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Resume Title:

Sr. RF Engineer / Senior Manager / Wireless SME

Contact Information

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Work Experience

Experience level:

10 +

Profile/Cover Letter:

Chris Hicks
Specialized Wireless Consulting, LLC.

OBJECTIVE:
Seeking senior management or RF engineering position that utilizes my training, skills and extensive experience.

SUMMARY:
Seventeen years of electronics/wireless experience providing engineering, project management, telecommunications network design, planning and optimization in CDMA/TDMA/GSM/UMTS cellular for multiple national wireless carriers. Received formal training in several disciplines including building, maintaining, and engineering cellular equipment and software with almost all carriers. Deep knowledge and experience in nearly every department allowing me to build-out and maintain any network from any department involved including RF Design (RF planning/field visits/zoning), Field Operations (BTS/BSC/MSC/Scripting/Telco/Power/Alarms), Project Management, Sales Support, Vendor support, Construction, Real Estate/Site Acquisition, NOC and Equipment Engineering.

NETWORK DESIGN POINTS:
- Mapping data validation
- Model site selection
- Survey preparation by zoning
- Drive test
- Data filtering
- Spatial filtering
- Signal filtering
- Modeling process
- Model verification process
- Fine tuning of the models
- Final testing of the models
- Parameter submission/model
- Radio network planning & opt.
- Site Surveys
- Frequency planning
- CDD preparation
- Initial tuning & drive testing

EDUCATION
1992 - US Navy Advanced Electronics Field Training (AEFT). Achieved top 5% of class with 60% dropout rate
1994 - Seminole Community College Associates in Electronics Engineering
1996 - University of Central Florida BSEE
1998 - AT&T Field Training Apprentice Program & Certified Field Technician
2002 - Project Management Certification (PMP)
2002 - University of Phoenix MBA Program
2003 - Seven core Senior Level Management Classes with Cingular
2004 - Cisco CCNA 1&2

WORK EXPERIENCE:

Metro PCS Senior RF Design Engineer Aug 2007-Feb 2008 - New England system network design for Metro PCS. In charge of design end to end for over 120 Cellular sites. RF Planning, model tuning, site visits, zoning, traffic, drive testing, frequency planning on a newly auctioned AWS Spectrum 1700MHZ/2.1GHZ CDMA network.

BCI Communications - Manager of Technical Services and RF Design Engineering (consultant) Feb. 2007 – July 2007 - Setup new RF Department, developed and designed business nationally for their tech services group. Trained drive test team on Ericsson TEMS and RSAT. Did all drive test post-processing using TEMS/ACtix and Mapinfo, drafted detailed drive test reports for each customer. Provided RFQ/P’s for RF Design projects, drive testing projects & in building. Coordinated cranes, personnel, site acquisition for customer drives. Acted as the technical liaison for General Manager and external customers. Helped manage and train Network services department on IDEN, Lucent CDMA, wrote MOPS for performing sweep testing with Anritsu Sitemaster (DTF/VSWR), reviewed all sweeps personally before sending them to the customer. Wizard/Planet EV for Iden and CDMA Design. Coordinated daily access to customer cell sites for installs/mods/upgrades. Zoning support for several carriers as needed in the New York / New Jersey area.

Sprint/Nextel – Senior RF Design Engineer / PM (consultant) – Dec 2006 – Jan 2007 – Worked on model tuning and design for Sprint IWO sites with Planet EV. Performed site design visits, candidate identification/evaluation, zoning hearing/testimony/preparation. Worked in a group concentrating on macro cells in Rockland, Putnam, Ulster and Westchester counties in New York State. Reviewed many DAS vendors as an alternative in the hard to zone areas, tunnels, bridges.

Ericsson UMTS PM (consultant) July 2006 – Dec 2006 - South Florida Cingular UMTS Node B roll-out. Participated in test and installation for UMTS overlay. Performed testing of RF parameters of a WCDMA base station during the network rollout phase to ensure subsequent trouble-free operation of networks as a basic prerequisite for general UMTS customer acceptance. Excellent experience with the testing and integration of Ericsson’s UMTS Radio Network Control Node (RNC), and GSM Base Station Controller (BSC). Startup, testing and integration of RNC H/W and S/W packages, including verification of UMTS RAN features specific to the RNC as per BoQ. Provided on-site support to Ericsson UMTS customers to support RNC integration, troubleshooting and remedy faults when necessary. Used Aircom Asset for RF Planning.

