Expert Details
Real-Time Embedded Control Software
ID: 729517
Michigan, USA
Expert's software development experience has spanned the complete SDLC, involving Project Management, Systems Architecture, Systems Design, Development and Validation. Applications included communications, engine controllers, HUD units, robots, imagining and automation systems. Development tools and methodologies have included modeling, use cases, autocoding, IDE, Agile methods, communications and simulators.
Training, focused on computer systems, has been an integral part of his career, utilizing experiences gained from developing electronic systems and marketing presentations. This has involved training personnel on systems he developed along with developing course material and teaching at a local community college.
Intellectual Property efforts have utilized expertise and experience gained from developing, teaching and supporting software toward patent analysis and submission. This has involved effectively communicating technical details and concepts to IP attorneys, patent researchers and brokers in areas such as reverse engineering, creation and analysis of patent embodiments, prior arts and design arounds.
Expert's experiences have allowed him to participate in efforts focused on process improvement involving methodologies and development tools. As a trained ISO-9000 auditor, he participated in audits and saw their positive impact on software development and quality. Utilizing his development experience in evaluating tools for designing and metrics provided him with a solid understanding of its overall impact on costs.
Experience adds value to the development effort.
Embedded Software Engineering:
• Software Requirements and Analysis
• Project Management
• Systems Architecture, Design and Programming
• Marketing/Sales Assistance with RFQ’s
• Software Modeling
• Software ISO, CMMI and SPICE Standards Consulting
• Software Validation
• System Optimization
With the ever-increasing advances of software technology, the necessity for having a diverse engineering background is critical, in addition to the expertise and experience to utilize it. Having over 30 years’ experience involving all aspects of the real-time embedded software development life cycle has provided me the skills necessary to effectively and efficiently execute each phase.
Expert's career has spanned the design and development of engine controllers (electric and gas), robots, imaging systems, infotainment and other automotive components, communications multiplexers, BSP and assembly plant monitoring & control systems. These projects involved companies with teams of engineers ranging in size from a few to hundreds, including teams located offshore. Because of these experiences, he obtained valuable insight to the core development efforts of project-costs, goals, methodologies and communications.
LANGUAGES, TOOLS, PROTOCOLS, CERTIFICATION, TRAINING:
Languages: C; C++; Java; HTML; Pascal; Assembler; Fortran; Basic; SQL.
Protocols: CAN, GMLAN, J1850, J2190, KWP-2000, Class II, LIN, MOST, Ethernet, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and various custom serial protocols.
Operating Systems: UNIX; Linux; Windows; DOS; VMS; Android; numerous embedded RTOS systems.
Design and Modeling Tools: IBM’s Statemate / Rhapsody-MicroC; Cadre Technologies Teamwork; Cadence Verilog.
Certifications and Training: ISO-9000 Auditors Certification Program – Allen Bradley Company; Systems programming seminars – DEC and HP; Software Analysis and Design Training; Teamwork Software Design and Modeling Training; Online Internet Instructor Certification Program; IBM Statemate Software Modeling & Design Training.
