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About me

My name is Maciek Drozdowski.
Born in Poland, living in Ireland for many years.
I am Electronics Design Engineer (well, mostly) with 25+ years of experience.
I have more than 100 commercial products on the market (some with volumes >100k).

I take part in all stages of the design:
  • research (physics, theory, patents),
  • concept (electrical, mechanical, user interface),
  • electrical design,
  • PCB design,
  • firmware/software,
  • BOMs,
  • prototypes,
  • production support.

  • Fields of interest: RF, DSP, FPGA, embedded systems, control systems, software development (C/C++), sensors, research (NMR, ultrasound, X-ray, machine learning).
    I held amateur ham radio licence (sq2ahr) up to few years ago.

    Contact me
    My LinkedIn profile
    mac (underscore) droz (at) yahoo (dot) co (dot) uk

    Professional projects
    Some of my commercial projects below.
    Many of them still in mass production...
    Research projects are on the top.


    Embedded font designer (click for details)
    - design your own fonts for embedded,
    - imports Windows fonts,
    - outputs file for C / FPGA compiler,
    - free to use (work in progress)...
    - written in C (Win32).

    Remote experiment controller
    Remote experiment controller
    - remotely controls mechatronics,
    - used in European Synchrotron Radiation Facility,
    - outputs for stepper motors and solenoids,
    - built in synchroniser (high speed cameras),
    - custom software for each experiment.

    PicAnalysis
    Picture analysis software
    - loads in AVIs,
    - detection of small signal on noisy background,
    - used in high-speed Schlieren photography (gas imaging),
    - calculates speed and angle of gas plume,
    - C++ (Win)

    Gas sensor tester
    Gas sensor tester
    - validation and calibration of gas sensors,
    - flowrate, gas concentration, pressure logged to PC,
    - fully automatic, needs PC and calibrated gas source,
    - custom Win PC app (C++)

    Gas sensor frontend
    Gas sensor front-end
    - low drift analog front-end,
    - constant bias to electrochemical gas sensor,
    - ADC built in (I2C),
    - shape to fit customer's enclosure,
    - EEPROM memory with calibration values

    Metrology gauge controller
    Metrology gauge controller
    - connects to up to 12 metrology sensors:
     - mechanical displacement (RS485),
     - optical micrometers (RS232),
     - laser barriers (4-20mA),
    - outputs for pumps, pneumatic valves,
    - logs all data to PC attached,
    - multiple AVR (Microchip) MCUs,
    - custom Win PC app (C++)

    Water boiler controller
    Water boiler controller
    - built-in power supply (110/230V),
    - LED display (on the other side),
    - 2 power outputs (solenoid / triac),
    - PID-like algorithm,
    - controls water intake, tank levels, temperature,
    - ST MCU

    Water boiler controller
    Water boiler controller
    - built in power supply,
    - LCD display (128 x 64),
    - 4 power outputs (snubber-less opto-triacs),
    - 24V DC outputs (pump, dispenser),
    - inputs for temperature and water level sensors,
    - algorithm for mixing hot and cold water,
    - algorithm for tank level estimation,
    - ST MCU

    Coffee brewer controller
    Coffee brewer controller
    - 2 power outputs 120 / 230V (heater, hotplate),
    - built in capacitor power supply (no isolation),
    - inputs: level sensor, switches,
    - ST MCU

    Cold brewer timer
    Cold brewer timer
    - counts down 20 hours,
    - 3V battery operated (ISBY < 7uA),
    - drives valve servo motor,
    - ST MCU

    Production tester
    Production tester
    - dry tests boilers at 120/230/400Vac,
    - triggers outputs,
    - measures/compares phase currents,
    - verifies code revision (SD card),
    - true RMS readout (DSP),
    - ST MCU

    Coffee brewer controller
    Coffee brewer controller
    - 2 analog potentiometers as inputs,
    - controls pump and dispense solenoid,
    - calculates pulses for pulse brewing,
    - linearization algorithm for pots,
    - ST MCU

    Coffee machine controller
    Coffee machine controller
    - 6 power outputs 230V,
    - 3 power outputs 24V DC,
    - inputs: temperature and water level sensors,
    - real time clock,
    - connects to touch screen (UART),
    - ST MCU

