EXPERIENCE:

Vanguard Ruggedized Storage

Part-time Consulting, March 2013 - July 2017

Duties and Activities:

• Marketing and product strategy.
• Work on new product proposals.
• Meet with representation firms handling technical aspects of business.
• Lead architecture design and development.
• Software and Hardware design, development and debugging.
• Support of various products.

Tasks and Accomplishments:

• Provide demo and support for a proposal effort to put a recording device on a F-15.
• Design of VPX hardware interface for a storage device.
• Developed prototype COM Express based Fibre Channel data storage subsystem for a high altitude reconnaissance aircraft. Achieved data rates of greater than 340 MB/s writing and greater than 640 MB/s reading. Some throughput tools developed in C++
• Worked with Linux LIO kernel developers to troubleshoot and fix Fibre Channel issues with customer equipment.
• Developed ruggedized Fibre Channel data storage subsystem based upon above prototype.
• Implemented new Data Destruction feature into product.

Data Flow Systems

Contract Programming, June 2016 - August 2016

Linux kernel programming for an ARM-based SCADA radio communiations and control device.

Tasks and Accomplishments:

• Developed Linux touchscreen device driver and device tree overlay for ARM A8 platform.
• Revamp Linux cross-compile build system.
• Set up git repository for product code.
• Assist with new hardware startup.

Reliable Systems Services

Senior Software Engineer, August 2013 - February 2016

Programming embedded processors in smart encrypted radio WAN applications.

Tasks and Accomplishments:

• Set up cross-compile development process for new Qualcomm/Altheros MIPs based modem product using "git" for configuration management.
• Developed Java application demonstrating querying products using SNMP to display and log system performance parameters.
• Wrote Linux platform startup code for new product.
• Back-ported / wrote Ethernet PHY device driver and integrated into new product. Fixed MAC layer problems in Qualcomm/Atheros code.
• Ported high speed serial UART driver to new platform and integrated into new product,
• Assisted bringing up new hardware.
• Wrote Perl scripts used to benchmark networking performance with Candela application.
• Ported openssl and lighttpd packages to new product.
• Developed new cgi-based web interface for new product.
• Ported several proprietary protocol drivers from PPC kernel 2.6.20 to MIPS kernel 3.3.8.
• Implemented a simplified state machine for protocol removing entangled modes. This rewrite addressed several race conditions and unexpected events in previous implementation provided by a subcontractor.
• Added mode to state machine to support sector antenna controller.

Reliable Systems Services

Senior Software Engineer, January 2013 - February 2013

Tasks and Accomplishments:

• Programmed Embedded Power PC processor in a smart encrypted radio WAN router.
• Set up a new cross-compilation development workstation (ELDK SDK for PPC).
• Re-engineered their PPC build process to track configuration changes.

Position terminated due to sequestration schedule changes.

DRS Technologies

Senior Software Engineer, February 2012 - August 2012

Programmed PIC and H8 embedded System Management Controllers (SMC) supporting Intel i7s on ruggedized PC architectures. Real-time work was performed using UML code generation with object oriented design architecture.
Tasks and Accomplishments:

• Reviewed and edited several System Requirements Specifications (SRS) and Unit Test Plans.
• Fixed USB HID/CDC composite interface used for keyboard, configuration and firmware updates. This included troubleshooting the Windows 7 “.inf” implementation for this interface.
• Assisted troubleshooting audio CODEC performance in the systems.
• Investigated adding PECI support and DPTF to the systems.
• Benchmarked the systems and performed tests and analysis to determine the best performance options for various BIOS parameters. The benchmarks included utilizing Microsoft’s Visual Studio 2010 with Intel’s latest C++ and FORTRAN compilers for the SPEC CPU2006 benchmark.
• Assigned to back port Video for Linux (V4L2) driver from Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6.0 to 5.6 to support a new Techwell video driver.

Metsys LLC

Contract Programming DRS BAA, August 2011 - November 2011

Contract programming for DRS Technologies for a prototype handheld Android Accessory communication device. Real-time embedded programming performed in C for a Microchip PIC 32-bit microcontroller.
Tasks and Accomplishments:

• Developed user hardware interface.
• Developed Android Accessory USB interface.
• Developed File System and TCP/IP communications.
• Assisted initial startup and debugging of new hardware.

Vanguard Ruggedized Storage

Vice President of Research and Development, March 2008 - June 2011

Part-time Consulting, November 2011 - February 2012

Responsible for product architecture and software development for storage product line. These ranged from a 14 TB ruggedized system to a 3-module 320GB device used to read logging modules collected from field systems. Programming performed in C, HTML, and server side CGI scripting in an embedded Linux environment. Programming in Verilog and C for Xilinx Virtex 5 FPGAs.
Duties included:

• Marketing and product strategy.
• Project planning and scheduling.
• Project engineering and development.

