Managed Research Projects:
1- Design of an FPGA based control system for
smart wheelchair, 2007
(University of Limerick-Xilinx Ireland).
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2- Wireless Sensors/Meters Deployment in Building Environment, 2008-2010 (Tyndall National Institute, UCC
Environmental research Institute (ERI), UCC Civil Engineering Department,Cork Institute of Technology-Number of Industrial partners.
Abstract:
Buildings consume 40% of Ireland’s total annual energy translating to €3.5 billion (2004). The EPBD directive (effective January 2003) places an onus on all member states to rate the energy performance of all buildings in excess of 50m2.
Energy and environmental performance management systems for residential buildings do not exist and consist of an ad-hoc integration of wired building management systems and Monitoring & Targeting systems for non-residential buildings.These systems are unsophisticated and do not easily lend themselves to cost effective retrofit or integration with other enterprise management systems.
The objective of this project is to specify, design, and validate a data management technology platform that will support integrated energy & environmental management in buildings utilising a combination of wireless sensor network technologies, an integrated data model and data mining methods and technologies.
ERI Demonstrator http://zuse2.ucc.ie/ITOBO_BMS/
Development of Commercialized BEM Platform, applications:-
1. Retrofitting of wireless sensors into existing buildings to gather data such as temperature, light, humidity, occupancy, user preferences, etc and feeding it to a smart building management system (BMS) enables energy efficiency decisions to be taken as well as incorporating user preferences to ensure comfort is not compromised.
2. Installation of wireless sensors into new buildings to gather inforation to validate simulation models and improve their accuracy. The sensors can be installed with a high density in a given area for a
3. Installation of wireless sensors for conditional monitoring of systems, machines, etc. The benefits of this are two-fold:-
(i) the system can detect when a machine is not operating efficiently and report back to the BMS for corrective action
(ii) overall system efficiency and reliability can be enhanced by the detection of machine operating anomalies and increasing the likelihood of preventative maintenance and reducing system downtime.
3- Development of a reduced noise Body Area Network (BAN) for falls risk assessment in the elderly, 2008-2010 (Tyndall National Institute-UCC Computer Science Department).
Abstract:
An increasing elderly population living independently and increasing in-hospital health costs have prompted recent innovations, including Body Area Networks which use portable electronic devices to monitor and communicate patient vital signs. The incorporation of small, low cost, low-intrusion medical sensors into Body Area Networks (BANs) makes a new comprehensive level of real-time patient monitoring possible and should lead to better medical diagnosis and better patient quality of life.
While BANs offer new possibilities there are inherent problems to be solved in making effective use of small-form wearable wireless devices. Noise generated from external power sources, neighboring devices and especially dynamic motion of the patient has a large negative effect on the quality and reliability of the recorded data. This project directly addresses this fundamental problem; its aim is to develop a novel and generic infrastructure for real time noise reduction. This will provide a previously unavailable solution that integrates new hardware into BAN sensor modules and will result in improved medical diagnosis and patient quality of life. While the project will develop widely applicable techniques, it will do so by targeting a particular important application namely falls risk assessment in the elderly.
This application requires sensors measuring beat-to-beat blood pressure, heart rate and precise position in space of the patient, but the noise on this wearable BAN (used in-clinic or at-home) may make it non-viable. This problem is an important practical one, and to solve it our project will be working directly with the relevant medical consultant.
Providing a practicable low-noise BAN infrastructure will be of benefit to medical careers and especially benefit patients who can avoid hospitalization and avail of better a real-time monitoring at-home.
VLSI Master Degree Project (University of Limerick):
Development of a System suitable for a personal gamma radiation dosimeter, 2006.
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Master Degree Projects (Tyndall National Institute-University College Cork):
1- Developing an Ultra-Low Power Wireless Sensor module, 2008-2009.
Abstract: Developing an Ultra-Low Power Wireless Sensor module using 1V ISM band transceiver (Zoum board) from Toumaz Ltd. The Zoum is an ultra-low power, ultra small size RF module for wireless data links. This RF module operates in the 868MHz (or 915MHz) ISM band and achieves ultra-low power through the use of patented AMx™ technology. The Zoum is a system in package and requires simply a 1 Volt supply, antenna and data in/out plus clock interface. The Zoum provides a reliable data link which is easy to use. It allows system developers to concentrate on their application and avoids the need for in-house RF/wireless datalink expertise.
It is required to build number of Zoum modules integrated with miniaturized sensors for Wearable body sensor applications. The Zoum/sensor module can be constructed to be a new layer in the 25mm Tyndall mote so that all the functions will be under the control of the Atmel processor layer.
2- Implantable, miniaturized, low power, bi-directional wireless communication system design, 2008-2009
Abstract: A prototype of miniaturized, low power, bi-directional wireless communication system needs to be designed for implanted/in vivo pressure monitoring. The system is using Nordic module nRF9E5 that integrates MCU, ISM transceiver and ADC with a size of 5 × 5 mm. The capacitive pressure sensors have been developed particularly for the medical field, where packaging size and minimization of the power requirements of the sensors are the major drivers. The telemetric link and its capabilities to send information need to be examined on a special developed test bench. The system will be employing the AD7745/AD7746 high resolution, Σ-Δ capacitance-to-digital converter (CDC). The capacitance to be measured can be connected directly to the device inputs. The power consumption of the sensor module needs to be characterized under different option in order to achieve the best battery life time scenario.
