Undergraduate Final Year Project Proposals: 2015 - 2016

Undergraduate Final Year Project Proposals: 2017 - 2018 PID

Supervisor

Room

Description

1800017

Astolfi,A.

1110A

Goal of the project is to design a controller for the model of an AC/DC (boost) inverter. The design will be based on the use of PWM signals and validated via Matlab simulations.

Control of an AC/DC inverter 1800018

Astolfi,A.

Modelling the lift! 1800019

Astolfi,A.

Adaptive control with varying parameters 1800020

3E4D4T3I4J 1110A 3E4D4T3I4J 1110A 3E4D4T3I4J

Astolfi,A.

1110A

Modelling and control of DAE systems

3E4D4T3I4J

1800028

Kerrigan,E.C.

Smartest BBQ ever

Goal of this project is to develop a model for the two lifts in the EEE Dept. This may help understanding if there is something that can be done to improve their performance ......

1108C 3E4D4T3I4J

A standard assumption in adaptive control is that the unknown parameters of the system are constant. Goal of this project is to assess the performance of existing adaptive control methods in the case in which the parameters change over time and to redesign the adaptive control to cope with this time-varying nature of the parameters.

Physical systems are often modelled via differential equations and algebraic equations (describing, for example, conservation laws, or physical constraints). Goal of this project is to study this class of systems and design control laws for specific examples, such as electrical circuits or constrained mechanical systems.

The goal of this project is to design a gadget and app for a kettle charcoal BBQ (e.g. Weber) that (i) automatically adjusts the airflow to control the temperature inside the BBQ, (ii) notifies the chef when to add more charcoal, and (iii) give an estimate of when the cooking will be done. The project will involve (i) designing and building a cheap, energy-efficient Bluetooth/WiFi transmitter and receiver, (ii) designing and building actuators to adjust the airflow, (iii) integrating the actuators and temperature sensors to the wireless transmitter and receiver, (iv) developing and experimentally validating mathematical models of the system for control design, (iv) designing, implementing and testing control algorithms to be deployed on a smartphone or embedded processor. This project will build on a previous MSc project design, which is based on a Raspberry Pi, but does not yet have any actuator. The goal of this project will be to design and build a significantly cheaper, more energy-efficient solution and start work on the actuator. You need to have a track record of having successfully built and integrated mechanical and electrical systems with computers. PS: See http://smartfirebbq.com and http://apptionlabs.com for existing gadgets - our solution has to be significantly cheaper, simpler, smarter and/or more versatile.

20 September 2017

Key: 3E= EE BEng, 4D= EE MEng EM, 4T=EE MEng T, 3I = ISE BEng, 4J = ISE MEng

Page 1 of 13

PID

Supervisor

Room

Description

1800029

Kerrigan,E.C.

1108C

A gantry crane is a complex nonlinear electromechanical system, representing a challenging control problem. The end goal of this project is to implement a system that performs recognition of an unknown 3D obstacle course, and moves the crane through this obstacle course using a nonlinear controller.

Control with obstacle avoidance of a gantry crane

3E4D4T3I4J

We already have a useable software simulation of the crane. The first step in the project is to generate an obstacle course that can be added to the simulation. This will be followed by design of the nonlinear controller for guiding the crane through the maze. Ideally this software model may be used for demonstration purposes, and therefore should also include a workable user interface. If successful, the student will be tasked with implementing the above on the real crane system. This will firstly include hardware/software design of an image capturing and recognition system, such that any obstacle course may be set up. Secondly, the nonlinear controller must then be adopted to the real crane system. This project is ideal for a student who has an interest in applying control theory to real systems, as this project contains elements of theory, software and hardware design. Prior experience with Matlab and Simulink is useful, but not necessary.

1800030

Kerrigan,E.C. (with Gunduz,D.)

