Project Database

ENGG4801,METR4900,ENGG7803 - Engineering Thesis
Commencing Semester 1 2009
Coordinator: Adam Postula (adam@itee.uq.edu.au)

Project List

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Industry projects may also be available - see the CEED website for details.

Udantha Abeyratne

Office: 78-546
Phone: 69063
Email: udantha@itee.uq.edu.au

1 - Electronic Noses and Eyes for the Condition Monitoring of Transformers

Supervisor:	Udantha Abeyratne	Project ID:	1
Research Group:	Electromagnetics and Imaging Group	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Electronics Embedded Systems Power	Num. students signed up:	1
Prerequisite(s):	Digital Signal Processing Skills (eg: ELEC3600); Electronic Circuit Design
Description:	The aim of this project is to design a hybrid device functioning as an electronic nose and an 'eye'. The project involves building portable electronics and writing signal processing algorithms to determine the state of electrical transformers by assessing the condition of transformer oil. Project Deliverables: analog/digital electronic circuits to condition and process smell and other signals, data acquisition circuitry (surface mount PCB technology is preferred) and algorithms to generate characteristics of smaples. Prerequisites: this project is suitable for a student who has good electronic circuit design skills and also has exposure to Digital Signal Processing (eg: ELEC3600 - Signal and Image Processing I). Prospective students are invited to contact the lecturer (office GPS78-546, phone 3346-9063, email: udantha@itee.uq.edu.au) for more details.

4 - Portable electronics for Physiological Data Acqiuisiton

Supervisor:	Udantha Abeyratne	Project ID:	4
Research Group:	Electromagnetics and Imaging Group	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Biomedical Engineering Electronics	Num. students signed up:	1
Prerequisite(s):	Elec3400
Description:	The target of this project is to design and build a battery operated portable electronic device (Analog/Digital) to acquire 2 channels of EEG and one channel of snore sound. You will get the satisfaction of designing and building circuitry that has immediate applications in real-life. Project Deliverables: functioning, portable, wearable battery powered Electronic device with the capability to store/transmit data to a bedside monitor; testing and documentation Prerequisites: Skills and interest in Eletronic Circuit Design; students who have taken ELEC3400 will have a good head start on the project. Knowledge on Medical and Industrial Instrumentation will be beneficial. Students who are good with hands-on circuit building as well as designing innovative solutions are invited to apply. Meet the lecturer regarding more details, before taking up this project.

6 - Selective Stimulation of Nerves in Neuroprosthetics

Supervisor:	Udantha Abeyratne	Project ID:	6
Research Group:	Electromagnetics and Imaging Group	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Biomedical Engineering	Num. students signed up:	1
Prerequisite(s):	Exposure to Matlab + Differential Equations
Description:	Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) is an emerging technology, in which electrical energy is applied to appropriate nerves or muscles in order to restore the lost functions in patients with neuromuscular deficits. Two of the major drawbacks in existing FES systems are that they lead to early muscle fatigue, and offer only a crude limb control capability conspicuous for the lack of grace in movements. Both are associated with limitations in stimulating nerve fibers selectively by their size and position. In this project, we propose to develop novel techniques for the selective recording and stimulation of nerve fibers within a given nerve trunk. NOTE: The project involves algorithm development and computer simulations only. Project deliverables: A set of Matlab GUI tools and functions to study simulating external stimulation of nerves and design nerve cuff electrodes. Documented illustration of the use of tools. Ideal candidate: a student who is interested in FES technology, has a background in ordinary differential equations and Matlab programming. The candidate will be expected to solve a set of coupled non-linear differential equations using Matlab. Please meet the supervisor for more details.
Further Information:	http://www.itee.uq.edu.au/~udantha/projects.html

7 - Development of a Wearable Driver 'Sleepiness' Monitoring Device

Supervisor:	Udantha Abeyratne	Project ID:	7
Research Group:	Electromagnetics and Imaging Group	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	AI/Cognitive Science Biomedical Engineering Electronics Signal and Image Processing	Num. students signed up:	1
Prerequisite(s):	Skills in Electronics & Microprocessors, Digital Signal Processing
Description:	Driver fatigue and episodes of micro-sleep are contributing to a huge number of accidents throughout the world. In this project we attempt to develop an electronic device that can monitor the sleepiness of an individual and issue an advanced warning before an adverse event occurs. The device has to be convenient to wear/or use within a vehicle. This project is suitable for students who are good with analog/digital electronic design and comfortable with microprocessor/FPGA based implementations. Interested students MUST speak to the lecturer before taking on the project.

