Vivek Machchhar

Accomplished Senior Engineer at Softnautics LLP with expertise in C, C++, and embedded systems. Successfully engineered solutions that enhanced fire detection reliability at Johnson Controls, while fostering collaboration across teams. Proficient in utilizing advanced debugging tools and committed to delivering high-quality software solutions.

PROJECT 1: AMD APPLICATION SECURITY UNIT FIRMWARE (ASUFW) (Current Project)

Description
Working on the Application Security Unit Firmware (ASUFW) for AMD's Versal Adaptive SoC security subsystem. ASUFW executes on a dedicated RISC-V security processor and provides runtime cryptographic and security services for system processors. My responsibilities include firmware maintenance, bug fixing, feature development, and validation of security services.

Key Responsibilities
• Developed and enhanced firmware features for the existing ASUFW codebase.
• Investigated and resolved firmware defects across multiple security modules.
• Debugged embedded firmware issues and performed root cause analysis.
• Validated firmware functionality through unit, integration, and regression testing.
• Collaborated with architecture and verification teams to improve firmware reliability.
• Analyzed logs, traces, and hardware behavior to resolve complex firmware issues.

Technologies
Embedded C, RISC-V, Firmware Development, Linux, Git, Secure Firmware, Debugging


PROJECT 2: T3 (TALAVIYA 3) PLATFORM BRING-UP

Description
Developed the Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) for the T3 (Talaviya 3) platform based on an Infineon ARM Cortex-M microcontroller. The project focused on creating reusable and hardware-independent peripheral drivers to improve software portability.

Key Responsibilities
• Designed and implemented the HAL architecture for the platform.
• Developed low-level drivers for SPI, ADC, Timer, PWM, and Clock Configuration.
• Performed board bring-up and peripheral initialization.
• Developed test applications to validate peripheral functionality.
• Debugged hardware and firmware issues during board integration.
• Collaborated with hardware engineers for driver integration and system validation.

Technologies
Embedded C, Infineon ARM Cortex-M, HAL, SPI, ADC, Timer, PWM, Clock Management, Bare-metal Firmware


PROJECT 3: ZEPHYR RTOS BRING-UP ON CUSTOM RISC-V FPGA PLATFORM

Description
Successfully ported and brought up Zephyr RTOS on a custom RISC-V processor implemented on a Xilinx FPGA platform.

Key Responsibilities
• Ported Zephyr RTOS to a custom RISC-V hardware platform.
• Added board support and integrated the platform into the Zephyr build system.
• Developed and validated peripheral drivers for UART, SPI, I2C, and GPIO.
• Developed hardware validation applications for peripheral testing.
• Performed board bring-up, debugging, and system validation.

Technologies
Embedded C, Zephyr RTOS, RISC-V, Xilinx FPGA, UART, SPI, I2C, GPIO, Linux


PROJECT 4: SECURITY ENGINE FIRMWARE DEVELOPMENT (LATTICE SEMICONDUCTOR)

Description
Designed and developed firmware for a Security Engine Soft-IP running on a RISC-V processor with Zephyr RTOS for Lattice Semiconductor FPGA devices.

Key Responsibilities
• Developed firmware for cryptographic security engine features.
• Implemented and validated AXI4, AXI-Stream, APB, Interrupt, GPIO, OTP, and BBRAM interfaces.
• Developed automated test cases and validation frameworks.
• Debugged firmware using simulation waveforms, traces, log analysis, and logic analyzers.
• Resolved verification and regression issues in simulation environments.
• Collaborated closely with hardware and verification teams.

Technologies
Embedded C, Zephyr RTOS, RISC-V, Linux, Vivado, Radiant, SimVision, QEMU, Perforce, AXI4, APB, Xilinx FPGA


PROJECT 5: VITAL-Z SMART WATCH

Description
Developed firmware for a BLE-enabled healthcare smartwatch based on the Nordic nRF52840 SoC, featuring ECG, SpO₂, heart rate monitoring, motion sensing, LCD display, and SIGFOX connectivity.

Key Responsibilities
• Developed OTA firmware update (DFU) functionality.
• Implemented BLE application features and services.
• Developed SOS notification functionality using SIGFOX communication.
• Integrated motion sensors, touch controller, and LCD display drivers.
• Developed firmware for SPI and I2C peripheral communication.

Technologies
Embedded C, nRF52840, BLE, OTA DFU, SIGFOX, SPI, I2C, Segger Embedded Studio, Eclipse


PROJECT 6: TIER-3 ADDRESSABLE FIRE ALARM CONTROL PANEL

Description
Developed embedded firmware for a Tier-3 Addressable Fire Alarm Control Panel supporting up to 250 addressable devices, including smoke detectors, sounders, and interface modules.

Key Responsibilities
• Developed firmware for new sounder base integration.
• Enhanced existing embedded application features.
• Investigated and resolved firmware defects.
• Performed feature validation and system testing.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams during development and validation.

Technologies
Embedded C, Renesas RA Cortex-M MCU, Bare-metal Firmware


PROJECT 7: SMART EV CHARGING SOCKET

Description
Developed firmware for an ESP32-based Smart EV Charging Socket supporting BLE connectivity and OCPP (Open Charge Point Protocol) for remote charging management.

Key Responsibilities
• Implemented BLE communication between the charger and mobile application.
• Developed charging control features, including Start/Stop charging operations.
• Implemented prepaid charging workflow and charging session management.
• Integrated real-time charger status updates over BLE.
• Conducted hardware validation and field testing.

Technologies
ESP32, Embedded C, BLE, OCPP, FreeRTOS


PROJECT 8: BLE-BASED SOCIAL DISTANCING WEARABLE

Description
Developed firmware for a wearable device using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) to estimate real-time distance between users based on RSSI and TX Power, providing proximity alerts.

Key Responsibilities
• Developed a distance estimation algorithm using RSSI and TX Power.
• Implemented BLE communication between wearable devices.
• Optimized proximity detection accuracy across different environments.
• Performed validation with multiple wearable devices under real-world conditions.

Technologies
Embedded C, nRF52840, BLE, RSSI, OTA DFU, Segger Embedded Studio