Founders:
Gregory Hirshan-
Prior to forming HD Associates Greg worked as an independent consultant. While consulting at GCA he 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. Greg also contributed to the cross-development tools and environment used on the project.
Greg 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 Greg wrote included code to configure the radar source, collect reflected data, store the data for subsequent off-loading and 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 inch by 40 inch) color separation scanner and laser film recorder.
Greg's professional interests include real-time control systems, end-user embedded and UNIX applications, graphics and image processing.
Greg received a Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical Engineering from New York University in 1969 and a Master of Science in Engineering Management (Computer Systems) from Northeastern University in 1973.
Greg has made significant contributions to the following HD clients: Brooks Automation, General Scanning/Teradyne Laser Systems, Instrumentation Laboratory, MRS Technology, Optronics, Software Partners/32, and Waters.
Peter Dufault-
Prior to forming HD Associates Peter worked as an independent consultant. Peter 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. In addition, Peter was responsible for the development of the digital closed-loop servo software that controlled the high-speed, high-precision wafer positioning stage. Peter also 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 also was engaged by the Eye Research Institute where he developed a FORTRAN-based ray tracing programs used in the design of optical systems and worked on other scientific modeling and simulation projects.
Peter's professional interests include feedback control systems, integrated control systems, embedded real-time systems and real-time UNIX.
Peter received a Bachelor of Science in Physics with Distinction from the Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 1980.
Peter has made significant contributions to the following HD clients: Alliant Computer Systems, Brooks Automation, Kesseli Associates, Microwave Medical Systems, MRS Technology, Optronics, Paragon Imaging, and Waters.