Michael Helm
Education
PhD Computer Science Texas Tech University 2006
MS Computer Science Texas Tech University 2001
BS Computer
Science
Career Synopsis
Instructor Engineering Technology Dept August 2007 - present
Visiting Assistant Professor Electrical and Computer Engineering Dept Aug 2006 – Aug 2007
Classroom Instructor: Intro Digital Design, Computer Architecture, Microprocessors,
FPLD/ASIC (including VHDL), Embedded Systems Design, Computer Networks.
Faculty sponsor for robotics club, student recruiting/advising.
Lecturer Computer Science Dept Dec 2001 – Aug 2006
Classroom Instructor: Advanced Digital Projects for 4 semesters (including VHDL),
Intro Digital Design for 4 semesters, Data Structures for 3 semesters,
Computer Organization and Assembly Language for 2 semesters, Senior
Project Design and Senior Project Implementation, 1 semester each, and
developed a totally new course Embedded Systems Design taught 2 semesters.
Assisted with teaching Real-time Systems for 1 semester.
Research: Research Associate for Center for Advanced Intelligent Systems
Research activities primarily in the area of intelligent control systems.
XFAB
Systems Engineer Aug 2000 - Nov 2001
Developed networked Unix-based control automation systems for control
and data collection in semiconductor manufacturing facility.
Scott
Laboratories,
Software Engineer Sep 1999 – July 2000
Member of a design team developing embedded system based medical
electronics product. Mix of HW and SW design.
Accent
Engineering,
Contract Design Engineer Jan 1999 – Aug 1999
Designed for a third party, the HW and SW for an embedded system
consumer product educational toy that included synthetic speech. Product
successfully manufactured for holiday marketing season in 1999.
Test Systems Engineer June 1995 – Dec 1998
Developed test SW for testing of ASIC, DSP, and synthetic speech chips
in a multi-tester networked environment. Also provided engineering
support for HW design and maintenance of the test systems and custom
digital/analog circuits as needed for interfacing.
Publications and Presentations
Helm, M.,
Presley, A., van Gilder, E. "A Low
Power Wireless Remote Sensor System using the TI MSP-430: An Empirical Evaluation
of Range and Performance with a Prototype System" presented at the TI
Developer's Conference, Dallas, TX, Feb 26, 2008
Helm, M., Presley, A., van Gilder, E. "An Ad Hoc Wireless Remote Sensor Networking System using the TI MSP-430: Experimental Characterization of Signal Levels in a Prototype Wireless Sensor System" presented at the IEEE International Symposium on Consumer Electronics, Dallas, TX, June 2007
Helm, M., "A Methodology to Improve the Cooperative
Performance of Hedonistic Multi-agents",
Ph.D. dissertation,
Helm, M., Cooke, D., Rushton, N., Pyeatt, L., Becker, K. “Simulation of Cooperative Control System Tasks using Hedonistic Multi-agents," presented at 2006 IEEE Region 5 Technology and Science Conference, San Antonio, Texas April, 2006
Helm, M., Cooke, D., Rushton, N., Pyeatt, L., Becker, K. “Reinforcement Learning Agents Applied to a Class of Control Systems Problems," presented at 2006 IEEE Region 5 Technology and Science Conference, San Antonio, Texas April, 2006
Helm, M. and
Wheeler, J. “Add Something 'Noteworthy' to Your Next Project: A PIC Tune
Generator" SERVO magazine,
June 2006
Helm, M., “A Telemetry Beacon and Digital Camera Controller System for Experimental High Altitude Balloon Flights,"
Proceeding
of the Central States VHF Society Conference, Colorado Springs, CO, ARRL,
published
in CQ-VHF magazine, Fall 2005 issue
Helm, M., “Converting
Low-cost RC Cars into Simple Autonomous Robots," SERVO magazine, June 2005
Helm, M., “Cost
versus Complexity in the Design of an Embedded System Consumer Product: A Case
Study,"
Helm, M., “Some
Experiments with Multiplier Chains," Proceedings of Microwave Update ‘91,
Research Interests
Embedded Systems, Robotics, Wireless Systems, Multi-agent Systems, Game Theory.
Since I have a strong industry background in embedded systems, digital circuits, and micro-processors, I consider those to be my strongest areas and they are a good foundation for other areas such as robotics and control systems. Embedded systems have a significant future in our high tech world. Modern micro-processors make embedded systems very low cost and relatively easy to implement in a wide range of applications. The focus of my MS thesis was optimizing the tradeoffs between HW and SW in embedded systems in practical low-cost applications. In the future, it will be beneficial for embedded systems to work together in multi-agent systems. Minimizing communications overhead in such multi-agent systems was the major focus of my PhD dissertation work.
Memberships
IEEE and UPE (Computer Science honor society)
Service Activities
Mentor for a West Texas BEST Robotics team for 4 years, 2002 - 2005.
Technical advisor for ARSAT (Amateur Radio Society at Tech) 2002-2006
Faculty advisor for SPEAR, a student engineering club at FSU 2006-2007
Referee for West Texas BEST Robotics regional and state level competition, 2007
Mentor for telemetry system development for Estacado HS rocket team, 2008
Teaching Philosophy and Interests
I believe it is most important for the students to develop a broad based foundation in problem solving. Specifics of language and tools change at a relatively rapid pace, but solid problem solving skills and a broad base of fundamental knowledge will be useful throughout a career. I believe in being very up-front about course expectations and grading policy with the students in the syllabus.
I would be comfortable in teaching any course in a Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or Electrical Engineering Technology curriculum. I particularly enjoy teaching courses that have a mix of HW and SW elements since I have a strong industry background in embedded systems and believe I can offer a lot to the students in those subject areas. Embedded system design is very important today and will be even more important in the future. Good embedded systems designers need a solid understanding of both HW and SW. Embedded systems design is something that is often learned on the job by trial and error without any formal foundation in how to organize and optimize the HW and SW complexity trade-offs. In 2005, I developed a new course, Embedded Systems Design that gives students a good introduction to that field.
The specific teaching experience I have includes the following:
Instructor of record and fully responsible for:
Advanced Digital Projects (including VHDL) – 4 semesters
Intro Digital Design (including both hands on and VHDL simulations) – 5 semesters
Computer Organization and Assembly Language – 2 semesters
Computer Architecture – 1 semester
Data Structures – 3 semesters
Senior Project Design – 1 semester
Senior Project Implementation – 2 semesters
Embedded Systems Design – I developed this as a new course and have taught it three times
Microprocessors
Field Programmable Logic Devices (VHDL)
Introduction to Computer Networks
Introduction to Project Management
Advanced Micro-Electronic Technology
Intro Programming and Lab
Digital Signal Processing
Taught, but not instructor of record:
Computers and Modern Society (for non majors) – 1 semester
Real-time Systems – assisted in teaching this graduate course 1 semester
References available on request