RITE Site Project Descriptions: Summer 2004
1.
Adjustable Time Delays for Optical Clock Recovery Systems.
Prof. T. Murphy
One of the first and most important elements in any digital communication receiver is a clock recovery system. Clock recovery is the process by which a locally generated clock signal is synchronized with an incoming data signal. In present-day optical networks, the task of clock recovery is handled in the electronic domain after the optical signals are electrically detected. We plan to build an optical clock recovery system, in which most of the processing instead occurs in the optical domain. This could avoid the costly bottleneck associated with optical-electrical conversion, especially in cases where direct access to individual data bits is not required. One key element in such a system is an adjustable time delay that allows the clock timing to be modulated. In this project, we will experimentally evaluate different techniques for implementing this modulation. The project will involve learning about the several different techniques of building optical time delays, designing an adjustable time-delay that meets the requirements for the project, building and testing a prototype of the design. The most important prerequisites are enthusiasm and curiosity, although some experience with basic circuit design and laboratory measurement techniques would be helpful .
2.
Artificial Bat Echolocation for Biological Modeling and Robotics
Prof. T. Horiuchi and
Prof. J. Simon
The Computational Sensorimotor Systems Lab (CSSL) directed by Profs. Timothy Horiuchi and Jonathan Simon will have a project this summer for 1-2 MERIT undergraduates to design, simulate, and construct circuits and PC boards for a small acoustic sonar system for investigating biological algorithms of bat echolocation. This project will involve some reading of electronics as well as biological literature in addition to the circuit simulation and physical construction. Integrated circuit design may be possible. This work will support on-going research in the lab and will involve students directly in the research topics of the lab.
Course Prerequisites: Junior-level analog electronics and signal processing (Equivalent to UMCP courses ENEE 312 and ENEE 322).
3. Automatic Speaker-Independent Speech Recognition
Prof. C. Espy-Wilson
There is an increasing demand for automatic speaker-independent speech recognition solutions for desktops and wireless handheld devices. The development of accurate, efficient, robust and speaker-independent digital signal processing algorithms for speech recognition is the subject of intensive on-going research in the Department. Many of the research activities involved, such as the evaluation of algorithms across different databases and the development of fast algorithms, are suitable projects for undergraduate students. Typical subprojects include the conversion of MATLAB code into C, the evaluation and comparison of different algorithms in the various components of the recognition system, testing of the recognition system on different languages, and the application of these algorithms on environmental sounds to see how well they are characterized and distinguished from speech.
3. Automatic Speaker Recognition
Prof. C. Espy-Wilson
The need for robust speaker identification and speaker verification systems has become even more critical in recent years given the nation's security issues. Research in the department in this areas focuses on the development of digital signal processing algorithms that capture speaker-specific information and the development of acoustic models that can deal with limited training data. Typical subprojects that are suitable for undergraduates include the development of algorithms for speaker normalization, integration of algorithms into the speaker verification system, evaluation and comparison of different algorithms in the various components of the system.
5. Cell Clinics for Bioelectric Interface with Single Cells
Prof. P. Abshire
Interfacing electronics to biological systems leads
to the possibility of creating devices capable of being used as biosensors, environmental
monitors, and hybrid bioelectronic computational engines. The potential applications in
healthcare, security, and scientific research are numerous. Students will contribute to
ongoing research in the Integrated Biomorphic Information Systems Laboratory to develop such
bioelectronic and biophotonic interfaces to single cells. These interfaces consist of
microelectronic circuits integrated together with micromechanical structures for cell
manipulation and capture. Subprojects include circuit design and simulation, characterization
of integrated circuits, design and construction of PC boards and interfaces, and development
of methods for cell manipulation. This project involves review of electronics and biological
literature in addition to design, simulation, testing, and physical construction.
Prerequisites: integrated circuits and/or MEMS and/or physiological experience.
6. Evaluation of Polarization Dependence
in Nonlinear Optical Detectors
Prof. T. Murphy
In fiber-optic communication systems, the polarization state of the light can vary unpredictably because of thermal and mechanical disturbances in the fiber. One of the critical challenges faced by optical engineers is therefore to develop components that behave identically for all possible input polarization states. Nonlinear optical devices have the potential for greatly simplifying optical communication networks by replacing electronic processing with all-optical processing, but unfortunately, most nonlinear optical devices exhibit some degree of polarization sensitivity. In this project, we will investigate one specific nonlinear process: two-photon absorption in photodetectors, with the goal of theoretically predicting and experimentally measuring the polarization dependence in these devices. The project will involve both hands-on experimental work in an optics laboratory and computer modelling of physical processes. The most important prerequisites are enthusiasm and curiosity, but some experience with numerical software like MATLAB (or equivalent) and basic experimental techniques would be beneficial.
