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alessandro trifoglio

Senior FPGA, Embedded Software and Low Latency Engineer

skills

  • FPGA Design
    • Xilinx (Artix, Zynq, Zynq UltraScale+ MPSoC)
    • Intel (MAX, Cyclone)
    • Lattice
  • Real-Time Software Design
    • Micro-controllers
    • ARM-based CPUs and SoCs
  • Project Management and Continuous Integration (CI/CD)
    • Git
    • GitHub Actions
    • Custom Python pipelines
  • Programming
    • C/C++
    • VHDL/SystemVerilog
    • Vivado HLS
    • CUDA
    • OpenCL
    • Java
  • Algorithms
    • DSP and Control
    • Computer Vision and ML (denoising, clustering, tracking...)
  • Model-Based Design Environments
    • Matlab/Simulink
    • Python
  • Operating Systems
    • Embedded Linux
    • RTOS (VxWorks, FreeRTOS)
  • Electronic Boards Design
    • High-speed digital (DDR, PCIe, Ethernet...)
    • Analog (power, cross-domain conversion)
  • Hardware Compliance
    • Experience with Hardware Design Assurance (DO-254)
  • Spoken Languages
    • Italian (C2)
    • English (C1)

About me

Highly skilled Embedded Systems Engineer with 10+ years of experience in architecting and developing real-time software and hardware solutions for automation and mission-critical systems characterized by strict timing, power, and safety constraints. I thrive in dynamic, fast-paced environments, managing projects from conception to implementation with a strong focus on low-latency applications, multi-core systems, and FPGA development. My expertise lies in navigating complex technical challenges and collaborating with diverse stakeholders to deliver results under pressure.

M.Sc. graduate from Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, one of Italy's premier elite schools.

Work experience

  • December 2019 - PRESENT

    Leonardo SpA - BA Defence Systems, La Spezia (IT)
    Senior FPGA Engineer (FPGA architectures, software and boards)

    Led embedded software and FPGA system development for cutting-edge armaments platforms, focusing on real-time solutions (DSP, control algorithms…) and complex hardware-software integration. Managed requirements and cross-functional stakeholders.

    • Engineered and brought up complex Zynq UltraScale+ MPSoC (Cortex-A53, Cortex-R5, FPGA) based boards, incorporating high-speed interfaces (Gigabit Ethernet, PCIe, FMC).
    • Designed and implemented the FPGA architecture for a complete SDI custom video pipeline, optimized for Embedded Linux integration and high-throughput requirements (LIONFISH 30, 40). This included associated C Linux kernel module development for low-level device control.
    • Developed and deployed video denoising and tracking algorithms on the FPGA fabric, enhancing the system's autonomous target detection capabilities.
    • Authored VHDL and SystemVerilog testbenches for extensive simulation on Questa Sim, and developed bare-metal C/C++ software for initial board validation.
    • Managed the development of RTOS drivers (including FreeRTOS) for diverse peripherals on ARM-based CPU/SoC (Cortex-R5), ensuring compliance with strict real-time performance requirements.
    • Executed comprehensive board bring-up, encompassing hardware validation and U-Boot/Linux environment builds to achieve full system functionality.
    • Ensured hardware compliance to rigorous defense standards, including DO-254, throughout the FPGA and electronic board design and development lifecycle.
    • Utilized Python extensively for project management, configuration management, and documentation generation, leveraging custom CI/CD pipelines.
  • December 2015 - December 2018

    Freelance, Livorno (IT)
    Design of Administrative Software

    Designed and deployed custom administrative software solutions (full-stack development, Node.js, database design) for small businesses, streamlining order management, accounting, and stock control. Managed integration and deployment on-site.

  • March 2012 - December 2015

    Freelance, Livorno (IT)
    Design of Electronic Boards and Software for Micro-controllers

    Developed control software (C/C++) and custom electronic boards for micro-controllers and actuating systems. Managed the full lifecycle from design and prototyping to installation and after-sales support. Developed software for GPUs (CUDA).

Education

  • September 2016 - November 2020

    Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa (IT)
    M.Sc. in Embedded Computing Systems

    Thesis: Schedule Optimization of Real-Time Flight Control Software for Multicore Platforms

  • 2015

    Bachelor Degree in Electronic Engineering (PI)