Tim brings over 27 years of ASIC, FPGA, and firmware experience to the table. He has a passion for execution and being proactive. He often coordinates the technical members of the team and “fills in the holes” on the project to keep the client satisfied.

Tim’s Engineering Design Philosophy (acronym is “TALK” in reverse):

• K – Keep it simple silly. The simplest solution is often the best.
• L – Leverage anything you can. Other people have already worked through all the issues.
• A – Automate everything. Humans get bored and make mistakes; computers don’t.
• T – Test everything before delivery. “If it’s not tested, it won’t work.”

Expertise

• Expert at programming firmware for ARM-based embedded systems in C and C++
• Expert in designing and programming FPGAs to handle high-performance and real-time needs for embedded systems. Specializes in Intel FPGAs, including CycloneV with embedded ARM processor.
• Expert in programming embedded systems for Bluetooth applications, including advanced features such as periodic advertising
• Expert in thermal inkjet printing technologies such as HP Tij2.5, HP Tij2.x, and Funai inkjet pens
• Expert at automating testing with Python and PERL scripting languages
• Expert in working with EE partners to contribute to schematics and review the schematics from a firmware perspective
• Expert in turning on circuit boards for the first time
• Expert in serial interfaces such as I2C, SPI, USB, CANbus, PCI-express, RS-232, and RS-485
• Proficient in using test equipment, such as multi-meters, oscilloscopes, and logic-analyzers to debug electrical issues
• Proficient in using JTAG, instruction tracing, breakpoints, watchpoints, firmware-triggers, and performance monitors to root cause system-level firmware issues
• Proficient at digital filter design for removing noise or processing signals in the frequency spectrum
• Educates non-technical clients about the trade-offs of different solutions
• Understands several different industrial networks (PROFINET, EtherCAT, ProfiBus, DeviceNet, Ethernet/IP) and how to use off-the-shelf chips to integrate them into an embedded system
• Some experience with programming GUI software in C#/.NET for Windows
• Some experience doing board schematic and layout with Altium
• Some experience debugging EMC issues using ferrite beads, clock-dithering, and rise-time adjustment
• Some experience with transmission lines including dampening of reflected signals and signal integrity

Experience

• HP Server team (1994-1999): Debugged electrical issues on the PA-RISC 7200 microprocessor. Wrote Verilog for high-end server chip-sets.

• HP Inkjet ASIC team (1999-2004): Optimized the image pipeline that converted RGB pixels into CMYK dots for printing. Integrated a USB-Host Verilog model. Emulated the ASIC with complex FPGA solution. Wrote the DDR controller.

• HP Firmware team (2004-2010):

• Xzeres Wind (2011): Programmed firmware and FPGA code to optimize energy transfer of wind turbine generator into the local power grid.

• nLIGHT Photonics (2012-2016): Programmed firmware and FPGA code to control pulsed and continuous wave fiber lasers. Reviewed EE schematics and installed initial systems in China.

• Simplexity (2017-2021): Many projects:

  • Preemadonna Nailbot printer using HP Tij2.x technology
  • Wrote VHDL for FPGA to connect PCI-Express connection to motor controller for high-precision microscope
  • Wrote firmware code on Atmel MCU for back-lighting system in virtual reality headset
  • Wrote firmware to measure power usage of several household appliances to analyze consumption
  • Wrote firmware and FPGA code to tightly control stepper motors for virtual reality servo systems
  • Wrote FPGA code and firmware to print with HP Tij2.5 and Funai technology for construction printing systems
  • Lead the firmware team at Weir to architect and design firmware for a many-sensor system utilizing periodic advertising with Bluetooth
  • Analyze audio delays over Bluetooth to synchronize graphical movements to audio sounds for heart monitoring system
  • Wrote ISO firmware for COVID-19 home PCR tester
  • Wrote low-level control firmware for greenhouse monitoring robot for mass growers

Education

• BS in Electrical Engineering Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1993
• MEng in Electrical Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1994

Recognition

• Former Chairman, Oregon Electric Vehicle Association
• Former President and Mountaineering Instructor, Ptarmigan Outdoor Club

Patents:

• US9806488B2
• US9837784B2
• US10096965B2
• US10331431B2

Interest / Obsessions

• Electric Cars
• Ecstatic Dancing
• Hiking
• Over 1000 hours of volunteering at Free Geek

Blogs

Personal blog: Porsche 914 EV Conversion

Personal blog: Open Source Civic EV Kit

Favorite Quote

“What Is Human Nature? Paleolithic Emotions, Medieval Institutions, God-Like Technology.”

~ Edward O. Wilson