Resume | LewisForrestBates

Lewis Bates

920 Laurel Ave. # X-9 Cookeville, TN 38501

lfbates42@tntech.edu

Cell Phone: 901-605-9136

GitHub: https://github.com/LFB1937

Personal Website: lewisforrestbates.com

Objective

To obtain an internship or CO-OP in a Computer Engineering capacity in the summer of 2026, preferably in the Computing Industry.

Education

Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville, TN May 2022 to May 2026

Bachelor of Science / Computer Engineering GPA: 2.8

Classes

Computer Science

CSC 4093: Special Topics—Embedded Systems Analysis
- Designed, implemented, and evaluated an embedded system, including a Cybersecurity attack surface analysis.  
- Obtained an understanding of professional, ethical, legal, security, and social issues and responsibilities.
- Acquired an ability to use current techniques, skills, and tools necessary for computing practice.  
- Achieved an understanding of how to function effectively in a team to accomplish a common goal.

CSC 2310: Object Oriented Programming and Design
- Through a series of Project design Iterations, I successfully built an Application that:
  - Retrieves and displays weather forecasts from the National Weather Service API based on a user-provided location. It converts the location into geographic coordinates and fetches forecast data, including an hourly breakdown of key weather details.
  - Allows users confirm their location before the forecast is retrieved. The results are displayed in the terminal in a structured format and saved to a CSV file. The system includes error handling for invalid locations, API failures, and missing data.
  - The GitHub Repository is located at: https://github.com/LFB1937/course-project-weather-forecasting-application

Computer and Electrical Engineering

ECE 2140: Intro to Digital Systems Design
- Worked in a small group to complete 9 labs involving basic hardware, logic functions, and FSMs.
- For our end of semester design project, our team was asked to design a hardware project that cycled through an FSM and displayed the results on a 7-segment display. Throughout the project, we kept notes on the stages of design, the problems we encountered, and the areas that still required improvement. Together we coordinated when design phases had to be completed and where either of us where currently at in the project. At the end of the project, we were asked to present our work for how we solved the problem, and solicit feedback from the TA.

ECE 3130: Microcomputer Systems and Architecture
- Formed teams to complete 8 labs involving ARM assembly language and computer architecture.
- For our semester project, we programmed a micro-controller to interface with the LCD, a 7-segment display, and an external keypad attached by a ribbon cable in order to create a digital lock system.

ECE 3140: Digital Systems Design
- Worked in teams to complete 8 labs involving accelerometers, Rotary Encoders, VGA, and using VHDL to program FPGAs.
- Formed a team to design 7 Implementations of PONG, the retro video game, and prove our design met the intended functionality requirements but also exceeded them by creating bonus features to enhance user experience. When we began, we started by writing out the features all of the implementations had in common, this would allow us to reuse several sections of code and aid us in the timeliness of development. When we were developing the score-keeping features, we had to figure out what how the numbers were supposed to look, how to deal with rounding errors, and how to ensure the numbers would be visible while the background changed all the while ensuring the ball remained visible and did not wander off of the screen.
- The GitHub Repository is located at: https://github.com/LFB1937/ECE_3140_Spring_2024_Final_Project_PONG

ECE 4140: Embedded System Design
- Engaged in hands-on labs and team-based projects using the Raspberry Pi Pico & Pico 2 as the target device in addition to using the EDUBase development breakout board as the prototype board. Labs included working with UART, ADCs, I2C, as well as the keyboard and various sensors on the EDUBase board.
  - Used version control software Git/GitHub to test and deploy possible bug fixes and make improvements across a team of 5 engineers.
  - My copy of our Repository can be found at: https://github.com/LFB1937/-ece4140_f24_ravens
- Conducted an in-depth dissection and analysis of a Johnson Building Materials Calculator, producing a comprehensive report with detailed schematics, bill of materials (BoM), and operational diagrams.
  - My analysis can be found at this webpage: http://jwbruce.info/teaching/ece4140/dissect/049448225217/