7. GPS-Based Location Determination
Prof. P. S. Krishnaprasad
GPS (global positioning laboratory) represents a remarkable integration of several major advances in the field of electrical engineering-from satellite communication, coding, estimation of signals in noise, to real-time signal processing via fast, low power circuitry on portable devices--providing us the capability to determine with increasing precision and accuracy, the location and speed of a GPS-equipped platform practically anywhere on earth. It is expected that initially, work in the proposed project would emphasize a view of the integration of subject matter inherent to GPS, demonstrating how systems concepts, such as filtering algorithms (e.g., Kalman filters and various nonlinear filters), mathematical descriptions of orbital mechanics of satellites, and differential or interferometric techniques, and phase tracking techniques contribute to the advances in precision and accuracy achievable via GPS. The project will also provide opportunities for studying applications of GPS to motion control, and in this context also investigate integration of a variety of other sensor technologies (e.g., inertial and optical/acoustic proximity sensors) with GPS for this purpose. It is expected that initially, work in the proposed project would emphasize a view of the integration of subject matter inherent to GPS, demonstrating how systems concepts, such as filtering algorithms (e.g., Kalman filters and various nonlinear filters), mathematical descriptions of orbital mechanics of satellites, differential or interferometric techniques, and phase tracking techniques contribute to the advances in precision and accuracy achievable via GPS. The project will also provide opportunities for studying applications of GPS to motion control, and in this context also investigate integration of a variety of other sensor technologies with GPS for this purpose. Students selected under the RITE site program will be able to pursue software development in this arena (with interesting challenges in integer optimization for phase ambiguity resolution, cycle slip detection and mode switching in satellite tracking). A primary goal of the project will be for students to learn the principles and carry out implementations of motion determination algorithms based on filtering and estimation theory and gain a better appreciation of issues in signal processing influenced by noise characteristics associated to the GPS system.
8. Human Movement Modeling Using a Multi-Camera System
Prof. R. Chellappa
Modeling and analysis of human movement using multiple cameras is a challenging problem with applications in sports video analysis, early diagnosis of movement-related disorders and monitoring the recovery of patients who have undergone knee surgery. In this summer's project, the student will be expected to help with developing software for self-calibration of multiple cameras used for data acquisition as well as work on algorithms for extracting the kinematics of joints and body parts using non-rigid models.
9. Machine Recognition of Disquised Faces
Prof. R. Chellappa
Although significant research has been done over the past fifteen years in the area of machine recognition of faces, we still do not have a working algorithm for recognizing disguised faces. In this effort, the summer student will develop novel algorithms using a parts-based face recognition approach for handling disguised faces.
10. Multimedia Watermarking and Steganography
Prof. M. Wu
In the recent decade, new devices and powerful software have made it possible for consumers worldwide to access, create, and manipulate multimedia data. Internet and wireless networks offer ubiquitous channels to deliver and to exchange such multimedia information. However, the potential offered by the information technology era cannot be fully realized without the guarantee on the security and protection of multimedia data. Digital watermarking are schemes to embed imperceptible data in digital multimedia for a variety of applications, including ownership protection, tampering detection, access control, and annotation. With a few variations, the same technologies can be used as steganographic tools for covert communications.
This project is to develop a software toolbox for watermarking and steganography. The toolbox will provide a collection of reusable modules, many of which are common in watermarking different types of multimedia signal (such as image, video, and audio) and in different applications (such as ownership protection, tampering detection, and digital fingerprinting). The successful deployment of this toolbox will enable fast prototyping of watermarking and steganography systems for new applications with a variety of multimedia signal. Besides being exposed to exciting results from latest research and the state-of-the-art development tools, students in this project will be able to create their own pictures and music with invisible images and silent messages hidden in.