Low level implementation of opportunistic communication protocols

1108C 3E4D4T3I4J

Communication systems operate in time-varying environments. Opportunistic communication takes advantage of the timevarying nature of the wireless communication channel by modulating the transmission power and rate such that more is transmitted when the channel is good. The task of this project is to design a low-level physical (PHY) protocol for point-to-point systems taking advantage of deterministic changes in the channel (i.e. due to a known trajectory of the transmitter, such as when it is attached to a robot). This protocol must then be efficiently implemented on a USRP Kit, a software-defined radio based upon FPGAs. This is the same kit used in the 2nd year Comms labs and this project will build upon many of the concepts covered there. If time allows, it should then be possible to extend this protocol to a joint MAC-PHY layer that accounts for other deterministic phenomenon, such as planning around inter-user interference. This project is ideal for students who have an interest in communication systems as well as optimization-based design and control of systems.

20 September 2017


Page 2 of 13

PID

Supervisor

Room

Description

1800003

Moreira,R. (with Strbac,G.)

1008D

The capability of energy storage to provide system and network services has been demonstrated and widely reported in the literature. Recent studies have identified the potential of energy storage to provide multiple services to the various players in the electricity industry, particularly to (distribution and transmission) network operators. However, the potential of multiple distributed energy storage systems to support network operators in an aggregated fashion is still not well understood. National Grid predicts a total of 18 GW of energy storage capacity to be deployed by 2040 in UK, where 13 GW of which are expected to be connected at the distribution level. In this context, it is fundamental to investigate the role of distributed energy storage in facilitating a cost-effective transition to low carbon smart grids, in particular their value to network operators.

Role and Value of Energy Storage Systems for Distribution Network Operators

1A1C1S1Q

The project scope consists in understanding the challenges and modelling the potential benefits that distributed energy storage can provide to network operators and support aggregators to establish an adequate business case. Specific project objectives include: • Literature review on services relevant to network operators that can be provided by distributed energy storage systems. • Develop a model to coordinate operation of multiple distributed energy storages systems which provide services to distribution network operators. • The model should be able to quantify the value of energy storage to support network operators and identify key policy and regulatory barriers. • Develop policy recommendations to support aggregators to establish the business case. 1800022

Scarciotti,G.

Model reduction for bilinear systems

1107 4D4T4J

Given a large-order system and some specific properties of interest of this system, the problem of model reduction consists in the determination of a reduced-order model that, under some particular operating conditions, possesses these selected properties. The problem is of fundamental importance in the modern control and systems field because the majority of the theory and methods developed in this field rely on the availability of an accurate but simple model. The project consists in developing a model reduction method for bilinear systems, i.e. systems described by dx/dt = Ax + Bu + Cxu

1800023

Scarciotti,G.

Model reduction for second order systems

1107 4D4T4J

Given a large-order system and some specific properties of interest of this system, the problem of model reduction consists in the determination of a reduced-order model that, under some particular operating conditions, possesses these selected properties. The problem is of fundamental importance in the modern control and systems field because the majority of the theory and methods developed in this field rely on the availability of an accurate but simple model. The project consists in developing a model reduction method for second order systems, i.e. systems described by Mddx/ddt + D dx/dt + Sx=Bu

20 September 2017


Page 3 of 13

PID

Supervisor

Room

Description

1800003

Strbac,G. (with Moreira,R.)

1103

The capability of energy storage to provide system and network services has been demonstrated and widely reported in the literature. Recent studies have identified the potential of energy storage to provide multiple services to the various players in the electricity industry, particularly to (distribution and transmission) network operators. However, the potential of multiple distributed energy storage systems to support network operators in an aggregated fashion is still not well understood. National Grid predicts a total of 18 GW of energy storage capacity to be deployed by 2040 in UK, where 13 GW of which are expected to be connected at the distribution level. In this context, it is fundamental to investigate the role of distributed energy storage in facilitating a cost-effective transition to low carbon smart grids, in particular their value to network operators.

Role and Value of Energy Storage Systems for Distribution Network Operators

1A1C1S1Q

The project scope consists in understanding the challenges and modelling the potential benefits that distributed energy storage can provide to network operators and support aggregators to establish an adequate business case. Specific project objectives include: • Literature review on services relevant to network operators that can be provided by distributed energy storage systems. • Develop a model to coordinate operation of multiple distributed energy storages systems which provide services to distribution network operators. • The model should be able to quantify the value of energy storage to support network operators and identify key policy and regulatory barriers. • Develop policy recommendations to support aggregators to establish the business case. 1800021

Bahmanyar,M.R. (with Zou,L.)