3- Developing a Novel SW/HW Tool to Study the Spectral Activity of active Building Environment, 2009-2010
Abstract: In this project, the RF spectral activity of a building needs to be monitored and analyzed for the different industrial, scientific and medical (ISM)-Zigbee bands. In order to achieve this goal, an integrated hardware/software system platform needs to be carefully designed and implemented. Initially the system consists of a spectral analyzer, Graphical User Interface (GUI) developed using appropriate tool like LABVIEW or Matlab to communicate with the spectral analyzer, process and store the data, a suitable antenna and PC/Laptop.
The main objectives of this study are determining the type and source of any RF interferences and the level of in-band noise that might affect the transmission of a deployed wireless sensor network (WSN).
4- The use of RF power amplifier to improve the RF performance of Tyndall Zigbee motes, 2009-2010
Abstract: An RF power amplifier (PA) is a type of electronic-amplifier used to convert a low-power radio-frequency signal into a larger signal of significant power, typically for driving the antenna of a transmitter. It is usually optimized to have high efficiency, high output Power compression, good return loss on the input and output, good gain, and optimum heat dissipation.
Tasks and Plan: Investigate the suitable methods and techniques to integrate RF power amplifier circuitry with the Zigbee layer to elevate the transmitted output power to an acceptable level so it can be used efficiently inside dense environment like building. The student has to come up with the best solution based on the past literature and also the current design constraints of Tyndall Zigbee mote. The final system need to be tested and characterized under different conditions to show the obtained improvement.
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1- Magnetoresistive Sensors Applied to the
Development of a Three Dimensional
Computer Mouse, 2003
Abstract:
The main project goal is to find a technology that could be utilized toward the development of a 3D mouse.
The focus of the work is shifted towards researching electromagnetic principles, using magnetoresistive sensors that produce a voltage proportional to the field strength and orientation of a magnetic field.
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2- Wireless Smart Sensor System (WS3), 2004
Abstract:
This project is to develop generic sensor interfacing circuitry, such that any capacitive or resistive sensor can be attached and monitored. The sensor is to be configurable for either resistive or capacitive measurements, and then be able to sample the output and transmit this to a base station for recovery and interpretation.
Extensive research was carried out before the design process began. Research was done to evaluate every aspect of the system; conditioning interfaces for both resistive and capacitive sensor, the processing involved and an appropriate microcontroller, the wireless aspects, involving license-free bands, allowable signal power, modulation schemes, and an appropriate transceiver that could deliver all of the specifications.
For resistive conditioning, this system uses an Anderson Loop implantation, which is configurable for any desirable measurement range. This was chosen for is relatively low power consumption, and the accuracy that it achieves for its relatively simple design. The capacitive interface utilizes a capacitance-to-frequency-to-voltage scheme. The capacitance-to-frequency process is relatively simple, using timer circuitry. The frequency-to-voltage conversion is achieved using phase-locked-loops. The capacitive implementation is extremely low power, and further design would allow for nearly any desired capacitive measurement.
The wireless aspect of the design was achieved using an off-the-shelf transceiver in the 433 MHz band. The ChipCon transceiver is low-power and completely programmably configurable for many frequency bands, signal strengths, and has support for frequency hopping.
The data from the sensor is relayed back to a central base station, which collects the data from up to 5 separate wireless sensors, and sends this data to a PC via the serial port using RS232 communication. The PC software includes a graphical user interface that allows for wireless configuration of the wireless sensor, as well as real-time display of the sensor data. The data can also be saved on the PC for any other purpose that may be desired.
3- Electronic Nose Interfacing Circuitry, 2003
The initial prototype of this electronic nose will identify whether single food is spoiling or not. This project provides a foundation for the electronic circuitry of the nose and involves designing a functional prototype for interfacing gas particle sensors to a desktop or pocket PC. The interfacing circuitry prototype provides for simultaneous connections to up to 64 sensors. Exchangeable components provide variable sensitivity with minimum detectable resistance changes of 100xppm. Two digitally controlled variable resistances allow for real-time calibration to sensor resistances ranging from 5kW to 10kW. With the current PC software, the circuitry can read 64 sensors 20 times each in 8.4 seconds. Temperature and humidity data are also available upon instruction via the serial interface.
Intern Projects (Tyndall National Institute-University College Cork)
Design an MSP-430 based Zigbee Module, 2010
Abstract: The project involved the design and development of an ultra-low power consumption zigbee based 25mm transceiver/microcontroller layer that will be integrated in different Wireless Sensor Network applications. The ATMEGA processor was replaced by the MSP430 as it has the lowest possible current consumption. This modification in the platform is expected to extend significantly the battery life time with quicker processor platform.
2- Developing TinyOS drivers for Tyndall Building Management 25mm (BEM1) layer, 2009-2010
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