11. Neuromorphic Signal Processing
Prof. S. Shamma and
Prof. J. Simon
Neuromorphic engineering is a novel direction in Bioengineering that is based on the design and fabrication of artificial neural systems, such as vision chips, head-eye systems, auditory processors, and autonomous robots, whose physical architecture and design principles are based on those of biological nervous systems. The last decade has witnessed major advances in the theory of neurally inspired signal processing and its hardware implementation in analog and digital VLSI. Most significant has been the appreciation that biological sensory and motor systems offer novel ideas on how to construct machines that exhibit robust, sensitive, and adaptive behaviors, and even potentially complex cognitive abilities. The research that underlies this young field is truly diverse ranging from the purely theoretical studies of computational complexity and learning algorithms, to the highly applied image and speech understanding systems. The department’s research includes the formulation of auditory algorithms for speech and music recognition and understanding, the design of echolocation systems mimicking the bat ultrasound, the exploration, modeling and analysis of the brain's sensory processing systems, and the detailed modeling of sound localization abilities of the barn owl. Many components of this research activity, such as real-time implementation of algorithms on DSP chips and development of analog VLSI circuits, testing them, and integrating them within bigger systems, are suitable projects for undergraduate students. In addition, this collection of projects lends itself to robotic implementations, especially with autonomous vehicles, projects that are especially suitable for a group effort where the integration of multiple modalities and technologies is necessary. The MERIT students will use custom chips that have been developed in the labs and integrate them into a demonstration system. Various algorithms for image processing will be implemented using these systems. The students will be exposed to a wide range of engineering concepts, ranging from analog and digital signal processing to hardware realization of image processing algorithms. The results may be published at conferences and/or in technical journals. The technical and communicational skills of the students will be enhanced by exposing them to high-level research, requiring written technical papers/reports and oral presentations.
12. Resource Allocation for Wireless Communication Networks
Prof. S. Ulukus
The number of wireless data customers, as well as their demand for higher and higher data rates, has made efficient allocation of resources of paramount importance. One important characteristic of wireless communication networks that distinguishes them from wired networks is that in wireless communication networks the transmissions of multiple users take place in the same fixed frequency bandwidth, that is, users' communications interact with each other through unintentional interference they create for each other. A main thrust of this project is in the allocation of physical layer resources to a network of mobile users (terminals) communicating with fixed information sources (base stations in cellular wireless networks) and investigations of energy-aware, energy-efficient, and energy-constrained wireless networking. The controllable resources in the physical layer are transmit powers, transmit waveforms, number of parallel transmissions, modulation constellation sizes, error correction coding mechanisms, and receiver filters of the users. The individual or joint optimum selection of these resources for individuals or networks of users has been an important research issue. The research typically involves mathematical modeling of the particular problem, solving it, and ultimately coming up with distributed algorithms to implement the solution. This area of research is very versatile in terms of finding research problems for undergraduate students with various backgrounds. Depending on the problem formulation (e.g., the set of resources considered, and system and implementation constraints), one can come up with problems with varying degrees of difficulty, and involving varying amounts of mathematical analysis and practical implementation aspects. We expect that selected undergraduates will work together with graduate research assistants under faculty supervision to contribute to these tasks.
13. Neural Interface Circuits and Testing
Prof. P. Abshire and
Prof. T. Horiuchi
Modern neurophysiology has shown that many structures in the brain use sophisticated, distributed representations of information across populations of neurons in order to perform even simple tasks. More sophisticated and invisible electronic interfaces for acquiring simultaneous data from large populations of neurons in vivo are needed in order to support and stimulate these current efforts to understand the brain. Students will develop methods for recording, processing, and transmitting neural signals. They will develop algorithms and design circuits for the neural interface while developing an experimental preparation suitable for testing these circuits and recording extracellular neural signals in flies. This project involves review of electronics and biological literature, design and simulation of integrated circuits, testing and physical construction, and hands-on work with a simple invertebrate neural system.
Prerequisites: integrated circuits and/or biological experience.
14. Secure Multicast Communications with Confidential Group Membership Information
Prof. R. Liu
In secure multicast communications, key management schemes are employed to prevent unauthorized access to multicast content. Key management, however, can disclose the information about the dynamics of the group membership, such as the group size and the number of join and departure users, to both inside and outside attackers. This is a threat to many group-oriented applications with confidential group membership information. In the summer MERIT project, the students will be expected to investigate new strategies that can steal group dynamic information from various aspects of secure group communications, such as key management and traffic analysis. In addition, students will also develop anti-attack schemes that can prevent such kinds of attacks. This project will involve literature survey and testing attack/anti-attack algorithms over a wireless multicast testbed. This work will support on-going research in the lab and will involve students directly in the research activities with graduate students. The most important prerequisites are creativity and enthusiasm. Background in networking and C++ programming would be beneficial.