I am an R&D engineer for Roke Manor Research and specialise in the development of telecommunications, networks and sensors products.  I like applying off-the-shelf technology to rapidly solve complex technology problems. My personal interests are in using single board computers to implement miniature/low power/flexible software radio platforms.

I am working on a number of projects at the moment. Half my time is devoted to developing the strategy and new business for commercial terminal developments (includes mobile handsets, set top boxes and M2M devices).  The other half of my time is spent managing the development of a software radio receiver, which incidentally uses Gumstix as the core processor device.

What is your background?

I have a masters degree in electronics engineering with a specialisation in telecommunications.  Since 1999 I have worked for Roke Manor Research in the UK (but took a 2 year sabbatical in Toronto, Canada during 2004-2006).

Whilst on my sabbatical in Canada, I worked for a company that developed and rolled out a RFID payment system in the downtown core of Toronto.  The point of sale terminals were essentially Linux devices and through a cost saving exercise, Gumstix was chosen as the number one core technology for cost, size, power and ease of integration.

We are currently using the Verdex with Overo planned in to the next hardware releases.

As far as single board computers go, Gumstix has some clear advantages for an off-the-shelf solution:

1.       Low cost

2.       Very low power consumption

3.       Easy access to hardware peripherals that allow building a complete solution in rapid timescales

4.    Great forum support

More software defined radio work.

Will gumstix technology be part of your future plans?

I hope so as the Gumstix roadmap promises a good range of products.  Roke is experienced in using OMAP devices and I can see Overo becoming a tool for us to accelerate our design process.