Resumé for Mark Walsh, mark@km6xu.com

Skills Summary

Languages and Environments: Extensive experience with C, Pascal, BASIC, a variety of assembly languages including PIC, AVR, TMS320, ColdFire, 68HCxx, 8051, and a variety of Real Time Operating Systems (RTOS).

Skills:Design and implement embedded systems, both with and without real-time operating systems, on a wide variety of hardware. Very good working knowledge of digital and analog electronics, radio and telecommunications, test and measurement equipment, microprocessor emulators and debuggers, and related development tools. Familiar with many algorithms used in embedded applications such as filters, integrators, PID control, etc. in the software, electrical, and mechanical domains. Familiar with many electrical and telecommunications standards from the highest level (NEC, UL, CSA, FCC, ANSI, etc.) to the lowest level (SPI, I2C, serial, etc.), the basics of schematic capture and board layout (ExpressPCB), the basics of mechanical design (physics, materials, tools, motors, engines, etc.). Work well in resource-constrained (MIPS, memory, power, etc.) environments. Can perform basic electronics troubleshooting and repair. Good documentation skills.

Experience

11/14 - 1/17: Senior Product and Process Engineer - Altergy Systems, Folsom, CA
Designed products and processes for fuel cell-based backup power products. Primary responsibility was firmware design and development; however, much focus was also given to electrical and mechanical disciplines.

4/12 - 7/14: Senior Firmware Engineer - Renewable Power Conversion, San Luis Obispo, CA.
Designed and implemented firmware for a long-life ultra-high-efficiency grid-tied solar-powered inverter with advanced functions (dynamic PID, AFCI, etc.).

6/08 - 8/11: Senior Firmware Engineer - Green Plug, San Ramon, CA.
Designed and implemented PIC-based firmware for an innovative energy-saving smart power supply. Created a low-cost and low-power patented (US 20100280676) means of collaboration between the supply and the attached consumer equipment. Worked at all levels from brainstorming with marketing to component selection to board bring-up. Subsequent SoC-based cost-reduction made good use of a multi-threaded core, supporting multiple power conversion hardware topologies, and reducing standby power to almost nothing.

2/07 - 6/08: Consulting Software Engineer - S&C Electric Company, Alameda, CA.
Implementation of low-level software for an innovative (recently released) ColdFire-based product used in the power distribution industry. Performed a comprehensive review of and fully documented an internal QNX-based RTOS.

4/06 - 2/07: Senior Software Engineer - PASCO scientific, Roseville, CA.
Defined and created the dsPIC-based embedded software for a low-cost high-speed multi-channel data acquisition product, also assisted in its hardware debugging process. Upgraded existing PIC-based products to support the remote download of new firmware.

10/01 - 10/05: Consulting Software Engineer - Xantrex Technology (acquired by Schneider Electric), Livermore, CA.
Created and maintained the TMS320-based embedded software for solar-powered single-phase and three-phase grid-tied inverter product lines that were the first to perform all current and voltage control and measurement functions in software, minimizing production costs, while maximizing power conversion efficiency. Assisted in subsequent hardware cost-reductions, updated software to meet new operational, regulatory, and management requirements. Also added remote monitoring features to existing wind turbine-powered three-phase grid-tied inverter products.

11/02 - 6/03: Consulting Software Engineer - Distributed Power, San Luis Obispo, CA.
Created the TMS320-based embedded software for a variety of solar-powered three-phase and single-phase grid-tied inverter products. Performed feedback and control functions in software, resulting in reduced production costs, and the highest possible power conversion efficiency. The UL-rated units require no setup, and report operating conditions on an LCD.

6/00 - 4/01: Senior Software Engineer - GoDigital Networks (acquired by CTDI), Fremont, CA.
Updated existing leading edge HDSL-based long distance low-power DAML (Digital Added Main Line) telephony products using C on the 8051 and Coldfire microcontrollers. Support included POTS (TR-57) and metallic loop testing (TR-398, TR-909). Also defined a product that used a T1-interface (TR-08) to bring the digital portion of the telephone network much closer to the analog end user.

1/00 - 6/00: Senior Firmware Engineer - Whisper Communications, Santa Clara, CA.
Designed and implemented firmware using C on the 8051 for an 802.11-based electricity, gas, and water Automated Meter Reading (now known as "smart meter") product line. The Nucleus RTOS was used, and many power-saving techniques were employed, allowing the battery-powered gas and water metering devices to go without service for ten years. Worked extensively with both marketing and hardware personnel in order to create the best possible low-cost product.

