TECHNICAL SKILLS

Technology and Tools: C/C++ Microcontrollers Python Assembler GDB/DDD Protocol Analyzer Device Drivers Linux Diagnostic Software Firmware Serial Communications Tcl/Tk

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Confidential, Bentonville, AR

Consultant

Responsibilities:

• Python test automation tool for validating program stability of TCP/IP applications, loosely based on nmap penetration test tool capabilities
• Support of IBM OS 4690 Point of Sale systems for Confidential Corp., working in C and C++.
• Defect analysis and resolution spanning over 1 million lines of 30 year - old code.
• ClearCase, ClearQuest, and HP Application Lifecycle Management software used for integrating efforts with QA team and other developers.

Confidential

Consultant

Responsibilities:

• Conversion of Raid Array Firmware Test Tool software from Windows to Red Hat Enterprise Linux operation. SVN-based SCM tool used
• Modified support for subordinate testing tools - IoMeter, Medusa, and Meatgrinder load testing and performance measuing software.
• Added Windows FTP server support for results reporting.

Confidential, Boise, ID

Software Engineer

Responsibilities:

• Created Software Requirements Specification to IEEE 830 standard, plus Interface Control Document (ICD) for locomotive Central Diagnostic system.
• Wrote Proof of Concept software to support ICD in Python, using UDP and custom programming for bandwidth-limited transmission over cell modem link with known error conditions (e.g., locomotive in tunnel)
• Currently working on the first level of deliverable, using the GNU tool set/C under Ubuntu Linux, implementing the locomotive communication effort to the web server in a multi-tasking environment.
• Other activities included communication fault analysis, contributions to grounding and cabling discussions, and learning locomotive design from the software perspective.
• ClearCase SCM tool

Confidential, Dallas, TX

Software Test Engineer

Responsibilities:

• Created test plans and tests for server-side firmware-over-the-air (FOTA) update creation platform. Documentation and stability improved significantly (twenty software revisions, plus three documentation revisions)
• Created Python-based cross-platform (Windows and Linux) test automation program for testing multiple software systems in six weeks. First successful run was in three weeks, and it has been extended substantially since then.
• Other duties included patent search for conflicts with the group's current efforts.
• SVN used for SCM

Confidential, Spokane, WA

Senior Software Engineer

Responsibilities:

• Created software for remote data retrieval using a Linux (Fedora) server between a remote Windows FTP site and the local network, using C, bash shell scripting, and Samba. Samba install was “from scratch”, including all configuration.
• Implemented inter-processor communications and signal processing software for Allen-Bradley ControlLogix using structured text for utility energy conservation software, using data delivered over a radio network. Many improvements over existing designs were included, such as consistent error checking/reporting, slaving sample and decision timers between two processors to minimize drift, minimized communication delays between processors, improved task startup, and introduced concept of rapid unit testing for key software components. All changes were subject to performance analysis and testing.

Confidential, Ft. Worth, TX

Independent Consultant

Responsibilities:

• Developed distributed control messaging architecture for automation of a composite helicopter blade manufacturing machine using CoDeSys open-source software with Schneider Lexium servo controllers and Turck BL67 I/O controllers running Modbus over TCP/IP. Also developed supporting standards such as naming conventions and common device access modules.

Confidential, Dallas, TX

Independent Consultant

Responsibilities:

• Telecommunication tip-ring remote tone generator project to detect inverted polarity. Firmware for PIC processor for command processor, tone generation, and hardware debug. Control was via RS-232 command port. Work was in assembly language in the MPLAB environment. Extensive testing was required to meet customer expectations.

Confidential, Ft Worth, TX

Maintenance Engineer

Responsibilities:

• Reliability enhancement for duct stamping machine, by replacing failure-prone direct sensing system (metal part completed a circuit) with a photo sensor. Failure rate immediately dropped from once a week to none in 6 months.
• Re-designed and implemented operator interface (Red Lion HMI) and PLC code for in-house "MultiPress" light hydraulic press. Software enhancements included diagnostic software and displays, remote backup capability, and speed improvements. Hardware improvements included better electrical conditioning and isolation and hydraulic enhancements to protect sensors. Performance testing showed 10% improvement. Full regression and safety testing completed successfully.
• Re-developed bending brake controls for Fabriduct HVAC metal fabrication machine after discovering original controls were beyond economic repair. Developed and documented function block programming for SmartRelay and re-integration with existing hardware based on out-of-date prints. Testing was successful, and project saved $250,000.

Confidential, Dallas, TX

Independent Consultant

Responsibilities:

• Created pneumatically-operated target controls, using an Idec PLC to allow pseudo-random operation

Confidential, Dallas, TX

Independent Consultant

Responsibilities:

• Developed hardware and firmware for a cell tower transmitter enable box. This involved converting RS-232 serial communications to individual TTL output line levels using a PIC 16F883 processor.

