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Resume - Nathan Tobol

Summary

Computer Scientist – Broad-based expertise in software, firmware, hardware, networking, and algorithm development. Has been able to make significant contributions in many different areas of computer science, and has patents, or patents pending, in all of these areas. Has demonstrated the ability to architect and design products that were highly profitable and recognized for excellence in their field.


Professional Experience

INDEPENDENT CONSULTANT

2013-Present

Programmer

Contract programming to supplement retirement income. Clients include:

  • First On Scene Training LLC.
  • Various former Gridtest customers.

GRIDTEST SYSTEMS, INC

2012-2013

Principal Firmware Engineer

Developed firmware and software for EVSE test products.

  • Developed and tested FPGA code using Quartus.
  • Wrote and tested embedded firmware in C.
  • Developed Wndows software in C++ and C#.

POWER AND CONTROL DESIGN, INC.

2011-2012

Senior Systems Engineer

Developed firmware, software, and hardware for motor control products.

  • § Developed and tested FPGA code using Quartus and Lebero.
  • Wrote and tested embedded firmware in C.
  • Developed hardware using Altium (both schematic and board layout).
  • Developed Wndows software in C#.

RONAN ENGINEERING COMPANY

2008-2010

Senior Systems Engineer

Developed architecture, product software, and support software for a line of nuclear measurement products. Wrote, tested, debugged, and verified the software.

  • Wrote the process control application, embedded webserver and webpage generator application for the products
  • Wrote the DDL (Device Description Language) code for the product family and a compiler that converts generic DDL into ‘C’ code, DDL for HART, DDL for Foundation Fieldbus, and script for ProfiBus.

BCAYBEADS

2007-2006

Principal Firmware Engineer

Responsible for the development of all eCommerce websites for BCAY, BCAYBEADS, and Anacapa Springs.

  • Developed Windows software that automatically builds product pages and menus for eCommerce web sites.
  • Developing a plan for productizing the software.

VISICAST CORPORATION

2004-2005

VP Engineering

Responsible for the development of unique technology, and the technical portion of the business development.

  • Invented and simulated an Internet multicast content delivery architecture that allows reliable secure and multicast.
  • Developed and filed 4 provisional patents on key elements of this architecture.
  • Helped develop the business plan for the company.
  • Made presentations to potential investors on the technical portion of the business plan.

INDEPENDENT CONSULANT

2004-2005

Programmer

Contract embedded programming job while working to get VisiCast funded.

  • Developed libraries for Atmel Corporation to support their secure memory products on AVR processors.
  • Ported the libraries to all 4 commonly used AVR "C" compilers.

ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION

2003-2004

Senior Scientist

Responsible for the development of algorithms for improved bar code and image quality.

  • Developed an algorithm that improved bar code quality from grade F for grade B.
  • Developed an algorithm for fast color gamut correction (patent pending).
  • Developed an algorithm for improved color dithering that eliminated banding problems
  • Wrote programs to implement the algorithms in "C" on both embedded processors (Motorola Coldfire) and as parts of device drivers (WinXP/Win2K/WinNT and Win9x).
  • Wrote and tested embedded code to run an AVR Mega8 processor

RONAN ENGINEERING COMPANY

1990-2003

Senior Consulting Engineer

Responsible for product architecture, design, and programming for a wide range of process monitoring products.

  • Developed an algorithm to extract data from very noisy input that enabled the company to get a tank monitoring product certified by the EPA.
  • Designed, implemented and tested several portions of a complex IC (VHDL).
  • Wrote the micro-code and an optimizing micro-code assembles a special purpose microcontroller (part of the complex IC in the above bullet).
  • Created a new website and wrote several tools converted database outputs to web pages to allow for easier website maintance.
  • Wrote an interactive web page hosted on a Rabbit microcontroller to evaluate its applicability for use in future Ronan products.
  • Represented Ronan Engineering on several standards committees.

FUTURE CONCEPTS, INC.

1985-1990

President/Chief Consultant

Consulted on local area networks, fault tolerant design, and distributed architecture.

  • Responsible for the architecture and many key features of Foxboro’s IA product line for process control.
  • Developed many of the key design components of the Triconix TRICON-I, a highly fault tolerant TMR (triple modular redundant) programmable logic controller.
  • Represented clients on national and international standards committees.
  • Key contributor on many local area network projects including CSMA/CD ("Ethernet").
  • Co-inventor of patent for reliable collision detection on fiber optics.
  • Taught classes for Northeastern University's "State of the Art" program on local area networks and digital communications

PRIME COMPUTER, INC

1983-1985

Senior Engineer

Part of the Advanced Development Team:

  • Major contributor to the project working on specification and design of a new operating system.
  • Represented Prime Computer on IEEE 802 standards committee.

CODEX CORPORATION

1980-1983

Senior Engineer

Worked on hardware/software for statistical multiplexors:

  • Major contributor to the product architecture of an improved statistical multiplexor.
  • Represented Codex Corporation on IEEE 802 standards committee.

MOTOROLA

1969-1979

Manager/Senior Engineer
Responsible for a small product development group:

  • Developed Microcomputer Computer Aided Dispatch systems for police and fire departments.
  • Supported marketing to obtain key orders that led to wide market acceptance of the product.

