Hardware Projects

Citrus Racing (FSAE)

Overview:
The Syracuse (Citrus) Formula SAE Racing Team is a student run club that builds a car, tunes it, and then races it at competitions across the country. Established in 2012, the team raced in 2016 and 2018, and then got hit by COVID, where most of the team’s past knowledge was completely lost. Despite this, our team managed to compete at the FSAE Michigan competition for the first time in 6 years this past Spring 2024, where we placed 42nd in endurance, 67th in skidpad, 71st in autocross out of 108 competing teams.

This year we are designing a new car from the ground up using the experience we’ve gained, both in and outside the classroom. I helped complete the main harness, am research and building out the front harness, as well as the relay fuse box. At the same time, we are developing a new C++ ESP32 embedded system for the display, which will replace the raspberry pi setup currently in-place.

Status:
• Harness has been fully designed, wrapped, and pinned. Awaiting chassis sub-team to finish welding so we can route wires.
• Front Harness parts ordered. Designing temporary 3D printable dash for testing until frame is built.
• Finished component testing of ESP32s with CAN transceivers. Will next try to integrate with display and MoTeC ECU.

Toolkit: Python, C++, Embedded Systems, CAN Bus protocol, Electrical Harness Design

Embedded Microcontrollers

Overview:
I have used Arduino(ATmega) and programmed bare-metal ATSAMD21 and STM32 ARM-based Microcontrollers. I am currently learning ESP32 Xtensa as part of the Formula (FSAE) team’s goal to create a fully custom embedded dashboard for our drivers.

In Spring 2025, I am taking a graduate level class in Embedded Systems Design, as well as both the Embedded Systems and Digital Signal Processing + Control Systems Junior team-based design labs where we will pitch and design an idea over 6 weeks. These two classes are in preparation for the year-long senior design projects. I am also takin a Robotics Programming Lab with ROS 2.

Toolkit: C, C++, Control Systems, Digital Signal Processing, STM32, ESP32, ATSAMD21, Arduino

Semiconductors

Overview:
I have designed custom, application-specific MOSFETs and BJTs — and then simulated them in HSPICE and LTspice as part of my Semiconductors elective class projects. In my VLSI class, I’ve made use of Cadence to design logic gates at the physical transistor level of abstraction. These two classes have been incredibly eye-opening to see the magic behind how computers leverage digital logic to provide functionality to the world.

I’ve increasingly found the hardware side of Computer Engineering to be my primary field of interest, which lead to my declaration of an electrical minor. By the end of Fall 24′, I will be more than halfway to completing this concentration.

Toolkit: Synopsys HSPICE, Analog LTspice, Synopsys CosmosScope, Cadence Virtuoso, VLSI, Semiconductors