Instructor at University of California in San Diego Extension for a course in "embedded linux". Principal engineer at Quantum Magnetics (San Diego) and group leader for advanced systems.

This handy little unit attaches to your notebook or PDA computer. Placed against a wall, it detects nails and other structures inside. It can also measure the stress associated with public speaking or estimate the `electromagnetic compatibility' of two people. Requires linux running on a device with duplex stereo sound, a few electronic parts and a bit of soldering assembly. The underlying CANDETECT software combines the Open Sound System with some signal processing to measure inductive coupling parameters for non-destructive test, originally for the aluminium structure of aircraft, to characterize the proximity and characteristics of conductive materials. http://candetect.sf.net/ In addition to being a fun toy and occasionally useful tool, it demonstrates why Linux intrinsically accelerates the prototyping and development of new products. The talk will discuss the acquisition software, review the performance data it achieved under laboratory testing and demonstrate the unit.