Cricket Communications Senior RF Design engineer / PM (consultant) (Feb 2006 - July -2006) – RF Design for new network launch in San Diego for CDMA/EVDO plus NextG’s DAS network. Tools used include Planet EV, Siterra, etc. Managed the design from start to on air working with internal and external vendors, site acquisition, construction, regulatory, project management, antenna manufacturers and the infrastructure vendor (Nortel Networks in San Diego and Lucent in Kansas). Unique project where DAS vendor (NextG) was used to fill in the holes or areas where we identified there would be zoning holds/issues in order to meet our deadline for launch later in 2006. Used Wizard, Planet EV for Network Design. Performed site visits/design visit for macro sites and DAS light standards as needed

Nokia Networks RF Design / Care PM: (May 2005 – Feb 2006) Cingular Blue to Orange conversion (AWS to Cingular migration) for Florida Cingular . Responsible for optimizing, analyzing and improving performance of GSM network. Applied propagation theory, cellular theory, RF engineering tools and antenna theory to choose tower antenna placement, height, and power. Monitored and analyzed statistical and drive test data to improve system performance indicators (dropped calls, blocked calls, origination failures, handoff features, etc). Met KPIs, departmental and project goals. Did troubleshooting of worst performing sites; detailed one-by-one analysis of sites for down tilts, neighbor optimization, new site recommendations, etc.

ADC Senior Technical Consultant – Nationwide – Wireless Accounts Program Manager (March 2004 – Feb. 2005):
Recognized as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) for multiple telecommunications (SONET, long haul broadband, TDM, ATM/SDH, etc.), telephony (DSL, VoIP, CMTS, etc.) and wireless telecom (GSM/TDMA/CDMA) technologies utilized by ADC’s customer base. Highest level of expertise, provided technical support to Engineering, Training, Quality, Installation, Sales, & Marketing. Served as a mentor and coach to junior technical consultants. Utilized expert level trouble shooting skills and resolving technical complications. Initiated innovative methods to address critical situations. Executed and evaluated complex test procedures, redesigning procedures as necessary to minimize cost and enhance productivity. Proficient in capturing details and ideas then documenting for communication sharing. Constant education on new technology introduced into the industry. Attended industry conventions and seminars, partnered with customers in new technology introduction into the network architecture and assisted wireless accounts on a National level.

Cingular Wireless Manager of Operations RF Design Technical Support for MS, AL and N. FL:(June 2003 – Dec 2003)
Responsible for the final resolution of software and hardware failures after other resolution attempts failed. Assisted in the integration of new equipment and technology into either the MSC or Cell locations through vendor and inter-departmental coordination. Wizard, Cellopt, Schema, Setram, Asset used. Worked with Vendors on Tier 2 and 3 trouble tickets, i.e. Nokia, Ericsson, Siemens etc. Actively investigated and resolved complex hardware and software issues. Actively investigated switch complex, 5ESS, DACS, STP or cell / field related anomalies as reported via ROP, alarm messages, technicians, and reports.
Coordinated with various h/w and s/w vendors to facilitate information delivery to the department and coordinate immediate trouble resolution. Assisted other departments in the gathering and analysis of technical and empirical data associated with operational failures or impairments. Technical expert in the areas of Cell and Core Network. Drove issues to a timely and complete resolution. Worked well with managers and technicians throughout the Network department. Developed new procedures for utilizing and maintaining existing and new equipment. Leveraged the latest technology in addressing network failures/degradations. Assumed On Call Manager duties using pager/cell phone at all times. Provided technical assistance with vendors such as Ericsson, Nokia, Alcatel, Nortel, Siemens and others. Assisted with technologies such as GSM, EDGE, GPRS, E911, WLNS, WAP, Roaming etc..