Education
| Year | Degree | Subject | Institution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year: 1980 | Degree: BS | Subject: Computer Science, Economics | Institution: University of Pittsburgh |
Work History
| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
|---|---|---|---|
| Years: 2000 to Present | Employer: Undisclosed | Title: Principal / Real-time Embedded Software Consultant | Department: |
Responsibilities:A provider of development and support services focused on embedded software for real-time and memory critical electronic systems, my duties involve system architect, software design, programming, testing and engineering support throughout the full Software Development Life Cycle. By collaborating with specialists in Hardware Engineering, Marketing/Sales, Legal and HMI/UI/UX, I work on projects in the automotive, wireless, control and manufacturing industries using various platforms, languages and development environments.Accomplishments Include: • RFQ discovery phase for requirements, technical research, prototypes, proof-of-concepts and project estimates. • Elicit and document detailed technical requirements from client. • Architect specifications, designing, programming and validated of various real-time software. • Analyze, document and coordinate processes for certification in ISO-9000/QS-9000/CMMI/SPICE. • Create and present training and teaching materials. • Research and present materials with Marketing/Sales. Projects: Consultant for Software ASPICE Certification for a Tier 1 supplier. Efforts included set-up, preparation, development of sets of Automotive Spice processes and accompanying support materials. Designed and programmed software enhancements for a Tier 1 supplier’s existing motor control algorithm for an automotive component. Created requirements, software architectural and detailed designs for a Autosar based vehicle stability controller with an emphasis on communications, diagnostics and applications. Designed and programmed a graphics control algorithm along with functional analysis to upgrade OTA functionality for a dual-processor Autosar/QNX based instrument cluster. Created and wrote an online course focused on critical aspects in designing a secure IoT System Architecture, with topics including Authentication, Authorization, Secure Communications, Remote Access, Physical Security and Confidentiality Requirements Created software architectural, detailed designs and BSP for an ISO-26262 ASIL-D inverter electric motor controller for use in the powertrain of an EV all-terrain-vehicle and semi-truck. Created detailed designs and test plans for an automotive OEM’s Telematics Communications Unit involving onboard and IT cloud configurability, user interaction, information security and privacy. Created a Modular Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) Architecture using Enterprise Architect involving a wireless Input/output Controller and Edge Module with Wi-Fi, Digital I/O, Analog inputs, PWM, Mesh network, serial communications, configurability, security, OTA updates and IT cloud connectivity. Architected, designed and programmed an Embedded Linux Simulator as a server for validating a locomotive controller module, with Ethernet, TCP/IP and UDP protocols, Linux sockets, Android, multi-threaded/multi-tasking structure, configurable UI, both onboard and remote connectivity, VM development environment, Eclipse IDE, on x86 microprocessor. Architected an SoC IP Core System Management Module, involving communications, control and display functionality, designed and programmed by using a SystemC VM environment, core specific SDK, scripted base control, multi-processor architecture, configurable I/O, FPGA platform, internal SoC bus communications. Architected a Bluetooth Radio Tuner Infotainment Module for product development support. Efforts with technologies used: BSP (RTOS, device drivers) porting to a custom circuit board, ARM microcontroller/ECU, integrated Bluetooth stack, bootloaders, IDK and SDK configuration. Consultant for Software ASPICE Certification for a wireless technology company with interdepartmental coordination. Efforts included set-up, preparation, Gap analysis and development of HIS sets of Automotive Spice processes. Designed low level drivers (HAL) for a wireless automotive Internet access module. Technologies used: Wi-Fi, GPS, cellular, QNX, Ethernet, CAN, SDK and IDE. Created a Modular Instrument Cluster / Infotainment Architecture for a recreational vehicle manufacturer with Wi-Fi, USB, CAN, Bluetooth, embedded Linux, graphical display, voice and gesture HMI functionality with cloud client/server-based capability. Successfully reversed engineered, updated and installed a baggage handling system involving C++, Oracle, HMI and PLCs over TCP/IP for use by the largest Asian airport in the world. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1996 to Present | Employer: Undisclosed | Title: Sr. Systems Software Engineer | Department: Systems/Software Group |
Responsibilities:As a Sr. Systems Software Engineer, responsibilities involve customer liaison, requirements engineering, design and validation of automotive embedded software. Using various methodologies for gathering requirements, design and validation, he increased deployment and decreased delivery time from offshore development teams, resulting in improved OEM relations and increased RFQ opportunities. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2009 to 2012 | Employer: eyeCam, LLC | Title: Embedded Software Architect | Department: |
