SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE

I have many years of experience in developing high-tech systems, mostly in the LED industry, but also beyond. My ideal role is that of a system architect.

What is a system architect?

My definition of a system architect is someone who works alongside the project leader to develop a new product together with a team. The system architect oversees all technical aspects and disciplines, as well as non-technical aspects such as costs, manufacturability, production/assembly, supply chain, marketing, sales, and purchasing. An optimal system is always a balance or compromise between these disciplines: a technically perfect system is useless if it includes unavailable parts or if cost savings in assembly are negated.

My approach

I prefer to get involved in a project early, perhaps when the requirements for the product are not yet clear or customers do not even know exactly what they want. This phase involves extensive brainstorming and testing the project’s and product’s boundary conditions across all technical and non-technical aspects. My creativity is at its best here.

In many cases, I create a model to calculate various KPIs (performance, efficiency, output, lead time, modularity, costs, etc.) and weigh choices against each other in detail.

Although I am not an electronic engineer, mechanical engineer, software engineer, or assembly expert, I have enough experience and knowledge of all these disciplines to make decisions at a strategic level. Additionally, I ensure that team members have a good sparring partner and that choices can be made that cross the boundaries of individual disciplines.

My background

After studying Applied Physics, I started as an optical engineer at Philips Lighting. I worked on various groundbreaking projects in LED lighting, including the first LED traffic lights, street lighting, and remote phosphor solutions. As a system architect, it was always a great challenge to find solutions for product optimization—solutions that sometimes lay outside the realm of technology. Philips was an excellent learning environment; I wrote many patents there and lived in the US for several years, working for Philips Lumileds.

Entrepreneurship

After my time at Philips, I started my own company, Invisua Lighting, where we developed a high-tech LED spotlight with a team of engineers. The spotlight used multiple colors to generate high-quality white light. This fully wireless-controlled system was praised for its precision and flexibility, requiring in-depth knowledge of electronics, thermal management, and optics. My role included not only the technical architecture but also managing the business.

With Kaboomlaser, a company I ran together with my wife, we focused on the consumer market by designing and producing complex wooden puzzles for experienced puzzlers.

Consultancy

My consultancy assignments vary in length and complexity. Sometimes I am asked for a day of brainstorming; other times, I analyze an LED system over a few days. I also have clients with whom I collaborate on long-term projects lasting months or even several years.

Nice to know:

• I have nearly 30 published patents.
• I can work with C#, C++, HTML, JavaScript, and GLSL.
• I can distill complex concepts down to their core.
• I have a small lab for conducting measurements on small LED fixtures.
• I have experience in product development from the concept and idea phase to production and aftercare.
• I can discuss LED applications, driver electronics, as well as embedded systems, poka-yoke, design for assembly, design for manufacturing, and modular design.
• I am very hands-on: I have built my own 3D printers and laser cutter, among other things, giving me a good feel for what works and what doesn’t.