Areas of Expertise:

Digital Design

• Digital Logic Design
• FPGA & CPLD Design
• VHDL Design
• LVDS Interface Design
• SCSI Interface Design
• Embedded Microprocessor/Microcontroller Design

• Analog to Digital Design
• Digital to Analog Design
• Front End Analog Signal Conditioning Circuitry
• Analog Multiplexers
• Variable Gain Amplifiers
• Video Offset and Gain Circuitry
• Video Digitization Techniques

• Pixel Normalization – Offset and Gain
• Convolutional Filters
• Deskewing and image Rotation
• Orphan Filtering
• Bitonal, Greyscale, and Color Image Compression

• Schematic Capture – Orcad, Protel, Schema, Aldec
• FPGA Compilers – Xilinx Foundation, Xilinx ISE, Altera Max Plus II
• VHDL Compilers – Xilinx XST, Synopsys FPGA Express, Exemplar Leonardo Spectrum
• Simulators – Xilinx Foundation Logic Simulator, Mentor Graphics ModelSim
• Various Assembly Language and ‘C’ Compilers
• Image Pro – Image Analysis Software

• Duplex Scanning
• Real time Image Enhancement
• Real time Image Compression
• Electronic Control of High Speed Document Movement Mechanisms
• Electronic Control of High Speed Automatic Document Feeders
• Sensor Interfacing of CCD's, CMOS, and Phototransitor of 1D and 2D Arrays

Mr. Sheppard's objective is to obtain work as a Design/Development Consultant/Contractor in an environment which has need of his 32 years of experience in the design of digital and analog electronic hardware systems, design of high density FPGA's, and/or the design and development of electronic imaging systems based on high speed CCD, CMOS, and Phototransistor image sensors.  As a Design Consultant, Mr. Sheppard has his own development lab equipped with scopes, logic analyzers, computers, and design software.  This allows him the ability to operate either at a client’s site or independently in his own facility.

Company and Contact Information:

William D. Sheppard
Saguaro Systems, Inc.
1736 S. Nevada Way Suite B
Mesa, Arizona 85204

Phone: 480-558-9770
email: wdsheppard@saguarosystems.com

Web: www.saguarosystems.com

Education:

• BSEE from Arizona State University, Magna Cum Laude
• MSEE from San Diego State University

Mr. Sheppard has over 32 years experience in the field of electronic hardware and software design and development.  For the past 3 years, he has been an Electronic Design Consultant and has completed various projects both independently and as part of larger design teams.  Previous to this, he was in charge of various electronic development teams concentrated mainly in the high speed electronic document capture field and was responsible for the hardware and software development of high-speed electronic imaging systems.  During his career, Mr. Sheppard has personally designed the camera electronics for more than 11 different image sensors.  During this time, Mr. Sheppard has gained an in depth familiarity with popular hardware design tools such as Orcad, Aldec, Protel, and Schema schematic capture programs. In addition, Mr. Sheppard has significant experience with Xilinx and Altera FPGA design and the following design, synthesis, and simulation  tools: Xilinx Foundation Series 3.3i, ModelSim from Mentor Graphics, Synopsys FPGA Express, Exemplar Logic’s Leonardo Spectrum, Xilinx XST,  Xilinx ISE, and Altera Max Plus 2. Mr. Sheppard is also very competent with the VHDL High Level Design Language for synthesis and has experience with VHDL Testbench generation for design verification and  validation.  Mr. Sheppard also has embedded software experience with multiple microprocessors using assembly and 'C' language programming tools.  Mr. Sheppard also has recent experience with the IEEE 1394, Firewire High-speed bus as well as familiarity with the USB interconnect bus.  He also has an in-depth experience with other computer interconnect standards such as SCSI, RS232/422, Ethernet, and LVDS.

Mr. Sheppard has been the chief architect and design engineer for several digital communications, processing, and imaging systems and has been significantly involved in the detailed electronic hardware, mechanical, and software/firmware design of these systems.  He has also managed the multi-disciplined engineering teams which were responsible for the development of these systems.

Prior Work Experience:

• 10/99 to present   Electronic Design Consultant D.B.A. Saguaro Systems, Inc

• 6/99 to 10/99        Scan-Optics, Inc.:  design, integration, and manufacturing of electronic scanning devices.  Position - Vice President of Hardware Technology

• 1985 to 6/99         Photomatrix Corporation:  design, integration, and manufacturing of electronic imaging and scanning systems.  Position - Vice President of Engineering Development

• 1982 to 1985        Saguaro Systems:  Engineering development firm.  Position - Principal, consultant in the areas of custom processing systems and imaging systems

• 1977 to 1982        Planning Research Corporation (PRC): Design and integration of electronic imaging systems.  Position - Manager of Image Systems Development

• 1971 to 1977        Naval Electronics Laboratory: Design and integration of electronic processing and communication systems.  Position - Electronic Engineer

• 1969 to 1971        Vermont Research Corporation: a manufacture of Magnetic Drum Memories. Position - Junior Engineer while attending Arizona State University