Nicholas
Cravotta
V:510-558-8906, F:510-558-8914, nicholas@cravottableau.com
Technical
Resume
Fadal Engineering, July 1985 – January 1996
$200 million/year
manufacturer of industrial controls (VMCs).
Responsibilities:
Project Manager
within self-managed design team. Responsible for entire design process, from
identifying and defining needs, to integrating and implementing software, to
overseeing documentation and educating training department. Also responsible
for product release management.
Languages: Assembly, Visual C++, MFC, BASIC, PL/M, Pascal
Environments: Dos, Windows, ICE, Embedded
Selected Project
Descriptions:
The following are
projects for which I have been responsible for at least 90% of software design
and management, in addition to at least 50% of critical coding.
Embedded Systems
Development:
Embedded OS: designed from ground up. Includes interrupt-level
drivers, I/O function library, disassembler/debugger, test suite, back-doors,
and security keys.
Background
Editing: allows simultaneous editing
and machining of a user program. Required nested menuing system, specialized
program editor, and real-time multi-tasking of system resources.
Conversational
Programming: interface to assist
user-program creation with graphics. Required research of customer needs,
design of graphics tools, and seamless integration with existing system.
Customer
Applications:
Emulator: emulates VMC on PC using embedded code. Required
redesign of entire I/O structure and user interface. Added 3-D graphics.
Analyzer: utility for compression and smoothing of
point-to-point programs written for the VMC. Project increased Direct Numerical
Control (DNC) rate from 150 blocks/second to 1000 blocks/second by overcoming
real-time mechanical limitations. Nearest competitor achieves 400
blocks/second.
CNC Memory
Manager: real-time high-speed
communications software between VMC and PC. Required design and creation of
in-house GUI tools.
Camtrak: utility for wrapping 2-D mappings around cams.
Implemented without overwhelming users or requiring knowledge of process.
Fixture
Verification System: Windows-based
executive for controlling external electronic fixture tester via serial port.
In-House:
Foreign Language
Conversion Utility: translates
embedded system into five languages, including a symbolic Chinese within a text
environment.
BASIC
Compiler/Interpreter/User-Macro Engine:
solid design of compiler resulted in later reuse of 95% of the code to
implement a user-macro engine within embedded system.
Build System: proprietary utilities automate embedded system
creation.
x85 Conversion: ported embedded system to x86 chip set.
Final Projects:
16Mbyte Memory
Expansion Board: integration of new
hardware with embedded system. Required revised memory paradigm while maintaining
backwards compatibility, and had to pass rigorous testing to guarantee
integrity of customer data.
Porting of VMC
to Lathe: in charge of bringing new
lathe product alive reusing as much code as possible from existing products in
order to a) reduce time-to-market; and b) maintain cross-product look-and-feel.
Education:
University
of California, Los Angeles: BA in Philosophy, 3 years core Electrical
Engineering background
California
State University, Northridge: Pursued MA in Recreation and Leisure Studies
Awards:
5-Time
winner Rockwell International Computer Contest:
Grand
prize, 2 First place, 2 Second place
Fourth
place Creative Computing International Programming Contest
UCLA
Computer Team:
2
years National Finalists ACM International Collegiate Programming Contest
UCLA
Gold Shield Academic Scholarship (highest award)
Positions Held:
Founder,
Sparrow Creek Inc.
Committee-level
positions on 6 international media conventions
Guest
of Chinese government, 1986, for helping raise $90,000 for the Giant Panda
Volunteer:
Starlight Foundation, Betty Clooney Foundation, literacy tutoring