RF and Electronic Engineer
Resume:
Frank Takacs
Woodbridge, VA *****
Email: ************@*******.***
State University of New York at Buffalo, Amherst, NY
BSEE: Electronic/RF Communications, Graduation: Feb 1, 2001
Undergraduate Courses taken:
Analog Circuit Design:
-Amplifier design via JFet/BJT stages, Amplifier design w/OP-AMPs.
-Circuit design w/OP-AMPs, Diodes: Zener, Schottky,Varacter, SCRs.
-Extensive use of Pspice in circuit design and output signal verification.
Digital Logic Circuit Design:
-Logic Gates, Multiplexers, RS/D/JK/T Flip Flops, Counter/Shift Registers.
-PLDs, PLAs, PALs, GALs w/macro cells, EEPROMs, Use of Memory Maps.
Analog & Digital Communication Systems I & II:
-Analog Modulation Methods: AM, FM, FDM, PM, DSBSC, SSB.
-Mixers: Square-Law, Diode, Transistor, Op Amp, Double Balanced SSB.
-Digital Communications: Quantization compression, SNR analysis in dBs.
--BPSK, QPSK, DQPSK, OFDM, CDMA, MSK, GMSK
--Bit Encoding PCM (TDM) Systems
--Error correctional coding methods
--Use of Matlab software package
Electronic Communication Circuits:
-Analog Circuits (linear/non-linear components) - Capacitors, Diodes, VCOs, etc.
-Demodulation Circuits using Frequency Synthesizers, Prescalers, and BFOs.
-AM/FM Transmitters & Receivers, PLLs, A/D & D/A Conversion, Antennas.
-Use of HP-8593E Swept Frequency Spectrum Analyzer.
Photonics:
-Fiber Optic communications & Laser technology fundamentals.
-Beam Optics Transmission, Optical Components, ABCD Matrix methods.
Microwave Circuit Design:
-Transmission Lines, Smith Chart, VSWR, Reflection coeff., Bounce diagrams
-Impedance matching and tuning, single/double stub tuning w/Smith Chart.
-Microstrip/Stripline antenna design by applying cladding/dielectric selection.
Microwave Laboratory/Peak power measurements up to 18GHz:
-Calibration methods, Directional/Hybrid Couplers, Coax, Attenuators.
-Use of HP 436A Power Meter, HP 480 Picoammeter.
-Use of HP 8481A Power Sensor, HP 423A Crystal Detector.
-Use of Wavetek 1038 Microwave Scaler Network Analyzer.
-Use of the HP 8510A Microwave Vector Network Analyzer.
George Mason University, Fairfax, VA; Spring Semester 2003
Graduate Class: ECE 699 Wireless Cellular Telephone Communications
Work Experience:
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Jan 2007 to Jan 2026
45 L Street NE Washington, DC 20554
-Background clearance: National Agency Check with Inquires (NACI)
investigation performed on initial hire and current: Jan 2007, May 2025
-RF Engineer for the U.S. FM radio commercial marketplace and it’s oversea territories.
-Responsible for processing FM radio station applications for construction permits
(FCC-340), FM radio station licenses (FCC-301), and backup auxiliary antennas.
-Working knowledge of effective radiated power (ERP), height of antenna above
average terrain (HAAT), and commercial FM station power class A through C.
-Construction permit (CP) processing applies requested ERP to FM broadcast antenna,
i.e., rototiller, at tower mounted height of radiation center above ground level (RCAGL).
-Processing a new FM CP carries responsibility of examining adjusted RF power density
emissions for all antennas mounted on tower. Calculations for human exposure by RF
emissions, as outlined in FCC OET Bulletin 65, provide RF Power% safety methods.
-License processing involves verification for complete description of antenna system.
Spectrum analyzer is used to check unwanted tower site parasitic harmonics. Directional
antennas with composite axial patterns are verified for 85% RMS signal coverage.
-RF Engineer for FCC’s Low Power FM (LPFM) radio program enacted by Congress.
-Responsible for processing applications for all LPFM construction permits (FCC-318).
-Daily help given to FCC LPFM customers calling the LPFM Help Line to answer
questions about general topics and specific LPFM rules in 47 CFR 73.807 to 73.881.
-Tower site NAD83 coordinates are entered in Google Earth to check ground elevation.
-FAA Towair slope test check program must be run for every applicant. When it is
successfully passed by the FAA an antenna structure registration (ASR) may be issued.
-New interference (IX) to co-channel, first-adjacent FM stations not allowed in new CP.
-Second-adjacent FM station IX is allowed/waiverable on case-by-case basis. CP
engineering exhibit should contain new second-adjacent waiver request and all pertinent
data, i.e, antenna, ERP, HAAT, no short-spacings, to construct new LPFM station.
-LPFM service contour of 60 dBu (1 mV/m) radiating from antenna and overlaps target
second-adjacent FM station service contour around tower site as seen in Google Earth.
