(redirected from Main.Seminar)
ECE Currents
ECE Currents is an opportunity to see recent research by faculty, graduate students, and undergraduate students in UA ECE. Talks are about 5 minutes long, with the same time for questions. Currents is held on odd Wednesdays from 3:00-4:00 in ECE 530.
For more information about ECE Currents (or to volunteer to give a talk), contact Jonathan Sprinkle (sprinkle@ECE.Arizona.Edu)
Next ECE Currents: Spring, 2010
| Speaker | Topic |
|---|
Future ECE Currents Talks
| Date | Speaker | Topic | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | |||
| W Dec 02 | Ricardo Sanfelice Asst. Professor, AME | "TBD" | |
Previous talks in the ECE Currents Series
| Date | Speaker | Topic | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | |||
| W Nov 18 | Hyun-jin Park HF Packaging Lab | "Automatic RF Impedance Correction Circuits for ATE Test" This is an Automatic Reconfigurable Frequency Matched Tuner design for an automatic match control (AMC) system to be used for Device Under Test (DUT) unit. The tuners using Microstrip Rogers Duroid 4003 and 6010 substrate materials were designed and verified. The tuners are able to tune its resonant frequency of 1750MHz and 2170MHz to match with frequency dependent loads using varactor diodes that are loaded at each stub. A parameter study was performed to minimize the tuner size from 3.17 inch by 2.7 inch to 0.74 inch by 0.5 inch. | |
| Rongguo Zhou Xin Lab | "An improved two-antenna direction of arrival (DOA) technique inspired by human ears" Microwave passive direction finding is a very important technology that has many military and commercial applications including electronic warfare, mobile communications, etc. In this presentation, we propose a novel DOA estimation technique using only two antennas, which is inspired by the human auditory system. The improved DOA estimation accuracy is domonstrated in both simulation and experiment. | ||
| Rajdeep Bondade Ma Lab | "A PLL/DLL-regulated DC-DC Power Converter for VLSI applications" Abstract: A delay-locked loop (DLL) regulated single-inductor multiple-output (SIMO) power converter is presented. It takes advantage of the fast phase locking property of a DLL to identify the SIMO converter's regulation errors between the output voltages and their corresponding references. In response to these errors, an adaptive peak current modulation technique is proposed to adjust the instantaneous duty ratios, and thus minimize the regulation errors in the converter. The DLL acquires locking within 350 ns, allowing it to respond to load dynamics promptly, which is very desirable for DVS-enabled power-efficient VLSI systems. | ||
| W Nov 4 | Murat Arabaci Djordjevic Lab | "Non-binary-LDPC-Coded Modulation Schemes Enabling Ultra High-Speed Optical Communication" Abstract: We present coded modulation schemes based on component non-binary LDPC codes and show how they can be used to enable ultra high-speed communication in optical fiber links. We compare the proposed schemes against the corresponding bit-interleaved coded- modulation (BICM) schemes from both complexity and performance standpoints, and demonstrate the dramatic improvement that proposed schemes have to offer for future forward error correction modules. | |
| Jon Dyhr Higgins Lab | "Biologically inspired models of visual speed estimation" Many insects use estimates of the angular speed of the visual image for a variety of behaviors, including flight speed control, visual odometry and depth estimation. While these behaviors have been studied extensively, we have yet to identify the underlying neuronal circuit. In this talk I will present data supporting a non-directionally sensitive, correlation-type mechanism as potentially underlying the brain's computation of the speed of the visual image. This data will come from behavioral experiments using live bumblebees and behavioral simulations using non-directionally selective motion detectors. | ||
| Deming Zhang Kostuk Lab | "Design and Fabrication of a Holographic Solar Concentrator" Abstract: Most commercial solar cells with moderate series resistance will have an efficiency gain by concentration of incident solar flux. We have designed a concentrator system using transmission holographic gratings. This concentrator system can be tailored knowing the properties of the photovoltaic material. The system can operate at low to medium concentration (2x-20x) without having active cooling and tracking of the sun. Holographic grating is fabricated with spin-coated Dichromated Gelatin(DCG) on glass substrate. Modeling and prototypes showed at least 20% increase in overall energy yield. | ||
| W Oct 21 | Amit Ashok Senior Research Scientist OCPL Lab | "When Less is More!" Abstract: Compressive sensing is an emerging area of research in the signal processing community with potential for widespread impact in the general areas of sensing and imaging. I will brifely talk about the basic theory of compressive sensing and our group's research to advance and exploit this theory to design new sensors/imagers with reduced size, complexity, power and weight requirements. | |