Responsibilities:A startup consumer electronics company for the wireless, wearable computing market, my responsibilities were to provide system architectural and design services to develop software/firmware for a portable wireless multi-media headset. By working with hardware, mechanical, marketing, and legal teams, I leveraged my background in communications and systems development to devise patented architectural frameworks for an operating system and user-interface that allowed for duplex-directional communications, data, power management and network optimization. This effort generated interest in venture capital firms along with increased equity financing.Accomplishments included: • Elicited and documented operational and technical requirements from the marketing and legal teams utilizing Use Cases, and textual and graphical techniques. • Worked with hardware engineering in developing an architectural framework focused toward an embedded and downloadable environment. • Designed and documented architectural frameworks for an embedded operating system (OS) and user interface (UI). • Designed and documented the key parameters for communication links involving Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS, Cellular and USB connectivity. • Participated with Hardware, Graphic Design, Marketing and Legal teams in generating the embodiments, prior art and claims for several patents. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1996 to 2011 | Employer: N.S. International, Ltd. | Title: Senior Software Engineer | Department: |
Responsibilities:An automotive manufacturer of vehicle instrument clusters and head-up-displays, my responsibilities were to provide services in customer liaison, requirements engineering, design, development and validation of embedded software. Obtained and documented requirements, functional decomposition and validation which enabled me to increase functional deployment and improve delivery time from the offshore development team of General Motors and Chrysler. This resulted in improved OEM relations and increased RFQ opportunities.Accomplishments included: • Elicited and documented operational, technical and validation requirements from clients utilizing Use Cases, textual and graphical techniques. • Performed functional decomposition of automotive cluster and HUD embedded real-time system software designs using structured analysis, functional block diagramming, and modeling. • Interfaced with offshore based software engineers using various methods of video, audio and data communications. • Participated in detailed software design reviews with team engineers using techniques including: text, dataflow diagramming, state charts, model-based designing and pseudo code. • Participated in specifying communications interface definitions and protocols. • Performed HIL/SIL and onsite validation using appropriate communications and emulation tools. Projects for N.S International, Ltd.: Automotive Instrument Clusters were architected, designed, programmed, integrated and tested for various GM and Chrysler vehicle lines. Technologies included displays, CAN, LIN, J1850, MOST, KWP2000, UDS, BSP, discrete I/O control signals, gauges, Statemate modeling, graphic display controllers, applications, calibrations, flash memory, bootloaders, AUTOSAR, microcontrollers/ECUs and BPS/HAL. Head-Up-Display (HUD) Systems were architected, designed, programmed, integrated and tested for various GM vehicle lines. Technologies includes, displays, CAN, LIN, J1850, KWP2000, discrete I/O control signals, modeling, graphic display controllers, calibrations, flash memory, bootloaders, microcontrollers/ECUs and board support packages. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1996 to 2000 | Employer: Macomb Community College | Title: Faculty Member | Department: Continuing Education Department |
Responsibilities:Faculty Member of Macomb Community College’s Continuing Education Department to instruct students in various aspects of computer technology. Reviewed coarse selections with the computer department coordinator, selected, developed and presented course materials. Student enrollment and satisfaction evaluations increased each year.Accomplishments included: • Selecting course material on Microsoft’s Windows, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access and general computer architecture. • Developed supplemental materials for class presentation and performed course instruction and training. • Acquired certification as an online Internet instructor. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1993 to 1996 | Employer: Ford Motor Company | Title: Software Contractor | Department: Powertrain Division |
