James MacDonald

Foundation Fieldbus/ PROFIBUS Consultant

Expert on Foundation Fieldbus, facilitating development of transmitters used in industrial process controls, and completing embedded software development. Offers total project management expertise from inception through testing, including research, requirement specifications, configuration management, coding, and validation testing. Specializing in Foundation Fieldbus device development and embedded software design, committed to developing quality, easy to use, and reliable software. Also provides software documentation, Fieldbus staff training, and consultation on Foundation Fieldbus issues. Worked with Profibus, Modbus and HART devices.

KEY AREAS OF EXPERTISE

• Embedded microprocessor systems
• Real time instrumentation
• Diagnostics
• Communications
• Device Descriptions (EDD)
• Tools/Utilities
• System Integration
• Specifications & Documentation
• Automated Testing
• LabVIEW
• Automation Controls &Integration
• Motion Control

EXPERIENCE & ACHIEVEMENTS

Operated, created proposals, contracts for E.D. Engineering, a subchapter S Corporation delivering Foundation Fieldbus consulting services to clients.

• Developed firmware for numerous embedded microprocessor FF devices.
• Depending on client’s level of expertise and resources, managed and served as project leader for Fieldbus device project.
• Provided Foundation Fieldbus training for clients.
• Worked as consultant for the Fieldbus Foundation, developing numerous H1 ITK certification tests per the FF specification. Developed initial Safety Instrumented Functions (SIF) suite of certification tests. All devices must pass the certification test to be approved as a Foundation Fieldbus device.
• Developed Visual Studio device manufacturing procedures, test programs and operator interfaces for clients.
• Reduced development time and expense, meeting delivery date, when developing and implementing a Foundation Fieldbus version of client’s devices, receiving Fieldbus Foundation Certification by delivery date.
  • Specified all parameters necessary to configure and control the electric actuator.
  • Trained staff to function in the Foundation Fieldbus environment.
  • Specified and developed diagnostics and safety features for device.
  • Specified, developed, implemented and tested host interface to device.
  • Guided device through mandatory FF certification process and through various host vender certification processes.
• Managed employee payroll, retirement and bookkeeping for E.D. Engineering.
  • Wrote manufacturing test program, verifying actuator prior to shipping.

Developed automation control software for custom-designed medical device assembly machine. Wrote requirement specifications, developed firmware for portable medical infusion pump. Specified motion control sensors, data logging, bar code, and I/O interface to computer.

Developed requirement specifications for automated material handling system to be installed at Hennepin County Southdale Library. Identified, researched and interviewed automation design companies, presenting qualified short list to project staff. Acted as design liaison between library, architects, and selected automation design engineers.

Software Engineer Positions

EDUCATION

University of California, Santa Barbara
BS Electrical Engineering

TECHNICAL SKILLS

FF and Device Skills: Embedded Microprocessor Development and Tools, RTOS, Resource/Transducer/Function Blocks, Device Descriptions (DDs), Operator Interfaces, Field Diagnostic Alarms, Host/Transmitter Configuration and Interoperability

FF Devices Involvement: Field Diagnostic Model, Electric andPneumatic Actuators, Radar Level, Oxygen, CO, Temperature, PressureTransmitters, Amperometric, PH, Conductivity Analyzers, Gas Chromatograph

Other Protocols: Have recently worked with devices using Profibus, Modbus and HART.

FieldComm Group: Attend meetings as a member of FOUNDATION Fieldbus Technology working group. Also a member of Advanced Application and Integration working group.

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