Firmware | Software & Embedded-Software | Data Analysis | Verification & Validation

8/2023 – 10/2023

FPGA firmware development for the automation of control cabinets

The regulation and query of the IOs connected to the FPGA is controlled by an ARM-based 32-bit MCU

After a meticulous system requirements analysis, the SPI bus has been selected as interface between MCU and FPGA, where the MCU acts as master and the FPGA as slave

■ Review of the FPGA circuit with regard to configuration and SPI interface to the MCU: pin assignment, voltage, termination, additional or missing IOs, etc.

■ Important findings and crucial design change suggestions to minimize: Cross-talks, propagation delays, setup/hod-time errors, etc.

■ Specification of the communication protocol between MCU and FPGA, and the memory mapping inside FPGA

■ Integration of a new method for data integrity check on SPI via CRC-16, without violating the SPI protocol standard

■ Implementation of a generic SPI slave in the FPGA, with corresponding memory connection to internal register banks

■ Implementation of a generic SPI master in the FPGA, which acts as MCU in simulation mode

■ The SPI bus is generic and configurable as Standard, Dual or Quad SPI

■ Implementation of a solid simulation infrastructure, with corresponding description and simulation file with various test cases

■ Simulation of all communication protocols between MCU and FPGA: Standard/Dual/Quad mode, data integrity check, etc.

■ Crash course for internal employees: FPGA, VHDL, Xilinx-Vivado, modern simulation methods, critical paths in FPGA design, critical reports, timing closure

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Einzelne Projektbeschreibungen finden Sie als Anhang im Bereich "Persönliches Portfolio"
Individual project descriptions can be found as attachments in the "Persönliches Portfolio" section

Bash Shell, FPGA, Picmicro, Elektronische Schaltungstechnik, Schulung / Coaching (allg.), STM32, Systems Simulation, Tool Command Language, Technische Dokumentation, Hardwarebeschreibungssprache, Vivado (Xilinx), Xilinx (allg.)

6/2015 – 2/2023

■ Department: PDPC (Philips Digital Photon Counting)

■ Business: CT/AMI (Computing Tomography/Advanced Molecular Imaging)

■ Firmware development for the PET Detector Tile, core part of the Philips PET/CT-Scanner

■ Fully responsible for the firmware development by PDPC, around the PET Detector Tile and associated infrastructure systems

■ FPGA, software and script programming (VHDL, C/C++, Lua, TCL, Python) in Windows & Ubuntu Linux

■ Automation of compilation processes with TCL scripts

■ Implementation of complex FPGA blocks/algorithms and delivery of various portable IP blocks

■ Programming of high-speed interfaces (processing and transmission of large amounts of data at high data rates)

■ Characterization and selection of hardware components

■ Automation of characterization of relevant parameters by plotting with Python

■ Refactoring and further development of existing Firmware

■ Version control and release management with Git and GitLab

■ Automation of V&V (Verification and Validation) with Lua and Python scripts

■ Provision of Firmware releases with corresponding documents: Requirements, Functional Descriptions, Test Specifications, Test Reports

■ Independent planning and execution of work packages (efforts, priorities) in consultation with the R&D Manager

■ Lab work and Handling of Radioactive Sources

■ Technical support for external customers

Altera (allg.), Digitaler Signalprozessor (DSP), Embedded Entwicklung / hardwarenahe Entwicklung, FPGA, Mentor Graphics, Quartus (Altera), Hardwarebeschreibungssprache, Vivado (Xilinx), FMEA (Failure Mode and Effects Analysis), Test Automation, C, C++, Eclipse, Git, Lua Scripting, Python, Tool Command Language, Projektmanagement, Technische Dokumentation

11/2008 – 6/2014

■ Firmware, Software and Embedded Software development

■ FPGA Programming (VHDL) for Development Kits

■ Microcontroller (Embedded Software) Programming (C/C++, Lua) for Telematics Systems (GPS, GSM)

■ Software (GUIs) and script Programming (C++ .NET, Lua) for Verification und Validation

■ Lab work: Signal analysis, current and voltage measurements, soldering

■ Documentation: Requirements, Functional Descriptions, Test Specifications, Test Reports

■ Technical support for customers

Atmel Microchip Technologie, Echtzeit-Betriebssysteme, Testen, C++, Lua Scripting, Microsoft Visual Studio, GSM/GPRS, TCP / IP, Picmicro, GPS, Embedded Entwicklung / hardwarenahe Entwicklung, FPGA, Hardwarebeschreibungssprache