Massimo Ciacci

Principal Scientist at NXP Semiconductors

’s-Hertogenbosch, North Brabant, Netherlands

About

About Over the past two decades, I’ve built a career at the intersection of signal processing, systems engineering, and adaptive algorithms—designing and delivering solutions across some of the most technically demanding domains in embedded R&D. -My work spans a wide range of technologies, including: -FMCW radar and end-to-end RF/baseband modeling -Class D audio amplifiers with feedback and GUI-assisted loop optimization -UWB-based Passive Keyless Entry, with CFO/SFO estimation and correction -Magnetically coupled systems: RFID, NFC, and Qi wireless power -Channel modeling, adaptive transmission, and pre-equalization -Early work in video processing and 3DTV depth perception (DIBR) I thrive on turning ideas into high-impact, real-time systems—whether by developing mathematical models, building simulation tools, or implementing efficient embedded solutions. From full-chain modeling and algorithm design to hands-on DSP and system-level integration, I bring rigor, creativity, and cross-disciplinary thinking. Core strengths: -Signal processing & adaptive systems -Digital communication & modulation -Simulation-driven design (MATLAB, Mathematica) -Background in embedded systems and real-time DSP -Fluent in C/C++ for embedded and algorithmic implementation. I believe in precision, depth, and honesty—in engineering and in life. Whether designing a new receiver architecture or exploring nonlinear behavior in audio loops, I bring a systems mindset that connects the theoretical with the practical.

Experience

  • Senior System Engineer at NXP Semiconductors

    Principal Systems Engineer NXP Semiconductors | Apr 2008 – Present Cross-domain innovator with 17+ years of experience in signal processing, RF systems, and end-to-end system design. I've led R&D across RFID, wireless charging, radar, audio, and 3DTV—turning complex ideas into real-time, demonstrable systems. RFID & NFC: Designed a nonlinear adaptive receiver; modeled magnetic coupling. Drove standardization and fixed-point optimization. Delivered PSK demos up to 20 Mbps. Built a GUI-based NFC simulation platform. Co-authored IEEE papers on high-speed receivers and NFC air interfaces. Wireless Charging & UWB: Developed a Qi decoder and UWB-based keyless entry algorithms (CFO/SFO correction). Audio Systems: Created a feedback-after-filter Class D amplifier. Designed high-order loop filters with GUI-assisted optimization and stability-driven cost functions. Wi-Fi & EMI: Developed preamble-less TX IQ imbalance calibration. Designed EV pulse noise suppression algorithms for narrowband signaling. Radar Systems (FMCW): Built full RF-to-BB models. Key work on RDMA/DDMA, Chebyshev windowing, Early|Late interpolation, phase noise correction, and KPI modeling for frequency synthesizers. Early Work: Researched visual quality in DIBR 3DTV. Developed real-time demos enhancing depth perception from 2D content. I specialize in crossing layers—from algorithms to system behavior—and thrive on solving technically rich problems with lasting product impact.

  • Graduation Master Thesis: 3D on 2D at Philips Research

    "Video Processing to increase the depth impression of mono sequences on 2D screens" I graduated in 2001 at the university of Florence within the Image processing group. My master thesis was the result of a project at Philips Research Eindhoven, within the area of 3D TV. During that time I worked on several algorithms (ANSI C) for video processing. The first is a semi-automatic depth-segmentation technique for 2D video, which I developed under my own initiative. This is based on an ad-hoc K-means clustering followed by a post-processing of the clusters by the motion vector. The second is a set of algorithms that process the images, depending on the estimated depth level, aiming at an increased depth impression (e.g. by sharpness variation and rendering algorithms). During this time I was author of a patent for segmentation assisted by the motion-vector field. The main activities were: - Research on depth perception from a 2D representation (pictorial cues). - Develop algorithms (ANSI C) for layered depth-segmentation of 2D video. - Develop depth-cueing algorithms (ANSI C) for the different depth layers. - Assess quality of the algorithms, by means of perceptual experiments and statistical analysis. - Document the research.

  • Senior Sw Engineer at Catena Radio Design

    December 2006 - present: CATENA Radio Design Function: DSP engineer Task: design and implementation (assembly) of new algorithms for a digital radio receiver. Results: - A software synchronous AM demodulator has been designed and implemented, which is soon to be released in a new Radio Software. - An algorithm for real time measurement of the signal conditions, and consequenct control of the tuner's mixing frequency has been designed, implemented and released in the new Radio Software. - Several audio filters have been designed and delivered to customers. - Documentation on new signal processing blocks of the radio software was created and that on existing ones was improved.

  • Software Engineer at Grass Valley Nederland

    CIMSOLUTIONS , by THOMSON Grass Valley Function: embedded software engineer for the “Infinity Camcorder”: Main Task: Development of a “Control Distribution System” that connects the streaming software running on a main processor (PowerPC), with the hardware distributed across the camera boards, via several FPGA core processors (3 NIOS + 1 uBlaze). Result: A communication protocol was designed and implemented in OO C++, to achieve: communication with the firmware (initialization and control of the hardware IO’s), synchronization among the processors, and storage of hardware settings.

  • Researcher/Designer at Philips Research - TU/e

    TASK: Design, within a research team, several signal processing blocks for a new generation optical storage receiver (candidate follower of Blue-Ray, with 50 GBytes on one layer). These blocks include: - Frame synchronization - Adaptive 2D equalisation - Real-time estimation of optical parameters (e.g.: disc tilt, defocus, radial mistracking). ACTIVITIES / RESULTS: - Analysis, Design (MatLab); · Prototyping (MatLab); - Implementation in OO C++ - Test and optimazation - Fixed Point Conversion to C++, towards hardware implementation· - Write software documentation, and report research results (2 Papers + post-master thesis)