Real Time Blood Pressure Feature Extraction and Abnormality Detection on Android Devices

20 September 2017

3E4D4T3I4J


Page 4 of 13

PID

Supervisor

Room

Description

1800001

Clarke,T.J.W.

615

A modern trend in web frameworks are the so-called Low Code Development (LCD) systems. Imperial College has recently chosen to use one of these (Outsystems) for enterprize automation around the new Banner web integration project which promisses to handle smoothly all student, module, and examination administration.

Low Code Web Development: the Future, or a Failed Past Rebranded?

3E4D4T3I4J

LCD Systems a development of so-called 4GL (4th generation) programming languages. These visual-based languages developed from the 1970s to the 1990s in an attempt to make code-free development accessible to non-programmers. They showed problems when used for large code bases because of lack of flexibility, and inability to reuse code (as for example is done with functions or classes in a conventional language). However modern LCD systems are sophisticated and Outsystems is aimed at professional programmers writing enterprise code, with claimed large speedups in productivity, as well as fast learning curve even for amateur programmers. This project will compare and contrast Outsystems and a traditional esy-to-use web framework Django (python-based) on a small selected set of departmental web automation tasks. The aim will be to make a deep technical analysis that could inform the department's choice of system in which to rewrite the large set of department administrative automation web pages. The project deliverables will include sample web pages in both Outsystems and Django. No prior knowledge of Outsystems or Django is expected. Good programming skills are required, and Python will be learnt on the project if needed. Some experience of web development would be helpful, and a strong interest in programming and web development is essential. The key objective of this project is to analyse how programs are written, for example how code reuse is possible in different languages, and how this impacts on the specific use case considered (departmental admin automation). Writing programs (in different languages) is a necessary but not sufficient part of the project work. https://medium.com/softwareimprovementgroup/low-code-wave-of-the-future-or-blast-from-the-past-7fcd618371b2 https://www.outsystems.com/ https://www.djangoproject.com/

20 September 2017


Page 5 of 13

PID

Supervisor

Room

Description

1800002

Clarke,T.J.W.

615

EEE is unusual in departments at Imperial College in having highly automated custom web systems for administration of teaching, developed over more than 20 years, and communicating with a complex departmental database. These systems have been written using outdated technology and there is a pressing need to upgrade them as well as to write new automation that will benefit both staff and students.

Enhanced Automation for EEE in 2020

3E4D4T3I4J

This project will use a new and easy-to-learn "low code" development system (outsystems.com) to rewrite a significant part of this code, and do requirement capture for and implementation of additional automation. The work will include careful analysis and evaluation of existing code with a view to improving what was written many years ago. It is expected that uniform design guidelines will be formulated for various types of user interface. The system used has visual design with minimal code, is relatively easy to learn, and will enable complex web pages to be written quickly. The project work will include significant requirement capture and evaluation as well as implementation. It would suit a practical-minded student interested in software development and algorithms, willing to learn about databases and web development. Strong programming expertise is not required although general programming skills will be needed. 1800011

Constandinou,T.

Implantable platform for neural recording

901 4T

We are now entering a tremendously exciting phase in our quest to understand the human brain. With large-scale programmes like the US BRAIN Initiative and the EU Human Brain Project, there is currently a huge appetite for new neurotechnologies and applications. We have already witnessed the impact made by devices such as cochlear implants and deep brain stimulators, with hundreds of thousands of individuals that have and are benefitting every day. Soon, similar assistive technology will emerge for the blind, those suffering from epilepsy, and many others. With the current capability in microtechnology, never before have there been so many opportunities to develop devices that effectively interface with the nervous system. Such devices are often referred to as neural interfaces or brain-machine interfaces and range from wearable surface-electrode systems to fully implantable devices. The interface typically uses an electrical connection (i.e. electrodes) to achieve the neural recording and/or stimulation utilising a variety of techniques, including: electroencephalography (EEG), electromyography (EMG), electrocorticography (ECoG) and direct interfacing using cuff electrodes or penetrating microelectrode arrays (MEAs). The NGNI group (http://www.imperial.ac.uk/neural-interfaces) have developed a number of application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) for neural interfacing applications - e.g. see: http://www.imperial.ac.uk/neural-interfaces/resources/silicon-chipgallery/ This project will develop an ultra-light, ultra-compact implantable headstage for integrating a neural probe - e.g. https://neuronexus.com/images/Catalogs/2016_NeuroNexusCatalog_Web_20160115.pdf within an embedded system neural recording applications. This will involve selecting and designing a chip package, incorporating the packaged integrated circuit onto an ultra-compact PCB design, prototyping and test. Experience with PCB design, low power micro-controller development are highly desirable. For relevant project background see: http://www.imperial.ac.uk/neural-interfaces/research/projects/iprobe

