Aidan Cooley's Signs of Life
I am a 4th year student at the University of Utah studying Computer Science and Applied Math. My fields of interest include algorithms, computer architecture, and embedded systems. My most recent work has focused on satellite communication both on and offboard.
Coding Projects
SpaceWire on the Raspberry Pi Pico
Spacewire brings huge benefits to onboard communication in satellites. But these benefits come at a high price tag. Are there cheaper means to test Spacewire, so we can save the most expensive components for flight?
*code owned by LANL
Debugging FPGAs Through a Software Slowdown
When there are many chips onboard a satellite, and many systems on each chip; debugging a single component is nearly impossible. I created a test suite for a Spacewire router on an FPGA allowing for custom data packets, scenarios, and logs for better debugging. All packaged into a user friendly shell.
*code owned by LANL
*Summary Coming Soon!
PlantPico
This was a toy project for a Christmas gift I made. It is a moisture sensor with a UI to evaluate plants' moisture, and if it was ready to be watered. It was good fun, and my first experience with coding microcontrollers in Python rather than C. It was also a good opportunity to use more components like LCDs, buttons, and sensors.
Mormir Basic
Mormir Basic is a format of MTG that typically can only be played online. Take out a majority of the skill, let luck take the wheel. You get random creatures from the thousands in Magic's history, and make do. Now, with the help of a few buttons and a reciept printer, you can play it in real life with your friends!
Writing Projects
The Buzz Around Hogle Zoo
I had the opportunity to sit down with muralist Matt Whiley; an artist with work from DC to Beijing. He spoke to me of his mission, bees, and how we can learn from these little critters.
Read MoreHead in the Clouds
An epic climb in the desert allows for introspection on the past four years of climbing and writing.
Read MoreDirtbag Gold Rush
Oftentimes worldclass climbing and tiny rural towns collide, this can have surprising consequences. How might the boom in traffic affect communities and the land? And what can we do to help?
Read MoreMore Factoids... if you scrolled down this far
Leadership/Volunteer Work
BSA Eagle Scout, received July 2022
Editor-in-Chief at Wasatch Magazine
May 2025 - Present
Outdoor Trip Manager, Utah Climbing Team August 2023 - Present
Non technical, just fun
I've been rock climbing since I was 10. I plan to do it till I'm 110. I am also an avid runner, kayaker, and snowboarder. Inside I like to play Magic the Gathering, make YouTube videos, and continue my goal of reading all 100 classics.
Skills & Technologies
Languages: C, VHDL, SystemVerilog, Python, SQL, QT, TCL, C++, C#, Java
Agile team framework, experience in large teams and small. Most comfortable in Emacs, VSCode, and Vivado