Siemens Lead RF Design Engineer/Market Project Manager: (Cingular Genesis Project KY/IN State Lead): (April 1 2002 – June 2003) –
Planned, designed, engineered and provided ongoing support of the Radio Frequency (RF) aspects for PCS Wireless products. Includes in-depth knowledge of wireless communications and system design. Responsible for engineering Base Transceiver Station (BTS) placement and site configuration, including structures, antennas and ancillary equipment. Generated frequency plans, interference studies and did RF spectrum coordination. Local topology and demographics analysis used to meet the desired coverage, capacity and reliability requirements. Achieved optimal PCS system performance. Responsible for optimizing, analyzing and improving performance of GSM network. Applied propagation theory, cellular theory, RF engineering tools and antenna theory to choose tower antenna placement, height, and power. Monitored, analyzed statistical and drive test data to improve system performance indicators (dropped calls, blocked calls, origination failures, handoff features). Met KPIs, departmental and project goals. Troubleshooting of worst performing sites; detailed one-by-one analysis of sites for down tilts, neighbor optimization, new site recommendations, etc. Optimized existing network by adjusting radio network parameters, adding/deleting of neighbors and recommending possible solutions to hardware problems. Sustained quality of post launch products by driving resources toward resolution of product failure issues; Experience setting up Quality/Sustaining engineering processes and procedures for Siemens products (GSM).

Bechtel Lead RF Design Engineer / Market Project Manager: (Oct. 1 2001 – April 2002) – Lead RF Design Engineer for the new AT&T Wireless 3G/GSM/GPRS/EDGE system deploying in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Charlotte and Atlanta. Team Leader of RF Engineers. Responsible for optimizing, analyzing and improving performance of GSM network (Nokia/Ericsson GSM). Applied propagation theory, cellular theory, RF engineering tools and antenna theory to choose tower antenna placement, height, and power. Monitored, analyzed statistical and drive test data to improve system performance indicators (dropped calls, blocked calls, origination failures, handoff features). Met KPIs, departmental and project goals. Troubleshooting of worst performing sites; detailed one-by-one analysis of sites for down tilts, neighbor optimization, new site recommendations, etc. Optimized existing network by adjusting radio network parameters, adding/deleting of neighbors and recommending possible solutions to hardware problems.

Nortel RF Engineering Supervisor: (Jan. 2001- Aug. 2001)
Responsible for assigning daily tasks to a team of Junior RF Engineers and Drive Testers, a staff of 10 people and changing out Motorola CDMA for Nortel TDMA. Put out a weekly schedule for daily activities and special events such as switch cuts, retunes, and new cell site turn-ups involving about 200 sites. Organized the schedules according to budgetary restraints approving extra days and hours on an individual basis. Reviewed timesheets on a weekly basis reviewing and approving man-hours. Coordinated with internal and external customers face-to-face daily to organize and plan site build, network integration, T-1 testing, drive testing, RF statistics and special projects.

Ericsson Implementation Supervisor, AT&T Carrier PM, Network Installation, Testing and Integration Supervisor Switch/Cell (RTS) and Sr RBS Test Engineer: (Aug. 1999- Jan. 2001)
Team lead for field teams in 884 macro and micro site build for Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and Hawaii. Troubleshoot of problem sites, find solutions for h/w and s/w problems. Implemented channel add (882 and 884 cassette) procedures and site build responsibilities. Ericsson eventually contracted out to TNS and EXI Parsons. Responsible for training team of 30 contractors on the installation, testing and integration of Ericsson 884 (850 MHZ) TDMA Model 882 & 884 base stations for AT&T Wireless and GSM BTS/BSC for Cingular (Pacific Bell) in Los Angeles. Trained people to train other junior techs. Maintained strict budgets for each cell site, reported details every month. Used SAP and coordinated with other project managers from the Switch side, Transport side, Bechtel (Construction side) and Ericsson manufacturing to meet cell on-air dates each month. Field Project Manager in LA. Managed employees and subcontractors balance from 20 to 30 individuals based upon work load. Tracked and approved timesheets and expense reports against projects. Recruited, hired, and performed HR duties in both markets . Completed custom bids and proposals to ATTWS for services to be provided. Point of contact for AT&T Project Management. Tracked and reported on multiple projects at any given time. Resolved technical and project issues which escalated from Field Engineers and Project Leads 24x7. Project Lead for Radio Adds in LA. Sustained quality of post launch products by driving resources toward resolution of product failure issues. Setup Quality/Sustaining engineering processes and procedures for Ericsson products (TDMA), RBS Test / Acceptance, Antenna Line sweeps – DTF/VSWR, Customer Alarms, T-1 Commissioning/Testing, AC/DC Power, Grounding.