Activities included:

• Meeting with customers and vendors.
• Working to solve design and performance issues on various storage products.
• Leading architecture design and development teams.
• Software development.
• Hardware design and debugging.
• Leading development of a ruggedized USB to SATA bridge device used in the MEADS program. Programming was done in Verilog and C for Xilinx Virtex 5 FPGAs.
• Led development of three ruggedized Network Attached Storage (NAS) devices.
to read logging modules collected from field systems.
• Provided support for various other storage devices in product line including PMC/PCI based storage and SCSI RAID devices.

Tasks and accomplishments include:

• Lead local sales and engineering office in Melbourne.
• Implemented a software configuration management system (Subversion).
• Developed company software procedures and standards.
• Developed user interface for new Network Attached Storage (NAS) product line.
• Implemented SNMP agent for above NAS devices.
• Wrote software specifications for outside contractors.
• Wrote Manufacturing Procedures for new products.
• Wrote Operations Manuals for new products.

Northrop Grumman Corporation
Various Programs November 1997 - March 2008

Northrop Grumman Corporation

RAMICS Program

Senior Software Development Engineer, December 2007 - March 2008

Developed a high speed data recorder and injector (playback) for data being produced at 60 MB/s per channel on fiber optic Serial Front Panel Data Port (SFPDP) lines. RAMICS is a Navy program consisting of a LIDAR controlled weapon system on a helicopter for clearing mines in shallow water. Real time code developed in C for an embedded Linux system with user interface control code developed in C++ compiling for Windows and Linux using the QT libraries.

Northrop Grumman Corporation

AIMS Program

Senior Software Engineer, December 2007 - March 2008

Development of a 2-channel high speed RADAR video recorder for data being produced on Gigabit Ethernet. This was targeted for the Air Force Global Hawk program interfacing with the MP-RTIP sensor. This worked in conjunction with the AIMS data publishing, subscribing, and querying architecture. Real-time code on Linux platforms developed in C. Control code on Windows platform in C++.

Northrop Grumman Corporation

COBRA Program

Senior Software Engineer, July 2007 - January 2008

Selected to fix a high speed data recording application for the Navy’s COBRA program. COBRA is an airborne multi-spectral mine detection system. This involved working with several sub-contractors at the device driver and system/application level. Work included kernel/device driver programming on an embedded Linux RAID system with a SCSI interface and application level programming with Windows XP. Data rates of 196 MB/s were realized on the Linux RAID device and an overall sustained system throughput of greater than 70 MB/s was achieved by the application.

Northrop Grumman Corporation

ALMDS LRIP Program

Senior Software Engineer, August 2006 - July 2007

Developed a 4-channel high speed recorder and injector (playback) for data being produced at 100 MB/s per channel on fiber optic Serial Front Panel Data Port (SFPDP) lines. Real time code was developed in C for an embedded Linux system with user interface control code developed in C++ compiling for Windows and Linux using the QT libraries. Control interface included a near real-time display of video data during flight. I flew as mission support specialist on Navy aircraft (SH60) during testing. Recorders functioned flawlessly during flight tests recording several terabytes of data. Injectors used extensively in support of primary application development.Developed a 4-channel high speed recorder and injector (playback) for data being produced at 100 MB/s per channel on fiber optic Serial Front Panel Data Port (SFPDP) lines. Real time code was developed in C for an embedded Linux system with user interface control code developed in C++ compiling for Windows and Linux using the QT libraries. Control interface included a near real-time display of video data during flight. I flew as mission support specialist on Navy aircraft (SH60) during testing. Recorders functioned flawlessly during flight tests recording several terabytes of data. Injectors used extensively in support of primary application development.

Northrop Grumman Corporation

ALMDS LRIP Program

Software IPT Lead, September 2005 - August 2006

Led a team rehosting the ALMDS APS for the Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) upgrade. The ALMDS LRIP APS consists of a large Class IV laser and 4 cameras with 10 Power PC (PPC) CPUs and 10 Virtex IV Pro FPGAs for the image recognition/data processing. All processing is done in a real-time environment with VxWorks. Duties included estimation and development of software portion of bidding process for the LRIP program. This program was nominated to Aviation Week and Space Technology Magazine’s Program of the Year. It was also nominated to EE Times 2006 Ace Awards Design Team of the Year competition.