20 September 2017


Page 6 of 13

PID

Supervisor

Room

Description

1800012

Constandinou,T.

901

We are now entering a tremendously exciting phase in our quest to understand the human brain. With large-scale programmes like the US BRAIN Initiative and the EU Human Brain Project, there is currently a huge appetite for new neurotechnologies and applications. We have already witnessed the impact made by devices such as cochlear implants and deep brain stimulators, with hundreds of thousands of individuals that have and are benefitting every day. Soon, similar assistive technology will emerge for the blind, those suffering from epilepsy, and many others.

Implantable platform for neural stimulation

4T

With the current capability in microtechnology, never before have there been so many opportunities to develop devices that effectively interface with the nervous system. Such devices are often referred to as neural interfaces or brain-machine interfaces and range from wearable surface-electrode systems to fully implantable devices. The interface typically uses an electrical connection (i.e. electrodes) to achieve the neural recording and/or stimulation utilising a variety of techniques, including: electroencephalography (EEG), electromyography (EMG), electrocorticography (ECoG) and direct interfacing using cuff electrodes or penetrating microelectrode arrays (MEAs). The NGNI group (http://www.imperial.ac.uk/neural-interfaces) have developed a number of application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) for neural interfacing applications - e.g. see: http://www.imperial.ac.uk/neural-interfaces/resources/silicon-chipgallery/ This project will develop an ultra-light, ultra-compact implantable headstage for integrating a neural probe - e.g. https://neuronexus.com/images/Catalogs/2016_NeuroNexusCatalog_Web_20160115.pdf within an embedded system neural stimulation applications. This will involve selecting and designing a chip package, incorporating the packaged integrated circuit onto an ultra-compact PCB design, prototyping and test. Experience with PCB design, low power micro-controller development are highly desirable. For relevant project background see: http://www.imperial.ac.uk/neural-interfaces/research/projects/senseback/ 1800013

Constandinou,T.

tbd

3E4D4T3I4J

Project 3

1800014

901

Constandinou,T.

Project 4

20 September 2017

901

tbd

3E4D4T3I4J


Page 7 of 13

PID

Supervisor

Room

Description

1800031

Constantinides,G.A. (with Davis,J.J.)

912

With the right number representation system, it is possible to perform arithmetic operations (addition, multiplication, etc.) from most-significant digit first. Consequently, these "online" arithmetic operators are attractive for hardware implementation in both serial and parallel forms. When computing digits serially, they can be chained such that subsequent operations begin before the preceding ones complete. Parallel implementations tend to be most sensitive to failure in their least-significant digits, making them more friendly to overclocking than their least-significant digit first counterparts, for which the opposite is true.

4D4T4J

High-radix Online Arithmetic

In the past, online operators have typically been implemented in radix-2 (binary). However, there is no reason why this has to be the case. In this project, you will explore high-radix (r > 2) online operators, investigating their suitability for fieldprogrammable gate array (FPGA) implementation and examining the resultant tradeoffs between performance, area and power. This is an active research area in which the Circuits and Systems group has had impact in the recent past (FPT'17 (accepted), FPT'16: http://cas.ee.ic.ac.uk/people/gac1/pubs/AaronFPT16.pdf, FPT'14: http://cas.ee.ic.ac.uk/people/gac1/pubs/KanFPT14.pdf, DAC'14: http://cas.ee.ic.ac.uk/people/gac1/pubs/KanDAC14.pdf). Publication of high-quality project output will be encouraged and supported. Experience of RTL design (VHDL or Verilog) and knowledge of FPGA design tools (Quartus II, Vivado, ModelSim) are highly desirable. Use of source control (git) is mandatory. Please come to see me in 906 before indicating a preference for this project. 1800032

Constantinides,G.A. (with Davis,J.J.)