    Touch screen controller
    Touch screen controller
    - 320 x 240 resolution TFT,
    - resistive touch pad,
    - built in NOR FLASH for icons,
    - SD Card (FAT32) socket updates,
    - UART comm to Jet PCB,
    - ST MCU

    Low Vision / Inspection camera
    Low Vision / Inspection camera
    - 3MP camera and 480x272 TFT LCD,
    - video processing FPGA (Lattice),
    - pictures stored on SD Card (FAT32),
    - USB connection for PC,
    - build in Li-Ion charger,
    - liquid lens,
    - auto-focus algorithm,
    - Microchip MCU

    In-production tester (controller board)
    In-production tester (controller board)
    - full electrical tests boilers / coffee machines,
    - programs MCUs on target boards,
    - true RMS read-outs (CTs on 3 phases),
    - settings stored on SD Card (FAT32),
    - RS-232 port for label printer,
    - real time clock,
    - graphical LCD display,
    - ST MCU

    Water boiler controller with temperature readout
    Water boiler controller
    - extension to the standard boiler,
    - live readout (0.5 degree accuracy),
    - serial comm with basic boiler board,
    - graphical LCD,
    - ST MCU

    High precision boiler controller
    High-end boiler controller
    - two temperature sensors (0.1C accuracy),
    - load cell input (weighing scale),
    - LCD display (alphanumeric),
    - temperature kept within 0.2C,
    - settings in EEPROM,
    - ST MCU

    Coffee machine controller
    Coffee machine controller
    - 13 outputs for solenoids, pumps and contactor,
    - 15 inputs for push buttons, proximity sensors, thermistor and water level AC probes,
    - 10 outputs for control LEDs,
    - LCD display connector,
    - embedded power supply,
    - settings in EEPROM,
    - ST MCU

    Water boiler controller
    Water boiler controller
    - one output for main heater (3kW),
    - two outputs for inlet and dispense valves,
    - outputs for LEDs and LCD display,
    - inputs for push buttons, thermistor and water level AC probes,
    - embedded power supply (230V AC input),
    - settings stored in internal EEPROM,
    - ST MCU

    Additional / extension PCBs
    Additional / extension PCBs
    - front panel user controls,
    - backlight LED strip,
    - 24V power supply,
    - lock solenoid driver

    Radio remote control
    Radio remote control
    - f = 433,92 MHz,
    - Power: 3-4 mW EIRP (anechoic chamber),
    - antenna gain: about -15 dBd,
    - modulation OOK-A1D (on-off-keying),
    - Keeloq encryption.

    Radio remote control
    Radio remote control
    - f = 433,92 MHz,
    - Power: 3-4 mW EIRP (anechoic chamber),
    - antenna gain: about -15 dBd,
    - modulation OOK-A1D (on-off-keying),
    - Keeloq encryption.

    Radio remote control
    Radio remote control
    - f = 433,92 MHz,
    - Power: 1mW EIRP (anechoic chamber),
    - antenna gain: about -20 dBd,
    - modulation OOK-A1D (on-off-keying),
    - Keeloq encryption.

    Radio remote control
    20 - channel radio remote control
    - encoder board,
    - carbon conductive paths for silicon keyboard,
    - 9V DC supply,

    433MHz receiver module
    433MHz receiver module
    - f = 433,92 MHz
    - single superheterodyne,
    - sensitivity: -108 to -112 dBm,
    - bandwidth: 350 kHz,
    - demodulator: OOK-A1D (on-off-keying),
    - digital output.

    General purpose receiver
    2 - channel, general purpose receiver
    - f = 433,92 MHz
    - Keeloq decryption,
    - supply: 24V AC/DC,
    - output modes: bistable, monostable, momentary,
    - Microchip MCU,
    - memory for up to 20 remotes.

    General purpose receivers
    2 - and 4 - channel, general purpose receivers
    - f = 433,92 MHz,
    - Keeloq decryption,
    - supply: 230V, 12-24V AC/DC (depends on model),
    - output modes: bistable, monostable, momentary,
    - Microchip MCU,
    - memory for up to 20 - 700 remotes.