Northrop Grumman Corporation

ALMDS EMD Program

Software Team Lead, February 2004 - September 2005

Led software team in implementation and development of embedded DSP and control software for the Airborne Laser Mine Detection System (ALMDS) APS. This consists of Sharc-based DSP parallel processing running in a Wind River Virtuoso real-time environment performing digital laser image processing. The ALMDS EMD APS consists of a large Class IV laser and 4 cameras with 48 Sharc CPUs for the data processor. All processing is done in a real-time environment. 67% of existing code base (35,000 lines) was modified. Only 202 lines of code were modified in 5 ½ months of flight testing. Flight testing was successful and Northrop Grumman secured the contract for low rate initial production (LRIP).

Northrop Grumman Corporation

CWIN Program

Senior Software Development Engineer, May 2003 - February 2004

Lead software development for an embedded control application integrating a Crestron video controller and Extron 64x64 video switch matrix with a local area network interface application and several high definition frame grabbers. Programming with Microsoft Visual Studio.

Northrop Grumman Corporation

JCP Program

Senior Software Development Engineer, January 2003 - May 2003

Lead software development for Navy Joint Stars Connectivity Package. This program exploits Joint Stars satellite data using an ARC/231 satcom radio and a Sun workstation. Tasks include identifying an appropriate synchronous serial interface, porting/writing a serial device driver for a Digi Sync 570i synchronous interface card, porting a MIL STD 188-184 DAMA Link Layer protocol library, and porting proprietary application layer communications software to a Sun Workstation.

Northrop Grumman Corporation

ALMDS Program

Senior Software Development Engineer, September 2002 - January 2003

Assisted in implementing a high speed data recorder and developed a real-time injector (playback) for the Airborne Laser Mine Detection System. The recorder and injector platforms were on a Mercury Vantage Race++ PCI system with a SCSI mass storage array connected via a proprietary fiber optic link to the Laser pod. The fiber optic link used a reconfigurable field gate array (FPGA) as an interface. The success of this work was a direct result my involvement in the Northrop Grumman HPC IR&D program.

Northrop Grumman Corporation

HPC Program

Senior Software Development Engineer, November 2001 - January 2003

Lead Northrop Grumman High Performance Computing IR&D program. This involves development of portable parallel processing algorithms for image recognition using MPI. Three platforms -- CSPI BOS (w/Myrinet communications), Mercury Race++, and Linux Beowulf (PPC G4) clusters were used. In addition, a major effort was made to assess various FPGA development technologies for reconfigurable computing applications. This concentrated on using reconfigurable FPGA-based fiber optic I/O cards for high speed data transfer and preliminary digital signal processing. This technology fed the parallel processing algorithms.

Northrop Grumman Corporation

Satcom Program

Senior Software Development Engineer, February 2000 - November 2002

Developed architecture and system software for Joint Stars SATCOM satellite communications enhancement program. This involved implementation of a proprietary application layer protocol on top of a MIL STD 188-184 DAMA Link Layer protocol. The application involves transfer of several military protocol messages (J-TIDS and TADIL-J) and NITFS formatted graphics files. Performed development and modifications to the Joint Stars RASP parallel processing DSP platform and the Joint Stars application software to enhance (double) the resolution of the Joint Stars synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery. Programming performed on DEC VMS systems and Joint Stars RASP parallel processing DSP platform (Mercury Raceway) using FORTRAN and C.

Northrop Grumman Corporation

Computer Replacement Program

Senior Software Development Engineer, November 1997 - February 2000

Developed system software and built-in-test (BIT) test software for the Joint Stars Computer Replacement Program's Ruggedized Advanced Signal Processor (RASP). The RASP is the primary digital signal processing (DSP) component of the J-Stars radar system. Most software developed for an embedded UNIX processor (SPARC) in a multiprocessor environment running on a VME/Raceway bus. Components programmed included the 1553B communications interface, a FDDI LAN interface, a GPS time source interface, a VME I/O card, Mercury Sharc processor cards, Mercury Power PC processor cards, and the Mercury Raceway Operating System.

AT&T Tridom Incorporated / GE Spacenet Incorporated

Senior Engineer, March 1996 - November 1997

Ported a real-time operating system (pSOS kernel) and proprietary communications software to a new platform. This Motorola 68040, VME based platform is for a satellite digital communications system. Code is in assembly and 'C'. Development carried out in a UNIX environment using Sun workstations. Trained in VxWorks real-time operating system for future development projects.

Schlumberger Industries, Incorporated
Various Positions August 1990 - March 1996

Schlumberger Industries, Incorporated

Communication Systems Division / Meter Communication Systems Division

Project Leader, August 1995 - March 1996

Continued participation in Protocol Design Working Group to develop a new RF protocol and system design with the Schlumberger/Motorola joint venture group AMRT. Expanded leadership position in development of communications code to be used on multiple platforms [6808, MOSCAD (68302), MS-DOS, Windows].