Daniel Angus

Office: 47-307
Phone: 54275
Email: dangus@itee.uq.edu.au

1 - Visualisation Techniques for High Dimensional Data

Supervisor:	Daniel Angus	Project ID:	1
Research Group:	Complex and Intelligent Systems Group	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	AI/Cognitive Science Computer Systems Human Computer Interaction Information Environments Multimedia Software	Num. students signed up:	1
Description:	This project will require the student to develop an information visualisation system that can preserve interesting conceptual linkages, while still allowing easy inspection by an end user. These are conflicting goals as conceptual data tends to be highly dimensional thus any solution will likely have to be a trade-off thus testing the student's judgement and creativity. There are many existing mapping techniques in the literature which may be useful as starting points for this investigation.
Further Information:	http://www.itee.uq.edu.au/~uqdangus/honours.html

2 - Investigating the use of Bayes Theorem for Text Classification Tasks

Supervisor:	Daniel Angus	Project ID:	2
Research Group:	Complex and Intelligent Systems Group	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	AI/Cognitive Science Computer Systems Human Computer Interaction Information Environments Software	Num. students signed up:	0
Description:	Central to the design of concept mapping tools are lexical statistics which obtain information about the content of input data. These lexical statistic techniques are generally used to obtain rich information about input data such as what words are good descriptors to describe a large document, and how thematic content is arranged within the document. One particularly simple, yet powerful, statistic is word co-occurrence data. This data counts the relative frequency of particular words occurring with other words. Although co-occurrence data is easy to obtain, its use in determining sentence conceptual content is less than clear. How to combine term co-occurrence data to obtain good estimates of conceptual content is an open research problem. Some ideas exist in the literature, and these use techniques such as Bayes theorem to achieve this concept estimation. However such estimations must strike a balance between the computational complexity and accuracy of the the end result. This project will involve a student designing and implementing a Bayesian text classification engine.
Further Information:	http://www.itee.uq.edu.au/~uqdangus/honours.html

3 - Swarm-based navigation in a virtual environment

Supervisor:	Daniel Angus	Project ID:	3
Research Group:	Complex and Intelligent Systems Group	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	AI/Cognitive Science Software	Num. students signed up:	1
Description:	The shortest path problem is an interesting yet fairly conceptually simple problem. If more than one agent is introduced, this simple problem can be made far more complex. The goal of this project is to devise and compare algorithms that allow large groups of agents to pathfind, in a sensible manner, to target points. The difficulty of this project is in tuning the behaviour of individual agents to produce desirable emergent behaviours as a group - for example, the agents not moving over each other, not getting in each other's way, maintaining group cohesiveness and crowding around the target when reached. To achieve these goals a simple interactive 2D engine, serving as a sandbox for algorithm testing will be designed and implemented.

Paul Bailes

Office: 78-425A
Phone: 53869
Email: paul@itee.uq.edu.au

1 - Elaboration of data-less Totally Functional Programming style

Supervisor:	Paul Bailes	Project ID:	1
Research Group:	Systems and Software Engineering Group	Max. students:	2
Discipline(s):	Software	Num. students signed up:	0
Prerequisite(s):	background in Higher-order Functional Programming
Description:	Use of functional rather than symbolic representations for data types simplifies programming in much the same way that a direct definition of a function is simpler than encoding and interpretation. In particular, the need for iteration/recursion evaporates so that total correctness is easier to demonstrate. Moreover, functional representations are inherently meaningful, so that erroneous coding conventions (e.g. as responsible for Y2K problem) do not arise. This project essentially involves the discovery of the “platonic combinators” to represent as many useful data types as possible, followed by demonstrations of their use in this data-less style. An important and possibly necessary extension of the project may be to consider the advanced type regimes that are needed to permit some of these combinators. The TFP project is part of a larger effort involving other staff and postgrads. Specific/additional/alternative problems that a keen student may want to address include: · functional representations for non-natural numbers · what is the common functional ancestor of “parse” and “print” methods for context-free grammars · exploit philosophical parallels with analog design for extension to systems engineering · what built-in ops. ensure “maximum” expressive power · what sort of type system is needed to accommodate “weird” higher-order functions (see “Type-checking for TFP (Totally Functional Programming)” project below) · connection to subrecursive formalisms such as Constructive Types For further information see Invited talk at Thai Natnl. Comp Sci & Eng Conf 2001 http://www.itee.uq.edu.au/~paul/papers/F-3-txt-ieee.pdf
Further Information:	http://www.itee.uq.edu.au/~paul/year 4 projects.html

2 - Academic Adviser’s Apprentice

Supervisor:	Paul Bailes	Project ID:	2
Research Group:	Systems and Software Engineering Group	Max. students:	2
Discipline(s):	Human Computer Interaction	Num. students signed up:	0
Prerequisite(s):	Selection of expertise in Prolog programming; Internet programming; GUI programming (e.g. Tcl/Tk)
Description:	One of the great difficulties posed by the globalisation of the education industry is the offering of accurate academic program planning advice to students contemplating transferring academic credit from one institution to another. Questions such as “what courses do I get exemptions for?”, “how much credit do I get”, and “what study plan can I undertake to complete in minimum time” are difficult to answer correctly. Consequently, we have for some years been developing a software system that will provide automated assistance in answering these questions, using Prolog to represent various UQ degree rules as a “deductive database”. The system has been developed to prototype form, but there are several further developments that could be undertaken prior to deployment, such as: · extended coverage of UQ courses and programs · extended functionality to accommodate logical constructs discovered in the course of the above · extended functionality to accommodate top-down and bottom-up study plan development · easy-to-use rule update facility for non-programmers · gateway to/from other admin. systems · accessibility via Internet Suitable for multiple students, each working on different facet(s) of complete project For further information see Strategic R&D Proposal http://www.itee.uq.edu.au/~paul/papers/CSEE Strategic Development Proposal.doc
Further Information:	http://www.itee.uq.edu.au/~paul/year 4 projects.html

David Ball

Office: 47-307
Phone: 54275
Email: dball@itee.uq.edu.au

I am a postdoc with the Thinking Systems project at ITEE and the Queensland Brain Institute. Let me know if you have any ideas for other robot related or biology - engineering linkage projects.

