Last updated on: Aug 2011 – Latest version here: www.saccani.net
Brief history:
Project manager for “connected TV” software for consumer electronics devices (IPTV, set-top-box, internet TV, videoconferencing) since June 2006
Freelance computer consultant since February 1999 (avionics, telecommunications, networking, geo-localization, process control and industrial automation, embedded systems, systems integration)
Pharmaceutical research computer consultant from 1997 to 1999 (US, England, Denmark, Italy)
Designer/Developer of process control and industrial automation systems from 1994 to 1997
Member of the board of the Italian free flight federation (FIVL) from 2007 in charge of safety, member of the CEN european technical committee “TC 136 WG 6 Paragliding Equipement”, member of the UNI italian commission “U61 Impianti sportivi e ricreativi”, member of European Safety and Training Committee of the European Hang-gliding and Paragliding Union. Promotes safety through information, accident investigations, analysis on materials, training, research. Delivers a yearly report to ANSV (Agenzia Nazionale per la Sicurezza del Volo - National Agency for Flight Safety), such report is incorporated in the yearly report to the Italian Parliament.
Experiences and main
projects:
Connected TV / consumer electronics / IPTV / set-top-box devices / Internet TV / Videoconferencing:
TVBLOB s.r.l.,
BLOBbox software platform,
Milan: June 2006-Today
BLOBBox
is a software platform for connected TV intended for the consumer
market, designed to be ported to different platforms (Vweb, Sigma
Designs, Broadcom, x86, ..) and a set of could services.
The set
of functionalities is unique: support for multiple tuners, PVR, media
player (supports DVB, UPnP, smooth streaming, apple streaming, rtmp,
rtsp, http progressive, unicast, multicast, DRM), download/upload
manager (torrent, http, ftp), podcast aggregator, EPG via internet,
internet browser (Webkit/HTML5 with javascript extensions to control
the PVR, download manager and other TV functionalities, compatible
with GoogleTV applications), support for smart card,
videocommunication.
The cloud services allow authenticating the
device and the user, provide single-sign-on, allow the user to
remotely manage the device via web or smartphone (manage podcasts,
PVR, downloads and other services), allow communication between
devices, distribute EPG data, provide payment management for third
parties that offer services (this is an open platform), anonymous
metering fo user activities, audience analysis, connection with
social networks.
I have been in charge of the project management,
coordinated about 30 engineers in various teams (operating system,
hardware abstraction, system agents, java middleware, user interface,
webkit/qt/qml/directfb, cloud services, web services, quality
assurance, production administration). I started by creating a
Quality Assurance team and infrastructure (it did not exist at that
time). I planned public releases (one every three months), defined
feature-sets, defined requisites for each component, managed the
various phases of development, component testing, integration
testing, beta testing and release. I activated a beta testing program
and implemented an infrastructure for remote debugging, integrated
and developed tools to manage planning in such a complex environment
with dynamic targets, many dependencies between components, where
each team has different needs. I related with chipset manufacturers
and OEMs, managed the certification rocesses (HDCP, HDMI, DOLBY, DDP,
CE) moving to China design and manufacturing facilities to quickly
address on-site the most complex issues.
The platform is based on
a Linux distribution developed and maintained in-house, the firmware
automatically updates via internet and can be manually updated via
usb. Hardware abstraction is performed by a multimedia engine written
in C and controlled via socket through an XML API. System agents
written in C and C++ provide services like file transfer with
torrent, http and ftp protocols and interfaces with smart cards. A
java middleware uses logic low level components provided by the
engine (tuner, decoder, encoder, etc) and provides high level logic
objects like a player or a download manager and also provides logic
cloud objecs through the ICE framework. The middleware enables to
build applications that define the product, these applications can be
developed in java or in QT/QML. The browser allows free internet
browsing and exposes additional TV specific objects like DVB, PVR,
EPG, podcast. The web infrastructure includes a set of web
applications for the device (youtube, picasa, shoutcast, flickr,
miro, livestation, faucet, reeplay.tv, drivecast, coming soon,
gamesurf, play.me, webtic and much more), a website for the product,
a website for the remote management of own device, a forum for the
users, a website for third party developers and also various web
interfaces to administer the services.
