Experience at TwistHDM
Kyle
Experience Information
Employer: TwistHDM
Job Title: Engineering Intern
Major: Electrical Engineering
Received Credit: Yes
Paid: Yes
Abroad: No
Description of the Organization
TwistHDM specializes in wireless lighting controls for industrial facilities and parking structures. The main product, Limelight, allows customers to create dynamic events in accordance with daylight harvesting and occupancy sensors to maximize the efficiency of high-wattage fixtures for drastic energy savings. TwistHDM is a very small company so we work as a single team to address any issues that arise.
Description of the Tasks/Projects Completed
Validation for a new generation of our controls circuit involved a large amount of electronics testing equipment under temperature extremes, voltage surges, and many other "what-if" situations to ensure the product is bullet-proof. This also included fine-tuning of component values and the code accompanying it, applying external modifications, and actively looking for issues and addressing them as we go. RF signal analysis using spin-testing in various configurations. Root-cause analysis of components that failed in the field and working with manufacturing to address the problems. Analysis of sensor effectiveness in various climates using Python scripts to interface with data sent from our controllers. Supporting the engineers: applied many intricate mods to boards which involved cutting & re-routing PCB traces and replacing small surface-mount components.
Skills/Knowledge Gained Through The Experience
Practical exposure to embedded system design: controlling transistors, feedback systems using differential/integrating op-amps with analog to digital conversions to have a consistent voltage output for dynamic loads. Industry-standard coding in Python, C, C#, and the subversion controls in place at that level. Maintaining relationships with manufacturers for mutual long-term success.
Favorite Part of the Experience
The equipment we used to validate our circuitry was very cool. Most notably a surge machine that was able to deliver short bursts of up to +/- 6kV. This warranted putting the device under test in an explosion chamber which was well utilized.
How the Experience Influenced Future Career Goals
I learned that I would like to pursue embedded system design in the future.