Summary
MICHAEL D. FORTNEY
Over 20 years experience in the electronics industry with three years of hands-on VLSI design experience, complimented by two years of Graduate College work with focus on VLSI design. Most years spent in the DRAM area, with 16 years involved with most aspects of
DRAM tester development and one year as a DRAM design engineer. Top academic performer with desire to apply skills and knowledge towards the development of future technology.
Work Experience
DRAM Designer
2001
Mixed Signal Logic
Designer
1998 - 1999
DRAM Tester
Development
1982 - 1998
International Business Machines , Essex Junction, Vermont 1982 to 1999, 2001
Participated as a team member involved in the development of an embedded DRAM IC design.
Coordinated and assisted in the design and simulation of the power system, working closely with an experienced analog designer.
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Aided in the schematic design and simulation of many circuits such as charge pumps, regulators, references and comparators.
Used parametric analyzer to verify various MOSFET device models.
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Performed system floor-planning and worked with layout designers concerning critical layout of sensitive and high-current circuits.
Used IBM EDA tools for schematic entry and circuit simulation.
Participated as a team member involved with the development of a mixed signal IC product design. The product was the primary chip used in the first commercial IBM MicroDrive disk drive.
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Performed logic design and simulation using Cadence tools and MTI Verilog simulator.
Verified individual circuit behaviors using lab test system.
Performed macro-level VLSI layout and wiring for special logic circuits.
Custom IBM in-house tester development for DRAM characterization. Spent 16 years involved with the design of discrete level analog and digital circuits, as well as system software development.
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Six years responsible for Real-Time-Display (RTD) development.
Implemented FPGA and CPLD technology into designs.
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Performed schematic entry, simulation and PCB layout.
Developed the user / hardware interface software for the developing Bench Tester.
Performed technician duties such as building and debugging circuit boards.

MICHAEL D. FORTNEY
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Work Experience
During College
Research Assistant:
Wireless Sensor
Design
Student Outreach:
2003 - Date
Research Assistant:
2002 - 2004 Projects
Design Project:
VLSI Mixed Signal
Teaching Fellowship
2000
NASA Student
Launch Program
1999 - 2000
Instrumentation
Design
Instrumentation
Design
Education
University of Vermont - College of Engineering and Mathematics 1999 to Date
CricketSat wireless sensor development. Work involves adaptations of the CricketSat sensor to provide additional sensing capabilities and improvements for accuracy and performance in extreme environments.
High school outreach program using the CricketSat sensor to perform atmospheric measurements. Students assemble, debug, calibrate, fly, collect and analyze data from CricketSat sensors. Provides for design and testing of new sensor designs.
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Voice coil actuator for spine research
Six channel force plate signal conditioning board
Drosophila hypergravity centrifuge
Team member designing a 3 rd order, Sigma-delta A/D converter using the Cadence tool set. Topdown approach using Verilog-A to reduce analog simulation design time. Analog sections to be layed-out by hand. Verilog used for digital section design and synthesis.
Instructed Junior EE laboratory sessions concerned with bipolar / FET devices and IC circuits.
Topics covered simple device characterization progressing through op amp applications.
Participated as a team member to develop a payload experiment that flew aboard a NASA sounding rocket launched June 2002. System performed successfully.
 Developed sensors signal conditioning, battery charging, and system monitoring and control circuitry.
Bee Cool Ventilator Systems, North Ferrisburg, Vermont
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Developed solar-powered smart battery charger.
Developing a bee hive ventilation system.
1999 to Date
OMNI Measurement Systems Inc.
, South Burlington, Vermont
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Designed various micro controller based circuits.
Developed corporate website.
University of Vermont - MSEE Graduate Student
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2000-Date Burlington, Vermont
Coursework complete:
Expected Graduation:
GPA 3.65 / 4.0
August 2005
Focus: Analog Circuits and Wireless Sensor Design
Thesis Topic: A Low-Cost Linear Response Wireless Temperature Sensor for Extreme
Environments
University of Vermont - BSEE
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Graduated 2000
Graduated Cum Laude GPA 3.64 / 4.0
Richland Community College - AAS in Electronics
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Graduated 1980
1982-2000
1977-1980
1998 to Date
Burlington, Vermont
Decatur, Illinois

MICHAEL D. FORTNEY
Technologies
Patents
Awards
Publications
Professional
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Operating systems: UNIX, AIX, Windows and DOS
Computer languages: Java, Visual Basic, C++, Basic, and Pascal
Applications: MS Office
EDA tools: Cadence tool set, IBM EDA tools, Matlab, SPICE, Verilog, Verilog-A, VHDL
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None
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Vermont Space Grant Consortium Award
UVM Atwater-Kent Senior Electrical Engineering Award
Vermont Space Grant Consortium Award
UVM Junior Electrical Engineering Award
IBM Invention Achievement Award for Real-Time-Display work
2004
2000
2000
1999
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Adaptation of a Low-cost Wireless Sensor for Freshman and Outreach Programs. M.D.
Fortney, J. Frolik. 2005 ASEE New England Section Conference
An Infrared System for Monitoring Drosophila Motility During Microgravity. M.S. Miller, M.D.
Fortney, T.S. Keller. Journal of Gravitational Physiology , 9 :83-91, 2002.
IEEE member