Over my career, I’ve contributed to some exciting technologies. In the early 1980s, I designed algorithms for spread-spectrum mobile networked radio systems used for many years by US armed forces. In the late 1980s, I managed a team deploying an international internet using pre-IPO Cisco routers, and also implemented networking algorithms for mobile satellite applications. The mid-1990s found me working on various digital cellular products and some of the first cellular internet equipment.
In the late 1990s, I began work on location based services, including running field tests of E9-1-1 performance for multiple major cellular carriers. I also got involved with short range wireless technologies, eventually spending eight years helping establish and administer the Bluetooth SIG qualification program. In 2004, I began working with intelligent highway systems, specifically writing standards for vehicle-to-vehicle communication as vice chair and editor of the IEEE P1609 committee.
My consulting career has given me the opportunity to work with tiny startups and Fortune 500 companies on three continents. It has allowed me to teach classes, author textbook content, testify at the Patent Office, contribute to a National Academies report to the Congress, and hopefully help make the world a better place, while giving me all kinds of cool gadgets to play with. Below are some of the projects I’ve worked on.
Electric utility network design
Intellectual property collection
Technology assessment for Special Forces
Due diligence for technology investment and acquisition
Bluetooth protocol verification
University-level communications instruction
Enterprise network performance and capability analysis
Expert witness and litigation support
Qualification/certification program development
Wireless location services
The US Federal Communications Commission mandated the ability to locate mobile 9-1-1 callers to within 125 meters by 2001. Worked with several leading wireless location technology companies developing system architectures, equipment specifications, and interface definitions. Developed market partnership strategy for new entrant. Developed and managed technology assessment, acceptance test, and First Office Applications for major cellular carriers. Represented client in TIA working group. [top]
Two-way paging system design
The startup company planned a nationwide deployment. With a small design team, wrote an initial System Description document and Program Plan. Responsible for landline network architecture and overall system design integrity for the objective commercial system. For the proof-of-concept demo, integrated PC controller software with the radio subscriber unit, and Internet gateway, and Windows CE client. [top]
Electric utility network design
Performed cost-performance tradeoffs and network designs for several utilities, networked nodes including control/monitoring facility, substations, switches, and mobile workers. Critical factors included message latency and reliability, as well as installation and recurring costs. [top]
PHS market survey
Developed the background data required for an economic analysis of the Personal Handyphone System (PHS) in Japan, for use by a company considering similar technology for the US market. PHS is a high-quality, low-mobility, low-cost 1.9 GHz competitor to traditional cellular. Data included information on the operators’ organizations, rollouts, user demographics, pricing plans, etc. The report, completed in 1997, concluded that none of the operators had found a profitable business, in spite of attracting almost 6 million users in two years’ time. [top]
PCS product definition
Worked with a startup company to evaluate their potential wireless product offerings, including ASIC, handset, and microcell base station design. Developed product tradeoffs, high level designs, product development plan, and cost and performance analyses. [top]
Public speaking
Regular speaker at trade shows and technical conferences. Topics have included wireless local loop, short range wireless, in-vehicle data radios, and WiMAX. [top]
Intellectual property collection
Evaluated client R&D catalog for inventions, resulting in several provisional and formal patent applications (submitted as of this writing). Evaluated prior art and competitive value, and tailored specification and claim language for handover to patent attorney. [top]
Technology assessment for Special Forces
Supported a “Concept Operations Group” which brought together technologists, planners, and military operatives to take a fresh look at US Special Forces capabilities, tools, and methods. Problem areas addressed were the difficulty in locating and communicating with SF units during urban missions. Contributed throughout the process, specifically, ideas for secure communications using existing infrastructure and a final report section on forthcoming battery technologies. [top]
900 MHz interference analysis
For a 900 MHz cellular-type data network operator, researched probable causes of performance degradation. Developed and implemented a test plan to characterize interference, collecting and characterizing interfering signal data at tower sites. Additionally, characterized offending system signals in a lab setting. Modeled the effects of a network of interfering units under various loading and deployment scenarios, and provided evidence of interference and likely FCC Part 15 noncompliance. [top]
Due diligence for technology investment and acquisition
Through research and on-site interviews and investigation, evaluated prospective targets for investors. Evaluation criteria included technical and programmatic credibility, product maturity, market position, and staff potential. Target technologies have included wireless local loop, point-to-point microwave, and airborne communications. [top]
Bluetooth protocol verification
For a leading integrated circuit developer, developed a comprehensive set of test cases to exercise protocol features and verify compliance with the Bluetooth Link Manager standard. [top]
University-level communications instruction
Developed multi-day seminars on data communications, wireless, and WiMAX, offered regularly at the University of Wisconsin – Madison extension. Targeted to industry professionals, the courses each include ~300 charts, classroom activities, and supplementary materials. Also have taught private clients, UC San Diego extension, and undergrad and graduate telecom classes at the University of Phoenix campuses in San Diego. [top]
Enterprise network performance and capability analysis
The client (a medical services company) had allowed their corporate network to grow over time with little planning. Led a small team of consultants in determining the current network configuration, its capabilities, and limitations. Presented a series of recommendations addressing the deficiencies, including manageability, security, and grade of service. [top]
Expert witness and litigation support
Delivered court brief relating to patent validity and 80-page expert report relating to infringement; case was favorably settled shortly thereafter. In other cases, provided counsel support by evaluating non-infringement strategies, opining on the “ordinary skill in the art,” and identifying prior art in the US and foreign patent data bases, and in the technical literature. [top]
Patent analysis
Analyzed scores of patents for their value as acquisition or litigation targets. Technologies include a wide range of wireline (e.g., DSL) and wireless (e.g., cellular) communications technologies. [top]
Technology standardization
Have played primary roles in several standardization efforts for cellular (ANSI J-STD-014), satellite (MIL-STD-188-182), and short range wireless (IEEE 1609). Have also represented client interests in 3GPP, 3GPP2, TIA, and other standards bodies. [top]
Qualification/certification program development
Supported the Bluetooth Special Interest Group consortium qualification program from its early days through its transition to a self-certification model. Contributed to program reference material, facilitated working groups, and ensured technical quality of test documentation. [top]