Ivan Alvarez

Projects

Systems, protocols, and builds

Facilities Dashboard Application

Facilities Dashboard login screen

Django web app centralizing vendor management and increasing security for SESLOC branches.

  • Implemented SSO-backed workflows and dashboards; eliminated spreadsheet-based tracking.
  • Deployed on IIS/FastCGI with SQLite3 database; integrated maintenance requests and IT ticketing.
DjangoPythonSQLite3IISFastCGI

Paso Robles Food Co-op Referral App

Paso Robles Food Co-op Referral App landing page

Referral program platform to grow member signups with trackable invites and email integration.

  • Architected solution; led 6 developers utilizing sprints and code reviews; stabilized data model on PostgreSQL/Prisma.
  • Shipped invite flows, referral tracking, and admin views in Next.js/React/Node.
  • Coordinated with stakeholders to implement a cross-system referral code feature.
Next.jsReactNode.jsPostgreSQLPrisma

CCC-USS Calendar

CCC-USS Calendar main page

Scheduling and events tool for undocumented student support services.

  • Collaborated in a large, cross-functional team to build calendar UX, API endpoints, and data layer.
  • Implemented authentication and various role-based views.
Next.jsReactNode.jsMongoDB

SIMBA Mars Rover Boot II

SIMBA Mars Rover

Restoring and hardening SIMBA rover OS for reliable eMMC boot with new SPI WiFi and sensor integrations. Planned to launch to Mars in 2030.

  • Cloned and preserved legacy SD images, rebuilt Linux environment, and validated boots on Kria K26 SOM eMMC.
  • Coordinated with prior team to recover kinematic and AI vision engines; configuring SPI WiFi chip and I2C sensors.
LinuxEmbeddedSPII2C

Reliable File Transfer Protocol

Client-server file download protocol program run on Cal Poly Unix Servers.

  • Selective-Reject ARQ over UDP with sliding window and FSM-driven flow control.
  • Custom circular buffer and multi-process server with fork() for concurrent transfers.
  • Handles loss, corruption, and timeouts gracefully.
CUDPNetworkingLinux

TCP Chat Program

Client-server chat with custom protocol supporting unicast, multicast, and broadcast.

  • Non-blocking server using poll() to manage multiple clients.
CTCPSocketsLinux

Packet Sniffer

Parsed Ethernet, IP, TCP, UDP, and ARP with checksum validation and endianness handling.

  • Built on pcap to inspect trace files accurately.
CpcapNetworkingLinux

Personal VPN Server

Raspberry Pi VPN using WireGuard with dynamic DNS and port forwarding.

  • Validated tunnel security with Wireshark packet analysis.
Raspberry PiWireGuardWiresharkLinux

RISC-V FPGA CPU

32-bit CPU on Basys3 with 5-stage pipeline and L1 cache.

  • 1.5x performance boost over non-pipelined design via hazard detection, forwarding unit, and caching.
  • Implemented in SystemVerilog and validated with assembly test programs.
SystemVerilogVivadoRISC-V

DTMF Decoding System

Integer-based DSP pipeline with ISI error under 15% using efficient IIR filters.

  • Designed with pole/zero placement; implemented in Python.
PythonDSPMATLAB

OOP Simulated World

Refactored Java codebase; added A* pathfinding and custom sprites/animation.

  • Improved scalability and readability via OOP patterns.
JavaA* PathfindingOOP

Personal Gaming Computer Build

Built three gaming PCs within budget; selected compatible components end to end.

PC Building