Subsystem and Component Design
While the majority of my clients probably consider me to be most valuable to their conceptual design, system engineering and/or project management efforts, I have others that rely on me to provide engineering results at a lower level in their projects.
Sometimes such lower level projects involve validating and gaining mastery of a key technology, so that it can be incorporated successfully into a larger system. At other times a client simply needs some engineering help due to personnel shortages, etc., and has found that he or she can rely on me. Basically, I enjoy doing whatever it is that will help my client.
If you come to me for the design of a subsystem or a component, I will ask you questions about its specifications. If the specifications are not complete or self-consistent, I will point this out and suggest how they could be improved. To the extent it seems warranted, given your situation, I will question the source of the specifications, to ensure that they are based on good system engineering with the goal that you obtain the best overall value.
I fully understand that in some situations it will be too late to worry about system level issues, and that what will be needed then is simply to move forward as fast as possible.
Below is a partial list of subsystems and components that I have designed. Of course (system engineering), each of these can also be considered as a system in its own right.
Imaging, projection, and light collection optical systems.
Specialized lenses.
Illumination systems.
Aberration correctors.
Laser beam manipulation and reshaping.
Laser diode drivers.
Laser modifications for airborne use and double pulsing.
Nonlinear optics.
Test setups, both optical and electronic.
“Simple” electronics, primarily analog.
Low noise preamplifiers for photonic detectors.
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Copyright © 2002, David F. Schaack. All Rights Reserved. |