Embedded Software · High-Tech · OPC UA | Principal Engineer · Team Lead · Mentor · Troubleshooter

Industrial Communication | Proof of Concept: Controller-to-Controller Communication with OPC UA FX

Proof of Concept for OPC UA FX-based controller-to-controller communication between virtual programmable logic controllers (vPLCs) on an industrial edge platform. A virtual test environment on Linux Debian was set up in two phases (including VM, vPLC), shared-memory communication (real-time information bus) activated and the RIB solution integrated into adapted product firmware (including shared memory and PROFINET support) and deployed in containerized environments (Docker). Additionally, a virtual Ethernet connection was developed to simulate the network topology. Finally, commissioning, function tests, creation of sample applications, comprehensive documentation and customer support were provided.

Industrial Communication | Linux-based PROFINET I/O Interface Module with PROFINET-TSN

Porting and commissioning of an RT-Linux-based PROFINET I/O interface module (interface head unit) with PROFINET-TSN. Created Yocto environments with 32-bit support and cross-compiler toolchains on Windows and Linux. Built bootable RT-Linux images and set up a GDB-based debug environment. Ported and commissioned the PROFINET software stack (EPS) on target hardware (TI AM64x) with U-Boot adjustments and TFTP boot for prototype commissioning. Optimized kernel parameters for real-time operation. Automated the build process using Yocto, KAS and CI/CD, and continuously maintained the build environment, scripts and documentation.

Embedded PKI | Dynamic OPC UA GDS Certificate Management via Web API

Concept, prototype and final implementation of dynamic certificate management for OPC UA GDS. Developed and integrated a Web API in the firmware’s own web server for asynchronous private key generation and management of trust lists and CSRs. Connected the solution to dynamic OPC UA GDS certificate management and integrated it into the PLC engineering environment. Additionally, updated the Web SDK, added diagnostic messages and alarms, and integrated into the engineering software. Completed code reviews, testing, test support and documentation.

Industrial Communication | OPC UA and Embedded PKI for Industrial Controllers: Evaluation, Concepts, Integration, Development and Certification

Developed, integrated and certified OPC UA server/client functions for programmable logic controllers. Implemented dynamic real-time memory management with minimal fragmentation, user and role management, PKI-based certificate management and asynchronous private key generation. Implemented binary parsers for OPC UA information models and alarms & conditions, evaluated and integrated the OPC UA HPC SDK (vs. ANSI C SDK), and prepared and executed the OPC UA compliance certification (including CTT test automation).

Designed and implemented GDS integration with embedded PKI (including downgradable locks) in close coordination with the SDK vendor. Also evaluated OPC UA PubSub, performed continuous optimizations, bug fixes and quality assurance.

Digital Twin | Simulation of a Programmable Logic Controller

Long-term project to develop simulated PLC firmware on Windows for creating simulation-based digital twins. Implemented a POSIX-to-Windows wrapper (P2W), emulated a bare-metal RTOS and built deterministic multi-core scheduling. Focused on integrating motion control, snapshot and tracing functions, continuous optimization of simulated real-time behavior, code quality, memory and runtime performance and product protection. In later phases replaced the P2W wrapper with an RTOS emulation, ported PLC firmware including communication and integrated new components such as a virtual network switch with Npcap, scalable time control, feature configuration and front panel simulation.

Additionally: Docker feasibility study, Windows driver certification (WHQL/HLK), OpenSSL integration, VS plugin development, co-simulation improvements and automated tests in a CI environment.

Freelance software developer for embedded systems focusing on development, optimization and quality assurance of hardware-near software for industrial applications in embedded systems, industrial control, industrial communication and automotive technology. Locations: Fürth, Nuremberg, Erlangen, Bamberg, Karlsruhe.

Commercial software developer for home computer games

• 1985: Published “Roboservant” in the magazine “64'er” (Markt & Technik) for the Commodore 64 (co-author: T. Schmidt).
• 1986: Published “Robo's Revenge” in the magazine “Happy-Computer” (Markt & Technik), awarded “Listing of the Month” (co-author: T. Schmidt).
• 1986: Sold and commercially released “Suicide Voyage” by Rainbow Arts (Eurogold Ltd.) for the Commodore 64 (co-author: T. Schmidt).
• 1991: Published the games “The Hammer” and “Panic Ball” for Amiga (GoodSoft Verlag, Wolf Software & Design). Later re-released these games and “LadyJ” in the retro game collection “Retro Classix” (magnussoft Germany GmbH).

I was young, happy about the income – and this was my entry into hardware-near software development.