Vaisakh Anand

Location: Philadephia, PA
Phone: +1 (929) 300 9992
Email : vaisakh032@gmail.com

SUMMARY

WORK HISTORY

Tata Elxsi

Philadelphia, US

Sr.Software Development Engineer (Full-time) (June 2019 - current)

• Development of OTT apps for RDK​ :
  • Designed and developed display modules for graphics rendering using ESSOS/EGL calls.
  • Created DRM modules for PlayReady/Widevine-based content decryption, including handling AES-128 CTR and CBC encryption modes for secure media playback.
  • Developed EME/MSE-based GStreamer players to handle audio-video media pipelines and playback needs.
  • Implemented sockets and JSON-RPCs for robust communication between core modules, supporting efficient data exchange and integration across the platform.
  • Developed lockless programming solutions for specific modules using atomic operations to ensure thread safety and eliminate performance bottlenecks.
  • Utilized semaphores and mutexes to synchronize threads in multi-threaded modules, including app lifecycle management and media pipelines, enhancing concurrency and system stability.
  • Authored and customized Yocto recipes for major OTT platforms (Amazon Prime, HBO Max, Peacock), ensuring seamless integration and configuration across diverse RDK environments.
  • Maintained critical RDK meta-layers within the Yocto Project, overseeing updates and optimizations to enhance build stability.
• Development of Testsuite for Platform’s quality of playback:
  • Design and develop a test suite to assess playback quality on various SoC platforms, identifying issues such as frame drops, freezes, audio-video sync delays, and macro blocking.
  • Improve playback quality and reduce platform-related issues in vendor releases through comprehensive testing.
  • Build a Python-based stream generator using ffmpeg, OpenCV, and librosa for customized video and audio stream creation with precise frame control.
  • Develop a stream analytics engine leveraging OpenCV and librosa to analyze pixel and audio frame data, efficiently detecting playback anomalies.
• Development of video streaming applications: Developed Gstreamer-based pipelines for applications that support EME/MSE standard players for playback of encrypted and non-encrypted content. Experienced in handling DRM requirements of multiple premium applications with the support of libraries such as open-cdm
• RDK services and WPE-Framework : Developed several system plugins using Thunder that allowed other plugins in the platform to operate effectively.
• Alexa integration : Collaborated with the team to develop server-level code using Django framework for seamless Alexa integration into client set-top boxes for IoT applications.

International Center for Free and Open-Source Software (ICFOSS)

Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India

Research Assistant (Full-time) ​ (Oct 2018- June 2019)