AT&T Wireless Senior member of Field Team & Certified RF Field Technician: (Jun. 1996- Jul. 1999) -attended a 2 year training program, responsible for test, turn-up, troubleshooting, retuning, drive testing, optimizing and expanding TDMA cellular sites and all related ancillary equipment. RF Field Technician III – did troubleshooting of RBS equipment, monitored system status and corrected degraded equipment. Maintain microwave equipment and leased T-1 lines. Performed preventative maintenance, system drive tests, system moves, adds, and changes to accommodate a growing customer base. Provided assistance to "B" Technicians. Responsible for documentation of log entries, work orders, site configuration and tracking of individual site performance. Participated in fixed asset tracking, antenna line sweeps/troubleshooting with Anritsu Sitemaster,
Customer trouble ticket resolution, Trained new and junior personnel in all field and switch duties. Performed in Supervisor role when needed. Identified network outages, alarms, new site turn-ups and drive test routes to junior personnel. Attended internal customer meetings and resolved personnel issues among the team.

U.S. Navy Advanced Electronics Technician: (Jun 1990-Mar 1996)
Attended three years of Advanced Electronics school training and testing on basic electronic theory, advanced electronic theory, RF communications, digital theory, digital applications, calibration, fault localization and repair on all electronic devices. Emphasis on TDMA RF Communications (also VLF to SHF frequency spectrum) using state-of-the-art Motorola and Harris Mobile/Wireless Communication Units. Six years of active duty service in the U.S. Navy, trained and certified in: Calibration/advanced micro measurement of Test Equipment, Micro/Miniature Soldering, Satellite Communications (TDMA), UHF/VHF/HF Communications, Cryptography, PC upgrading and repair. First Command IUSS CUSL Undersea Oceanographic Submarine Hunters/ Certified IUSS Rating, To support antisubmarine warfare command and tactical forces by detecting, classifying, and providing timely reporting of information on submarines and other contacts of interest; to provide command of Naval Ocean Processing Facilities (NOPFs), to include direct tactical control of associated Surveillance Towed Array Sensor System (SURTASS) ships; to gather long term acoustic, oceanographic, and hydrographic information.*
The Integrated Undersea Surveillance System mission is multi-faceted, encompassing not only the operations of detection, localization and tracking of submarines and the collection of acoustic and hydrographic information, but also the maintenance of processing and communications equipment necessary to carry out the operational mission. Since the inception of the Sound Surveillance System (SOSUS) in 1954, personnel stationed at Naval Facilities, Naval Ocean Processing Centers, Joint Sites, training commands and on the COMUNDERSEASURV Headquarters Staffs in the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets, have pursued the Undersea Warfare mission.
Sole source of communication when deployed in Central/South America in Special Warfare Unit Eight with the U.S. Navy SEALs for 2+ years.

MILITARY TRAINING (1990 – 1996):
1995 - SEAL Tactical Communications, Mobile Communications Team, Littlecreek Amphibious Base, VA
1994 - Micro/Miniature Soldering School, Fleet Training Center, Norfolk, VA
1993 - DAMA (WSC-3) Satellite Communications, Hughes Aircraft, Norfolk, VA
1992 - Advanced Calibration (Test Equipment) and Micromeasurement, Lowry Air Force Base, Denver
1991 - Advanced Electronics School, Naval Training Center, Great Lakes, Illinois
1990 - Basic Electricity and Electronics, Naval Training Center, Orlando, Florida

DOD qualified Fluent – Spanish
Valid US Passport

AREAS OF EXPERIENCE:
RF Design & Optimization Nominal Cell Planning
Site Candidate Survey
Actual Cell Planning
Coverage Evaluation
Frequency Planning
Design Deliverables
Cell Design Data
Cell Level Testing Cluster Testing
Bench Marking
Network Optimization
Network Acceptance MPS Survey, Design, Installation & Commissioning
LMU Site Survey LMU Engineering & Design

TECHNICAL SKILLS / TOOLS / DELIVERABLES
RF Planning
TEMS Cell Planner Universal, Asset, MCOM, Mapinfo
OSS Optimization
Ericsson RNO, GPEH & RPMO
Nokia NetAct Optimizer, Traffica News
OSS Performance
Ericsson NWS Analyzer, Business Object
Nokia Reporting Suite, KPI Builder, Network Doctor
Nortel Proptima
OSS Configuration
Ericsson CNA, Nexplorer
Nokia CM Editor, Plan Edit
Nortel WIPS
DT Post Processing
TEMS Route Analysis, Actix Analyzer, Ranopt
DT Logging
TEMS Investigation, Nemo Outdoor
•
Pre-launch Optimization:
2G/3G pre-launch optimization activities – site verification, cluster optimization and city drive test.
Performance Monitoring and Quality Assurance: Set criteria for worst cell filtering.
2G/3G daily worst cells analysis using NetAct Reporting Suite and Network Doctor Browser.
Built various customized reports using NetAct KPI Builder.
Establish customer complaint handling process with the aid of Traffica News tools.