Design for Graceful Degradation: An Online Approach

912 4D4T4J

With the right number representation system, it is possible to perform arithmetic operations (addition, multiplication, etc.) from most-significant digit first. Consequently, these "online" arithmetic operators are attractive for hardware implementation in both serial and parallel forms. When computing digits serially, they can be chained such that subsequent operations begin before the preceding ones complete. Parallel implementations tend to be most sensitive to failure in their least-significant digits, making them more friendly to overclocking than their least-significant digit first counterparts, for which the opposite is true. In this project, you will explore the suitability of online operators for the implementation of larger hardware systems (e.g. video processing, neural networks) on field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) that are tolerant to timing failure. Through overclocking and/or undervolting via dynamic voltage and frequency scaling (DVFS), you will examine if and how such systems can achieve performance and/or power improvements over equivalents constructed with traditional arithmetic operators. This is an active research area in which the Circuits and Systems group has had impact in the recent past (FPT'17 (accepted), FPT'16: http://cas.ee.ic.ac.uk/people/gac1/pubs/AaronFPT16.pdf, FPT'14: http://cas.ee.ic.ac.uk/people/gac1/pubs/KanFPT14.pdf, DAC'14: http://cas.ee.ic.ac.uk/people/gac1/pubs/KanDAC14.pdf). Publication of high-quality project output will be encouraged and supported. Experience of RTL design (VHDL or Verilog) and knowledge of FPGA design tools (Quartus II, Vivado, ModelSim) are highly desirable. Use of source control (git) is mandatory. Please come to see me in 906 before indicating a preference for this project.

20 September 2017


Page 8 of 13

PID

Supervisor

Room

Description

1800031

Davis,J.J. (with Constantinides,G.A.)

906

With the right number representation system, it is possible to perform arithmetic operations (addition, multiplication, etc.) from most-significant digit first. Consequently, these "online" arithmetic operators are attractive for hardware implementation in both serial and parallel forms. When computing digits serially, they can be chained such that subsequent operations begin before the preceding ones complete. Parallel implementations tend to be most sensitive to failure in their least-significant digits, making them more friendly to overclocking than their least-significant digit first counterparts, for which the opposite is true.

High-radix Online Arithmetic

4D4T4J

In the past, online operators have typically been implemented in radix-2 (binary). However, there is no reason why this has to be the case. In this project, you will explore high-radix (r > 2) online operators, investigating their suitability for fieldprogrammable gate array (FPGA) implementation and examining the resultant tradeoffs between performance, area and power. This is an active research area in which the Circuits and Systems group has had impact in the recent past (FPT'17 (accepted), FPT'16: http://cas.ee.ic.ac.uk/people/gac1/pubs/AaronFPT16.pdf, FPT'14: http://cas.ee.ic.ac.uk/people/gac1/pubs/KanFPT14.pdf, DAC'14: http://cas.ee.ic.ac.uk/people/gac1/pubs/KanDAC14.pdf). Publication of high-quality project output will be encouraged and supported. Experience of RTL design (VHDL or Verilog) and knowledge of FPGA design tools (Quartus II, Vivado, ModelSim) are highly desirable. Use of source control (git) is mandatory. Please come to see me in 906 before indicating a preference for this project. 1800032

Davis,J.J. (with Constantinides,G.A.)

