Sundeep Chandhoke, among Control Engineering Leaders Under 40 for 2010

Want to meet the next generation of manufacturing automation and controls leaders? In November 2010, Control Engineering highlights 19 young professionals from around the globe who are making their marks in everything from system design to academia. These leaders aim to inspire others to get involved in engineering and resolve local and global challenges through smarter applications of automation and control technologies. Meet Sundeep Chandhoke...

November 15, 2010

Sundeep Chandhoke, 39

Principal Architect, 6 years

National Instruments 

Austin, TX USA

www.ni.com

Job function: System or Product Design, Control or Instrument Engineering        

Academics: MS Electrical Engineering, University of Central Florida, Orlando. Specialization: Control Systems. Bachelor of Engineering, University of Pune, India, Electrical Engineering

Achievements: In 2004-2008, I designed, prototyped, and defined the architecture for integration of a control-based model of computation into National Instruments’ flagship product, LabVIEW. Since National Instruments primarily deals with measurement and test, this was something unique and needed to coexist with already-supported means of data communication. Additionally, this involved supporting FPGA-based embedded products, thereby allowing for full customization on the IO front end from the customer. I’ve been granted several patents for this concept (7565654, 7689727).

In 2001-2004, I created the industry first concept of a software-based motion controller, NI- SoftMotion, which allows customization of control algorithms without requiring any change in higher level APIs. This allows for simulation with models (SolidWorks) as well as user-defined drives and IO. NI-SoftMotion is completely integrated into LabVIEW-RT and LabVIEW-FPGA, allowing users the highest performance and flexibility when it comes to customization. The product received Control Engineering’s Engineers Choice Award in 2004. Patents granted on this technology are 6865441, 7103424, and 7076322.

In 1999-2001, I created a unique prototyping tool for motion control called Motion Assistant, which filled the gap between a configuration and programming tool. Patents granted for this technology are 7702417, 7702416, and 7076332.        

Non-work hobbies: Research on classical and quantum physics. Understanding M-theory and its string variants and trying to figure out what the universe is made up of. I have always been fascinated by astronomy and physics and want to learn more on how and why things are.        

Engineering hobbies: Worked with my seven-year-old son on Lego WeDo and tried to explain programming concepts to him. Since WeDo is built using LabVIEW, it is fascinates me how graphical programming can scale from simple to the most complex applications.

More? I’m highly motivated and interested in learning new things. This keeps me current with technologies. My main strength is mapping new concepts to current architectures and enhancing them; the concept of “start from where you are, and then work to add the vision.” Start in controls: My very first control engineering class got me intrigued, and control concepts just seem to come naturally to me. I love application of theory to real-world systems. This was the main area of my work for my Master’s research.

Return to main article: Control Engineering Leaders Under 40, class of 2010

– Compiled by Renee R. Bassett for Control Engineering.

See www.controleng.com/awards for other winners and other recognition programs for all ages.