Responsibilities:Software Contractor to Ford Motor Company’s Power Train Division, my responsibilities were the design and development of a set of core technology I/O drivers for a new engine controller module along with assisting the division in meeting ISO-9000 certification. By working with hardware engineers and applications specialists in soliciting requirements, along with using functional decomposition techniques, a 2-layered set of drivers were developed which allowed for minimal CPU utilization, multiple vehicle platform configurability and hardware portability. Additionally, by working with the various departments in determining their individual processes, each was documented per ISO standards for eventual certification.Accomplishments included: • Elicited and documented operational and technical requirements by working with domain specific engineers and Verilog based behavior level hardware models. • Performed functional decomposition of requirements into a set of embedded software driver characteristics using Structured Analysis and Design techniques and modeling them within a multi-threaded architecture. • Developed HAL compile-oriented table based drivers (discrete, analog, time based) on a custom microcontroller/ECU chip set in C using a custom RTOS. • Performed simulated and in-vehicle software validation using various lab and vehicle based emulation and data capturing tools. • Analyzed and assisted the engineering departments in determining and documenting processes to meet ISO-9000 standards. Projects for Ford Motor Company: Engine Control Module was architected, designed, programmed, integrated and tested for various GM vehicle lines. Technologies included discrete I/O control signals, digital signal processing, Verilog models, physical board layer, CASE design tool, I/O configuration framework, IDE, Power PC based microcontroller/ECU and engine simulators. ISO-9000 Certification of Ford’s Power Train division. Efforts included review of existing processes, Gap analysis, documentation, training and deployment of ISO-9000 compliant processes. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1992 to 1993 | Employer: Alpha Integration | Title: Project Manager/Lead Engineer | Department: |
Responsibilities:Project Manager / Lead Engineer for Alpha Integration, Inc., a project engineering firm, my responsibilities were to quote, manage, plan, design, implement and install multiple control and office network systems. By managing college level co-ops, the projects were successfully implemented and installed to the satisfaction of the customers.Accomplishments included: • Performed project management functions involving staffing, scheduling, status reporting and customer interaction. • Elicited and documented operational and technical requirements from the client utilizing Use Cases, statistical algorithms, graphical displays and reports. • Performed functional decomposition using data flow and hierarchical charts to design software. • Designed and programmed all levels of software, including low level drivers, applications control and communications under a COTS RTOS multi-tasking architecture. • Developed network level schematics. • Performed training, system installation and validation. Projects for Alpha Integration, Inc.: Plant Automation Systems were configured, calibrated, installed and tested for a plastic injection molding and waste water retention and electronic assembly facilities. Efforts involved PC base middleware, DBMS configuration, graphics display layout, discrete I/O control signals, PLC interface, SQL algorithms and site personnel training. Network System Installations of Novel Networks into offices. Efforts included quoting and cost estimates, personnel planning and coordination, network layout and physical wiring, PC network connectivity, testing and on-site training. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1989 to 1992 | Employer: Allen Bradley Company | Title: Development Quality Engineer | Department: Communications Division |
Responsibilities:Senior Development Quality Engineer for the Allen Bradley Company’s Communications Division, my responsibilities were to devise and execute test plans for various communication networks and interface modules along with assisting the division in meeting ISO-9000 certification. By working with the development engineers and production manufacturing, I assisted in planning and validating the modules using functional and design specifications.Accomplishments included: • Devised functional and design specifications for the development and execution of module validation procedures. • Software procedures and tools for use in the validation of embedded software systems were developed. • Trained and certified by Allen Bradley as an ISO-9000 auditor for all internal audits. • Determined and documented engineering departmental processes for ISO-9000 and CMM standards. • Assisted engineering departments in coordinating and changing processes to meet ISO and CMM certification. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1987 to 1989 | Employer: Dingman Micro Tech | Title: Lead Software Engineer | Department: |