Design for Graceful Degradation: An Online Approach

906 4D4T4J

With the right number representation system, it is possible to perform arithmetic operations (addition, multiplication, etc.) from most-significant digit first. Consequently, these "online" arithmetic operators are attractive for hardware implementation in both serial and parallel forms. When computing digits serially, they can be chained such that subsequent operations begin before the preceding ones complete. Parallel implementations tend to be most sensitive to failure in their least-significant digits, making them more friendly to overclocking than their least-significant digit first counterparts, for which the opposite is true. In this project, you will explore the suitability of online operators for the implementation of larger hardware systems (e.g. video processing, neural networks) on field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) that are tolerant to timing failure. Through overclocking and/or undervolting via dynamic voltage and frequency scaling (DVFS), you will examine if and how such systems can achieve performance and/or power improvements over equivalents constructed with traditional arithmetic operators. This is an active research area in which the Circuits and Systems group has had impact in the recent past (FPT'17 (accepted), FPT'16: http://cas.ee.ic.ac.uk/people/gac1/pubs/AaronFPT16.pdf, FPT'14: http://cas.ee.ic.ac.uk/people/gac1/pubs/KanFPT14.pdf, DAC'14: http://cas.ee.ic.ac.uk/people/gac1/pubs/KanDAC14.pdf). Publication of high-quality project output will be encouraged and supported. Experience of RTL design (VHDL or Verilog) and knowledge of FPGA design tools (Quartus II, Vivado, ModelSim) are highly desirable. Use of source control (git) is mandatory. Please come to see me in 906 before indicating a preference for this project.

20 September 2017


Page 9 of 13

PID

Supervisor

Room

Description

1800015

Georgiou,P.

902

This project entails looking in depth into one of the most recent techniques for DNA sequencing which uses standard CMOS microchips for sensing. This technique exploits the materials used to fabricate standard CMOS microchips in order to serve a dual role: insulation of the chip as well as sensing of external phenomena. Phenomena such as ion activity at the top insulating layer can be sensed by the underlying electronics which means that no other processing steps are needed to fabricate the sensor. Therefore, the project involves carrying-out a study on the interfacial effects and the sensing mechanism from an array of already fabricated sensors. Depending on the result, the best sensor can be identified to guide future designs of CMOSbased DNA sensors. The aim is for the results to be published by the end of the project.

Performance enhancement of CMOS-based DNA sensing

1800016

Georgiou,P.

A high-speed interface for sensing and visualization of chemical reactions.

1800021

Manikas,A.

Design a PC based Ultra Wide Band (UWB) Radar System 1800025

Manikas,A.

Massive MIMO Communication for 5G Wireless Systems

1800026

902 4D4T4J

This project involves designing a high-speed interface to read data from a microchip with a large array of chemical sensors (34K sensors). The sensors are used to host a chemical reaction and sense any ion activity at the surface of the chip. For readout, a typical raster scan will be employed similar to image sensors, with external sampling and communication to PC. Incoming data will stored on the PC and visualized in real-time as a video stream of chemical images. Project will take place in 2 parts: Part 1-Hardware: Design a PCB (on Altium) with high speed readout components (e.g. ADCs) and microcontroller to communicate with the chip, Part 2: Design a PC-based GUI using MATLAB/Python for reading/storing/plotting incoming data. Option to use Raspberry Pi instead is also possible.

Zou,L. (with Bahmanyar,M.R.)

Real Time Blood Pressure Feature Extraction and Abnormality Detection on Android Devices 1800024

4D4T

Manikas,A.

Reconfigurable Microstrip Antenna Array for a Software Defined Radio (SDR) Testbed

20 September 2017

3E4D4T3I4J

801 4D4T4J

801 4D4T4J

801

To design an UWB PC-based Radar System operating at 4300 MHz with a sweep bandwidth of 2200MHz, using an antenna array (or Horn single beam antenna) with beam gain 10dB and 3dB beam-width [38deg H-plane (azimuth) and 23deg E-plane (elevation)]. The Radar should operated in the presence of multiple targets and clutter, with a target range resolution of about 5cm.

Keywords: Massiva MIMO, Big Data, 5G. In the next generation of wireless systems it is expected to use a massive number of antennas in order to increase the available degrees-of-freedom which then can be exploited to hugely enhance the system performance. As the signal environment is expected to be extremely dense, one of the major challenges lies in the management of co-channel interference. This project, is concerned with the problem of complete interference cancellation techniques in 5G. (please see Prof A Manikas)

4D4T4J


Page 10 of 13

PID

Supervisor

Room

Description

1800027

Manikas,A.

801

(please see Prof A Manikas)

Target localisation and tracking using a large number of drones working together 1800030

Gunduz,D. (with Kerrigan,E.C.)

