Artificial Intelligence, Augmented Reality, Expert System, and FPGA Application Consulting

Nicola Vincenzo
Cinquegranna

Computer Scientist • Engineer • Entrepreneur • Author • Farmer • Winemaker-Distiller

PO Box 75 · Carthage, IN 46115 · (317) 292-2355 · nick@cinquegranna.com

Modernizing AI & Accelerating Systems

46 years delivering successful outcomes across expert systems, FPGA/HPC, HFT, modeling & simulation, computer vision, and synthetic holography.

Based in central Indiana, serving clients nationwide.

I bridge legacy technologies with modern innovations. From rule-based AI and behavioral modeling to today’s hybrid systems and hardware acceleration, I’ve helped organizations in defense, finance, medical imaging, and advanced manufacturing achieve measurable performance gains.

My approach is outcome-driven: assess, architect, and deliver. I partner with teams to modernize expert systems, accelerate critical pipelines with FPGA/HPC, and build high-fidelity simulations and computer vision pipelines that move the needle.

My Books

Before the Machines Spoke

Memoirs of an AI Grandfather

Before the Machines Spoke: Memoirs of an AI Grandfather is an extraordinary firsthand account of the rise of artificial intelligence— from the inside. With wit, humility, and hard-won insight, Nick chronicles the development of "Luigi," an AI behavioral simulation system born in the Cold War era and reflects on the evolution of AI into the language models of today.

Blending engineering memoir, social philosophy, and deep concern for humanity’s future, this book invites readers behind the curtain of technology’s most profound transformation. It’s not just a story of machines—it’s a story of people, purpose, and the enduring responsibility of those dedicated to building the future.

Published July 2025

FPGAs for High Frequency Trading

A technical briefing

This publication captured my series of one-day on-site technical briefings to expand their availability to a larger audience.

Published April 2018

Experienced in Artificial Intelligence, Augmented Reality, Expert System, and FPGA Applications

Experience

Systems Development

Gunslinger, Peacemaker, Trigger

High Frequency Trading Platforms

Extrememly low latency high frequency trading systems (Gunslinger), and system components (Peacemaker and Trigger) for commodities trading on the Chicago Board of Trade. These were the first systems to provide sub-microsecond latency from event trigger to order placement. These systems moved ticker event triggering to the network interface.

Deployed 2011 - 2012

Real Time Synthetic Holography System

SBIR, United States Air Force

An FPGA accelerated system for the real time (33 fps) generation of holographic imagery from live sensor data.

Deployed 2009

FPGA Algorithm Development System

SBIR, United States Air Force

A MS Windows application, crafted in C# and F# that created FPGA programming code (in Verilog and VHDL) from user defined workflow diagrams.

Deployed 2008

FPGA Accelerated Notebook PC

SBIR, United States Navy

A MS Windows application and very small FPGA accelerator module that accelerated target mensuration and mission planning activities running on notebook computers.

Completed 2007

LUIGI, Human Behavior Modeling System

United States Government

The subject of my memoirs (referenced above in Books). It was a DEC VAX/VMS application that modeled the behavior of homogeneous human groups within a larger non-homogeneous population.

Deployed 1990 - 2011

Corporate Positions

Lead Staff Scientist

Mentor Graphics

Principal Investigator and team leader adapting a massive FPGA-based IC emulator to executing High Performance Computing (HPC) applications. This project also led to two patents in the realm of signals intelligence and FPGA application development.

Director, Global Product Support

Mentor Graphics

Managed all activities for world-wide support of Mentor Graphics hardware products including hardware accelerated modeling and simulationa and FPGA-based emulation systems.

Director, Manufacturing Technologies

Abbott Laboratories

Conceived and implemented new manufacturing systems and manufacturing cost improvement initiatives, based on computer-integrated material, test and repair control for the Hospital Products Division.

Test Engineer and Technical Instructor

GenRad Corporation

Developed and presented product training programs and provided contracted test engineering services to customers.

Marketing Engineer

Analog Devices

Designed and developed product demonstrators and major trade show exhibits.