Additional information: http://www.itee.uq.edu.au/~dball/

1 - Semi-autonomous video conference robot

Supervisor:	David Ball	Project ID:	1
Research Group:	Complex and Intelligent Systems Group	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Robotics	Num. students signed up:	0
Description:	Conventional video conferencing systems exist that allow people to communicate with each other over large distances. Our 5 DOF video conference robot allows tele-embodiment of the user's state of mind and gestures. This project will explore using aural and visual cues to search for and track local active participants autonomously while still allowing the remote user overriding control.

2 - Robust exploration behaviours for a mobile robot

Supervisor:	David Ball	Project ID:	2
Research Group:	Complex and Intelligent Systems Group	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Robotics	Num. students signed up:	0
Description:	For long term autonomous operation, mobile robots must be able to explore typical office environments without damage to either the robot, the environment, or humans. Our new mobile research platform has an omni-directional drive system and some local sensors. This project will explore robust exploration of a typical office environment by investigating how to handle issues such as stairs, lifts, glass, chairs.

3 - Rodent head attachable nanolitre injection system

Supervisor:	David Ball	Project ID:	3
Research Group:	Complex and Intelligent Systems Group	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Robotics	Num. students signed up:	0
Description:	The ability to deliver nanolitre volumes of chemicals to freely moving rodents’ brains will help studying behavioural functions. Through Thinking Systems we collaborate with the Queensland Brain Institute on rodent navigation. This project will explore the potential solutions for a small mechatronic device that can accurately inject nanolitres of chemicals.

5 - Wireless telemetry and tracking for neural recording

Supervisor:	David Ball	Project ID:	5
Research Group:	Complex and Intelligent Systems Group	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Systems Engineering	Num. students signed up:	1
Description:	Biologists require a wireless headset unit for recording electrical signals from a rodent brain and a visual tracking system for correlation with behaviour. This project will focus on the design and integration of a digital wireless telemetry device, software oscilliscope and visual tracking system.

6 - Omni directional drive mobile robot

Supervisor:	David Ball	Project ID:	6
Research Group:	Complex and Intelligent Systems Group	Max. students:	5
Discipline(s):	Robotics	Num. students signed up:	2
Description:	This project aims to design and build a new mobile research platform able to handle office environments and be suitable for mass production. Features will include omni-directional drive, embedded PC, WiFi, Cameras, and other local sensors. Potential topics within this project include, drive systems, battery management, sensor (visual and proximity) selection, docking system, general mechanical and electrical design dependent on the number of students and their skills.

7 - Interactive web interface for robots

Supervisor:	David Ball	Project ID:	7
Research Group:	Complex and Intelligent Systems Group	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Robotics	Num. students signed up:	1
Description:	An attraction on the ratslam.itee.uq.edu.au is interactive control of virtual and physical agents running RatSLAM. This thesis will investigate and implement different user experiences and applications for a interactive web robot.

Ramesh Bansal

Office: 47-212
Phone: 53394
Email: bansal@itee.uq.edu.au

1 - Dynamic Modelling of Power Output of Photovoltaic Arrays in Brisbane

Supervisor:	Ramesh Bansal	Project ID:	1
Research Group:	Power and Energy Systems	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Power	Num. students signed up:	1

2 - Steady State Voltage Supply in a Distribution System

Supervisor:	Ramesh Bansal	Project ID:	2
Research Group:	Power and Energy Systems	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):		Num. students signed up:	1

3 - A study of ilab implementation in electrical machine experiments

Supervisor:	Ramesh Bansal	Project ID:	3
Research Group:	Power and Energy Systems	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):		Num. students signed up:	1
Description:	This thesis project deals with the understanding/implementation/analyzing the concepts of ilab in electrical machine experiments i.e. on Induction/synchronous machies. This projects deals with the development of these experiments based on matlab/simulink models.

4 - Modelling and control of wind generators

Supervisor:	Ramesh Bansal	Project ID:	4
Research Group:	Power and Energy Systems	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):		Num. students signed up:	1

5 - Wind turbine modelling for grid integration studies

Supervisor:	Ramesh Bansal	Project ID:	5
Research Group:	Power and Energy Systems	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):		Num. students signed up:	1

6 - Fault location and protection study for a distribution system

Supervisor:	Ramesh Bansal	Project ID:	6
Research Group:	Power and Energy Systems	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):		Num. students signed up:	1

9 - Design and implement a trial SCADA Security Honeypot

Supervisor:	Ramesh Bansal	Project ID:	9
Research Group:	Power and Energy Systems	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Power	Num. students signed up:	1

Neil Bergmann

Office: 78-614
Phone: 51182
Email: bergmann@itee.uq.edu.au

1 - Smart Appliances

Supervisor:	Neil Bergmann	Project ID:	1
Research Group:	Embedded Systems Group	Max. students:	3
Discipline(s):	Embedded Systems	Num. students signed up:	3
Prerequisite(s):	computer hardware and embedded software skills
Description:	Common household appliances such as alarm clocks, lamps, door bells and door locks can be made much more useful and intelligent if they are connected to a computer network. This project develops new "Smart" appliances which combine existing "dumb" appliances with networked intelligence.