XEROX DATA SYSTEMS

1969-1975

Engineer

Involved with a wide range of hardware and software projects:

  • Developed RCM (Remote Computed Monitor), one of the first network operation systems.
  • Developed the dynamic RAM memory system and then memory diagnostic for the Alto Computer.
  • Developed an algorithm used in laser printers to prevent print "smearing".
  • Designed and brought up in the field a special purpose real-time interface hardware for use by the "secure community" (had a "black badge" at Fort Meade).


Experience

Product Architecture: Responsible for the product architecture, as well as portions of the electronic hardware design, of the Foxboro IA (Intelligent Automation) distributed control system (DCS). This product line currently generates approximately $1B of annual sales. One of three co-architects of the Triconix TRICON I control system. Developed and implemented many product families for Ronan Engineering.

Algorithms: Developed algorithms used in a wide range of products. These algorithms include ones used in laser printers to prevent the print from “smearing”, several distributed control and recovery algorithms used in the IEEE 802 family of standards, several algorithms for use in fault tolerant computing, and an algorithm to extract data from very noisy input.

Programming: Wide variety of programming experience, with an emphasis on real-time firnware, ranging from micro-code and embedded applications up to user interfaces. Experienced in many programming languages including C, C++, C#, HTML, Javascript, PHP, Python, and assorted assembly languages. Familiar with various operating systems including Windows, FreeRTOS, Micrium, Linus, and Unix.

Hardware Design: Experience includes designing special purpose, real-time interface hardware for use with the Xerox Sigma Series computers and the design of the expanded memory system for the ALTO computer. Also experienced in the design of microcomputer based products using common families of microcomputers.

ASIC Design/Verification: Designed and tested several portions of a complex ICs implemented using VHDL.

Fault Tolerant Design: Made significant contribution to the architecture and design of several fault tolerant systems including the TRICON-I, a highly fault tolerant TMR (triple modular redundant) programmable logic controller.

Distributed Architecture: Many years of experience in the design of distributed systems and distributed operating systems, laboratory automation, process control, and communication. Involved in all project aspects from functional definition, through design, implementation, and testing.

Local Area Networks: Experienced in all aspects of local area networking, beginning with some of the earliest work on local area networks (with Xerox, Inc. Special Programs Group supporting the original ETHERNET project) as well as continuing to keep pace with current technology. Key contributor on many local area network projects including CSMA/CD buses, token rings, and digital radio networks.

Field Bus: Former member of ISA Fieldbus standard committee. Lead engineer in system using fieldbus, and co-designer of a custom IC that supports fieldbus.

Web Site Design and Programming: Fluent in HTML, CSS, Javascript, and PHP. Responsible for design and structure severial commercial websites including the original Ronan Engineering website and the BCAYBEADS eCommerce website.

Teaching: Taught classes for Northeastern University's "State of the Art" program on local area networks and digital communications. Also taught in-house courses on local area networks and C programming.


Education

B.A., Mathematics University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA

A.A., Mathematics Santa Monica City College, Santa Monica, CA


Patents

"Fault Tolerant Voted Output System", number 4,726,026.

"Method and Apparatus for Detecting the Collision of Data Packets Utilizing a Preassigned Transceiver Code in the Preamble", number 4,888,763.

"Identity Insert Block for Electronic Modules", number 5,006,842.

"Token Device for Distributed Time Scheduling in a Data Processing System", number 5,253,252.

"Protection Against Communications Crosstalk in a Factory Process Control System", number 5,917,840.

"Systems, methods, and computer program products for converting between color gamuts associated with different image processing devices", number 20,050,185,200.

"Plug-In Electric Vehicle Charger Validation and Test Device", number 9,075,098.


Publications

Major contributor to "MAP in the Process Industry", published by CASA/SME October 1986.

"MAP, TOP, and LAN Glossary", published in "The Computec INTERFACE", the newsletter of the Computer Technology Division of ISA, Volume 6, Number 3, September 1986.

"IEEE 802 Progress Report" presented at Network Users Group meetings, April 1986.

"IEEE 802 (et al) - Local Area Network Standards - UPDATE" presented at "'85 Alert: New Directions in Communications" seminar, January, 1985.

Session Chairman for "Interfaces and Protocols", Eighth Data Communications Symposium, October 1983.

"IEEE 802.5 Token Ring - Maintenance Features", presented at the CBEMA Service Management Council, October 1983.

"Local Area Network Compatibility Issues and IEEE 802", presented at the INTERFACE Conference, March 1982.

"A Distributed Fault Isolation Algorithm", presented at the IEEE Workshop for the Reliability of Local Area Networks, February, 1982.

"Local Area Network Media", presented at the National Electronics Conference, October 1982.

"IEEE 802 Standard Development", presented at the SOUTHCON Conference, March 1982.


Standards And Awards

Member of IEEE 802 Local Area and Metropolitan Network Standards Committee, 1980-1995.

Member of IEEE P1118, Microcontroller System Serial Control Bus Standards Committee, 1986-1990. Editor and major contributor to standard.

Member of ISA SP50, Field Instrument Bus Standard Committee, 1986-1998.

Member of ISA SP72, Process Control Bus Standards Committee, 1986-1990.

Member of the MAP Process Industries Initiative (MPII) Working Group sponsored by CASA/SME, 1986-1990.

Recipient of a Certificate of Appreciation for the IEEE Computer Society in 1990 for contributions made to the standards process.