Projects:

Handheld PC / Portable Data Terminal

Small, low power devices are a particular forte’ of mine. As part of a team I designed the architecture for a 33MHz 486 PC-On-A-Chip (POACH ) based handheld PC data collection platform which is capable of operating for days to weeks on 3-AA batteries. The device includes an IrDA interface, 8MB RAM, 32MB Flashdisk, small graphics LCD, keyboard, PC-CARD’s, RF interface and laser scanner. I was solely responsible for implementing the semi-custom Phoenix BIOS, ROMDOS, Flashdisk system, drivers, power management (APM), barcode decoding and other system software and utilities. I consulted frequently on hardware design issues, especially in the areas of power management and interfacing. I also assisted in project management tasks such as cost analysis, budgeting, scheduling, integration, and coordination amongst team members. This device is used for retail and warehouse inventory control, tournament admissions, public performances, etc.

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Technical Expert / Expert Witness

I provided services as a technical expert to two law firms and the US District Court (CT) in a matter regarding the alleged theft of trade secrets between a Fortune 100 company and a smaller firm. Services included examination of transcriptions, key evidence and technology on-site as well as interviews of key personnel from president to staff engineers.

In a second matter, I provided expert consultation on computerized handwriting recognition algorithms and devices to a Fortune 100 firm in a patent dispute.

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Real-Time Industrial Monitoring & Control

ETC provided custom firmware modifications to a standard spectro-colorimeter instrument to adapt it for industrial monitoring and control. The instrument was installed to monitor industrial chemical production in a gas refinery environment. The chemistry involved was hazardous, explosive, corrosive, and measured at elevated pressures and temperatures at the rate of 40,000 gal/day. The instrument was interfaced to the central plant monitoring and control system computer with both analog output and digital I/O over long distances. The modified instrument supported remote operation and diagnostics, user configurable parameters and reporting, background self-testing, menu-driven user interface, and code updates via flash from a remote location.

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Intelligent Power Supply Controller

ETC provided device selection, controller architecture design, circuits, and all firmware for a microcontroller to control a power supply. These supplies in turn could be paralleled to provide more than 100KW, or be operated individually to provide different voltages, currents, and functionality. All supplies were connected to a custom serial network for inter-communication, coordination, and connection to an optional central monitor and control unit. The micro controlled output voltage and current while monitoring output tolerances and fault conditions. Each micro could have its firmware reloaded on the fly to flash while running! A fully customized network protocol was developed with an extensible command set, error checking, and multiple addressing modes was developed. Driver level code for the network was also supplied for external PC communications.

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Sports Training Aid for Tennis Players

ETC provided firmware for a small microcontroller based device installed in the handle of a tennis racquet. The device measured player performance in real time and provided audio feedback. Input from multiple custom sensors was filtered in software and checked for validity. Further processing determing player performance and provided feedback. The player could adjust action to suit his/her mode of practice or play and experience. Statistics were kept and output to a small custom LCD. Rugged, very low power design.

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Cellular PCS Telephone Test Instrument

ETC supplied firmware for a field instrument designed to mimic a cellular telephone transmitter. The firmware performed built-in self test, output control & monitoring, 4x5 keyboard input, and controlled 16 14-segment LED displays. The devices output was controlled for RF & IF frequency, frequency offset, power, signal pattern, temperature, and other parameters. 68HC05 based.

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Automobile Engine Controllers

ETC designed, prototyped, and provided firmware for aftermarket engine control computers and daughter board assemblies. These aftermarket controllers were designed to enhance engine performance but still meet EPA emissions standards. Services included reverse engineering of I/O requirements, electrical design, PCB layout, prototype assembly / test, and programming for 8051, 68HC11, and 6301 based boards. This project used a variety of microprocessors depending on the car and engine. High integration EPROM / RAM / I/O / Logic devices from Waferscale Integration were also used in this rugged, wide operating temperature environment.

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Vertical Blanking Interval Communications

Developed firmware in C and assembler for 80186+8051 based unit to decode signals present on the vertical blanking interval of TV broadcasts from FNN (now CNBC) and PBS via satellite. 38.4Kbs serial data feed contained credit card information, stock quotations, UPI news, etc. Created software system to perform decoding, on-the-fly error detection and correction, decryption, and outbound protocol support. Developed algorithms for automatic coarse & fine tuning based on error rates, splitting and delivery of multiple feeds, automatic synchronization of error corrector / decryption module and data verification.

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Data Communications Protocols & Converters

ETC has worked with a wide variety of standard communications protocols and developed several custom protocols for clients applications. We have worked with (raw) ASCII, SDLC, HDLC, 9-bit protocol, I²C, SPI, XMODEM, YMODEM, ZMODEM, Kermit, LAP-B, X.25, TCP/IP, BISYNC, and proprietary protocols. In some cases the protocol was embedded in the product, in a few instances we designed and built a simple micro based external box.

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EMI Reduction

ETC has consulted on reducing EMI for designs by several companies to meet FCC (Part 15 Class A & B) and European CE testing (more extensive than FCC). We work with two local labs for testing and other experienced EMI experts. Our success rate is very high, with minimum impact on the design and production cost. We understand both what creates the EMI problem in the first place and the impact reduction techniques have on circuit parameters and performance. Most importantly, we understand volume production techniques and the impact suggested fixes have on your costs, and can create imaginative solutions without ballooning production time and expense.