2 - Railway Signalling Demonstrator

Supervisor:	Neil Bergmann	Project ID:	2
Research Group:	Embedded Systems Group	Max. students:	2
Discipline(s):	Computer Systems Embedded Systems	Num. students signed up:	2
Prerequisite(s):	Digital and Analog Electronics, Good software skills
Description:	The Embedded Systems group has an external project in the area of railway signal control. As an aid to this project, it is desired to build a model railway which can simulate the characteristics of a real railway signalling situation. this project involves construction of the railway, plus design and construction of specialised miniature signalling equipment. The major devices to be built include: 1. Railway signals, with primary and secondary bulbs, plus indication of bulb operation. 2. Railway points, with positive feedback of points position. 3. Track occupancy sensors. This project follows on from a successful projects in 2007 and 2008 which have already built most of the hardware for the system. System software will be upgraded. A more formal interface to signal inputs and outputs will be constructed. Train position sensing also has room for improvement.

3 - Robot Musician

Supervisor:	Neil Bergmann	Project ID:	3
Research Group:	Embedded Systems Group	Max. students:	2
Discipline(s):	Embedded Systems	Num. students signed up:	1
Description:	This project looks at building a robotic embedded system to play a musical instrument, such as a trumpet, xylophone, guitar, violin, or similar, to compete in the ARTEMIS orchestra competition. The project continues on from initial projects in 2008.
Further Information:	https://www.artemisia-association.org/artemis_orchestra/

4 - FPGA Platform for UAVs

Supervisor:	Neil Bergmann	Project ID:	4
Research Group:	Ubiquitous Computing	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Embedded Systems	Num. students signed up:	1
Prerequisite(s):	Summer Internship at CSIRO
Description:	This project already taken - continuation of summer internship on UAV avionics.

Mikael Boden

Office: IMB
Phone: 52035
Email: mikael@itee.uq.edu.au

I'm currently a senior Research Fellow at the Institute for Molecular Bioscience (UQ), and senior Lecturer at ITEE. My research primarily concerns the application of intelligent systems/machine learning to challenging problems in bioscience/genomics.

Additional information: http://www.itee.uq.edu.au/~mikael

1 - Algorithms for discovering molecular signatures

Supervisor:	Mikael Boden	Project ID:	1
Research Group:	Complex and Intelligent Systems Group	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):		Num. students signed up:	0
Prerequisite(s):	Programming skills, data structures and algorithms, and an interest in artificial intelligence/machine learning
Description:	My research group uses machine learning algorithms to make biological discoveries from large data sets resulting from genomic sequencing and wet-lab experiments. This project will look at the use of "molecular signatures" from proteins, to identify interactions between them. Molecular signatures can incorporate essential structural properties and make them accessible to state-of-the-art machine learning algorithms (e.g. support-vector machines). You will focus on the implementation of a "signature" function and use our implementation of a support-vector machine (java), to evaluate the approach on some scientifically interesting protein interaction data.

2 - Pairing interacting proteins using sequence alignment

Supervisor:	Mikael Boden	Project ID:	2
Research Group:	Complex and Intelligent Systems Group	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):		Num. students signed up:	0
Prerequisite(s):	Interest in data structures and algorithms, artificial intelligence and machine learning
Description:	This project will develop and explore a basic sequence alignment method for identifying the protein sub-sequences (of amino acids) that physically interact. First, we collect stats for amino acids that pair up in experimentally confirmed structures. The statistic is then used to create amino acid scoring matrices. The scoring matrices are used to find alignments between pairs of sequences, indirectly illustrating where on the sequences interactions are likely to be found. Finally, the method is evaluated by using it to predict interfaces on proteins for which experimental validation is available. The outcome thus includes a novel method that assists biological research to uncover underlying sequence features of large-scale molecular interaction networks.

3 - Classifying post-translational modifications of proteins using short probabilistic "sequence motifs"

Supervisor:	Mikael Boden	Project ID:	3
Research Group:	Complex and Intelligent Systems Group	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):		Num. students signed up:	0
Prerequisite(s):	Interest in data structures and algorithms, artificial intelligence and machine learning
Description:	Protein sequence motifs are short descriptors (often expressed as position-specific probabilities of amino acids) that can be used to "scan" novel proteins for sites that enable some biological function. We are interested in finding sites of one particular modification--the attachment of a specific substrate (SUMO). Recent ideas in machine learning leads us to hypothesize that by supplying both positive examples (sites known to be modified) as well as negative examples (sites believed not to be modified) will enable the construction of improved motifs.

