Christopher Daffron

http://web.eecs.utk.edu/~cdaffron
cdaffron@vols.utk.edu
Education:
University of Tennessee: Knoxville, TN
Bachelor of Science: Computer Engineering
Chancellors Honors
Summa Cum Laude
GPA: 3.90/4.00
University of Tennessee: Knoxville, TN
Master of Science: Computer Engineering
Concentration: Computer Architecture
Thesis Advisor: Dr. Mark Dean
GPA: 4.00/4.00

Graduated May 2014

Anticipated Graduation August 2015

Experience:
Graduate Research Assistant
Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Design and implement logic on FPGAs
Interface with FPGAs through PCI express
Write VHDL code for use with FPGAs
Aviation Software Engineering Intern
Garmin International
Olathe, KS
Test and certify software to FAA standards
Develop new software for low level memory management
Implement and test fixes for change requests
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Conduct independent research under direction of Dr. Wei Gao
Develop signal processing techniques for sound
Program applications for and edit the kernel of Android
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Bio-inspired Materials and Bio-inspired Robotics Lab
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Develop various algorithms using MATLAB
Develop C++ code for microcontrollers
Use microcontroller to control small robots
Assistant Manager
Chick-fil-A at Thoroughbred Square
3063 Mallory Lane, Franklin, TN 37067
Managed employees and customer service experience
Grand Opening Trainer: Train new employees at opening stores
Only working during school breaks from 8/10 on

8/14 to Present

5/14 to 8/14

1/14 to 5/14

3/13 to 5/13

5/07 to 1/14

Activities:
Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Member of Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society
Honors:
Graduate Research Assistantship
Engineer Intern Certification (Passed Oct 13 FE, Certification Number 31615)
University of Tennessee Deans List (Summa Cum Laude) (All Semesters Enrolled)
Projects:
Large scale implementation of a Neural Network array on FPGA hardware.
Created on multiple Xilinx FPGAs, including a XC7V2000T with 2,000,000 logic
cells.
Large, parallel array of generic elements, as large as 85x85.
Communicates with host machine using PCI Express.
Dynamically programmable for multiple networks
Custom VLSI implementation of a Neural Network array.
Currently in progress.
Improves speed, timing, and power of FPGA implementation.
Designed full VLSI implementation of a 4-bit up-counter including simulation and
layout.
Design was actually fabricated and tested.
Custom Android build with ambient sound signal processing.
Characterized MOSFETS (P and N type), NPN and PNP BJTs, and Zener Diodes to
determine DC models
Designed an amplifier conforming to given parameters using a BJT and other
components
Wrote software to implement IEEE 754 addition
Wrote software to simulate the behavior of a cache, including both fully and n-way set
associative behavior and LRU and random replacement policies
Designed binary to hex converter displaying digit on 7-segment display on FPGA board
Relevant Coursework:
Currently Enrolled:
Digital System Design, Real Time Digital Signal Processing
Completed:
Pattern Recognition, Digital Archaeology (Big Data), Computer Systems
Organization, Computer Systems Architecture, Device Physics, Systems
Programming (C), Data Structures and Algorithms (C++), Signals and Systems,
Digital Logic Design (VHDL), Advanced Math Courses
Engineering Skill Set:
Windows/Linux
C / C++
MATLAB
FPGA / ISE Design Suite / Vivado Design Suite
VHDL
SPICE Simulation