ECE 4120: Fundamentals of Computer Design

In three Design Phases, My lab partner and I successfully designed 3 different types of CPUs:
- Single Cycle Processor
  - Designed core components including PC, instruction memory (via IP), registers, ALU (supporting AND, OR, ADD, SUB, XOR, NOR), sign extension, multiplexers, control unit, and data memory using VHDL in Quartus II.
  - Integrated phases to support MIPS instructions like add, sub, and, xor, nor, addi, beq, and sw; preloaded registers and memory for testing.
  - Verified execution via testbenches, ModelSim waveforms, and DE10-Lite FPGA board deployment, analyzing flow summary, RTL views, and timing.
- Simple Pipelined Architecture
  - Extended single-cycle design into a 5-stage pipeline with intermediate registers, assuming branch-not-taken for beq instructions.
  - Implemented clock-synchronized units and tested sequences like beq, add, sw, and or, demonstrating pipelining in clock cycles 4-6 via ALU outputs and data memory.
  - Evaluated improvements in latency, throughput, and Fmax; analyzed hardware overhead; presented results with waveforms and board demo using manual/auto clock modes.
- Pipeline Architecture with Forwarding and Hazard Units
  - Added forwarding unit to resolve data hazards (e.g., between add and or instructions) and hazard unit for stalling (e.g., between lw and add).
  - Tested bonus scenarios with beq, lw, add, sw sequences, showing forwarding and bubbles in simulations and on FPGA board.
  - Assessed performance penalties and hardware overhead; delivered modified diagrams, VHDL code, testbenches, and 5-slide presentation with ModelSim demos.
Our team repository can be found at: https://github.com/Mat-Collins/ECE_4120

Competitions

MITRE Embedded System CTF Competition (ECTF) – Hardware Engineer
- January 2024 - May 2024
  - Placed in the 86^th percentile of competitors as first-year competitors.
  - Deployed security fixes to comply with competition requirements of a supply chain security solution for microcontrollers on a medical device.
  - Researched, tried, debugged and attempted to properly implement various methods for defensive and offensive measures within embedded systems.
  - Used version control software Git/GitHub to test and deploy possible bug fixes and make improvements across a team of 7 team members.
  - Used several collaboration platforms (MSTeams / Slack / Discord) to schedule meetings and coordinate tasks and team requirements.
  - Debugged hardware issues using the MAX7800FTHR as the target hardware.
  - Read I2C data streams through logic analyzers to gain Password Hashes, replacement tokens, and User PINs.
  - Credential ID for Successfully Entering Attack Phase:

https://credsverse.com/credentials/2ac5df5b-0c28-4282-9918-daeeb809b6dc

MITRE Embedded System CTF Competition (ECTF) – Hardware Engineer
January 2025 - May 2025

https://credsverse.com/credentials/98ad0bf4-955e-4632-ab4b-ee0c7f260e85

Certifications

Center for Career Development

Gold Career Ready Certification Recipient Fall 2022

Semester long process of learning various aspects of how leadership, teamwork, Critical thinking, communication and campus involvement that uniquely prepared me for the world of work. Certification is based on NACE Career Readiness Competencies and rewarded for campus involvement and attendance at workshops and job fairs.

Purple Career Ready Certification Recipient Fall 2024

Certification rewards students for active campus participation and attendance at job fairs and workshops designed to assist with career readiness and skill development in area such as critical thinking, teamwork, communication, eadership, time management, and conflict resolution. Based on NACE Career Competencies.

Work Experience

Technology & Engineering Related

(CESR) Center for Energy Systems Research for Tennessee Tech, Cookeville, TN

Undergraduate Assistant Engineer, Part-Time, October 2024 to Current

Collaborated in a dynamic research environment with international MS and PhD candidates to develop and present innovative solutions for power systems and microgrid challenges, fulfilling rigorous research and contractual obligations.
Applied critical thinking and analytical skills to rebuild, create, and enhance Typhoon HIL simulations, ensuring precision in solving complex technical problems.
This role demanded effective teamwork, cross-cultural collaboration, technical expertise, and the ability to convey complex findings to diverse audiences.
Communicated with our client and Coauthor to ensure our product and final demonstration met the contractual requirements, resulting in on-time delivery.
Worked Together with Product Specialist Engineers at Typhoon HIL in order to debug software incompatibility issues.
Assisted University IT in debugging software and laboratory maintenance.
Conversed with Lads/Club Car Parts Specialist about Documents and Manuals pertaining to the Precedent Golf Cars ERIC model.
Demonstrated proficiency in operating and debugging advanced hardware and software systems, including:
- Typhoon HIL Simulators (604 and 606): Utilized Hardware-in-the-Loop simulators for debugging and optimizing simulations.
- Typhoon HIL Modular HIL Connect: Conducted comprehensive testing and debugging of Devices Under Test (DUTs) with modern connection modules.
- Typhoon HIL - HIL Connect: Transitioned older simulations for compatibility with updated Modular units, showcasing adaptability in evolving technological contexts.
- `Typhoon HIL Breakout Board: Leveraged advanced diagnostic tools, such as DMMs and Rigol Oscilloscopes, to align simulation signals with corresponding output pins.
- SEL Real-Time Automation Controller (RTAC): Managed SCADA operations to streamline real-time data communication in simulations.
- HIOKI Power Quality Analyzer (PQA) PQ3198: Acquired and analyzed simulation data for performance optimization.
- HIOKI GENNECT ONE and PQ ONE Software: Monitored, recorded, and analyzed data, generating detailed reports to ensure data quality and accuracy.
- Rigol MSO1104Z: Debugged signal values and types using diverse probes and attachments.
- Python: Developed system variables, network protocols, and simulation-specific functions, demonstrating technical acumen and adaptability in programming.
- Raspberry Pi 4 Model B: Engineered a 4G cellular network interface to bypass institutional network protocols, enhancing system connectivity and real-world data integration.
- DMM (Digital Multimeter): Diagnosed and debugged AC and DC signals across various Typhoon HIL devices.