Scott Bolland

Office: 78-318
Phone: 51127
Email: scottb@itee.uq.edu.au

Additional information: http://www.itee.uq.edu.au/~fae/

1 - Modelling the integration between bottom-up and top-down perceptual pressures in cognition

Supervisor:	Scott Bolland	Project ID:	1
Research Group:	Complex and Intelligent Systems Group	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	AI/Cognitive Science	Num. students signed up:	1
Description:	The main aim of the Fluid Analogies project is to explore general cognitive architectures, representations and processes that can support flexible intelligence. This project is concerned with modeling the integration between bottom-up and top-down processes that are central to flexible cognition.
Further Information:	http://www.itee.uq.edu.au/~fae/

Andrew Bradley

Office: 78-538
Phone: 53284
Email: bradley@itee.uq.edu.au

1 - Topics in Image and Signal Processing

Supervisor:	Andrew Bradley	Project ID:	1
Research Group:	Electromagnetics and Imaging Group	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Biomedical Engineering Communications Signal and Image Processing Software	Num. students signed up:	0
Prerequisite(s):	motivated, independant and capable :-)
Description:	Have a neat signal or image processing idea you'd like to work on for your thesis? If so, send me an email or knock on my door (GPS 537/8). I may be able and interested in supervising your idea. Previous student initiated projects include: EMG to control a prosthetic hand, measurement of hyperhydrosis, measurement of muscle tension and reducing ghosting in lenticular images.

4 - Wireless Electrodes for Neonatal Hearing Screening

Supervisor:	Andrew Bradley	Project ID:	4
Research Group:	Electromagnetics and Imaging Group	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Biomedical Engineering Communications Electronics Embedded Systems Signal and Image Processing	Num. students signed up:	1
Prerequisite(s):	Biomedical Instrumentation (elec3401)
Description:	The auditory brainstem response (ABR) is a scalp-recorded electrical brain response elicited by an acoustic stimulus (normally a click). They are composed of several waves (peaks) which relate to the synchronous electrical activity of the auditory nerve, caudal, and rostral auditory brainstem structures. ABR's are used extensively to test the hearing of new born babies (neonates). The addition of wireless connectivity to ABR devices means that there is no longer an ‘umbilical cord’ of cables connecting electrodes and headphones to the neonate. This means that parents are able to settle their babies naturally, free of the physical constraints of connecting wires. In addition, these connecting wires are often the source of significant electromagnetic interference (i.e., noise) that impedes reliable detection of the ABR.

5 - Music identification

Supervisor:	Andrew Bradley	Project ID:	5
Research Group:	Electromagnetics and Imaging Group	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Signal and Image Processing	Num. students signed up:	1
Prerequisite(s):	ELEC3600
Description:	Shazam is a flexible audio search engine. The algorithm is noise and distortion resistant, computationally efficient, and massively scalable, capable of quickly identifying a short segment of music captured through a cellphone microphone in the presence of foreground voices and other dominant noise, and through voice codec compression, out of a database of over a million tracks. The algorithm uses a combinatorially hashed time-frequency constellation analysis of the audio, yielding unusual properties such as transparency, in which multiple tracks mixed together may each be identified. The aim of this project is to investigate techniques that generalize Shazam to detect live recordings of songs that may differ in timing and pitch from the original studio recording.
Further Information:	http://www.ee.columbia.edu/~dpwe/papers/Wang03-shazam.pdf

6 - Integrated Measurement Sensor for an Automated Robotic Test System

Supervisor:	Andrew Bradley	Project ID:	6
Research Group:	Electromagnetics and Imaging Group	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Electronics Signal and Image Processing	Num. students signed up:	1
Description:	Currently the electrical testing process for manufactured PCBs is maintained manually during business hours. The company has acquired a robot to perform the pick and place procedure as well as the manual handling of the test system. The eventual goal is to have a reliable automatic system capable of continuing the testing process 24 hours a day for multiple PCB assemblies. The main problem with reliability is inaccuracies either picking up a PCB using the attached vacuum caps or placing a PCB onto the test system. The project involves the development of a sensor which can improve the reliability of the testing machine. This can evolve from either a simple optical device to demonstrate whether the PCB is attached or not; to a system which will measure the position of the PCB and transfer data back to the control system for evaluation and repositioning. The system also requires a method for determining which PCB it is testing for reporting purposes. This can be achieved using either the attached barcode or optical markers. The identification system will be integrated with the results from the test system and the robot’s place sequence in identifying PCBs failing or passing the electrical test. Some Specs: Robot: IRB 1410 Using ABB Robot Studio extensively already (3D GUI) - RAPID (language ~ C#) DeviceNet I/O Protocol NT Machine Vision Software Labview Support Integration with 1394 Camera

Vaughan Clarkson

Office: 78-540
Phone: 58834
Email: vaughan@itee.uq.edu.au

1 - Automatic birdsong recognition

Supervisor:	Vaughan Clarkson	Project ID:	1
Research Group:	Electromagnetics and Imaging Group	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Signal and Image Processing	Num. students signed up:	0
Prerequisite(s):	ELEC3600
Description:	Many Australian birds have quite distinctive songs. From a database of songs, such as the ABC’s Wildsound Archive, and using signal processing techniques developed for the music industry, the aim is to produce a robust device that could automatically recognise and catalogue the bird species in a particular area. It is expected that this could be of considerable benefit to ornithologists and conservationists.
Further Information:	http://abc.net.au/archives/av/birds.htm

