same.

• Capacitors in series: 1/Ctotal = 1/C1 + 1/C2

• Capacitors in parallel: Ctotal = C1 + C2

• Voltage in series: Vtotal = V1 + V2

• Voltage in parallel: Vtotal = V1 = V2

Some EDA tools include Cadence Virtuoso, Synopsys Design Compiler, and Mentor Graphics ModelSim.

• Cadence Virtuoso

• Synopsys Design Compiler

• Mentor Graphics ModelSim

MOSFET is a type of transistor used in electronic devices. Body Bias effect refers to the change in threshold voltage due to biasing of the body terminal.

• MOSFET stands for Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor.

• It has three terminals: Gate, Source, and Drain.

• The operation of a MOSFET involves controlling the flow of current between the Source and Drain terminals by applying a voltage to the Gate terminal.

• Body Bias effect refers to the change in threshold voltage of...read more

UNION in C is a data type that allows storing different data types in the same memory location.

• UNION is declared using the 'union' keyword.

• It can be used to save memory by sharing the same memory location for different data types.

• Accessing the members of a union can be done using the dot operator or the arrow operator.

• Example: union myUnion { int i; float f; };

• Example: myUnion.u.i = 10; myUnion.u.f = 3.14;

Cell padding is the space between the content of a cell and its border in a table.

• Cell padding can be set using CSS or HTML attributes.

• It affects the appearance of the table and can improve readability.

• Padding can be set for individual cells or for the entire table.

• Example:

• Example: td { padding: 10px; }

The output of the circuitry needs to be analyzed for functionality and accuracy.

• Examine the input and output signals to ensure they are within expected ranges

• Check for any noise or interference in the output

• Verify that the circuit is functioning as designed based on the specifications

• Look for any potential issues or errors in the output

Verilog code for sequence detector

• Use state machines to detect the desired sequence

• Define states for each part of the sequence

• Use combinational logic to transition between states

• Implement the Verilog code using if-else statements and always blocks

A C program to generate Fibonacci series

• Declare variables to store current and previous Fibonacci numbers

• Use a loop to calculate and print Fibonacci numbers

• Handle edge cases like 0 and 1 separately

Regression testing is testing the entire application after changes, while retesting is testing specific areas after fixes.

• Regression testing is done to ensure that new code changes do not affect existing functionality.

• Retesting is done to verify that a specific bug or issue has been fixed.

• Regression testing involves running the entire test suite, while retesting focuses on specific test cases.

• Example: After fixing a bug in the login functionality, retesting would involve test...read more

Program to find repetitive words in a string

• Split the string into words using a delimiter like space

• Create a hashmap to store word frequencies

• Iterate through the words and update the hashmap

• Identify words with frequency greater than 1 as repetitive

EMIR analysis is a process used to assess the impact of new regulations on financial institutions.

• EMIR stands for European Market Infrastructure Regulation

• It involves analyzing the requirements set forth by EMIR and determining how they will affect the operations of financial institutions

• This analysis helps organizations ensure compliance with EMIR regulations and make any necessary adjustments to their processes

Graphs are data structures used to represent relationships between nodes. Algorithms like Dijkstra's and BFS are commonly used with graphs.

• Graphs are composed of nodes (vertices) and edges that connect them.

• Common graph algorithms include Dijkstra's shortest path algorithm and Breadth-First Search (BFS).

• Graphs can be directed or undirected, weighted or unweighted.

• Examples of graph applications include social networks, routing algorithms, and recommendation systems.

Check if a substring in an array of strings is a palindrome or not.

• Iterate through each string in the array

• For each string, check if any of its substrings are palindromes

• Return true if a palindrome substring is found, false otherwise

Reverse a linked list recursively

• Create a recursive function to reverse the linked list

• Pass the current node and its next node as parameters

• Update the next pointer of the current node to point to the previous node

Add two numbers represented as arrays

• Iterate through the arrays from right to left, adding digits and carrying over if necessary

• Handle cases where one array is longer than the other

• Return the result as a new array

Access modifiers in Java control the visibility of classes, methods, and variables.

• There are four types of access modifiers in Java: public, protected, default (no modifier), and private.

• Public: accessible from any other class.

• Protected: accessible within the same package or subclasses.

• Default: accessible only within the same package.

• Private: accessible only within the same class.

• Example: public class MyClass {}

It is not common practice to provide complete code of all projects in an interview setting.

• It is not recommended to share complete code of all projects due to confidentiality and intellectual property concerns.

• Instead, focus on discussing the technologies used, challenges faced, and solutions implemented in your projects.

• Provide code snippets or high-level overviews of your projects to showcase your skills and experience.

CMOS inverter is a type of logic gate that converts input signals into their complementary outputs.

• CMOS inverter consists of a PMOS transistor and an NMOS transistor connected in series.

• When input is high, PMOS conducts and NMOS is off, resulting in output low.

• When input is low, NMOS conducts and PMOS is off, resulting in output high.

• CMOS technology is widely used in digital integrated circuits due to its low power consumption and high noise immunity.