    Internal receiver cards
    Internal receiver cards
    - f = 433,92 MHz,
    - Keeloq decryption,
    - 1 or 2 output channels,
    - memory for up to 25 remotes.
    - Microchip MCU,

    Gate controller
    Gate controller for 1 motor
    - f = 433,92 MHz,
    - supply 230V AC,
    - motor power up to 600W 230V AC,
    - motor current measurement,
    - inputs for safety switches,
    - output for signal lamp,
    - output for 24V AC accessories.

    Gate controller
    Gate controller for 1 motor
    - f = 433,92 MHz,
    - supply 230V AC,
    - motor power up to 600W 230V AC,
    - motor power regulation (4 steps),
    - motor current measurement,
    - inputs for safety switches,
    - output for signal lamp,
    - output for 12V, 24V AC accessories.

    Gate controller
    Gate controller for 2 motors
    - f = 433,92 MHz,
    - supply 230V AC,
    - motors power up to 600W 230V AC (total),
    - motor power regulation (4 steps),
    - motor current measurement,
    - inputs for safety switches,
    - output for signal lamp,
    - output for 12V, 24V AC accessories.

    Microcontroller unit
    Microcontroller unit for gate openers
    - Keeloq decryption,
    - memory for up to 700 remotes,
    - output relays buffers,
    - 2 ADCs for motor current measurements,
    - EEPROM socket (memory for up to 700 remotes),
    - Microchip MCU.

    2 - digit universal display
    2 - digit universal display
    - digits range: 00 - 99,
    - digits height: 24 cm,
    - RS 485 comm,
    - 24V AC/DC supply,
    - high brightness LEDs,
    - signalling beeper,
    - Microchip MCU.

    3 - digit universal display
    3 - digit universal display
    - digits range: 000 - 999,
    - digits height: 24 cm,
    - RS 485 communication interface,
    - 24V AC/DC supply,
    - high brightness LEDs,
    - Microchip MCU.

    Controller for display
    Controller for displays
    - membrane keyboard,
    - LED display,
    - 2 universal inputs,
    - powered by display,
    - RS485 comm (RJ11),
    - output for external beeper,
    - 200m maximum cable length,
    - Microchip MCU.

    HCS200 Keeloq encoder programmer
    HCS200 Keeloq encoder programmer
    - programs HCS200 (Microchip),
    - display showing 28-bit serial number,
    - 7 possible encryption keys,
    - verify after write,
    - supply 12-24 V AC/DC,
    - Microchip MCU.

    intercom - interface to POTS subscriber's line
    Intercom
    - compatibility with door intercom,
    - connects to local PABX (POTS),
    - DTMF signalling,
    - ring detector,
    - active anti-local circuit,
    - output for door lock 12V AC/DC,
    - Microchip MCU.

    Battery LED lamp
    Battery LED lamp
    - 27 white LEDs,
    - status diode for charging / empty battery,
    - SMPS charger with delta V detection,
    - external supply: 12 - 24V DC,
    - 3.6V / 7.2V NiMH batteries.

    Other LED lamps
    Other LED lamps
    - versions with 27 - 127 LEDs,
    - supply voltages: 12, 24, 36, 42, 110, 230 V AC/DC,

    Fluorescent lamp ballasts
    Fluorescent lamps ballasts
    - lamps power range: 8, 9, 11, 18, 36W,
    - supply voltages: 12, 24, 36, 42, 110, 230V AC/DC
    - low voltage versions use Microchip MCU.

    Power supply for ventilation fans
    Power supply for ventilation fans
    - output for 3 fans,
    - input supply: 230V AC,
    - output: 3 x 8-12V DC regulated (not stabilised),
    - status indicators for every fan.

    Ethernet test board based on Microchip controller
    Ethernet test board based on Microchip controller
    - test board equipped with microcontroller,
    - Ethernet accessories (transformer, RJ45),
    - HTTP server based on Microchip's code.

    Universal I/O card
    Universal parallel I/O card
    - LPT port extension up to 48 input / outputs,
    - TTL inputs, OC outputs (60V max),
    - based on Xilinx CPLD,
    - 12 - 24 V AC/DC supply

    Frequency counter (click for details)
    - Frequency range: 10kHz - 1.2GHz,
    - 4 time bases,
    - sensitivity <30mV,
    - fast responding (refresh rate),
    - custom made metal enclosure,
    - built in power supply 230V,
    - 1ppm reference oscillator.