Confidential, Carrollton, TX

Plant Automation Specialist

Responsibilities:

• Controls troubleshooting for copper Confidential machinery (AC motors, sensors, control power and circuitry)
• Primary responsibility for re-developing and reworking controls for older machines.
• Functionality enhancements for current factory machinery.
• "From scratch" PLC programming (Idec/Omron/Trol) and OIT/HMI development (Red Lion G3xx), including security, maintenance diagnostic functionality, and logging.
• Full development/implementation cycle responsibility: parts selection PLC's, motor drives and contactors, sensors, encoders, counters (PAXC), safety, circuit design, etc.), plus box layout with heat dissipation considerations, hardware mounting, wiring/labeling, etc.
• Extensive involvement with pilot project for vision-based quality control system for copper Confidential machinery, including electrical support, lighting, ejector design, and statistical analysis.

Confidential, Dallas, TX

Maintenance technician

Responsibilities:

• Primary responsibility for troubleshooting and modifying industrial control circuits.
• Prototyped PHP/MySQL database for parts inventory and reliability analysis.
• Troubleshooting pneumatic lines and valves, motor contactors and inverters, relay logic, control circuit shorts, sensor issues, and DC motor controls.
• Electrical additions for lighting and machine power.
• The following temporary jobs were necessary due to the extreme contraction of the communications industry.

Confidential, Plano, TX

Software Engineer

Responsibilities:

• Implemented and tested API and POSIX driver for dynamic optical network traffic scheduler firmware that was generic across three boards in C++. Company used gcc and the gdb debugger.
• Implemented and tested API and POSIX driver modifications to support alarm and Performance Monitoring of Sonet interface in a UNIX environment.

Confidential, Dallas, TX

Software Engineer

Responsibilities:

• Designed and implemented a C++ state-driven call control module for a 3G wireless product prototype under a Linux platform.
• Re-designed a C-based bandwidth management/availability firmware for inclusion in a DSP (TI 320C5410 under Code Composer) / FPGA framework, while driving the throughput improvement effort for an air policy conformance reporting database.

Confidential, Richardson, TX

Software Engineer

Responsibilities:

• Designed and implemented embedded application initialization software. Also implemented board initialization (BIOS) in assembler and C as part of board design testing, and worked with senior consultant to implement a full VxWorks BSP for an MPC860-based board, working in C on a Sun Solaris development environment. Company used gcc and the gdb debugger.

Confidential, Richardson, TX

Software Engineer

Responsibilities:

• Designed and implemented the embedded portion of VxWorks-based application download for the Confidential 2200 LMDS, as well as the Power-On Self-Test code and BIOS for all PowerPC-based embedded systems. This required writing initialization code in Assembly and C to run in Flash memory to test and initialize the CPU, MPU and external devices. Heavy use of In-Circuit emulators and logic analysers.
• Projects on the prior product included improving system restart processing under error conditions and added Built-In Testing to the Confidential 2100 LMDS system. Extended and improved error condition reporting and logging for embedded software, running under the Microware OS-9 operating system using C.
• Created a small database application based on MS Access as a sales/marketing aid, using US business census data for targeted B2B advertising within a service area.

Confidential, Bedford, TX

Software Engineer

Responsibilities:

• Team member for an Object-Oriented redesign of T1 and IDLC transmission products in a UNIX environment using C++. Other activities included participation in Object-Oriented requirements analysis and the development of Microsoft Access database support for the product Requirements Allocation Matrix.

Confidential, Dallas, TX

Senior Firmware Engineer

Responsibilities:

• Projects included the design, implementation, and maintenance of:
• Member of a team to add SNMP control (based on HP OpenView for Windows) to the PBX. While working with a more senior Windows designer, I created the MS Access database for telephone number retrieval and wrote a program in Visual C++ to automatically update it. Aided the design of the main product with my knowledge of the PBX and wrote part of the front-end processing necessary for HP OpenView to function with the proxy agent in the PBX.
• Two generations of remote maintenance access firmware, including call-back security and call home on problem. The second generation also required writing a LynxOS (UNIX) driver in C for the Master Controller, while the remote access software was written using a proprietary real-time kernel very similar to VRTX. Based on a stand-alone board using a Hitachi 64180 CPU, a remote operator could dial a customer site and have access to any diagnostic function they would have on site.
• Medium speed (370 kbps) synchronous protocol firmware to allow the PBX Master Controller to communicate with interface cards connected to end devices (telephones, outside lines, etc.). I also led the team which extended this protocol for the latest generation product.
• Utility and diagnostic firmware for a Motorola 68000 CPU board in a VME environment. Other tasks on this project included designing software release procedures and an image file transfer program.
• Implemented and tested the Layer 1 (Physical) drivers and error reporting mechanisms from a set of specifications for a voice-only ISDN Primary Rate interface in six weeks. Four days later, AT&T declared the product testing successful.
• Telephone instrument firmware feature enhancement for Intel 8048-based digital telephone (remote reset, plus switchover bug fix).
• Tools used included oscilloscopes, protocol analyzers, and various in-circuit emulators.
• Other activities included processor loading/performance analysis and participation in system specification.