Parker H. Osborne

SKILLS AND TOOLS

EXPERIENCE

Undergraduate Researcher — Quantum Hydrodynamics Lab, University of San Diego
February 2026 – Present · BURST Scholar Award
Instrumentation and control hardware for a Bose–Einstein condensate experiment under Dr. Maren Mossman.

• Designed a four-channel DDS signal generator for AOM driving (AD9959 + RP2350), covering schematic capture, 4-layer RF layout, and firmware — a $200 replacement for commercial drivers costing an order of magnitude more.

• Built FPGA-based control systems for RF and optomechanical subsystems in the condensate production chain.

• Serve as the lab's de facto hardware troubleshooter, diagnosing and repairing equipment and control electronics across the group.

• Collaborate annually with Dr. Peter Engels's group at Washington State University on shared BEC instrumentation work.

Electronic Warfare & Avionics Research Intern — Georgia Tech Research Institute, ELSYS
Summer 2025
Primary hardware and system designer on an integrated electronic attack system for a USAF sponsor.

• • Designed multi-stage RF circuitry spanning C through Ku band.

  • Packaged the full solution into a rack-mounted chassis, owning the design end to end.

Student Technician — Donald's Garage, University of San Diego
January 2024 – Present
Maintain the shop's 3D printers, laser cutters, and fabrication equipment, and advise students and faculty on design-for-manufacture decisions before they burn a print.

LEADERSHIP
President, Eta Kappa Nu (Kappa Eta) · VP of Programming, IEEE · Corresponding Secretary, Theta Tau (Lambda Epsilon)

PROJECTS

Low-Cost Frequency Generator For AOM Driving

Designed a custom low-cost radio frequency driver for acousto-optic modulation in quantum superfluid experiments. Features four inherently phase locked channels, 32-bit frequency, 14-bit phase, and 10-bit amplitude control, custom reconstruction filter, and a monolithic amplifier stage. The device is controlled via an onboard Raspberry Pi Pico 2W, and synthesis is done using an AD9959 direct digital synthesizer. The design is fully custom and open-source.

The device is designed for operation between 40 MHz to 150 MHz, and features an output power of +10 dBm, and is designed to be connected to an external amplifier/attenuator to match the input power of any acousto-optic modulator.

The design cost roughly $250 per board, including the cost of all components and fabrication. It is meant to replace commercial acousto-optic drivers that cost upwards of $2000. 

Information and design files can be found on my github, and a proceedings paper / updated version is currently in development.

CRT Audio Visualizer 

Repurposed an old CRT TV that was destined to become e-waste, into a custom audio-visualizer that can be connected to a record player or any RCA input. Used a 5" mini CRT, found on a marketplace website, and repaired the 30+ year-old PCB to get it back in working order. 

Traditionally a CRT TV uses an electron gun to create a beam of electrons, which are then deflected by horizontal and vertical coils to create a picture. By tapping directly into the coils themselves, I was able to create an audio-visualizer (basically an oscillograph) that displays a unique pattern for any audio signal that it receives.

The design uses a custom 3d-printed panel where the audio signal is sent into. It is then passed through two power amplifiers before reaching the horizontal and vertical coils. Additional sandbar resistors were added to the coils to match their impedance to a standard 8-Ohm for optimal driving. 

When the signal reaches the coils, they deflect the beam in accordance with the audio signal sent in, creating unique visuals for every sound.

Nixie Tube Clock (Coming Soon...)

Currently working on a Nixie Tube Clock, using IN-12B tubes and a custom PCB. More to be added soon.