2 - Real-time acquisition of the beat in a live musical performance

Supervisor:	Vaughan Clarkson	Project ID:	2
Research Group:	Electromagnetics and Imaging Group	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Signal and Image Processing	Num. students signed up:	0
Prerequisite(s):	ELEC3600, knowledge of musical theory
Description:	The idea is to investigate and implement a sort of 'phase-locked loop' for a live musical performance. Most of us humans can pick up the beat of a piece of music without thinking about it, but for a computer to do this some carefully considered signal processing is required. As a goal for this project, a DSP system is envisaged with an audio input (microphone) and output (earphone). The user would sing or play music into the input and the system would 'join in' by tapping out the beat in time on the output.

3 - CEED Projects

Supervisor:	Vaughan Clarkson	Project ID:	3
Research Group:	Electromagnetics and Imaging Group	Max. students:	4
Discipline(s):	Communications Microwaves and Radar Signal and Image Processing	Num. students signed up:	0
Description:	I'm willing to consider supervising CEED projects where they fall within my area of expertise.
Further Information:	http://www.corptech.com.au

4 - Software-defined radio

Supervisor:	Vaughan Clarkson	Project ID:	4
Research Group:	Electromagnetics and Imaging Group	Max. students:	3
Discipline(s):	Communications	Num. students signed up:	0
Prerequisite(s):	COMS3100, coreq: COMS4100
Description:	To quote the 1st paragraph of the referenced article: "Software-defined radio is one of those promising but elusive ideas that’s been anticipated for quite some time. The concept is elegantly simple: get rid of the specialized electronics used to process radio signals and instead do everything with software. The result, we’ve been promised, will be a universal wireless device that can seamlessly handle a range of frequencies, modulation techniques, and encoding schemes. Just as the personal computer replaced the typewriter, the adding machine, and even the telephone, so too will a software radio one day replace your cellphone, Blackberry, and any other wireless device you may happen to use." This project explores various avenues for implementing software-defined radio on recently acquired hardware, on a PC, on a DSP, and/or on an FPGA.
Further Information:	http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/MSPEC.2007.273037

5 - Software-defined radar

Supervisor:	Vaughan Clarkson	Project ID:	5
Research Group:	Electromagnetics and Imaging Group	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Microwaves and Radar	Num. students signed up:	0
Prerequisite(s):	COMS3100 or ELEC3600
Description:	The aim of this project is to implement a simple radar using techniques and equipment for software-defined radio.

6 - A software-defined DSL testbed

Supervisor:	Vaughan Clarkson	Project ID:	6
Research Group:	Electromagnetics and Imaging Group	Max. students:	2
Discipline(s):	Communications	Num. students signed up:	0
Prerequisite(s):	ELEC3600 &/or COMS4100
Description:	Using the Ettus Research USRP modules, implement the first stage of a software-defined testbed for digital subscriber line (DSL) techniques. The project involves real-time implementation in software of the baseband physical-layer processing of discrete multi-tone (DMT) and simulation of realistic DSL channels.

7 - Radar Signal Processing Using Illuminators of Opportunity

Supervisor:	Vaughan Clarkson	Project ID:	7
Research Group:	Microwave and Optical Communications	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Microwaves and Radar Signal and Image Processing	Num. students signed up:	0
Prerequisite(s):	ELEC2004 + further 'signals & systems' course (COMS3100, ELEC3600 or METR3200)
Description:	A key problem with traditional so-called ‘monostatic’ military radars (radars which have transmitter and receiver collocated) is that the transmissions of the radar give away its position. In metropolitan areas, the advent of broadcast digital television has provided a useful ‘illuminator of opportunity’ for radar receivers. The TV broadcast essentially illuminates the whole metropolitan area, so the radar receiver can remain inconspicuous. This project will look at the signal processing necessary to obtain high-resolution images in this scenario. There will be some collaboration with the Defence Science & Technology Organisation (DSTO).

8 - Coding & Modulation for Wireless Relay Networks

Supervisor:	Vaughan Clarkson	Project ID:	8
Research Group:	Microwave and Optical Communications	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Communications	Num. students signed up:	1
Prerequisite(s):	COMS4100
Description:	Relay networks are networks that make use of a relaying element to assist communication between the transmitter and the intended receiver. These networks have been studied for the last few decades but their likely use in future-generation wireless networks has spurred much recent research. In this project, coding and modulation techniques are examined for interference suppression in multi-user wireless relay networks. The project will take the form of a theoretical investigation but there are also opportunities for practical implementation.