2/99 - 1/00: Senior Firmware Engineer - Harmonic, Incorporated, Sunnyvale, CA.
Implemented new features in C for 8051-based networked OSP (OutSide Plant) equipment used in the cable television industry. Created an AGC (Automatic Gain Control) system for an 802.11-based coax to fiber convertor, reducing power consumption (and heat), eliminating the need for constant fine-tuning. Ported a MAC layer to an existing stand-alone transponder. Worked with hardware and manufacturing personnel utilizing both RF and fiber-optic interfaces.

10/97 - 2/99: Senior Firmware Engineer - Telco Systems (acquired by BATM Advanced Communications), Fremont, CA.
Developed firmware for a low-cost Coldfire-based digital loop carrier product used by RBOCs (Regional Bell Operating Companies). Duties included start to finish C and assembly firmware design and development, as well as helping to bring up T1 (TR-08), E1, and HDSL hardware. Finished product supported twenty different hardware configurations from a single firmware executable.

4/97 - 10/97: Senior Software Engineer - Vina Technologies (acquired by Larscom, Inc.), Fremont, CA.
Developed software in C for an innovative voice and data convergence product used by two large telecommunications service providers. Implemented some call-processing functions such as local call routing and 911 over-ride, as well as some of the product's DID, DNIS, ANI, and Caller-ID functionality on T1, FXS, and FXO interfaces. Discovered, verified, and took advantage of an undocumented broadcast feature within the common Mitel crosspoint switch, saving both MIPS and power. Work included brainstorming with hardware architect, software implementation, and testing.

5/95 - 3/97: Software Engineering Group Leader - NetSource, Petaluma, CA.
Conceptualized, designed, implemented, maintained and documented C and C++ DOS-based network software clients that control telecommunications switches used in the international telemanagement industry, and lead others in doing so. Envisioned and created a unique and popular method of access using pre-existing worldwide X.25 networks. Created a network interface that was the key in providing one of the industry’s first internet-based callback systems. Work included coordinating all phases of project development, facilitating employee communications between my group and other departments, performing common management tasks, and providing insight into other company systems and services.

10/90 - 1/95: Software Engineer, Level III - DSC/Optilink Access Products (acquired by Alcatel), Petaluma, CA.
Designed, implemented, maintained and documented firmware in C and HC11 assembly for central office and remote terminal T1 and POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) equipment used in the domestic telecommunications industry. Redesigned, cost-reduced, and added features to an internationally deployed long-distance low-power DAML (Digital Added Main Line) product using ISDN technologies. Work included the entire development process with firmware written in 68HC05 assembly language, as well as providing cost reduction, in-circuit test setup, and hardware debugging assistance.

2/90 - 10/90: Senior Programmer - InnerData, Novato, CA.
Assisted in the design, and responsible for the firmware implementation of a 80C188-based battery-powered portable computer using CD-ROMs, and leading edge display and input technologies. After creating a BIOS, work included designing, implementing, and documenting a C and assembly-based multi-tasking RTOS, and making hardware decisions. Focus was given to enhancing the product's user experience, while simultaneously conserving power.

8/85 - 2/90: Scientific Systems Programmer - MilliGen/Biosearch (acquired by Millipore), Novato, CA.
Responsible for firmware and software used in microprocessor- and PC-based instrumentation popular within the biotechnology industry. Duties included designing, implementing, documenting, and maintaining Pascal and 6803 firmware and DOS-based C software, as well as participating in hardware design and development. Designed an implemented a user language including an editor and an interpreter. Designed and implemented portable TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) and graphics libraries for the MS-DOS, UNIX, and VMS environments. Provided a wide variety of support to the sales, marketing, accounting, administration, chemical, mechanical, and production disciplines.

11/84 - 6/85: Software Engineer - Cyberstar, Inc., Santa Rosa, CA.
Designed and programmed a Pascal-based ATE (Automated Testing Equipment) system for turbine engine monitors used in the aviation industry. System included an editor, an interpreter, and a simple flight simulator. Wrote and maintained real-time control firmware in 8085 assembly for helicopter turbine engine monitors.

1/84 - 8/84: Computer Programmer/Analyst - Quinox Corp., Sacramento, CA.
Designed, coded, documented, and maintained firmware for portable BASIC computers used in the insurance industry, as well as a variety of programs for in-house use on a number of different systems. Performed computer upgrades, built and configured serial communications links to connect various devices.

Personal

Bachelor of Science, Computer Science - California State University, Sacramento - August 1984.
Advanced class amateur radio license, KM6XU; builder/owner 51.800 MHz repeater and IRLP node 3002.