This
has been the most challenging and formative experience in my career.
Projecting
the inner complexity of a product into an easy and clear user
interface for the TV user and bringing interactivity and Internet
content to the TV UI and to the specific use patterns are interesting
challenges.
The product gained extremely positive feedback both
from users and specialized magazines, among which the nomination to
gold
product by the magazine “PC professionale”.
Leat
s.r.l.(Vitrociset
Group), Experimental Avionic Systems, Rome: July
2000-June 2006
Development of the GBAS
(Ground Based Augmentation System) on board
device. Receives differential correction data by VHF link, protocol
conversion from ICAO to SCAT, management of Novatel RT20 unit,
calculation of deviations from designed trajectory, management of
cockpit indicator, recording of geo-referencing information by
ZXtreme unit. Wrote a Linux device driver for PC104 digital to analog
conversion board. Final customer ENAV.
Flight tests performed in Milano Linate on board of ENAV Radiomisure
jet aircrafts.
Participates to the Working Area 5 of the MFF
(Mediterranean
Free Flight) project. The project aims to
realize a distributed air traffic management environment, allowing a
better distribution of air traffic by developing technical and
procedural solutions. Participates to the design of the functional
and operational specifications and to the design of an experimental
on board instrument CDTI
(Common Display of Traffic Information) for
the aircraft separation management tasks (situation awareness,
conflict detection and resolution, predictive ASAS, ASAS spacing,
ASAS separation). Final customer ENAV.
Flight
tests performed with ENAV aircrafts based in Roma Ciampino and a
flight simulator.
EMFIS
(Electromagnetic Monitoring in Flight Interferences
System) project, developed a software (Leat
Flight Analyzer) to graphically display
mission data showing the flight track over land cartography, replay
of the flight at selectable speed displaying flight data (position,
speed, height, heading), gps signal quality information, spectrum
analysis chart. Developed using Visual Basic
and Visual C.
Final customer ENAV.
Flight tests performed with ENAV Radiomisure aircrafts.
Participates
to the STENAV
SIS-FTF project (Satellite
TEstbed for NAVigation and communication services, Signals In
Space-Fligh Test Facility). Design and
software development of an on board device to acquire positioning
information from Galileo UTP, on board GPS,
geo-referencing differential GPS,
gyros, spectrum
analyzer. Design and development of a data
post processing software to analyze in-flight data and to calculate
quality parameters of the Galileo system.
Developed a test-bed
for GPWS (Ground
Proximity Warning System).
Development of in-flight
data collection instrument to collect GPS,
EGNOS and flight parameters for later analysis. Uses DOS
on PC104 hardware,
developed in C.
Telecommunications /
Networks:
Radio
Marine, formerly Radiomarelli Multimedia S.p.A, Maritime
Telecommunication Systems, Roma: May 2003-June 2006
Main
projects:
In charge of the software
department until September 2005, currently he collaborates as an
external consultant.
Mediabox
project (device for infield satellite communications),
implementation of real time DIVX video streaming from four different
video sources, H323 videoconferencing, web browsing, computing, file
transfer, encryption of the communication channel and mass storage
devices. Uses Inmarsat Regional Bgan for video/data channel and
Thuraya satellite/gsm for voice channel. Functional, load and quality
tests of H323 and SIP protocols on shared bandwidth satellite
links.
MultimediaYacht project,
design of a set-top-box for video and audio streaming applications,
DIVX videoconferencing, web browsing, DVD, DVB, PVR, Video On Demand
via HotBird for maritime use.
PlayTime
project, design of a set-top-box for video and audio
streaming (DIVX), web browsing, DVD, analogue TV and radio, PVR per
maritime use.
Communicator
project, advanced router for maritime use, supports
UMTS, GPRS, R-BGAN, BGAN, FLEET, VSAT, IponDVB.
Technical
solutions: preparation of minimal and
customized linux distributions starting from scratch; various
modifications to the linux kernel like usb booting, encryption and
hiding of partition table; hardware tampering protection by software
recognition of specific hardware components (brand, model, serial);
modifications to DIVX codecs in order to minimize delay on variable
bandwidth shared channels; encrypted VPN based on UDP protocol in
order to optimize streaming, automatic remote sw update system;
coupled two R-BGAN satellite modems in a single logical
connection.