Traffic Monitoring: Prepare 2G congested cell lists on weekly basis and escalate to client.
Monitor 3G uplink/downlink load and code occupancy.
Monitor EDAP utilization.
Prepare future 2G/3G bandwidth requirement forecast for submission to telecom regulatory.

Service Level Agreement (SLA) KPI Finalization: Finalize 2G/3G SLA mitigated and strict target KPI values through series of discussion with client.
Standardize KPI target value and formula between different vendors.

Performance Benchmarking: Prepare RFP for nationwide performance benchmarking (drive and static test) against competing operator.
Set the KPI to be monitored, testing methodology and result documentation process.
Evaluate RFQ and respond to short listed vendors.

Frequency Planning: Automatically and manually plan frequency & BSIC for a cluster or new site, produce interference plot (C/I and C/A), balance distribution of ARFCN, ensure proper reuse cluster, manage available spectrum (band splitting BCCH and TCH), apply synthesize hopping FLP 1x1, FLP 1x3 staggered, FLP 1x3 continuous.
Plan frequency related parameters like channel group, maio and hsn.
Prepare cell design data in CNAI format.

Tuning of Cell Data: Review LAC size to achieve optimum paging load and minimum LA update. Review SDCCH allocation and tune it manually or automatically.
Tune BSIC, maio, hsn, neighbor list, handover margin, idle and active measurement frequencies.
Recommend addition and deletion of neighboring cell by using NCS. Change parameters when necessary.
Use FAS for automatic frequency tuning.

Feature Tuning: Apply microcell, hierarchical cell structure (HCS), load sharing, dynamic underlaid and overlaid subcell, directed retry, concentric cells, half rate and adaptive multi rate (AMR) when necessary.

RF Optimization: Troubleshoot causes for drop calls, HO failure and congestion (faulty antenna system, transmission problem, missing neighbor, missing idle or active BA list, interference, poor coverage, excessive TA, sudden loss, congestion of TCH & SDCCH).
Drive test to check SQI, Rx_Qual & Rx_Level, tune BSS parameters (transmit power, handover hysteresis), tilt overshooting antenna, propose change of antenna direction, down tilt or add sectors, balance link budget using MRR data.
Prepare optimization report.
Use RPMO for real time monitoring.

Cell Planning: Produce nominal cell plan.
Search for new base station sites during preliminary survey.
Determine antenna system configuration.
Create, plot and analyze coverage prediction.
Document Site Search Order (SSO) and Site Approval (SAP).
Analyze link budget.
Tune and calibrate propagation model.
Design indoor coverage using TEMS Transmitter.
Walk test for indoor coverage verification and acceptance using TEMS Light. •

BSS Dimensioning: Forecast network growth using subscriber demand & Erlang projection, dimension BSC and transcoder to accommodate expansion plan (new sites integration, re-homing & customer growth), review LA size for optimum paging load, LA border for minimum LA update and BSC border for minimum inter BSC hand-over.
Ensure sufficient PCU resources, on demand and fixed channels for GPRS/EDGE.
Coordinate BSS swapping activities. •

Multiband Planning: Apply 900 channels for coverage and 1800 for capacity.
Define RxQual, RxLevel and traffic thresholds for inter band handover.
•
Performance Monitoring: Prioritize problems and solve according to their severity, forward problem to other team if the problem is non-radio, analyze statistic that affects accessibility (blocking, CSSR, SDCCH drop, paging success rate & assignment success rate), analyze statistic that affects retainability (CDR, HOSR etc).


Recent Employer:	MetroPCS
Job Title:	Senior RF Engineer Consultant
Start Month/Year:	08/2007
End Month/Year:	03/2008
City:	Boston
Country:	USA
Description:	New market design for CDMA carrier in the 2.4GHZ AWS spectrum

Education & Training


Education Level:	Bachelor's Degree
School Name:	University of Central Florida
Major:	Electrical Engineering
City:	Orlando
Country:	USA
Graduation Date:	14/06/1996
Description:	Not Specified