9 - Automatic miniature faking

Supervisor:	Vaughan Clarkson	Project ID:	9
Research Group:	Electromagnetics and Imaging Group	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Signal and Image Processing	Num. students signed up:	0
Prerequisite(s):	ELEC3600 (ELEC4600 a very useful companion)
Description:	'Miniature faking' is a technique in digital photography to create the illusion that the subject of the photograph is a miniature model, when in fact the subject is full size. Two image processing operations are key for effective miniature faking. The first is simulation of the very shallow depth of field often found in photographs of miniatures as a result of using a macro lens. The second is modification of contrast and saturation to simulate the lighting and colour schemes often observed in miniature models. Currently, miniature faking is only a semi-automated process. This project aims to produce a fully automated miniature faking process. For more information on miniature faking, see the wikipedia entry http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tilt-shift_miniature_faking and some excellent (video) examples at http://www.vimeo.com/keithloutit

Stuart Crozier

Office: 78-521
Phone: 57098
Email: stuart@itee.uq.edu.au

1 - Compressed sensing in MRI

Supervisor:	Stuart Crozier	Project ID:	1
Research Group:	Electromagnetics and Imaging Group	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Biomedical Engineering	Num. students signed up:	0
Prerequisite(s):	Matlab/programming skills (c/c++)
Description:	The objective of this project is to develop imaging protocol using compressed sensing theory, which is adaptable to MRI hardware settings in the Biomedical Engineering Research Group (ITEE). Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a non-invasive imaging modality and used extensively in radiological practice, that requires exquisite tissue contrast. Yet, imaging speed, which is essential to many of the MRI applications, remains a major challenge. MRI scanners sequentially sample lines within “k-space” (the spatial Fourier domain of the image). Each line sample takes time and injects energy into the patient. As MRI technology has advanced, there has been an increasing desire to use higher field strengths (better SNR but increased radio–frequency exposure) and to analyse larger data sets, such as dynamic imaging and 3D brain imaging. However, rapid acquisition of MRI sequences is limited by physical (e.g. gradient strength and slew rate) and physiological (e.g. nerve stimulation) constraints. Compressed sensing is a new rapidly growing research field, which investigates ways in which we can sample signals at roughly the “information rate” rather than the Nyquist rate. There are a growing number of applications across a range of disciplines, including medical imaging, seismic imaging, distributed and remote sensing, and analogue to digital conversion, etc. One of the most promising application areas for compressed sensing is in reduced rate sampling for MRI. It is potentially a very disruptive technology and provides a new way of thinking about how to acquire and code signals in the most efficient manner.

2 - Development of an automated image analysis system for (sports) thigh injuries

Supervisor:	Stuart Crozier	Project ID:	2
Research Group:	Electromagnetics and Imaging Group	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Biomedical Engineering	Num. students signed up:	0
Prerequisite(s):	Programming skills (c/c++)
Description:	Injuries of the thigh musculature (groin and hamstring tears) in popular sports such as soccer, which has approximately 200,000 professional and 240 million amateur players, are commonly incapacitating conditions. The high recurrence rate of thigh injuries in soccer players and many athletes noted in the research literature are often attributed to muscle imbalances (strength “deficits” / volume “asymmetries”) and represents a significant clinical problem in the management and rehabilitation of these widespread injuries. For clinically realistic investigations into thigh muscle “asymmetries” using routine radiological (MRI) techniques, the development of a rapid, automated image analysis system, as opposed to the time- and expertise-intensive manual segmentation systems used in research studies, offers a promising instrument to advance the treatment and rehabilitation of recalcitrant (chronic) thigh injuries. The research project(s) will form part of an image processing collaboration between CSIRO and the Biomedical Engineering Research Group (ITEE). The objective of this project is to develop automated image analysis system for MR investigations of thigh muscle asymmetry using advanced GPU programming techniques, based on developed image processing and analysis algorithms (e.g., specialized bias-field / normalization algorithms; image registration using iterative non-rigid and rigid transformations; robust probability atlases with concomitant 3D statistical shape modelling for segmentation of the thigh musculature to provide data on muscle asymmetries).

3 - The Analysis of Deformed RF Shielding for MRI RF Coils

Supervisor:	Stuart Crozier	Project ID:	3
Research Group:	Electromagnetics and Imaging Group	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Biomedical Engineering	Num. students signed up:	0
Prerequisite(s):	Strong in Electromagnetics and/or circuits
Description:	RF shielding, which usually conform to a fixed shape, for example a cylindrical shape, is incorporated into a transmit/receive MRI RF system to reduce radiation losses. However, it has been shown that by deforming the shape, it can be used to minimize the inductive couplings between coil elements of a MRI RF coil array system. Therefore, there is potential to investigate other advantages that can be obtained from deforming the RF shielding, such as whether it is possible to gain increased RF penetration depth or even alter the direction of the RF field. Both computer simulation and experimental measurement will be carried out in this project to study these possibilities. The student will have a chance to learn to use electromagnetic software for modelling the deformed RF shield before prototype is constructed and experimentally tested in an existing MRI system in Centre for Magnetic Resonance of UQ.