Main Customers:
Ferretti
Group (Ferretti
Yachts, Ferretti
Yachts, Itama,
Bertram, Riva,
ApreaMare,
Mochi
Craft, Custom
Line, CRN)
Star
Systems Italia srl, Ground-Radio-Satellite digital communication
systems, Roma: January 2001-January 2005
In
charge of the software development department.
Main projects:
T-Box project,
design of a set-top-box for video and audio streaming applications,
H323 videoconferencing, web browsing. Design and set-up of the
Service Center to manage the set-top-box devices.
ENEL
Power line project, design of a
set-top-box for video and audio streaming applications, H323
videoconferencing, web browsing using the power line communication
infrastructure, used in the power line experimental network in
Grosseto(IT).
CryptoSat
project. Design of a portable communication system for
hostile environment. Linux
operating system, satellite communications (Thuraya,
Inmarsat R-Bgan,
Iridium), H323
videoconferencing, email, web browsing, video streaming, encrypted
data connections.
Comtech, Telecommunication systems,
Monaco Principality: May 2000-January 2001
Software design of
a voip phone device (voice over ip) based on H323 protocol
with email, news, meteorological information and advertising banners.
Uses a Linux custom distribution, developed using C, C++.
Displayed at the SMAU 2000 fair as Touchtel. Comparison
between H323 and SIP has been performed in order to choose which
protocol was best suited for this project.
A2i
s.a.s., Networking & Internet, Rome: February 1999-Semptember
2000
Systems design, configuration of
Linux servers, development of network software with web
interface.
Main projects:
Developement of a gateway
to route messages between the Orbcomm satellite network
and an x25 packet network, with protocol conversion, routed messages
archive and maintenance web interface. Uses Apache
web server and MySQL
database server on Linux,
developed in C,
JavaScript and
Php3.
Design of a
company intranet for
internal communication and quality control documentation management.
Runs on Apache web
server on Linux,
developed using Java,
JavaScript and Php3
.
Process
control / Industrial Automation:
STAER
s.r.l., Remote control & industrial automation, Rome: May
1999-July 2001
Development
of firmware for a gas pressure
reduction installations monitoring system in
C.I.PRO. environment
for PC104 architecture.
Development
of RTU MPTS firmware
(Multi Purpose Telecontrol System) in C.I.PRO.
environment for PC104
architecture.
IOTA s.r.l., Process Control &
Industrial Automation, Rome: February 1994 - February 1997
Employed
as a programmer.
Real-time process control software developement using C
and C++.
Participates in the development
of the C.I.PRO. real time process control
development environment for C
programmers.
Main projects:
TELECOM
ITALIA: Development of
custom software in C for
the management of telephone exchanges.
ENEA:
Functional design of
three user interface devices for an intelligent house prototype,
designe and development of
a demonstrative software.
SNAM:
Design and development of
a software to experiment via satellite control of the national gas
distribution system.
Design and development
of a software with graphical animated user interface
managing a system of up to 320 protocol translation modems.
FS:
Design of a remote
supervision system to monitor the activity of the ACEI
devices (which control the rail traffic in the Italian
railway stations). Development of
a software/hardware demonstrative
system.
Pharmaceutical industry
computer consulting:
Pharmaceutical Data Services, CRO
(Contract Research Organization), Rome:
January 1998 - February 1999
(Italian branch of the American
company Ingenium)
Employed as Project
Manager and Programmer
Analyst, offers on-site consulting for
pharmaceutical industry research departments.
Main
administrator of the Windows NT and Lotus
Notes network.
Writes functional
and technical specifications for clinical
study management applications.
Set-up of the connection between
the company network and the Internet
installing and configuring a Linux
firewall with WEB and
FTP server functionality.
Participated to
the design of internal SOP.
Main projects:
Pfizer
Italiana, Rome, October 1997-February 1999: Serves
as project manager for
a phase IV study clinical data management project.
SmithKline
Beecham Pharmaceuticals, London, December 1998: On-site
consulting for the planning effort of a clinical databases migration
process from Clintrial 3 to Clintrial 4.
Allergan
Inc., Irvine, California, US, September-November 1998: On-site
consulting for the Oracle Clinical 2.1
installation and validation effort. Review
and update of internal SOPs.