| Yikai Wang Ma Lab | "Medical Imaging with a Portable Ultrasound System" Abstract: An adaptive data prediction based ultrasound receiver is proposed for power-efficient high-resolution ultrasound imaging processing. The system efficiently comprises of only a LNA and a 10-bits ADC with a 8th-order linear predictor. The adaptive data prediction based ADC enhance the overall dynamic range up to 96 dB. Meanwhile, by eliminating the TGC and its controller in the conventional receiver design, the noise, distortion as well as the power consumption coming from these circuits is completely removed. Hence, a low-power high-resolution design is achieved. | ||
| Ichi Lin Higgins Lab | "A Visual Small Target Tracking System Using Live Dragonflies" Abstract: The remarkable ability of dragonflies to pursue small targets under high speed is due to their rapid processing and relaying of visual information from its brain through the ventral nerve cord (VNC) to the thoracic motor centers. Open-loop studies have revealed that among the eight target selective descending neurons (TSDNs) identified in each of the two parallel connectives of the VNC, at least one was selective for target movement in the leftward, rightward, upward, and downward directions. This project will investigate the role of these neurons in closed-loop small target tracking in a simulated environment. | ||
| Michael Valenzuela Rozenblit Lab | "Asymmetric Threat Response and Analysis Project (ATRAP) II" Abstract: Asymmetric Threat Response and Analysis Project (ATRAP), is a "cognitive amplifier," that can ingest and process more information than a human could ever read (e.g. terabytes of emails, web-pages, and reports). Visual text processing and correlation capabilities allow ATRAP to fuzzy match and extract patterns from the data. Reoccurring patterns of activity can even be used to help predict future events. Future versions will include behavioral analysis of organizations and groups designed to increase confidence in the software’s threat assessments. | ||
| W Oct 7 | Haoting Luo Prof. Louri and Prof. Wang | "Self-Organization and Self-Healing Techniques for Reliable On-Chip Networks" Abstract: Fault-tolerant approaches typically require expensive additional resources and external control, which may consume a large portion of the area and power budget for the on-chip networks. This talk introduces a self-organization and self-healing technique by using reconfigurable multi-functional blocks. This embedded fine-grained hardware can help repair the system swiftly and flexibly, thus reaching high-reliability with very little area overhead. | |
| Chen Zheng Ma Lab | "Dual-DLL-Based CMOS All-Digital Temperature Sensor for Microprocessor Thermal Monitoring" Abstract: A low-power high-resolution CMOS all-digital temperature sensor is proposed for microprocessor thermal monitoring. Dual delay-locked loops (DLLs) are employed to sense the temperature-induced delay variations. The temperature information is converted into digital domain with 8-bit resolution. An analog interpolator is also used to further improve the sensing accuracy. | ||
| Ziran Wu | "3-D Electromagnetic Crystal Based Components for THz Applications" Abstract: Research involving Terahertz (THz) spectrum has enjoyed dramatic growth in terms of technical achievement as well as commercial implementation recently. Together with a perspective of THz backgrounds, this presentation will highlight our group's research on 3-D electromagnetic crystal based THz components, including design, realization and characterization of various components, and potential applications for them. | ||
| W Sep 23 | Chuan Feng Research Asst. Professor, UA ECE, Model-Based Design Lab | "Turn-by-turn navigation for minimally invasive surgery" Abstract: To optimize the benefits of minimally invasive surgery (MIS), it is important to minimize the dangers of its requisite technology. A GPS like turn-by-turn navigation system will give surgeons additional guidance within the constrained working space. A prototype system is under development and a "smart" instrument will be introduced in the future. | |
| Mario Riojas S. Lysecky and J. Rozenbilt | "Engineering Education Outreach Work in TUSD" Abstract: Students in middle school are at a critical age where exposure to engineering can greatly impact their future education goals. Yet, the challenge remains on adapting pedagogical methods commonly used at the college level to the middle school classrooms. We are working in the development of an educational platform to enable users with no formal knowledge in programming and electronics to design and implement a variety of systems in an intuitive manner. Our work with two local middle schools shows promising results for the advancement of precollege engineering education. | ||
