Brad Thoen
About Brad Thoen
Brad Thoen is a Senior Staff Engineer at MTS Systems Corporation, where he has worked since 1979. He specializes in multi-degree-of-freedom kinematics, dynamics, and control, focusing on real-time controls for custom motion control platforms.
Work at MTS Systems Corporation
Brad Thoen has been a Senior Staff Engineer at MTS Systems Corporation since 1979. His tenure of 45 years at the company highlights his commitment to engineering excellence. In this role, he focuses on developing real-time controls for large-scale custom motion control platforms. His work includes projects such as seismic shake tables, wavemakers, and driving simulators, which are critical for various testing applications.
Education and Expertise
Brad Thoen studied Electrical Engineering at the University of Minnesota, where he achieved a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering (MSEE) from 1971 to 1977. His educational background provides a strong foundation for his expertise in multi-degree-of-freedom kinematics, dynamics, and control. He specializes in adaptive control, signal processing, and dynamic system modeling, which are essential for his engineering projects.
Engineering Responsibilities
In his role at MTS Systems Corporation, Brad Thoen engages in seismic and structural testing as part of his engineering responsibilities. He develops and implements control systems for complex engineering challenges. His work involves exploring how system sample rate affects control fidelity in servohydraulic systems, ensuring high performance and reliability in motion control applications.
Technical Skills and Tools
Brad Thoen utilizes MATLAB and Simulink for control system architecture and model-in-the-loop real-time simulation. His technical skills in multirate signal processing and parameter estimation contribute to the effectiveness of the control systems he designs. These tools enable him to create sophisticated models that enhance the performance of motion control platforms.