Founders
Gregory Hirshan:
Prior to forming HD Associates, Greg received a Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical Engineering from New York University, and a Master of Science in Engineering Management from Northeastern University. He first worked as an independent consultant, and while consulting at GCA designed the "three-tiered" architecture (user/data management, machine control and module control) and inter-processor message communication protocol for the GCA advanced lithographic step-and-repeat camera. The system was a multi-processor, Motorola 68000 configuration on a VME bus. The real-time control software was written in C and used the VRTX real-time kernel. He also contributed to the cross-development tools and environment used on the project He consulted for M/A-COM's Custom Projects group where he designed and implemented the software for a field-portable plastic pipe locator using ground penetrating radar. The software was written in C and ran on a portable IBM-PC compatible single board computer with passive backplane. The software written included code to configure the radar source, collect reflected data, and store the data for subsequent off-loading, as well as a a graphical user interface for instrument control and data display. Prior to consulting, Greg worked for Optronics where he managed the software development team, developed control and application software for image scanners and recorders and managed the development of a high-speed large format (40 in. x 40 in.) color separation scanner and laser film recorder. His professional interests include real-time control systems, high-speed embedded image collection and processing systems, and Linux applications. He has made significant contributions to the following HDA clients: Brooks Automation, General Scanning/Teradyne Laser Systems, Instrumentation Laboratory, MRS Technology, Optronics, Software Partners/32, UTC Aerospace, and Waters. |
Peter Dufault:
Prior to forming HD Associates, Peter received a Bachelor of Science in Physics with Distinction from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and worked as an independent consultant. He consulted for GCA, a manufacturer of semi-conductor fabrication equipment, on the design and implementation of the controls for their advanced lithographic step-and-repeat camera. The system was a multi-processor, Motorola 68000 configuration on a VME bus. The real-time control software was written in C and used the VRTX real-time kernel. He was also responsible for the development of the digital closed-loop servo software that controlled the high-speed, high-precision wafer positioning stage. Additionally, he designed and implemented an SECS communication protocol package for the instrument and a UNIX host, and wrote major parts of the cross-development and instrument-simulation tools. Peter worked with the Eye Research Institute, where he developed a FORTRAN-based ray tracing programs used in the design of optical systems, as well as working on other scientific modeling and simulation projects. His professional interests include RTEMS, feedback control systems, integrated control systems, embedded real-time systems and real-time UNIX. He has made significant contributions to the following HDA clients: Alliant Computer Systems, Brooks Automation, Keseli Associates, Microwave Medical Systems, MRS Technology, Optronics, Paragon Imaging, Rudolph Technologies, and Waters. |