Responsibilities:Project Manager / Lead Software Engineer for Dingman Micro Tech, a project engineering firm, my responsibilities were to lead teams of engineers in designing and developing software for manufacturing plant control systems. By working with hardware engineers and applications specialist, requirements were solicited and documented that allowed the team to successfully design and develop software allowing for real-time control, data acquisition and interface to application level software.Accomplishments included: • Performed project management functions involving staffing, scheduling, status reporting and customer interaction. • Elicited and documented operational and technical requirements from the client utilizing Use Cases, textual and graphical techniques. • Performed functional decomposition using data flow and hierarchical charts to design software. • Designed and programmed all levels of software, including low level drivers, applications control, communications under a COTS RTOS multi-tasking architecture. • Performed HIL/SIL validation and system installation. Projects for Dingman Micro Tech.: Assembly Plant Cab System software was architected, designed and programmed for testing a heavy truck cab’s internal electronics. Technologies used included LED Display, UI, Motorola 68000 microcontroller/ECU, RTOS, VME backplane, applications, device drivers, applications, discrete I/O control signals and UARTs. Excavator Transmission Test Stand I/O Interface Module was architected, designed and programmed for controlling transmission functionality. Technologies used included high speed DMA, applications, DEC VMS, Motorola 68000 microcontroller/ECU, RTOS, VME backplane, device drivers and discrete I/O control signals. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1986 to 1987 | Employer: Electronic Data Systems Corporation | Title: Systems Engineer | Department: Plant Automation Division |
Responsibilities:Systems Engineer to Electronic Data Systems Corporation, I participated in the integration of robotic functionality for General Motors's plant automation cell controller architecture. By working with a team of engineers, we configured and executed validation procedures for evaluation of cell control functionality within an assembly plant environment.Accomplishments included: • Functional decomposition of software requirements, I/O definitions and configuration. • Assisted in integrating Allen-Bradley PLC interface software. • System HIL/SIL validation and verification of real-time system. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1985 to 1986 | Employer: Epcom Corporation | Title: Project Manager / Project Engineer | Department: |
Responsibilities:Project Manager / Project Engineer for Epcom Corporation, a project engineering firm, my responsibilities were to lead a group of software and hardware engineers in developing a communication multiplexer that interfaced a dynamometer to a super computer and a diesel engine assembly line monitoring quality information system. By working with onsite personnel and hardware engineering in determining detailed interface specifications, the team was able to develop the systems to gather, analyze and queue for uploading data for later analysis.Accomplishments included: • Project management functions for staffing, scheduling, status reporting and customer interaction. • Elicited and documented operational and technical requirements utilizing use cases and graphical techniques. • Performed functional decomposition using graphical displays, data flow and hierarchical charts to design the system that interfaced with the dynamometer, diesel engine block sensors, high-speed communications link and several user data entry terminals. • Developed multi-tasking systems in Fortran and assembly to interface with a dynamometer, engine blocks, user terminals and a networked super computer. • Onsite system installation, validation and training of site personnel. Projects for Epcom Corporation: Communications Multiplexer Gateway was architected, designed and programmed for interfacing a dynamometer to a super computer and multi-user terminals. Technologies included multiple smart graphical terminals, HP-1000 mini computer, RT-11 RTOS, high-speed communication interface, discrete I/O control signals, applications, device drivers, serial communications and UARTs. Plant Data Acquisition & Quality Control System was architected, designed and programmed for monitoring and reporting statistical quality information associated with a diesel engine assembly line. Technologies included multiple smart graphical terminals, PDP-11minicomputer, RSX-11 RTOS, discrete I/O control signals, applications, gauging sensors, device drivers and UARTs. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1983 to 1984 | Employer: Copperweld Robotics | Title: Project Engineer | Department: |
Responsibilities:Project Engineer to Copperweld Robotics R&D Department, an imaging & robotics engineering firm, I designed software for systems controlling automotive radiator crimping and a 5-axis multi-processor based robotic pick-&-place arm for use in assembly line and manufacturing environments. I designed a character recognition system using Frame Grabbing imaging technology for reading serial part numbers and controlling radiator assembly operations.Accomplishments included: • Researched and designed a character recognition algorithm. • Designed the real-time software for a Pick-and-Place robot that positioned radiators within a specified range. • Designed a set of control algorithms for interfacing with an Allen-Bradley PLC in maneuvering parts. • Designed and prototyped communication protocols for use within a multi-processor environment. • Designed and prototyped software algorithms for controlling the movement of a 5-axis robotic arm. Projects for Copperweld Robotics: Imaging and Control System was researched, architected and designed for imaging and controlling functionality of an automotive radiator assembly line. Technologies involved pick-and-place robots, minicomputer, real-time operating system, discrete I/O control signals, sensors and device drivers. 5-Axis Multi-Processor Robotic Arm System Prototype was architected, designed and programmed. Technologies included multi-processors, FORTRAN, Pascal, harmonic motor drives, assembly language, RTOS, robotic training user interface, discrete I/O control signals, applications, communications protocols, sensors and device drivers. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1980 to 1982 | Employer: Brown Boveri Compuguard Corporation | Title: Software Engineer | Department: |
