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WILLIAM A. ROBERTS

106-M Shadowood Dr.      Chapel Hill, NC  27514       (919) 338-8178      willroberts@time4life.com

 

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

Experienced test and evaluation engineer with proven capabilities in a variety of engineering disciplines utilizing a broad range of measurement systems and tools.  Extremely detail-oriented, self-motivated, and thorough.  Strong commitment to continuous learning, especially in the area of emerging technologies.

 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

MOTOROLA (Austin, TX)                                                                                                      May 2000 – September 2002

Senior Test Engineer     

·         Developed and established performance standards for ADSL/VDSL set-top box (STB) systems in the areas of RF and baseband video/audio signal quality, digital picture quality, teletext and closed captioning transcode functionality, and Sarnoff MPEG-2 decoder compliance.

·         Designed, developed, and automated test regime to verify STB hardware, firmware, and software design to these established standards.  Researched and defined capital equipment requirements.  Wrote plans/procedures.  Executed tests.  Documented results and defects.  Provided support to design team in defect debugging.

·         Spearheaded significant improvements to video, audio, and ancillary data handling performance of STB systems as a result of defects found.

·         Acquired extensive knowledge and understanding of analog NTSC/PAL TV systems.  Tested and evaluated STB video outputs in formats such as composite, s-video, RF, component YprPb, and component RGB.  Extremely familiar with applicable baseband video test standards such as SMPTE 170M, ITU-R BT.470-6, EIA 250C, ITU-T J.61, SMPTE/EBU N10, and SMPTE/EBU N20.

·         Extremely proficient with analog video test equipment such as VM700T Video Measurement Set, 1765 Analog Waveform/Vector Monitor, TG2000 Multiformat Signal Generator, DS1000 RF Demodulators, and 8591C Cable TV Spectrum Analyzer.

·         Generated, analyzed, and recorded digital video/audio using MTS300 MPEG Test System, MPEG-2 Encoders, and DVB-ASI transport stream processors.  Utilized Audio Precision System Two Cascade for audio testing.

·         Characterized copy protected NTSC/PAL video signal from STB to obtain Macrovision certification.  Received certifications ahead of schedule in spite of having to overcome learning curve challenges.

·         Supervised, mentored, and coordinated Ethernet 10/100BaseT (physical layer) and RF Noise Figure test development projects for two electrical engineering summer interns.

·         Wrote scripts in Procomm Plus terminal emulation software to automate test processes.  Programmed VM700T functions to allow more efficient execution of repeated video test routines.

 

ECI TELECOM (Ft. Lauderdale, FL)                                                                                     August 1997 – January 1999

Compliance Engineer    

·         Evaluated and performed testing of network communications equipment to the regulatory requirements for safety, EMC/EMI/ESD, environmental, and telecom connectivity.

·         Utilized engineering laboratory equipment (oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, and multimeters) for electrical tests measuring RF emissions, DC power supply surge current, peak-to-peak noise voltage, system voltage during input power outage, and communication signal pulse masks and jitter.

·         Increased knowledge of various regulatory requirements (FCC Part 15, IEC 1000, UL 1950, CSA C22.2 950, EN 60950, FCC Part 68, CS-03, and Bellcore NEBS).


WILLIAM A. ROBERTS, page 2

 

DME CORPORATION (Ft. Lauderdale, FL)                                                                 November 1992 – August 1997

Test Engineer

·         Regulatory type approval of the Marine Evacuation Lighting System (MELS) product line.  Successfully navigated the product through the approval process and obtained type approval from five classification societies, including a CE Mark.  Type approval and CE mark certifications consisted of testing to various environmental, safety, and EMC/EMI requirements.  Regulatory approval of this product allowed the realization of millions of dollars in new company business.  Received a written commendation for my project leadership and excellent attitude.

·         First article qualification testing and validation of the Stinger Battery Charger.  Qualification testing consisted of rough handling, sine vibration, shock, humidity, temperature, and electrical performance tests.  Designed and developed all of the required mechanical and electrical fixtures and setups.  Wrote the test plan and procedure based on the customer specifications.  Managed schedules, resources, and test conduct.  Maintained test logs and data sheets.  Prepared the final test report.  Program was completed within schedule to the customer’s satisfaction.

 

MARTIN MARIETTA CORPORATION  (Baltimore, MD)                                         August 1990 – November 1992

Mechanical Engineer     

·         Interpreted specifications to determine the scope of mechanical strength and durability testing of a towed sonar array system used on US Navy surface ships.  Defined the test interface hardware requirements.  Evaluated and validated the test equipment and facilities used for testing.  Developed and wrote a customer deliverable test procedure.  Developed and designed test interface hardware and equipment which included conceptualization, stress analysis, engineering drawings, fabrication coordination, material and parts procurement, assembly, and implementation.

·         Presented Test Readiness Review (TRR) to customer as lead mechanical engineer.

·         Coordinated and supervised technicians in test activities.

·         Received job promotion based on exceptional performance in the test program.

 

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

·         MPEG1 & MPEG2 (2 days), Digital Television Systems (2 days)                                                    2001

Technical Training Courses by KNK Seminars and Strategies

·         B.S.E (Major:  Mechanical Engineering), Cum Laude                                                             1985 – 1990

University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC)

 

TECHNICAL SKILLS

  • Technical Writing and Data Analysis (MS Word and MS Excel)
  • Extremely proficient using Windows (98, 2000, NT, XP) and Macintosh operating systems.
  • Operation and use of test equipment like MPEG-2 Bitstream Analyzers, Video Waveform Monitors, Vectorscopes, Video Signal Generators, Audio Analyzers, RF Demodulators, Oscilloscopes, Spectrum Analyzers, Multimeters, Power Supplies, Communications Transmission Test Sets, Vibration and Shock Accelerometers, LCR Meters, Gaussmeters, Aenometers, Thermometers, Hydrometers, Photometers, and Radiometers.
  • NTSC/PAL Analog Video Measurements (Timing, Amplitude, SNR, Linear Distortions, and Non-Linear Distortions, Teletext Signal Integrity, and Macrovision Parameters).
  • RF Measurements (Carrier Levels/Frequencies, SNR, Differential Phase/Gain, Depth of Modulation, Noise Figure, VSWR).
  • MIL-STD-810 and Commercial Environmental Testing  (ESS, Temperature, Humidity, Sine Vibration, Random Vibration, Shock, Altitude, Solar Radiation, Explosive Atmosphere, Fungus, Inclination, Salt Fog, Sand and Dust, Rough Handling (Drop Shock),  Performance Packaging, Chemical Resistance, Flammability).
  • Regulatory Compliance Testing (CE, Safety, EMC/EMI/ESD, Telecom Connectivity).