• Drone Development and Integration:
  • Designed and developed quadcopters and hexacopters using ArduPilot, integrating Pixhawk Cube flight controllers with Here+ RTK GPS receivers via UAVCAN for precise navigation.
  • Programmed FrSky Taranis X9D Plus controllers, writing Lua scripts for customized return to launch and telemetry data displays, and integrated FrSky X8R receivers with flight controllers through SBUS.
  • Configured and tuned BLDC motors and ESCs using PWM protocols, optimizing thrust ratios and supporting both BEC and non-BEC configurations.
  • Integrated long-range telemetry systems (RFD 900+) over UART for robust data transmission and 3-axis gimbals via SBUS and PPM protocols for stable imaging.
  • Developed a custom NodeMCU-based trigger for Wi-Fi cameras, automating aerial photo capture for efficient data collection.
  • Project links:
    • Hexacopter docs : gitlab.com/icfoss/drone/hexacopter_docs
    • Trigger circuits : gitlab.com/icfoss/drone/nodemcu_gopro_trigger
• 3D Aerial Mapping:
  • Conducted aerial surveys using hexacopters and fixed-wing UAVs equipped with point-and-shoot cameras, capturing high-resolution images with over 75\% overlap for photogrammetry.
  • Planned fully autonomous flight paths with precise photo trigger locations, leveraging RTK GPS for accurate geotagging of flight altitude, camera angles, and GPS coordinates.
  • Developed Python scripts to extract flight logs, identify photo trigger locations, and embed metadata into captured images for precise geospatial mapping.
  • Modified autonomous flight algorithms to reduce rolling shutter effects by dynamically adjusting UAV ground speed during photo capture.
  • Developed Python scripts to correct lens distortion and improve image quality during metadata injection.
  • Processed collected images using OpenDroneMap to generate high-fidelity 3D photogrammetric models.
• FLipmouse - An Open Hardware based Assistive Tech device:
  • Designed and implemented circuitry and firmware for the FLipmouse, a hands-free mouse and keyboard alternative. Compatible with a mouthpiece, it enhances accessibility for users with disabilities. Achieved a notable 93\% cost reduction in the FLIP Mouse redesign while maintaining full functionality, leading to widespread adoption in the Indian market.
  • Prototyped and developed a 2-layer PCB using KiCad, with Atmel Mega 32U4 as the core MCU. Designed the device to be detected as a Human Interface Device (HID) when connected to a PC, leveraging USB HID protocols for seamless interaction with standard operating systems.
  • Integrated the MPXV5010 pressure sensor using ADC for detecting sip-and-puff inputs, enabling precise control for users with disabilities.
  • Configured four force-sensitive resistors over resistor network to capture deflections of a lip-stick interface, translating movements into X-Y coordinates for HID mouse functionality.
  • Designed an I2C-based expansion port to enable seamless integration with external assistive devices, including wheelchairs, broadening the device’s applications.
  • Developed a library for third-party manufacturers to integrate the FlipMouse with other devices, fostering accessibility and modularity.
  • Created a user-friendly UI calibration tool for configuring sip-and-puff pressure thresholds and cursor control force. Implemented serial communication with an open-source message parser for real-time adjustments and enhanced usability.
  • FLipmouse documented here - gitlab.com/icfoss/Assistive_Tech\/flipmouse
• T-slide Mouse:
  • Engineered circuitry and firmware for the T-slide Mouse, Kerala’s pioneering customizable
  • ergonomic mouse. Employed a human-centric approach and modular design, enabling development by the open-source community at just 5\% of market device costs.
  • T-slide documented here - gitlab.com/icfoss/Assistive_Tech\/t_slide_mouse

Research Fellow​ (Oct 2017- Oct 2018)

• Open-source hardware and Software: During the research fellowship, gained extensive experience in open-source software and hardware development, including projects such as OpenCV-based image processing, open-source UAV design and log diagnostics, 3D photogrammetry utilizing open-source toolkits, and open hardware-based assistive technology device design and implementation, as well as basic website development using open-source frameworks.

Kerala Startup Mission

Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India

Junior Research Fellow​ (March-September 2017)

• 2D LIDAR mapping using quadcopter:
  • Designed and tuned a quadcopter optimized for indoor flight using the ArduPilot stack.
  • Integrated an onboard Raspberry Pi 3 to process data from the RPLIDAR A2M7 (16K sampling) running ROS and RVIZ for real-time visualization.
  • Implemented SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) using the Hector SLAM algorithm on the Raspberry Pi, leveraging ROS modules for efficient mapping.
  • Relayed mapping data from the onboard Raspberry Pi to a base station via Wi-Fi, enabling real-time projection of the drone’s mapping output.

EDUCATION

Lourdes Matha College Of Science and Technology

Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India

B.Tech: Electronics and Communication Engineering​ ​ (2013-17)

• Academic and laboratory knowledge in core subjects of electronics and communication
  • Electives on Image and Speech Processing, VLSI Designs, Digital Coding and Encryption
  • Seminar on Anonymity protocols; why and what is TOR ( ​ THE ONION ROUTING)
  • Main Project on UAV Photogrammetry And LIDAR Mapping
• 7.16​ GPA

Dr. GR Public School

Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India

High School: Computer Science stream ​ (2013)

• Computer science stream with mathematics, taking Physical education as an additional subject.

TECHNICAL SKILLS

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