Responsibilities:Software Engineer for the Building Automation Systems Division of Brown Boveri Compuguard Corporation, I worked with a team in developing and installing DEC PDP-11 based real-time systems controlling the heating, cooling, lighting, load shedding and security of commercial buildings.Accomplishments included: • Design and development (FORTRAN, Assembler) of a screen-based report editor and generator for the publishing of building statistics. • Configured, installed and validated the building automation package. • Trained onsite personnel on system operations. |
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Career Accomplishments
| Associations / Societies |
|---|
| Member of the I.E.E.E.S. (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers Society) Member of the A.C.M. (Association for Computer Machinery) |
| Licenses / Certifications |
|---|
| ISO-9000 Auditors Certification Program – Allen Bradley Company Systems programming seminars – DEC and HP Software Analysis and Design Training Teamwork Software Design and Modeling Training; Online Internet Instructor Certification Program Telelogic Statemate Software Modeling & Design Training Certification as an IEEE CSDP. |
| Publications and Patents Summary |
|---|
| PATENTS: 2 US Patents – Modular Device and Data Management System and Gateway for a Communications Network US Patents – Headset-Based Telecommunications Platform |
Additional Experience
| Training / Seminars |
|---|
| As a Faculty Member of Macomb Community College's Continuing Education Department, his responsibilities were to instruct students in various aspects of computer technology. |
| Vendor Selection |
|---|
| Having experience managing, designing and developing computer based electronic systems in both roles as a supplier and vendor, |
Fields of Expertise
automotive engineering, CASE tool, computer imaging software, computer-aided software engineering, concurrent engineering, concurrent software engineering, data acquisition software, development engineering management, embedded software, embedded system software development, input/output software, Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers standard, programming language processor software, real-time embedded system software development, real-time software engineering, software configuration management, software design, software engineering process standard, software engineering repository, software engineering systems analysis, software engineering systems design, software inspection, software installation, software integration, software life cycle, software maintenance, software modeling, software partitioning, software process management, software project management, software rapid prototyping, software re-engineering, software reverse engineering, software system development, software technology transition, software testing, software validation, supervisory software, system software design, statistical process control software, project management software, image rendering, HVAC engineering, concurrent software, ISO/IEC 12207 -- Software Life Cycle Processes standard, software conversion, software porting, Microsoft Office software, computer-aided engineering software, embedded software testing, ISO 9000 implementation for software, software testing standard, software standard, disk operating system-based TCP/IP software, software regression testing, software localization, software internationalization, software development environment, engineering change order, software selection, real-time software, project scheduling software, software testability, project planning software, engineering change control, software documentation control, sorting computer software, automotive human factors engineering, presentation software, image processing software, software product development assessment, engineering design, software patent, computer software technology innovation, software process dynamics, simulation software, software product quality, software process quality, statistical computer software, software planning, software estimation, automotive engineering design review, electronics engineering instrument, application software, system software, software systems requirements definition, report generator software, Microsoft Windows software, software engineering process assessment, electronics engineering, computer programming, configuration management, project management software selection, integrated software engineering environment, computer spreadsheet, electrical engineering, software technology adoption, electronic-mail software, hardware engineering, engineering, spreadsheet software, software technology transfer, software safety, software reuse, software reliability, software quality assurance, software engineering, software development tool, software design recovery, software engineering baselining, graphics software, engineering cost, computer software, communication software