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Custom Communications Protocols

We have designed and implemented a number of proprietary protocols for customers, both point-to-point and network based. These included an extensible command set, fixed or variable fields, error checking, provisions to identify the sender and receiver, node-to-node and multi-level broadcast transmissions, windowing and other performance improvements, 9-bit microcontroller protocol support for micros and PC's, automatic re-synchronization, and re-transmission. The protocols we developed followed the OSI 7 layer standard whenever practical.

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LCD Interfaces - PC, µC, I²C

Interfaces have been developed for a variety of LCD's ranging from small custom glass alpha-numeric segmented displays; to modules from 1x16 to 2x20, to 8x40 and graphics; to fully integrated VGA size. Both electronics and driver level code have been engineered. Processors range from the 68HC05-P and C series, to 68HC11's, 8051's, and 80C186's. An interface and software was also developed for the PC parallel port to a 32x128 graphics LCD module. Other interfaces were developed around the SPI and I²C buses, and the common 4 and 8 bit parallel interfaces.

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PC Analog & Digital I/O Add-in Cards

Several ISA plug-in cards have been designed to interface to external LCD's, EL displays, digitizers, compact thermal printers, and other custom hardware. Features included programmable interrupt logic, programmable state machines, 12 bit A/D, .5A output drive, selectable address space, 12MHz bus operation.

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Electronic Digitizers & Touchscreens

Pen-PC: ETC designed and built early prototypes for resistive digitizers for Momenta, Inc. which were used to develop their core software prior to Momenta's ASIC implementation for the design. 8051 based.

Handhelds: ETC also has developed four and five wire resistive digitizers for custom handheld devices for two Fortune 500 companies based on microcontrollers from SMOS and the Motorola 68L11.

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PC Based Test Equipment

Custom test equipment was developed for many of the projects listed elsewhere on this page. Interfacing to the PC was accomplished using third party cards for I/O, custom ISA interfaces, or the PC parallel port. In most cases we supplied test fixtures, interfaces, and software.

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Small Pen-based Computers, PC's & Peripherals

Small Pen Computer: A small, battery operated hand-held computer for capturing and storing handwritten data was developed for use as an electronic clipboard. The prototype design features a V25 (PC-compatible) m C, electromagnetic digitizer (68HC05 based), 64x240 graphics LCD, Flash EPROM data storage, real-time clock, and very-low power operation. ETC designed and prototyped both the hardware and firmware. All code, including a simple forms definition package, was written in C++ and debugged on the target.

Pen-PC: ETC provided contract software development services for demos and system software development through an employee to TelePad, a Reston VA pen-PC firm, for six months. PC based.

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Technical Writing / Windows Help Systems

ETC has provided user manuals and MS-Windows Help documents for in-circuit emulators from Nohau Corp. We provided text, graphics, screen shots and preparation for publishing. Full help documentation and conversion for MS-Windows Help was provided for some products. Excellent technical writing and communication skills.

We also provide studies and white papers on existing and emerging technologies for companies, tailored to your requirements. In the last two years we have supplied technology reports including trends, technology on the horizon, pricing, manufacturing costs & complexity, players and competitors, alternatives, and market penetration. White papers were prepared for handheld PC's, small format LCD's, smartcards, data encryption, Internet payment & transaction processing, microcontrollers, digital cameras, cellular telephones, and alternate methods for Internet access, among others.

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Arbitration - Technology Expert

ETC was hired to assist in arbitration of technology ownership between two companies. The disputed technology covered control methods, control algorithms, electronic and electro-mechanical hardware, software, algorithms, and patent claims by the two firms. ETC reported to the U.S. District Court in this matter.

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Medical Image Processing System

Developed a field biomedical image processing system, based on an embedded 386, capable of capturing hi-res true color images along with digitized dictation, compressing and transmitting the data at high speeds to a central network (Novell-based) facility for playback, transcription, and four color 1200dpi printing of the images. Average network throughput over 2-GB/day. Received images and dictation were automatically sent to multiple CPU's for parallel processing, then re-combined at workstations for transcription, layout, and printing. Responsible for overall system design, all software development, hardware selection, protocol implementation(s), network setup, and GUI design. Hired two additional employees for this project.

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Color Measurement Instrument

ETC provided firmware development for a 68HC16 based lab quality battery operated handheld colorimeter as part of a development team. Code was written in C and assembly for a small operating system, serial protocol drivers, keyboard and LCD drivers, and memory management. POST tests, background system integrity tests, and management of 68HC16 on-board peripherals including timers, serial ports (sync and async), A/D converter, and power management were also provided.

ETC also provided design services to this client to convert an existing spectro-colorimeter to a design suitable for use by unskilled personnel in a retail environment. The device was used in hardware stores to aid workers when custom mixing paint to match paint samples supplied by the customer.

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State Lotto Terminal

ETC provided turnkey hardware and software design for a self-service state lottery numbers-game terminal. The design included six PCB assemblies utilizing both a PC compatible microprocessor (80C188) and three smaller microcontrollers (80C651, 80C751). The unit communicated internally over the I2C bus, and externally was designed to operate over a state-wide WAN using synchronous modems.

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