Zak Smith

Objective

To use versatile problem-solving skills to make a difference.

Attributes

Quick-learning, versatile, excellent problem solving skills, strategic planning, architected solutions, problem identification, organizational dynamics, detail oriented, excellence as habit.

Specific Interests

Defense,
Weapons Systems,
Construction,
Communications

Highly Educated

MS Electrical Engineering, University of Wisconsin - Madison, 1998 4.0 GPA
BS Electrical Engineering, Second major Computer Science, University of Wisconsin - Madison, 1997 3.8 GPA
Experience doing basic research

Extra-professional experience

Skill-at-arms: "Practical" pistol, rifle, and shotgun shooter: 3Gun, USPSA
Founding Member: Colorado Multigun
Author articles papers on long range rifle optics and ballistics

Innovation

Inventor of 23 patents filed to the US Patent Office.
Co-author of two published papers.

Intel Corp, Enterprise Processor Division, Fort Collins, CO, 2/2005 - present

Next-generation IA-64 (IPF) CPU functional verification

• Core / Link verification methodology and tool development
• Random code/test tool development

Hewlett-Packard, Systems VLSI Technology Division, Fort Collins, CO. 2/1999 - 1/2005

Montecito IA-64 (IPF) CPU functional verification:

• Control and Verification Errors "czar", responsible for making sure error strategy is
  • complete: that it is fully defined, meets value-chain requirements, and is fully implemented,
  • coherent: that it consistent and works properly with the architecture, and
  • correct: that the implementation is correct and has been appropriately verified
  Fulfillment of this task requires coordinating with RTL authors, coverage czar, focus test-case writers, RCG authors and pilots and delegating responsibility.
• Lockstep mode verification "czar", similar to Error czar role described above
  • methodology,
  • implementation and maintenance of checkers,
  • turn-on of mode,
  • focus verification,
  • definition of rest of tool-chain
• Legacy ISA Emulator verification "czar", responsible for making sure the emulator logic is complete, coherent, and correct. The scope of this role is similar to the Error czar role described above.
• Cross-functional verification go-to guy. Volunteered to work on "in trouble" area of design, utilizing a variety of cross-functional methods and tools to solve the problem, on time.
• Scoped-out and developed a chip interface translator enabling leverage of old tool-chain with new chip link. Saved approx 6 months.

McKinley CPU functional verification:

• IA-64 (IPF) architecture and assembly,
• IA-32 (x86) architecture and assembly,
• random-code verification tools,
• pre-silicon verification of architectural, micro-architectural, and HDL models,
• post-silicon verification and debug of prototype systems,
• management and regression of large "legacy" test suite,
• infrastructure automation and reliability,
• version control and release methodologies,
• porting code between HPUX (PA), Linux (x86 and IA64), and corresponding C/C++ compilers,
• expert in writing endian-neutral code and endian-sanitizing old code,
• web-based, database-backed, team collaboration and individual productivity tools.

Tools:

• Large and small C++ & C applications,
• Perl scripts of all sizes,
• Shell scripting, UNIX automation,
• Postgres/SQL, PHP 3.0+, HTML,
• HPUX & Linux setup and sysadmin.

Hewlett-Packard, Systems VLSI Technology Operation, Fort Collins, CO. Summer 1998

McKinley CPU fuse block:

• logic, circuit, and VLSI design,
• verification (switch-level and SPICE),
• characterization (SPICE).

Hewlett-Packard, Systems Technology Division, Cupertino, CA. Summer 1997

SuperDome chipset 72-bit ECC block:

• logic design,
• verification using C, Perl, and HDL models,
• circuit design,
• VLSI design using standard cells.

Hewlett-Packard, Logic Analyzer Division, Colorado Springs, CO. Summer 1996

As an intern, I ported an X-Window call-tracking database to HP-PA workstations, in addition to developing a method to automatically update firmware on logic emulation devices via standard network protocols. Tools: Tcl/Tk, UNIX shell.

Computer-Aided Engineering, Univ. of Wisconsin - Madison, 8/1994 - 12/1998

As a member of the Unix system administration and systems programming staff, I developed and maintained custom tools for network management and did all the normal Unix admin stuff for several hundred workstations and a room full of servers. Specialties: HP-UX, Linux, networks, security, RSA-type public/private key encryption.

UW-Madison, ECE554, Fall 1996

I led a 5 person team that developed a superscalar computer from instruction set specification to hardware and software debug. The design was implemented in 6 Xilinx XC4000 FPGAs. Tools: Mentor Graphics, Xilinx tools, UNIX shell.

ECE Department, Microwave Lab, UW-Madison, 1/1995 - 6/1995

As a lab assistant for Prof. John Booske, I developed some data-acquisition software that drove a LeCroy oscilloscope from a PC via GPIB (IEEE488.2). I also set up particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations for electron beams in microwave generators, and wrote code to process the output. Tools: C, Perl, MAGIC PIC.

Self-Employed Programmer & Consultant, 1991 - 1993

While I was in high-school, I operated a dial-in computer bulletin board system, using the "Searchlight BBS." I wrote some software to enhance operation of my own system, and based on feedback and demand from other operators, I developed, marketed, sold, and supported several software products. Tools: Turbo-Pascal (OOP).

Inventions

• Primary inventor of 15 filed patents related to CPU verification.
• Co-inventor of 8 filed patents related to CPU verification

Publications

Education

• Using Data Values to Aid Branch Prediction
• A Linux Implementation of HIP
• Effectiveness of Arithmetic Code Protection in Dual ALU System
• Study of Relative Performance Impact: Coherence Protocol vs. Network Speed
• Dynamic Instruction Reuse - SPECfp92
• RRisc Architecture Report
• (link to all papers from the college era)

Tools

Honors & Awards

• Recipient of Graduate School Fellowship, 9/1997
• Rohn Scholarship, 9/1996
• Fred W. and Josephine H. Colbeck Scholarship, 5/1995
• G. P. Ryan and W. G. Kirchoffer Engineering Freshman Merit Award
• The College Board's A. P. Scholar with Distinction Award
• Navy Distinguished Achievement Award - Marquette Science Fair
• Member: Eta Kappa Nu, Tau Beta Pi, Phi Kappa Phi, IEEE, National Honor Society, Golden Key