The Cheron Group, Inc.

Ron Gross

Developed 8051-based firmware to monitor grease interceptors (tanks) and transmit data, via radio and phone line, to server. Developed PC application, including proprietary protocol, to communicate with field devices to retrieve raw data and alarms for database. Developing Windows Mobile 6 PDA application (Visual Studio 2008) for field configuration/test of devices.

Developed FTP server interface to RADIUS and TACACS+ verification systems. Developed hard-disk reset management algorithms. Enhanced/added-to Command Line Interface (CLI). Debugged MIB interface. PowerPC-based system, running VxWorks, monitors/controls flow of IP traffic.

Developed Modbus Master (RTU/ASCII) driver for ARM7 and AVR ATmega128 system. ARM7 runs Debian Linux, with code developed in C++. Used arm-linux-g++ and avr-gcc tools. Developed TCP/IP protocol to communicate between embedded controllers and Linux translator system (Ubuntu), which translates the protocol to HTML formatted requests for storage into a database.

Developed software for a manufacturing test system for TI TPS2384-based Power-over-Ethernet (POE) modules. Used TotalPhase I2C and AccesIO DIO USB products and developed code using Visual Studio 2005 (VB.NET).

Developed CORBA-based interfaces for communicating between GUIs and the control system (Windows and VxWorks). Developed drivers for new ION/TC gauges and updated the Rockwell Flex I/O interface to support new configurations. Provided support for the control system, in the way of bug fixes and enhancements. Control system is OO-based and developed using VC++ and Tornado.

Developed new version of a I2C/RS232-based bootstrap loader and runtime interface for new TI MSP430 flash-based parts using IAR C tools and Visual Basic. Bootstrap loader is used for downloading new code to Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) system for communicating with TI TPS2384 chips. Runtime interface code is for communicating between MSP430 and host system, with GUI-based test system modified to support I2C PC interface card (uses Visual Basic). Developed RS-232 and I2C protocol for communicating with next generation of TPS2384 firmware, with drivers to support both hardware interfaces in same VB and firmware applications.

Developed a WinXP/2000 windows service to monitor system usage to control a new motherboard clock chip (TLC2900) via SMBus. Windows service and configuration application are C++ code developed with Visual Studio .NET.

Developed PHP/MySql-based town website that is completely database driven, using forms to update and add information.

Developing high-speed automobile race timing system using multiple TI MSP430 processors, and a proprietary high-speed wireless network. Developing using IAR C compiler. Investigating using Zigbee or BlueTooth for communications system.

Developed test firmware for validation of new hardware designs/production of valve controller running on Philips LPC2112 (ARM7). Developed Visual C++/MFC-based scripting interface for testing of HART interface. Developed BIOS test firmware to validate BIOS performance, running on Micrum uCos-II. Developed HART Device Description using HCF Device Description Language (DDL) using DD-IDE toolkit.

Developed doppler radar and gyroscope interface using Z-World Rabbit Semiconductor RCM3400 (enhanced Z180), using Dynamic C. Performed semi real-time sampling of doppler radar (digital inputs) and gyrcoscopic (serial interface) data. Developed software as a TCP-UDP/IP server, for transfer of data/information to a client. Used DHCP and socket communications methods. Developed Visual Basic client to test the serial and TCP/IP communications and allow configuration via the UDP/IP communications.

Developed I2C/RS232-based bootstrap loader and runtime interface for new TI MSP430 flash-based parts using IAR C tools and Visual Basic and Visual C++. Bootstrap loader used for downloading new code to Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) system for communicating with TI TPS2383 chips. Runtime interface code is for communicating between MSP430 and host system, with GUI-based test system modified to support I2C PC interface card (uses Visual Basic). Developed RS-232 and I2C protocol for communicating with next generation of TPS2383 firmware, with drivers to support both hardware interfaces in same VB and firmware applications. Uses Micro Computer Control PC-to-I2C bridge product (MCC iPort/AFM). Visual C++ used to develop PC-based downloader and test systems.

Developed Atmel MegaAVR ATmega169-based temperature controller for in-home multi-zone remote furnace control. Uses Atmel 'butterfly' system for LCD interface and proprietary RS-485 multi-master protocol for communicating amongst multiple remote displays and controllers. Any display/controller can show and/or control any other zones within the system. Developed using Atmel AVR Studio C compiler and ISP tools. Working on porting the proprietary protocol to BACnet.

Developed Modbus/TCP server (TCP/IP based) for current WebMaster product. Uses PharLap TNT OS running on 80386EX hardware. Developed using C++, BSD-type sockets and is multi-threaded, allowing a maximum number of clients to connect without requiring significant processing power.

Enhanced Slotted-Aloha master-slave power-line communications network for communicating with electric power meters.  Developed using Hi-Tech C, on proprietary 8-bit RISC microcontroller, using Salvo OS.

