System Engineer Expert Witness

Expert Witness No.844

California

Systems engineer with extensive experience developing advanced communications systems from integrated circuits to international networks.

System definition, software development, integration, test
Hands-on management and business development
Wireless communications systems, networking, and communications protocols
Cellular/PCS: AMPS, TDMA, CDMA, PHS, PACS
Wireless data: circuit, packet, message; including CDPD, Bluetooth, SMS, paging
Internet: TCP/UDP/IP, enterprise networking
Satellite networks & terminals
Wireless applications: voice, data, location determination, wireless local loop, enterprise

Employment History

4/97 – present, Consultant - Encinitas, CA

1994 – 1997 - Pacific Communication Sciences, Inc. San Diego, CA

1991- 1994 - Titan Linkabit, San Diego, CA

1988 – 1991 - TRW, Inc., Redondo Beach/Carson, CA

1981 – 1988 - Hughes Aircraft Co. Fullerton, CA

Education

1984 -  Master of Science, Electrical Engineering (Hughes Fellow)
University of Southern California
Specializations in Communications and Signal Processing.

1981     Bachelor of Science, Electrical Engineering
University of Cincinnati

Specializations in Communications and Computer Science.

Representative Experience

System Design & Analysis. Classical “systems engineering” work, including requirements definition and specification; functional partitioning; hardware/software high level design; interface definition; algorithm development; performance analysis. Products range from components, through modules, to systems.

PocketNet cellular (voice + data) smart phone. Lead systems engineer on second generation consumer product, responsible for defining IS-136 TDMA features and data modes, power management algorithms, user interface design, processor/memory choices, etc.

Network management agent application for a cellular digital packet data (CDPD) base station. Designed the management information base (MIB) and software to provide fault, configuration, and alarm management per ITU X.700 CMIP series standards. 

Digital handset location determination system. Generated a document set defining the requirements for locating cellular handsets to 125 meters in accordance with FCC mandate on wireless E-911, including system, subsystem, and interface specifications. Wrote test scenarios used by a major carrier for acceptance and integration testing of E-911 equipment.

 Network design and analysis. For two-way messaging start-up, designed national wide area network in support of a new wireless messaging/email deployment; developed capacity analysis, business case support, and protocols. For medical enterprise, analyzed network configuration/utilization and developed roadmap for increased capability, including routers, switches, firewalls, etc.

Business Development

Performed technical due diligence on startup and established companies, resulting in recommendations toward investment or acquisition. Individual deals values in seven digits.
For clients considering new products and services, performed market and partnership studies, including wireless E9-1-1 (cellular handset locating), and Personal Handyphone System (PHS).
 Developed a product evolution roadmap for a mixed signal application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). Prioritized new features in terms of customer value, cost, etc. The device included both digital signal processor and RISC protocol processor.

Software Development

Designed and built code in various environments using different methodologies. Used CASE tools, compilers, debuggers, emulators, problem trackers, etc.
Developed a Demand Assignment Multiple Access (DAMA) network control station in C in a PC environment. The control station dynamically assigned channel resources to satellite terminals for control, ranging, and communications. Wrote a synchronous serial interface driver to test the DAMA terminal unit (LST-5D). 
Debugged handset location algorithms; debugged and upgraded wireless protocol and test application, both in Windows/MS Visual C++ environment.
Other experience includes Unix, VMS, Fortran, HTML, and Visual Basic.

Management - Functional & Project

 Reporting to VP of Engineering, responsible for career development, staffing, and reviews of 30+ systems and test engineers (concurrent with project/technical activity).
 Led a team of 12 engineers, plus subcontractors, in hardware identification and acquisition, software development, and system integration over two years for a private multi-continental intranet, later attached to the Internet.
As assistant to the Bluetooth Qualification Administrator, responsible for assigning Bluetooth numbers to vendors, answering certification questions, and maintaining qualification web site.

Integration & Test

Wrote I&T plan and protocol test cases for early Bluetooth implementation. Wrote qualification test plan for Bluetooth Baseband implementation.

Defined and executed tests for embedded protocol and system firmware on the PHS ASIC described above, to verify functionality and performance against PHS standard and customer specs.

Collected and analyzed field interference data for 900 MHz vehicle location system; defined and executed IS-136 network characterization tests.