Schlumberger Industries, Incorporated

Communication Systems Division / Meter Communication Systems Division

Senior R&D Engineer, January 1994 - July 1995

Major accomplishments included:

• Participation in a Protocol Design Working Group to develop a new RF protocol and system design with the Schlumberger/Motorola joint venture group AMRT. Activities included:

• Training and use of Cadence's Bones Designer network and protocol simulation tool including development of C++ modules for network simulation.
• Participated as Schlumberger representative in weekly planning and design meetings.
• Wrote a Design Goal Specification for the interface between a RF LAN modem (CIU) and a MOSCAD RTU.

• Development of a demonstration for reading multiple encoder types in a AMR radio-based MIU. This was a high visibility, short lead-time project accomplished in 11 days. It led directly to a $20,000,000 contract.
• Development of a demonstration system using a AMRT MIU for remote disconnect of an electrical service. This included hardware and firmware modifications on the MIU and new hardware development for the switch.
• Development of a protocol implementation with a Motorola MOSCAD RTU using 'Ladder' and 'C'.
• Developed a PC-104 based prototype for RF communications to MOSCAD RTUs.

Schlumberger Industries, Incorporated

Information Systems Division

Project Engineer, August 1990 - December 1993

Led the product development of a new commercial battery powered remote data recorder and system to support it. Tasks included:

• Design of the data collection system and writing the system specification.
• Wrote the product specification for the recorder.
• Development of a full duplex protocol based upon IEEE 802.2 Logical Link Control for the system.
• Design of hardware and firmware for the recorder. Firmware was comprised of assembly for a Z8 microcontroller and 'C' and assembly for a 68HC11 microcontroller. The communications LLC code layer was used on multiple platforms, a 68HC11, MS-DOS, and a Sun workstation running UNIX.
• Supervision of three engineers and two technicians on project related tasks.

Other contributions included:

• Development of hardware and communications firmware for a residential battery-powered data acquisition device communicating over telephone lines.
• Assistance in firmware and hardware development for various projects.
• Acted as LAN administrator for a PC-based local area network.
• Leadership of a hardware design review team for a new product of a sister division, Electricity Management.

Computer Science Innovations, Incorporated

Senior Software Engineer, December 1988 - August 1990

Tasks and accomplishments included:

• Development of diagnostic firmware for an ion deposition printer using assembly language for a Motorola 88100 RISC processor in a coprocessing application on a VME bus running UNIX linked via DMA to a VAX minicomputer.
• Development of software, firmware, and assisted with digital hardware redesign for a remote controlled horse racing system. This consisted of 80C31-based robotic jockeys and controllers linked with a spread spectrum radio (controlled by the 80C31) and MS-DOS PC's used to oversee system operation. Most programming was for an interrupt driven real-time response environment using assembly language and 'C' for both platforms.
• Selected for in-house development for a graphics application on an Apple Macintosh with programming in 'C'.
• Assisted with in-house artificial intelligence application projects including development of Knowledge-Based Expert systems and Neural Network applications with programming in 'C' and Basic.
• Various data base and graphics projects with 'C' and FORTRAN for UNIX and MS-DOS.

Brevard Community College

Adjunct Professor, January 1989 - July 1990

Part time teaching. Courses included:

• 'C' language programming for college credit.
• dBase III+ and Lotus 123 adult education courses.

Symetrics Industries, Incorporated

Senior Engineer, November 1987 - December 1988

Headed development of a card access security system based upon MS-DOS PC central computers with distributed, microcomputer-based controllers. Most programming was for an interrupt driven real-time response environment using assembly language for the 80C31. FORTRAN, dBase III+, 'C', and assembly language used for the 80286. Responsibilities and accomplishments included:

• Supervision of three engineers.
• Hardware modifications of 80C31 card access controller.
• Hardware modifications to 32 channel PC ISA bus communications adapter.
• System design, protocol, and software development for host computer.
• Firmware development of 80C31 card access controller.

Metretek, Incorporated

Senior Engineer, July 1985 - November 1987

Responsibilities and accomplishments included:

• Development of hardware and firmware for two microcomputer-based (NEC 7500, Mot 68HC11) battery powered data collection devices communicating over telephone lines.
• Development of Optical Sensor (Patent Applied for) for above products.
• Performed continuation support for several products.
• Served as advisor to customers and other engineers dealing with Intrinsic Safety issues in gas utility applications.