C++ Sensor Modeling

SHAHAR BEN-MENAHEM

650-***-**** *************@*****.***

Skills Summary

I am a Ph.D. physicist and engineer with extensive experience in modeling physical systems and devices, and employing innovative algorithms to simulate, optimize and estimate states and parameters. My work includes the planning of lab or field test runs and data acquisition, data-driven parameter estimation, model verification / validation, optimizing engineering performance, and efficient simulations (including real-time constraints).

I have applied these skills to thermodynamics (thermal managements for electronics), CFD, EM, optics, viscoelasticity, material science, RF, DSP, audio speakers, electromechanics, ultrasound, piezoelectric components in devices (specifically cell phone BAW resonator design), IMU sensors, and calibration + noise modeling of LiDAR cameras (in particular the Kinect). I have also applied these skills to GNC of autonomous vehicles.

While at Microsoft in various capacities (2013-2021), I have applied many of the above-listed skills to hardware challenges, including those involving AR (Augmented Reality) material science, optics (waves and ray optics), thermal management, 3D state / pose estimations and displays, as well as mechanical and thermal human comfort for the wearing of AR goggles and brow pads. I am also knowledgeable in the domain of capacitive coupling.

Software:

Multiphysics: PDE solvers: COMSOL, ANSYS, HFSS, ADS, more

Languages: Python, MATLAB, C/C++, C#

Employment

2021-current: Sr. Technical Advisor – GNC and real time computations for Autonomous Vehicles (air and land), KBR, Mountain View CA

IRAD (Internal Research and Development) lead for Quantum Sensor fusion for GPS Denied, Visually Degraded Environments

Simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) with convolutional neural network (CNN) & sensor fusion components with application to UAV and ground rovers.

Developed Kalman Filters, MAP and MLE estimators

IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) Noise Modeling, including sensor modeling

Simulation (planning and control) of High-Altitude Balloons and UAVs in stochastic wind fields

Recipient (March 2025) of a “One KBR” award for my technical work, leadership & mentorship — detailed award citation available upon request.

2015-2021: Senior Applied Scientist, Microsoft, Mountain View CA

HoloLens Launch Team: Worked on a range of analog hardware technology projects involving material science, mechanical engineering, IR and VIS optics, EMI, RF sensing, LIDAR, Human Factors (comfort), motion capture, metrology, AR displays and thermal management. My work included

Modeling and simulation.

Design of experiments, negotiation with vendors.

End-to-end modeling & development of thermal management solutions for wearable consumer electronics.

Evaluation of emerging technologies.

Providing expertise in optimization and algorithmics, parameter estimation, model validation and classical and quantum physics.

Leading the creation, implementation, and statistical validation of a multiscale, rapid & agile diagnostics, modeling, and simulation architecture (the latter utilizing COMSOL, MATLAB as well as LUTs and co-simulation codes) for heat pipes and vapor chambers, both standalone and embedded within devices (for thermal management purposes).

2013-2015: Scientist, Oxford Associates, Mountain View CA

Microsoft Xbox Team: Made significant contributions to several projects involving Time Of Flight (TOF) LiDAR Kinect depth camera modeling, calibration and operation, including: advanced multi-parameter optimization algorithms; predictive models of CMOS-APS (Active Pixel Sensor) scene-depth noise and multi-device interference; and image processing/machine vision algorithms for calibration and operation of TOF (LiDAR Kinect) cameras.

Developed simulation platform for real-time analysis of GPS data and subsequent broadcast of FAA-required Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring metrics (GPS-RAIM) from GA (General Aviation) aircraft.

2009-2013: Senior Scientist, Lightfar Cineonics

Developed algorithms for iPhone apps that combined DSP innovations in machine vision, computational geometry, Bayesian inference, and Joint Time-Frequency Analysis, as well as some biophysics modeling.

The iPhone videos analyzed by my algorithms were chemical and biophysical in nature, and the apps involved monitoring the environment and automated biomedical diagnoses.

2007-2009: Senior Scientist, Avago Technologies, San Jose CA

RF modeling; optimization and design of layered, multi-piezoelectric-resonator BAW filters for mobile phones, including 3D models and study of parasitic and nonlinear effects (harmonics, Inter-modulations, stray PCB interactions)

2003-2007: Senior Scientist, Vialogy, Pasedena CA

Development of model-based algorithms for denoising extremely low-SNR datasets. Work on mass-spectrometry data led to conference presentation and a patent. Later I applied similar techniques to geoseismic exploration data with high noise and clutter levels.

2002-2003: Audio Software Engineer, Tymphany Corp, Mountain View CA

Electromagnetic, electromechanical and acoustic modeling of various types of audio speakers, and development of speaker-cone position detection methods and firmware-implemented feedback linearization control algorithms.

2000-2002 Senior Staff Scientist C-Cor Electronics

R & D leadership roles in DWDM Optical. Fiber Communications, from device physics and component level. (EDFAs, Raman amplifiers, EA modulation, DFB laser chips, passive components etc.) to entire networks.

1993 to 2009: Combination of academic appointments and positions as employee in industry.

(a)1993-1999 DULY Research Inc., & Stanford Linear Accelerator Center ( SLAC ): grant-funded R & D in accelerator physics and engineering, in collaboration with other national labs and private companies, Modeling, simulation, design, optimization and testing of high-power RF sources, electron guns, klystrons, RF couplers, accelerating structures, and related X-, gamma-ray and positron sources utilizing collision of multi-GeV electron beams with multi-TeraWatt, sub-picosecond laser pulses.

(b)1993-2008: Stanford University Dept. of Physics: Visiting Scientist

(1)1985 to 1992: Academic appointments and affiliations

(postdoctoral research & teaching positions) at: Weizmann Institute, Boston University, Tel Aviv University, Harvard, SLAC (Stanford), Rutgers University, and City College of New York.

(2)1983 to 1986: Military Service (Israel Defense Forces, IAF)

(3)1983: Ph.D., Stanford University (Physics)

Publications, Patents, Proposals

Authored and co-authored scores of scientific publications (journal-published and conference papers); wrote and co-wrote numerous SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research), STTR and other grant proposals and reports, and many white papers. Listed as inventor or co-inventor of many patents.

List of publications and patents available upon request.

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