Pyeongtaek 2011

1. Internship portfolio Michal Paszta Pyeongtaek 2011

2. Internship Details Student information Name Nationality University Faculty Major E-mail address Michal Paszta Polish Warsaw University of Technology Exchange student at: Kyungpook National University Faculty of Electronics and Information Technology Electronics and Computer Engineering mpaszta@gmail.com Company information Company name Division Department Supervisor Internship period LG Electronics Home Entertainment / PDP TV R&D (Plasma Display Panel Research and Development) S/W (Software Engineering) Kim Jisung 2011/06/01 – 2011/07/29

3. Companyintroduction LG is the second biggest South Korean conglomerate company, producing electronic devices, chemicals and telecommunication products, employing more than 93,000 people in over 120 countries in the world with 2010 global sales of $48.2 billion. It consists of four main business units, one of them being LG Electronics. LG Headquarters (source: wikipedia) LG Electronics Pyeongtaek department has several tasks. There’s a mobile phone and plasma display factory here, along with a large Research & Development Centre. DS – Digital Software PDP Software department is responsible for programming various parts of a Plasma Display TV from low-level modulation and demodulation, through pen-touch function to high-level applications such as screen savers. PDP SW is further divided into smaller parts programming for different standards, according to the geographical region. I worked in DVB (Digital Video Broadcast), which is a European standard. PDP SW DVB part in a morning meeting

4. Professional Development Assigned tasks PDP (Plasma Display Panel) is a flat, large (above 70cm) display panel which uses small fluorescent lamps containing ionized gases (also called plasma). Those lamps are controlled by numerous electric circuits. Inside a PDP there are also several circuits responsible for remote control, signal processing and so on. Many of those ciruits contain microcontrollers. Microcontrollers are small computers (similar to PCs we all use) optimised for special tasks (e.g. signal processing) and low power consumption as they are designed for embedded applications. LG PDP use MIPS microcontrollers with a Linux operating system. Android is an open-source operating system developed by Open Handset Alliance, based on a Linux kernel. It is one of the most popular mobile devices operating system, often used in smartphones, netbooks and tablets. Android has also been used by Google in the GoogleTV project, proving useful as an operating system for large displays. Android’s version for MIPS microcontrollers is in an early phase of development…

5. Professional Development My goal was to cross-compile Android source code, as well as an Android version of the Linux kernel and try to run it on MIPS processor installed in an LG PDP. I also prepared simple step by step documentation in a form of Powerpoint presentation Skills Completion of the assigned tasks depended on using and developing several skills… Programming skill and deep understanding of the hardware and software were essential to modify, compile and load the code into the microcontroller. Android is based on and widely uses Linux kernel source code, which forced me to learn more about this system. Developing a project as big as Android port to a new platform requires cooperation with both other office workers, who knew LG source code and developers from all over the world. It involved usage of several large project maintenance tools such as git and repo.

6. Intercultural Experiences The first work experience in a large company such as LG might be tough… but it wasn’t! After three months of studies at KNU in Daegu I already knew that Koreans are always very kind towards foreigners. I received a lot of support from the PDP DVB part, for which I’m very grateful. Mr. Donghyun Jeong – the leader of DVB team Work in LG is well organized and runs in cycles: every year new tasks are taken up and closed. Every morning starts with a “work cry”*, runs through lunch and dinner in one of two LG cafeterias, to end with overtime work or sports activity. *There is no official name, but I call it “work cry” in resemblance to “war cry” or “battle cry”, as both are aimed at morale and motivation. See last page! Pentouch TV – one of the newest LG products LG workers are very active people – almost everyday during lunch break my part jumped into trekking shoes and hiked up Sinbongsan, walking along with tens of other workers. Football matches between departments or project teams are an everyday reality. Lunch break is a good time to take a nap, relax or play Startcraft… Lights are turned off during lunch break to allow everyone a moment of rest and relax.

7. Intercultural Experiences Language was not a big issue, as everyone could speak English in my department. However, communicating one’s thoughts in a foreign language is always a little challenging, and it was a good lesson not only of English but also of following and understanding other people’s way of thinking. Mr. Jisung Kim – my mentor and guide in the LG world Rice and kimchi for each meal? Warm seaweed soup for breakfast? Chopsticks instead of a fork? A few thousands other workers eating their meal everywhere around you? That’s a Korean cafeteria. Koreans are very patient and forgiving towards foreigners, but I did my best to follow the behaviour rules such as showing respect towards seniors. I came to understand the importance of this system and learned my place in the department’s hierarchy. In Korea the relations between workers are very warm, a boss can have a lot of fun with his subordinates. Statue commemorating the founder of LG – Koo In Hwoi stands at the entrance to the office, reminding workers of LG principles – high quality and customer’s trust.

8. Intercultural Experiences The most important conclusion of my stay in Korea is that in today’s global village society the differences between cultures are sometimes not visible at first glance. You have to look deep into details: small gestures, language, history to understand in what ways people differ from you and, what’s equally important, in what ways they are similar.

9. Personal Development The people we meet in a foreign country quickly become close friends. The few months in Korea went by fast, but the ties made here will remain for a long time. On top of Hallasan – highest peak in South Korea (Jeju Island) Travel broadens the mind. Different architecture, design, language, cuisine, behavior, religion, customs – they all gave me a deeper understanding, sometimes resulting in appreciation or critical view of what things are like back home, in Poland and Europe. Overseas internship is a perfect chance to improve communication skills and self-confidence, gain cultural knowledge and life experience.

10. 목표는 …높게! 생각은 …깊게! 행동은 …빠르게! PDP 혁신 우리가 …한다,한다,한다! Aim…High! Think…Deep! Act…Fast! PDP innovation We…build, build, build! (LG morning work cry)