Keith Curtis

Prior to, and during college, I worked as a technician/programmer for Summit Engineering developing numerically control machine applications. I also spent 4 months working on a power management system for piston aircraft. After graduating with a BSEE from Montana State University in 1986, I was employed by Tele-Tech Corporation as a design and project engineer until 1992. I also began consulting, part time, as a design engineer in 1990. Leaving Montana in 1992, I was employed by Bally Gaming in Las Vegas as an engineer, and later as the EE manager. Between 1992 and 2000, I worked for various Nevada gaming companies in both design and management. In 2000, I moved to Arizona and began work as a Principal Application Engineer for Microchip. My work at Microchip currently involves writing for publications, developing training material and creating reference designs related to designing with microcontrollers. My work also includes mentoring younger engineers and developing minimalist design solutions for customers.

During my career, my work has included a variety of microcontroller control applications including Engine Avionics, CNC controls, RF components/systems, packaging controls, video/slot gaming machines, pool/spa controls, IR and RF remote controls, RF transmitter and receiver systems, sensor applications using load cells, AC and DC motor controls, intelligent power supply design, and high power LED lighting. I have presented papers on software development, intelligent power supply design, and co-presented with Bonnie Baker on Power, Ground, and Noise. I have also written articles on subjects ranging from transformer-less power supply design to hi-power lighting drives, in publications in Asia, the US, and Europe.

I am married, have 4 cats, but have no children. I was an Eagle Scout, and for many years was a scouting volunteer as an assistant scout master. My shop includes a variety of wood working tools, a metal working lathe and mill, RF test gear, and embedded microcontroller design tools. I enjoy teaching, mixed signal design, embedded control design, 8-bit microcontroller programming, building small robots, building / flying small electric model aircraft, and creating strange and unique off-the-wall mechatronic projects.