Dr Rafael Macieira

Position Overview

Develop real-time hardware accelerators for embedded sound processing systems using large-scale microphone arrays. The core objective is to architect and develop scalable FPGA-based embedded solutions capable of processing inputs from hundreds of microphones, enabling high-precision detection and localization of specific acoustic emissions.

Position Responsibilities

Design, develop, validate and verify hardware accelerators, as well as their control software, based on the literature and the state of the art, but not limited to them. Ensure their functional behavior and implementation always oriented towards their manufacture as ASIC/ASIP. Document and publish (as far as possible) the results in the main academic media. Search for case studies, industrial applications and more sources of funding for the project.

Qualifications

With a PhD and a Master's degree in Computer Science from UFPE (Federal University of Pernambuco) 2009-2018, I am a specialist in embedded systems architecture. Certified as a RISC-V Foundational Associate (RVFA), my expertise encompasses hardware/software codesign, FPGA-based platform development using SystemC/QEMU simulation, and RTL implementation. As a former Chief Researcher and R&D Manager at SENAI Institute of Innovation in ICT, I led industrial projects addressing embedded challenges applied to the sector. I currently work as a researcher at INES/UFPE in Smart Cities, Agrolabs/UNIVASF, and IPSAL (Initiative for Agro-Food Security in Latin America) for the study, development, and implementation of solutions in agriculture and food security. Recently (2025) I became the technical coordinator of the UNIVASF (Federal University of Vale do São Francisco) Innovation Network for the creation of the first HAPS (High-Altitude Pseudo Satellites) competence center in Brazil, promoted by the government of the state of Pernambuco. Recognized as an Intel Student Expert for FPGA development and Research Fellow at the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), I connect academic innovation with industrial pragmatism to advance cutting-edge computing systems.

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