Digital Audio Research (DAR) produced high-quality sound editing equipment used by television and film companies.

Four years

Senior production test engineer.

My role initially involved testing and fault-finding on signal processing cards comprised of several DSP devices linked with glue-logic (a Xilinx FPGA). I also worked with several other analogue and digital interface cards that formed a sound editing system for TV and film. In addition I was responsible for production testing completed systems before they were shipped worldwide to customers.

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By examining the schematics and design files of the FPGA and PAL devices I developed methods to locate faults on the cards, which allowed me to recover much of the faulty stock. I also modified the design of some of the cards to reduce the occurrence of the most common faults. My troubleshooting skills soon got me involved in repairing faulty systems for clients, visiting client’s sites to undertake repair work and upgrades, as well as answering queries from the customer support team.

I trained several members of staff how to carry out most of the test procedures and built-up their understanding of new products. I also trained another member of staff and several temporary workers on how to assemble the new OMR8 product. I supported and mentored these people and helped to create a happy and successful production team that managed to get several hundred OMR8 units into the millennium dome just in time for its opening.

DAR developed and introduced several new products while I was there. I had some input on the design of these, and also had to devise and document efficient new test procedures for them. I used Borland C to develop tests and fault-locating applications for some of the sub-assemblies.