Low level implementation of opportunistic communication protocols

4D4T4J

1016 3E4D4T3I4J

Communication systems operate in time-varying environments. Opportunistic communication takes advantage of the timevarying nature of the wireless communication channel by modulating the transmission power and rate such that more is transmitted when the channel is good. The task of this project is to design a low-level physical (PHY) protocol for point-to-point systems taking advantage of deterministic changes in the channel (i.e. due to a known trajectory of the transmitter, such as when it is attached to a robot). This protocol must then be efficiently implemented on a USRP Kit, a software-defined radio based upon FPGAs. This is the same kit used in the 2nd year Comms labs and this project will build upon many of the concepts covered there. If time allows, it should then be possible to extend this protocol to a joint MAC-PHY layer that accounts for other deterministic phenomenon, such as planning around inter-user interference. This project is ideal for students who have an interest in communication systems as well as optimization-based design and control of systems.

1800034

Lucyszyn,S.

Electromagnetic modelling of coupled highly-lossy resonators 1800035

Lucyszyn,S.

Thermal infrared modelling of the Egyptian pyramids at Giza

1800036

Lucyszyn,S.

Investigating Radio Frequency Variable Negative Group Delay

20 September 2017

602 3E4D4T3I4J

602 3E4D4T3I4J

602 3E4D4T3I4J

The electromagnetic modelling of lossy electromagnetic resonators has been recently investigated. The next step is to investigate highly-lossy coupled resonators found in natural/biological systems. This project is ideally suited to a student that likes analytical and CAD modelling. Ideally, the student should like mathematics and have taken my E3.18 Microwave Technology course. The Egyptian pyramids at Giza are a fascinating symbol of human ingenuity. This project looks at the thermal characteristics of these structures against the subtle contrast of the surrounding desert sand, as the temperatures vary throughout the day and seasons. But can these large structures be seen from the moon within the thermal infrared? Within this project, the student must find measured thermal data and build a CAD model for the structures. From this, a power link budget analysis will be undertaken to see how far away the structures can be seen. Since this project is a re-run from last year, there is a lot of foundation materials and so the student is required to substantially build on the methodologies. This project is ideas for students that like physics and analytical/CAD modelling. This project is a mixture between theoretical and experimental work. Negative group delay is an emerging technology first introduced by Prof. Lucyszyn. The student must first undertake a literature search and analytical study. The student will then build a radio frequency circuit to demonstrate a new concept in realizing a variable negative group delay. This project is idea for those that like physics. Ideally the student should take or have taken my E3.18 course on Microwave Technology.


Page 11 of 13

PID

Supervisor

Room

Description

1800037

Lucyszyn,S.

602

This project is in collaboration with Airbus and the National Physical Laboratory. The student will investigate the pracical limitations of 3D printing of quasi-optical components (e.g. lenses, plated parabolic mirrors, polarizers, absorbers, etc.). The student will be expected to analytically investigate the effects of imperfections through numerical modelling (using commercial software). He/she will then design, print, test and evaluate the performance of the structures at frequencies from 60 GHz to 100 THz.

3D Printed Quasi-optical Components

3E4D4T3I4J

This project is ideally suited for someone that likes mathematical modelling and getting their hands dirty...and with an interest in microwave and/or optical engineering. 1800038

Lucyszyn,S.

Double-metamaterial Rectangular Waveguide Components and Subsystems 1800039

Lucyszyn,S.

Investigating the world of extremely low frequency signals

1800040

Lucyszyn,S.

Energy harvesting from perpetual motion machines 1800004

Sydoruk,O.

Transmission-line notch filters

602 3E4D4T3I4J

The student will design, fabricate, measure and evaluate double metamaterial rectangular waveguide components and subsystems. This is spin-off idea from a successful PhD project. The student will design a range of passive components and tuneable circuits operating at 10 GHz. This project is ideal for a practical person that likes experimental work in addition to CAD.