Entrepreneur

NICHE Engineering, Northwestern Technologies,NVG Assoicates and MNB Technologies

Under contract to a variety of clients, provided FPGA development services and other Computer Sciences services. Developed an airborne electric meter reading system for rural markets, and an electrical transmission line monitoring and fault detection system. Major SBIR projects completed by MNB Technologies are identified above.

Skills and Talent

Programming Languages & Tools

Verilog and VHDL
C and C++
C# and F#
HTML and PHP
Visual Studio
Windows and Linux
Synthetic Holography

Talent

AI and Expert System Modernization

Transform legacy rule-based systems into hybrid AI combining symbolic logic and modern LLM workflows.
FPGA Acceleration & HPC

Reduce latency and maximize throughput for finance, defense, and imaging workloads. Verilog/VHDL/C++ integration.
Modeling & Simulation

Design and implement simulations for manufacturing, defense training, and autonomous systems.
Synthetic Holography and Image Analysis

Integrate real-time synthetic holography and image analysis into manufacturing automation systems, defense systems, and medical analysis systems.
Advisory and Architecture

Technical due diligence, modernization roadmaps, and executive advisory for high-stakes initiatives.
Leadership and Team Building

Frequently the difference between project success and failure is determined by the ability of project management to provide competent leadership and build an effective team. 46 years of engineering and management combined with my military experience has given me insights I can share concerning teams, motivation and leadership.

Why Work With Me

46 years of cross-domain depth in AI, systems, and hardware/software acceleration.

When an engineer's career spans nearly five decades, it is expected that significant work will be successfully done in a variety of technical domains. A good engineer learns from these cross-domain experiences and brings that hard-won knowledge into all future work. My experience in semiconductors, medical systems, energy systems, networking systems, high performance computing, high frequency trading, synthetic holography, signals intelligence, information security, etc., serves my clients well. Decades of practical experience do not always prevent new mistakes, but it certainly prevents repeating mistakes.
Outcome-first consulting focused on measurable ROI, not just hours.

I do not believe in billing my clients for the hours I work. Instead, I negotiate a flat fee for achieving the desired program/project outcomes. My success is based upon my clients realization of their goals, not my hourly rate.
Bridge legacy to cutting-edge — expert systems to LLMs, CPUs/GPUs to FPGAs.

There are many times more legacy systems operating than there are new platforms. As we recognize this, it becomes important to look to lifetime system ownership costs, not just initial acquisition cost, for realizing the maximum benefit from technology investment. I like to help system evolve over their lifetime, integrating new approahces while continuing to extract value from installed systems.

Engagement Models

System Audit

1-week, fixed-fee review of architecture, performance, and modernization opportunities.

Fixed-Scope Projects

$10k–$25k deliverables for FPGA optimization, AI modernization, or simulation builds.

Executive Advisory

$5k–$15k/month retainers for ongoing technical leadership and roadmap guidance.

Favorite Quotation

My favorite quotation is from the author Robert Heinlein:

A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly.
Specialization is for insects.

I have done all these things except “die gallantly”, something I'm' trying to postpone for as long as possible.

My Other Interests

I don't hide my age, in November 2025 I'll be starting my 72nd year. My interests align with maintaining a semi-retired lifestyle.

Agriculture

I am the co-owner of Seven Springs Farm Winery, Inc. It is an organically managed boutique winery/distillery specializing in a variety of fruit (besides grape) wines, brandy and a various types of whiskey.

The farm also produces eggs and Bichon Frise puppies.

https://sevensprings.farm

Community Service

I'm the Vice President of our community library board of directors and also the President/Treasurer of the related charitable foundation.

Activities

Gourmet Cooking
I'm the author of "But I Can't Cook -- Italian American" (available on Amazon) and "But I Can't Cook -- Fast Food Italian'" (available soon).
Coastal and Off Shore Sailing
Woodworking
Golf (but I'm not very good at it)

Let’s Discuss Your Project

nick@cinquegranna.com

Phone-Text

(317) 292-2355

Address