Archive for Project Management & Project Development

Notes on RF Analyzers

RF Analyzers:

For R&D engineers the system is used to verify simulation models and their actual hardware prototypes. With regard to manufacturing the same type of analysis is used to determine product specifications.

The systems are use to ensure that individual components or circuits are not causing excessive distortion in communications systems.

With antenna, one of the most important queries will be the measurement of reflectivity of the component/antenna. This will determine the converse absorption rate of energy.
The expectation is that the 8753C is capable of analyzing the efficiency of a component against varying frequencies by magnitude and phase.

This data is likely used to determine impedance for the purpose of preventing energy loss. (Learning note – Smith chart, circuit diagramming)

Basic system:

The 8753C is a RF Network Analyzer. Its function varies depending on what other equipment it is coupled with. It can be use to compare the reflected and transmitted signal against the originating or incident signal when coupled with the HP85044A/B. There are two other variations mentioned in the manual S-parameter test set. I assume this is a scatter chart of some kind, but I don’t pretend to understand the development process. There is a “power splitter” kit – See Power Splitters.
Peripheral tools may also include a compatible printer, plotter (see Other Accessories), or disc-drive (Options Available).
Programming for automated routines is apparently possible with the use of a specialized computer identified as an HP 9000 series 200 or 300. Remote access is possible through the HP Interface Bus.
The equipment requires an HP calibration kit and cables. (See test sets for more on uses and configuration).

Test sets & Other Accessories:

Power Splitters – HP11850C/D Three Way Power Splitter. First is the baseline and two and three are test channels for ratio analysis. Alternately, the HP11667A is a two-way power splitter with one output for reference and the second for testing.

Options Available:

  • Option 802 – The disc drive is a 3.5-inch micro-floppy with 1.4 megs of storage ;-)
  • Option 006 – 6GHz receiver increases the range of 300MHz to 3GHz to a range of 300MHz to 6 GHz
  • Option 010 – Time Domain can be displayed instead of phase through internal computing. (Learning Note: Inverse Fourier of the frequency domain response).

Project Management & Product Development

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How it started

In the early part of the new millennium Simon Warner had been a national top producer, multi-million dollar and presidents club member, even a Realtor honor society, as a real estate professional, and Realtor member, for almost a decade. With this experience, it was little wonder that the company he had now chosen to affiliate with, eRealty, had sort out his insights into the grass roots of real estate transaction. His then Market Director, Ben Clark, and accomplished businessman and eventually COO of eRealty regularly met with Simon to get his insights on new ideas for company development. The relationship worked well and, while both Simon Warner and Ben Clark have moved on to new projects and companies, they still enjoy a strong creative relationship today.

PREA

CondoDomain.com

Zillow.com

Vast.com

USAA

The second and third time around

Following the purchase of eRealty by PREA (Prudential Real Estate Affiliates), Simon Warner launched his own brokerage, as did others in the company. Under Simon’s management and development, With less funds, experience, and capital than the other launches, the company now known as Market Advantage Real Estate, LLC – a Virginia based company, has managed to develop and grow where most real estate brokerages started between 2004 and 2011 have disappeared.

During these initial years of growth, other companies have ask Simon Warner to help them in different capacities. Simon has made contributions to companies such as CondoDomain.com, Zillow.com, and Vast.com doing everything from developing market a single market as City VP of Baltimore for CondoDomain.com to developing a national real estate brokerage data and service network for Vast.com. Simon’s contributions at Vast.com were instrumental in bringing about the real estate portal at consumer brand giant Overstock.com. The successes and lessons learned at Overstock.com, later became valuable for the development of similar portals, one of which is USAA’s Home Circle portal, which offers “preferred brokers” to its members. As of 2011 this system is powered by Vast.com’s white label property search.

Product Development vs Project Management

While the majority of Simon Warner’s work involves the management of people and processes, functions that neatly fit into the PM job description, many of the projects he has undertaken are for the development and marketing of specific products within an offering. For instance, Vast, Inc is not a real estate specific company, but rather it is a vertical search company, offering a white label vertical search for three major verticals – real estate, auto, and travel. The projects undertaken at Market Advantage Real Estate were primarily chartered, executed, and delivered to ensure that the consumer service and professional recruiting products were viable and continued to grow. At CondoDomain.com much of the focus offered by Simon Warner was targeted the hand-off of consumers to agents in a seamless process to enhance the internet based service product offering. In almost every case, his roles from content expert, compliance advisor, product developer, to project manager, his focus has been to develop, deliver, and market in a collaborative team environment.


Contact Me About Your Project

The next chapter

Going forward, Simon Warner has the stated goal of managing projects that generate winning products for innovative companies focused on strengthening the American economy and encouraging pursuit of the American dream.

PMI Certification

simon1a

Apparently, just developing products, managing projects, and building companies, is no longer a sign of ability, so I’m off to school, late at night, and in the wee hours of the morning, to get a certification from PMI (Product Management Institute).

I recently started studying their handbook, the PMBOK guide. Its a little too text book for real life but a helpful tool in learning or refreshing one on vocabulary of the profession. Much more formal than anything I have experienced in the start-up space, but an enjoyable pursuit none the less.

Let you know if I pass the test – I plan to sit it before May 2012, schedule permitting.

4th Quarter 2011

edushot

Its been a fun time this year. We are finishing up three projects at present. Look for a pre-launch peek in the next few weeks.