-Second-adjacent waivers use undesired/desired signal strength ratio. The IX undesired
signal strength is found by finding actual FM signal strength in dBu’s and adding 40 dB.
-Free Space Path Loss Attenuation Equation decibel form and LPFM antenna elevation
diagram with relative field pattern data from antenna manufacturer data sheet is used to
calculate undesired signal strength jamming reception of second-adjacent FM stations.
-Directional antennas used to suppress IX/undesired signal from residential areas.
-Help LPFM owners with questions about Transmitter Operating Power (TPO) and RF
calculations involving transmission line replacement of different types and lengths.
-Background with FCC rules Part 15 for unlicensed RF devices.
Antenna Research Associates, Inc., Beltsville, MD April 2006 to July 2006
-RF/Microwave Engineer for ongoing U.S. Army Central Command (CECOM) JTRS Omnidirectional Antenna Research and Development Program.
---UHF Mid Band JTRS Antenna w/broadband frequency of 400MHz to 970MHz
---UHF High Band JTRS Antenna w/broadband frequency of 1.2GHz to 2GHz
-Design optimization activities for proprietary Corporate Feed to Dipole Arrays.
-Dipole Array Feeds tuned for Phase & Time signal response synchronization.
-Use of anechoic chamber for antenna gain activities w/Ridged Horn standards.
-Use of HP 8510C Microwave Vector Network Analyzer (45MHz - 40GHz) and Agilent E835BA PNA Series Network Analyzer (300kHz - 9GHz).
-Microwave cabling purchased and used: RG-402 Flex, 141 & 085 Semi-Rigid, Semi-Rigid UT-141-100-TP (100 ohm), UT-130 (93 ohm), and UT-100.
-Amphenol RF vendor contacted for standard/custom SMAs for antenna use.
-Taconic & Arlon Dielectric vendors contacted for PCB samples w/3dB Splitters.
-Ferrite Bead vendors, i.e., Ceramic Magnetics contacted for Ferrite Bead info.
-Undocumented Lexan parts analyzed for purchase of raw material for new parts.
-Documentation generation, i.e., BOMs, drawings, etc., for missing/revised parts.
-Documentation correction for antenna parts w/incorrect mechanical dimensions.
-Overview of JTRS Contractual Data Requirement Lists (CDRLs) to advise management of deliverable dates as outlined in JTRS Statement of Work (SOW).
-Supervision and daily guidance provided to JTRS Senior Assembler Technician.
Astron Wireless Technologies, Inc., Sterling, VA Sept 2005 to Jan 2006
-RF Engineer for RF & Microwave engineering tasks. (Temp Contract Position)
-Construction of High Frequency Direction Finding (HFDF) Antenna System
using folded-dipoles in HF/VHF band for 2 MHz to 32 MHz frequencies.
-Developed comprehensive Test Procedure for HFDF Antenna System customer.
-Antenna Range tests to analyze HFDF Antenna amplitude & phase performance.
-Use of frequency specific Low Noise Amplifiers (LNAs) to boost antenna signal.
-VNA analysis of relative & absolute phase measures for matched coax cables.
-VNA calibrations and power measurements for Incidence (S11) & Thru (S21).
-Use of Bias Tees, Pi & T Filters, Power Dividers, Baluns, Ground Planes,
N/TNC/SMA adapters, coax cable types RG-8/58/68/214.
-Purchase of Tripods & Compasses (HFDF Antenna alignment for active use).
-Impedance matching design for HFDF Balun via Torroids, Pi & T networks.
-Broadband antenna impedance matching using winSMITH vl.0 software.
-Use of Anechoic Chamber and Near-Field Antenna Test Range.
-Activities with Biconical, Loop, Dipole, Log Periodic, and Vivaldi Antennas.
-Use of Agilent Technologies E5071B ENA Series Network Analyzer, Wiltron Model 360B Vector Network Analyzer, HP 8752A Network Analyzer.
-Use of AutoCAD LT 2005 for antenna systems support modeling.
Mathtech, Inc., Falls Church, VA May 2004 to June 2005
-Electrical Engineer for prototype Intercommunication System (ICS) that uses Fibre Channel technology for Navair E-2D Hawkeye Reconnaissance Aircraft.
-Northrop Grumman (NGC) will retrofit Navair's analog AN/AIC-14A Intercom Systems with digital Fibre Channel based ICS in all present & future E-2Ds.
-ICS uses Fibre Channel as a high-speed 1Gbit/sec Optical Data Link by digitizing and placing signals received, i.e., IFFs, audio, etc., onto Fibre Channel Databus.
-ICS will provide connectivity for E-2D crew members, i.e., Pilot, Copilot, Radar Operator, etc., with future E-2D Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS).
-PC-104+ Embedded Design related work incorporating the Qlogic Fibre Channel RISC microprocessor capable of providing a data rate upto 2 Gbit/sec.