Information Technology Services for Tennessee Tech, Cookeville, TN

Student Worker, Part-Time, July 2024 to September 2024

Serviced outdated technology and coordinated surplus runs to properly dispose of it.
Helped successfully resolve student and faculty technology issues in a timely manner.
Performed routine maintenance and functionality checks on technology in several laboratories.

CEROC GenCyber Summer Hack-a-thon for Tennessee Tech, Cookeville, TN

Student Worker, Part-Time, May 2024 to June 2024

Collaborated with a small group of student for 8 weeks to create educational puzzles designed to teach elementary and middle school children about Cybersecurity and basic technology.

Electrical Engineering related Licenses and Certifications

Amateur Radio License (Technician Level)

Demonstrates technical proficiency and practical knowledge in radio communication systems, including signal processing and network protocols.

Exhibits the ability to operate and maintain radio equipment under FCC regulations, while also showcasing strong understanding of electrical engineering principles and communication protocols.

Reinforces communication and problem-solving skills in real-world scenarios that are applicable to the scope of electrical engineering.

General

JML Properties, Atoka, TN

Co-Owner, 2017 to present

Various Labor

Performed numerous maintenance tasks manufactured houses and rental properties such as minor electrical, fan installation, residential lighting, and general construction.
Coordinated with contractors to ensure materials were delivered in a timely manner and that projects were completed on time.

Elkton Trailers, Pulaski, TN

Co-Owner, 2017 to present

Various Labor

Performed numerous maintenance tasks on manufactured houses and rental properties such as minor electrical, repairing electric stoves, and general construction.
Coordinated with contractors to ensure materials were delivered in a timely manner and that projects were completed on time.

Other Skills

General
- Stick Welding
- Light Electrical skills, Multi-meter
- Various Automotive skills
Programming Related
- HTML / CSS, some Python, C/C++ and some JavaScript
- GitHub
- VSCode
- SageMath
- Visual Studio Community
- RasberryPi
General Computer
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Teams

Volunteer Experience

Covington Church of Christ, Covington, TN

Technology Assistant, Volunteer, April 2021 to May 2022

Tuned and set the speaker system and adjusted the inputs for the recording devices. Operated the OBS live stream for the webcasting system. Programmed the projectors and monitoring system to ensure the picture output was correct.

Worked five hours every Sunday that I was on the rotation to make sure all technology needs for the congregation are met in an efficient, organized manner.

Forestview Church of Christ, Memphis, TN

Technology Assistant, Volunteer, January 2017 to April 2021

Made and organized PowerPoints for the music and sermon library. Tuned and set the speaker system and adjusted the inputs to the recording devices.

Worked two hours each Sunday to make sure all technology needs for the congregation are met in an efficient, organized manner.

Sycamore Church of Christ, Cookeville, TN

Audio, Visual, and Livestream Assistant, Volunteer, August 2022 to Present

Worked in an organized rotation between the Audio, Visual and Livestream platforms which are all operated from iPads. Tuned and set the speaker system and adjusted the inputs to the recording devices. Managed the PowerPoint and Projector to coordinate the slides for songs, as well as the sermon. Directed the mixing of visual effects of the Livestream to ensure accurate video quality.

Worked two hours each Sunday to make sure all technology needs for the congregation are met in an efficient, organized manner.