602 3E4D4T3I4J

602 3E4D4T3I4J

603 3E4D4T3I4J

There are many sources of ultra-low frequency electromagnetic radiation (e.g., ringing from the Van-Allen radiation belt, Schumann resonances generated by lightning strikes, under water military communications between submarines, unknown pulses detected in ground currents, etc.). The student will first undertake a literature review of the various phenomena. He/she will then build ultra-low noise detectors. From data gathered, the student can then try to investigate the sources of the data. This project is ideal for the experimentalist that likes to apply their acquired taught knowledge of analogue/digital hardware design and signal processing. There are many historical examples found in the open literature (and seen on YouTube) of perpetual motion machines. More recently, generating 'free energy' using commercial electronic energy harvesting modules has become very popular. This project will investigate the possibility (or debunk the myth) of generating usable load power by combining the two concepts. This project is ideal for the experimentalist that likes to combine textbook physics with modern electronics. This is a theory-experiments project that will suit a student interested in RF electronics. Theoretically, it is possible to build notch (band-stop) filters with notches of infinite depth. In practice, however, the standard solutions may suffer from a number of disadvantages, such as loss and high rejection outside the stop band. This project will explore notch filters designed using transmission lines with feedback. The student will design their own filters and then build and test them.

1800005

Sydoruk,O.

Passive thermal imaging of submerged submarines

603 3E4D4T3I4J

A submarine submersed in a sea is virtually undetectable, presenting an acute defence problem. This project will explore the possibility to detect a submarine by its thermal radiation in the extremely-low frequency range. The student will build a computational model, based on a transmission-line approach, of a submarine submersed in the sea and will study whether the thermal radiation can be detected in the background of noise produced by the conducting sea water. The project will suit a student with interest in EM fields and in programming.

20 September 2017


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PID

Supervisor

Room

Description

1800006

Sydoruk,O.

603

The principles of inductive powering and communication are currently being taught to first-year EEE students in 'Energy Conversion' module. To enhance the learning experience, a demonstrator of the concepts is needed.

Inductive powering and communication demonstrator rig 1800007

Sydoruk,O.

Gradient-field ion mobility spectrometry

1800008

3E4D4T3I4J

603 3E4D4T3I4J

The most popular technical means of detecting illegal substances, such as bombs and explosives, is currently ion-mobility spectrometry (IMS). The largest limiting factor of an IMS spectrometer operating at atmospheric pressure is ion diffusion. In practice this leads to large measurement times, as well as high rates of false alarms. This project is theoretical and will seek to improve the IMS by placing ions into gradient fields. The student will be expected to model ion dynamics, both analytically and numerically, in such fields and thus estimate the operation of the device.

Sydoruk,O.

Acoustic landmine detection: a circuit approach

The student on this project will be expected to devise and build a rig that could be used for demonstrations during lectures. In the simplest case, this could be inductive powering of an LED, but the student will be encouraged to pursue their own ideas.

603 3E4D4T3I4J

THIS is a theoretical project for a student interested in advanced circuit theory and simulations. Detection of landmines is a huge problem both for active military conflicts and for humanitarian demining. Landmines now may contain no metal parts and are undetectable by traditional metal detectors. A viable alternative is acoustic detection. An acoustic signal is sent towards the mine and reflections from it are detected. The parameters of acoustic detection have direct counterparts in circuit terms. Therefore, acoustic detection can be described by an electric circuit containing capacitors, inductors, resistors. The mine itself can be described as a diode. The student on this project will explore, using the circuit approach, the possibilities to improve landmine detection. Particular interest is in parametric amplification, whereby two signals are mixed at a diode leading to amplification of one of them.

1800009

Sydoruk,O.

Disaster-resilient magnetoinductive communication

603 3E4D4T3I4J

THIS project can be adjusted to be theoretical, experimental or both. The project will investigate magnetic induction as a communication channel resilient to disastrous events that destroy cables. An example is communication in underground mines hit by accidents. The proposed solution uses periodic loading of cables with magnetic resonators. Communication between the resonators is remote and contactless and hence does not require the structural integrity of a cable. The project will suit a student with interest in physical electronics. It is related to the modules of Circuits, Energy Conversion, Fields, Optoelectronics, RF electronics.

1800010

Sydoruk,O.

Magneto-inductive Displacement Detector

20 September 2017

603 3E

THIS project will explore the possibility of using magnetically-coupled LC resonators for detecting mechanical displacements. It could be theoretical, experimental or both. It would suit a student with interest in electromagnetic devices, theory, and simulations. It is related to the modules Energy Conversion and Fields.


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