-Assigned task of Hardware Test Engineer for purchase of computers, PCI cards, components, and final assembly of Developmental Test Equipment (DTE).
-2U/4U IDE & SATA Pentium 4, 2.8GHz, servers used with 19" 40U DTE Rack.
-Assisted in Mathtech's successful ISO 9001 certification through DTE support.
-Development work with Qlogic's 8 Port Fibre Channel Switched Fabric.
-MIL-STD-1553 for Time Division Multiplexed (TDM) Databus via twinaxial twisted pair coax and TRB connectors for Bus Controller & Remote Terminals.
-MIL-HDBKs/MIL-STDs used to create contractual NGC SDRL documents for: Maintenance Prediction, Maintenance Analysis, Corrective Action, FMECA.
-2 day Doors 7.1 training for Requirements Management at Telelogic facility.
-3 day Cadstar 7.0 training w/Zuken vendor for PCB & Schematic Editor.
-Electrical Static Discharge (ESD) NASA-STD 8739.7 certification received on 02/16/05 from Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, MD.
Amtec, Inc., Manassas, VA March 2004 to May 2004
-Amtec, Inc. is a Sub-contractor for Comcast Cable Corp.
-Worked part-time as a Cable TV Installation Technician while continuing job search for an Electrical Engineering position in the N. Virginia area.
-Installed digital cable, DVRs, and HDTV for Comcast customers.
General Dynamics, Woodbridge, VA May 2002 to Jan 2004
-Electrical Engineer for MK-46 Main Weapons System on the developing prototype Marine Corp. amphibious Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV).
-Testing of Electro-Optic Compact Modular Sight (CMS) containing Forward Laser Infrared (FLIR) Sight, Laser Finder (LRF) & Thermal Imager (TIS).
-Testing of weapons cycling, i.e., sear, non-sear, of Boeing MK-44 30/40 mm
chain gun capable of firing variety of armor piercing & high explosive rounds.
-Testing performance of RS-422/RS-485 Utility Bus after iterative software loads for correct MK-46 electronic systems power up/down response.
-Verification of data on FDDI High Speed Data Bus for MK-46 weapon sensor data status outputs, i.e., NDI Fiber Optic Gyros, Kearfott Sensing Resolver.
-Developed test procedures using requirements, flow charts, and circuit diagrams.
-2 weeks training from Rational Software Corp. for Rational Suite instruction use.
-Efforts to convert MK-46 Requirements to the Rational Unified Process (UML).
-Authoring of Rational Use Cases to model MK-46 Weapon System behavior.
ITT Aerospace/Communications Div., Ft Wayne, IN Feb 2002 to May 2002
-Reliability Engineer for RF circuitry and related surface mount components.
-SINCGARS/Airterm III Radio for packet data/voice communication systems.
-MIL-HDBK-217F for RF circuit component stress derating, i.e., Resistors,
Capacitors, BJTs, Voltage Regulators, Opto-Couplers, FPGAs, ICs, etc.
-Use of OrCAD Pspice and circuit analysis skills to calculate transient current
surge w/RF circuit Tantalumn Capacitors and entered data into ITT Database.
-Evaluation of RF circuitry to locate and eliminate Single Point Failures.
-Daily use of Excel w/formula and function programming for ITT Database.
Lockheed Martin, Archbald, PA Sept 2001 to Nov 2001
-Analog circuit work for Naval Nuclear Reactor Control Console (RPCC).
-Circuit current evaluation with analog components, i.e., DIPs, Transorbs, etc.
-Introductory Printed Circuit Board (PCB) work w/MIL-STD IPC 2221
in determining PCB trace width short circuit current carrying capacities.
Adecco Personnel Services, Buffalo, NY Jan 1995 to Sept 2001
-Promoted to Supervisor of Adecco personnel working at the non-union UPS Buffalo International Hub during the 4:30 AM Sunrise Shift.
United States Army: US Army Engineering Center, FT Belvoir, VA
Power Generation Repair Technician (MOS 52D)
-Principles of AC/DC power generation, rotors/stators, and commutators.
-Single and three phase power principles w/1.5 to 60 kW generator models.
-Precision hydraulic controlled 400 Hz & standard AC/DC 60 Hz models.
-Rectification of AC to DC via bridge rectification and commutators.
-Repair of faulty Control Panels, Circuits, and Generator Components.
-Appointed to Army 80 Hour Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Certification.
-Expert M-16 Rifle Qualifications, Overseas Ribbon, and Good Conduct Award.
Computer Skills: Windows, AutoCAD LT 2005, winSMITH vl.0, Rational Development Suite, Doors 7.1, Cadstar 7.0, Orcad Pspice, Windchill Database, MS Word, Outlook, Excel
Powerpoint 2003, Visio 2000, Lotus Notes, Matlab, C++, Fortran 77, XML, Google Earth
Paycheck8
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