InSite
Clinical Trials, North Carolina, US, March/April 1998: Development
of a Windows NT service to manage the optical
documents information flow for a Clinical Data Management System
project. The CDMS is a fax based
system using OCR to
recognize faxed CRFs. API programmingi
for the integration among Optika
FPMulti Imaging Systems, Cardiff Teleforms, RightFax fax server,
Oracle server, IBM ClinWare Trial Reporter.
Work performed in the offices of InSite Clinical Trials in Cary,
North Carolina, US and at the Ingenium headquarters in Gulfport,
Mississippi, US
IBM
UK, London: March 1998-May 1998 - Development
of the IBM Clinware 2 installation and
validation kit . Work performed in the Rome
office of Pharmaceutical Data Services and at the Ingenium
headquarters in Gulport, Mississippi, US.
Ingenium, CRO (Contract Research
Organization), Gulfport, Mississippi, US:
March 1997 - December 1997
Employed as Programmer
Analyst. Mainly offers on-site consulting for
pharmaceutical industry research departments.
Main projects:
IBM
UK, London, October 1997-December 1997: Participates
in the IBM Clinware 2 beta testing
effort.
Novo
Nordisk, Copenhagen, April 1997- September 1997: Offers
on-site migration and quality assurance
support (6 months) on over 100 clinical databases. Wrote
a variety of SQL, SAS e Visual Basic
programs to automate the process.
Lundbeck,
Copenhagen, March 1997: Worked on data
integration of clinical study data into a SAS
database. Work performed at the Ingenium headquarters in Gulfport,
MS, US
a2i
s.a.s., GIS & CAD, Rome:
1997
Development of
a CAD files encoder to
allow the distribution of encrypted drawings, which can only be
viewed using the related viewer.
FS
- Experimental Institute: Participated in
the development of a
multimedia application based
on geographical databases (ArcView)
to evaluate the environmental impact of the construction of a new
railway inside Rome.
Development
of a scanner based document acquiring and archiving
software.
CITEC s.r.l., Automation &
Communications, Rome: 1995-1996
Design of PIC micro
controllers based hardware and firmware development
.
Installation, configuration and maintenance of hotel
automation systems. Installation and configuration of
satellite connections to the Internet for teleconference and
tele-medicine applications (within the Hermes project of Telespazio
s.p.a.).
Technical
Operating Systems:
GNU/Linux,
Various flavors of Unix, Android, Windows(all versions), PSOS,
VxWorks, MS-DOS
Programming:
C, C++, HTML, Java,
Javascript, Php, Android, Perl, Visual Basic, VBA, Assembler
6502/80x86/PIC16Cxx, Lotus Notes, SQL, Avenue (ArcView), SAS macro
facility, Basic, Cobol, Pascal, Delphi, DBIII
API, DDE, OLE,
Client/Server, TSR, Device drivers, Linux Kernel Modules, NT/2000
services development
Application Software and
Tools:
Bugzilla, XPlanner, Eclipse, cvs, svn, git, pfsense,
rsync, MySQL, Apache, Squid, Sendmail, Qmail, OpenH323, ffmpeg,
ipchains/iptables, portsentry, nmap, cipe, ESRI MapObjects, IBM
ClinWare, ArcView, Seagate Crystal Reports, Optika FPMulti Imaging
Systems, Cardiff Teleforms, RightFax fax server, Base SAS,
SAS/Windows, Lotus Notes, Oracle, Sybase SQL Anywhere
Education, certifications, professional:
Diploma of computer technician obtained
in 1989 at State Technical and Industrial Institute "E. Fermi"
in Rome (rating 52/60)
Class "Implementing GCP in 1997,
Comparison between ICH, FDA and CPMP" - London, October
1997
Class "Oracle Clinical 3.1" – Irvine,
California, October 1998
Class "CAVS (Computer Aided
Validation System)" – Irvine, California, October
1998
Certified Linux Administrator by Brainbench, February
2000
Operator of radio station license obtained getting
through radio-electronics state exam, Rome, July 1992
Member of
ACDM (Association for Clinical Data Management) from 1998 to
1999
Professional knowledge of english language both
written and spoken.