Managed software development team for recently introduced PICO leak detector, including supporting new product introduction and new features, maintenance of current systems, documentation control establishment of current procedures and sources, and developing fixes and/or new features. Product is multi-processor based, using a Motorola 68332 (in C) and 68HC08 (in C) for control and Windows CE (in C++) platform for the user-interface.

Ported a real-time distributed industrial I/O product (8051/8086 based) to a 8051/80186-based PCI single board computer with different memory sharing architectures.

Developed embedded Modbus, ASCII, and proprietary communications (patent applied for) networks for next generation programmable logic controller (PLC), based on Mitsubishi M16C processor.

Developed preliminary prototype JAVA and CORBA based user interface for Ion Implanter for next generation control system.

Developed remote inventory control measurement system using strain-gauges, MicroChip PIC 16C773, and RF (radio) local area network.

Developed simulator for Kensington linear robot of high-energy implanter robot end-station. Involved in developing next-generation C++ based control architecture. Provided upgrade/maintenance support for in-house designed flat panel display handling system (robot). Upgraded communications interface software (using SECS/GEM) and installed on-site at Japanese customer. Product developed on UNIX platforms with 'C' code running on VxWorks.

Developed Slotted-Aloha and master-slave power-line communications network for communicating with electronic power meters. Developed, using Hi-Tech C, on proprietary 8-bit RISC microcontroller (based on ARClite processor). Developed Perl scripts to modify code for embedding code into ASIC and FPGA. Debugged and maintained previous master-slave communications system.

Upgraded 80386SX-based control software to support new CPU and print head hardware. Ported pump control software using state-machine task-implemented methods. Involved in design of next generation software architecture. Added diagnostics tools for new print head.

Upgraded Z180-based serial-to-fiber SDLC repeater network and enhanced/debugged Visual C++ MFC-based configuration system.

Developed control system software base for atomic fluorine generator. Provided I/O drivers for analog and digital I/O, LCD display and serial interface of 68HC11-based hardware. Developed downloadable system for upgrading FLASH-based product in the field. Provided embedded development training to in-house software engineer.

Developed robot control sequencing system for in-house designed flat panel display handling system for laptop displays. Interfaced to Delta-Tau PMAC controller using dual port ram and serial interfaces. Developed multi-tasking, message-based state-machine control tasks on UNIX workstations for multi-board 68020/68010 based control system, running VxWorks. Re-worked state-machine and serial drivers for interface to external Rorze robot.

Developed Slotted Aloha communications system, with master-slave and peer-to-peer functionality, for large scale power-line communications system based on National COP888 microprocessor. Debugged and maintained previous master-slave communications system.

Provided development support and performed design reviews for Z180-based serial-to-fiber repeater network.

Developed prototype product based on 80C188 and 68HC05 multi-processor system, with a high-speed Modbus communications interface. Developed specifications for embedded diagnostics, boot-up and downloading functions. Consulted on systems development concepts. Specified development tools, including analyzers, emulators, networking tools, and Nucleus RTOS.

Co-developed communications converter for Modbus to Profibus communications protocols.

Upgraded Windows hardware driver for interface card. Consulted on new product development. Managed company-wide Novell network. Established version control system using Intersolv PVCS.

Developed real-time distributed industrial I/O product (8051 and 80x86 based) and a patented communications protocol. Responsible for software system level design of full product line. Developed custom interfaces to third party hardware/software including Allen-Bradley, Modicon, RadiSys, and VME Micro. Responsible for technical development and applications support with worldwide OEM customers, including IBM and Fischer & Porter. Responsible for porting 80x86 based system to 68020, using OEM customer-developed real-time UNIX. Responsible for meeting with customers for applications support and/or to develop new products based upon customer needs. Worked on developing next generation product using worldwide communications standards such as Fieldbus, ISP, LonTalk, and WorldFIP and large count multi-processor system using 80C188, 68HC11 and 68HC05 based hardware. Developed STD-based software interface to I/O product. Developed driver for interface to OPTO-22 products.

Developed real-time control software for robotic control system running on IBM PCs, using Galil motion controllers, for ion implanters. Developed a real-time communications system for use on a communications controller board (80186 based) for PC to PC and PC to DAS (Z80 based) hardware using fiber optic links. Met with current and future customers to provide applications/installation support and to incorporate customer requirements into product. Developed early prototype for maintenance and diagnostics on VME 68020/VRTX based sub-system. Upgraded current product to touch-screen user interface.

Developed data acquisition systems based on IBM PCs (using Keithly-Metrabyte) and HP80, HP200, & HP300 systems for in-house & customer tests. Developed prototype 68HC11 based system for next generation control systems, developing extensions for BSO/Tasking compiler on VAX. Designed new security and access control systems for facilities management. Added enhancements to 68000 & 6805 based engine/transmission control systems.

Developed plant process control systems, using Square-D and Allen-Bradley PLC's and embedded CPU boards, for the nation-wide REA wire plants. Added enhancements to current wire processing systems to triple throughputs.