| Brian Fox Potter Lab | "Effects of Gamma-Radiation on Rare-Earth-Doped Optical Fibers" Abstract: Factors such as reliability and high efficiencies drive an ever-increasing demand to utilize optical fiber technology in adverse, ionizing-radiation environments. In this presentation the effect of gamma-radiation on rare-earth-doped fibers will be investigated and the underlying physical process, known as radiation-induced photodarkening, explained. | ||
| W Sep 09 | Bane Vasic Professor, UA ECE, Math | "What is Error Correction?" Abstract: We give intuition behind iterative decoding of low-density parity check codes. These codes have revolutionized digital communications and are becoming part of numerous standards. | |
| Loukas Lazos Asst. Professor, UA | "Avoiding Selective Jammers" Abstract: We explore selective jamming attacks in wireless networks, which attempt to maximize the impact on the network performance while minimizing the energy expended for jamming and the probability of detection. We pose several challenges in the realization and mitigation of selective jamming. | ||
| Jerrie Fairbanks Higgins Lab | "Brain-Computer Interfacing" We will explore a project to interface a robot with a dragon fly, and the spike sorting technique for analyzing nerve cord data. | ||
| W Aug 26 | Roman Lysecky Asst. Professor, UA ECE | "Dynamic and Autonomous Software-to-Hardware Translation for High-Performance and Low-Power Embedded Computing" Abstract: This talk will provide an overview of some of the current and future challenges of dynamic software-to-hardware translation for embedded computing systems, specifically presenting recent results in efficient non-intrusive profiling of multithreaded applications. | |
| Diyang Chu Sprinkle Lab, UA ECE | "Transition Maneuver Simulation of VTOL MAV based on Wind-Tunnel Data" Abstract: Based on wind-tunnel data, the VTOL MAV simulator is developed, which is used to search the steady state flight conditions of the MAV. Simulations are performed to investigate MAV design tradeoffs. Different control algorithms are discussed and flight test data are presented. | ||
Previous Seminars
ECE Currents, 2008-2009
| Date | Speaker | Affiliation | Topic |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | |||
| W May 6 | Dr. Kamel Didan | Research Professor, UA ECE | "NASA Earth Science Data in Support of Global Change Research" |
| Anantha Krishnan | Graduate Student Researcher, Vasic Lab | "Two-Dimensional Magnetic Recording" | |
| Hussain Al-Helal | Undergraduate Researchers, Sprinkle Lab | "UAV Search: Maximising Target Acquisition" Abstract: This talk describes analysis of optimal control techniques for simulated quad-rotor unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) performing search and rescue missions. Analysis of the controller and guidance laws governing the UAV are described in detail culminating in a closed form expression describing the probability of detection by camera over a certain field. | |
| W Apr 22 | Prof. Chuck Higgins | Associate Professor, UA ECE | "Hybrid Bio-Robotics" Abstract: Discussion of the lab's recent work in using living insects as sensory systems for mobile robots, including our visual experiments with hawkmoths and concluding with future plans for dragonflies. |
| Gregory M. Striemer | Undergraduate Researcher, Akoglu Lab | "Sequence Alignment with GPU: Performance and Design Challenges" Abstract: In bioinformatics, alignments are commonly performed in genome and protein sequence analysis for gene identification and evolutionary similarities. However, execution time of these algorithms on general purpose processor based systems makes it impractical for use by life scientists. In this talk we explore the architectural features of Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) and evaluate the challenges the hardware architecture poses, as well as the software modifications needed to map the program architecture on to the GPU. | |
| Andreas Schuster | Visiting Scholar, Sprinkle Lab, TU Berlin | "Synthesizing Experiments from Structural Models of Component-Based Systems" Abstract: In order to build complex robotics systems, software and robotics experts agree that a component-based approach is a good way to allow the reuse of working software. However, most robotics experts are not familiar with middleware programming, and middleware programmers often lack knowledge of the robotics domain domain.This talk discusses a domain-specific modeling environment that provides the features to set up robotics experiments or simulations without having to be either a robotics or middleware expert. | |
Computer Engineering Seminar, 2007-2008
In 2007-2008, the Computer Engineering Seminar was held. More information on those talks (including PDF versions of the slides) is available at CE Seminar.