Chandima Ekanayake

Office: 47-214
Phone: 69180
Email: chandima@itee.uq.edu.au

1 - Accelerated ageing of transformer insulation materials

Supervisor:	Chandima Ekanayake	Project ID:	1
Research Group:	Power and Energy Systems	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Power	Num. students signed up:	1
Prerequisite(s):	elec3300

2 - Accelerated ageing of transformer model under thermal and electrical loading

Supervisor:	Chandima Ekanayake	Project ID:	2
Research Group:	Power and Energy Systems	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Power	Num. students signed up:	1
Prerequisite(s):	elec3300

Miguel Fuentes

Office: 78-529
Phone: 58304
Email: miguel@itee.uq.edu.au

Biomedical Instrumentation and Digital Biosignal Processing

1 - Magnetometer for MRI Materials Testing

Supervisor:	Miguel Fuentes	Project ID:	1
Research Group:	Electromagnetics and Imaging Group	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Biomedical Engineering Electronics Embedded Systems	Num. students signed up:	0
Prerequisite(s):	ELEC3400; ELEC3401;
Description:	Manufacturers and designers of Magnetic Resonance Imaging devices are required to use non-magnetic electronics parts and materials in their devices due to the specialized environment that they design to. Unfortunately many of the integrated circuit and electronic component manufacturers do not state the magnetivity of their products in their datasheets and one often finds that the product specification in relation to magnetic materials can vary for any given product from batch to batch. This necessitates in house testing of all parts and materials before assembling into the final product. It is therefore useful to have a magnetometer that quickly and reliably measures a vast array of different parts and materials for magnetivity. Magnetometers are widely available but are generally expensive and impractical. Therefore the aim of this project is to build an inexpensive, reliable and practical magnetometer. Students interested in this project can contact me through email. Project deliverables: working hardware that is capable of Measurement of material permeabilities in the range μ = 1.001 to 2.000 in order to detect ferromagnetic inclusions in materials.

2 - Fetal ECG Monitor for MRI

Supervisor:	Miguel Fuentes	Project ID:	2
Research Group:	Electromagnetics and Imaging Group	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Biomedical Engineering Electronics Embedded Systems	Num. students signed up:	0
Prerequisite(s):	ELEC3400; ELEC3401;
Description:	Fetal ECG is usually extracted by use of surface electrodes placed in the abdomen of the mother. The fetal ECG (fECG) can then be subsequently extracted from the mother’s ECG (mECG) by a number of signal processing techniques. In order to facilitate imaging of the fetal heart it would be desirable to obtain the fetal ECG and extract the fetal QRS waveform in order to synchronise the image acquisition to the fetal cardiac rhythm. In the MRI environment however, the ECG biosignals can be exposed to large, spurious, non-deterministic noise that can momentarily saturate amplifiers, damage circuitry, produce large DC shifts and otherwise corrupt the biosignal. This project will involve designing a method of biosignal acquisition where little or no hardware amplification is required and where the biosignal is digitized through a high speed differential sigma delta ADC with large dynamic range. The ADC will be interfaced to an MCU where the fetal QRS can be extracted and presented to the MR system in “real time” and subsequent signal processing can be performed to separate fECG from mECG. Students interested in this project can contact me through email.

3 - Multi-Channel Bio-potential via wireless audio link

Supervisor:	Miguel Fuentes	Project ID:	3
Research Group:	Electromagnetics and Imaging Group	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Biomedical Engineering Electronics Embedded Systems	Num. students signed up:	1
Prerequisite(s):	ELEC3400; ELEC3401;
Description:	We want to use a standard audio wireless device (think your everyday hands free set) to transfer multichannel ECG/EMG/EEG information. The project involves design and construction of a 12 channel (12 channel ECG) bio-instrumentation amplifier front end circuit, modulation of each bio-potential channel to a different frequency band within the audio frequency range and serving the data to an audio encoder (MP3 encoder). The data can be transfered to a PC via 2.4GHz wireless technology, when the receiver is within range. The bio-potentials must then be demodulated and displayed in the PC.

Marcus Gallagher

Office: 47-303
Phone: 56197
Email: marcusg@itee.uq.edu.au

My research interests are in intelligent and complex systems. More specifically, I'm interested in machine learning and optimization algorithms (metaheuristics such as evolutionary algorithms and other nature-inspired approaches). Most of this boils down to some kind of intelligent data analysis, implementing numerical algorithms in software, and running simulations. The scope of application to solving real-world problems with these kinds of techniques is very large. You will need to be interested in and capable of doing software development. The implementation could be done in just about any programming environment. It would probably help if you've done (or will be doing) the Machine Learning and AI courses, but it's not essential. A little bit of maths and stats is also valuable. I am also interested in hearing your ideas about projects!

Additional information: http://www.itee.uq.edu.au/~marcusg

1 - Intelligent Agents that Learn to Play Pacman

Supervisor:	Marcus Gallagher	Project ID:	1
Research Group:	Complex and Intelligent Systems Group	Max. students:	2
Discipline(s):	AI/Cognitive Science Software	Num. students signed up:	0
Prerequisite(s):	(Not essential but useful): Artificial intelligence (COMP3701); planning to take Machine Learning (COMP4702) in S1/05; previous Machine Learning courses (COMP3700/ELEC4700); Good programming skills; competent maths and stats knowledge. or stats.
Description:	Pac-man is one of the classic computer games of all time (well, I like it anyway!). Although the rules of the game are very simple, gameplay has some very complex features due to the way the ghosts agents interact with the Pac-man agent. It is not, however, a game that much AI research has concentrated on. The ultimate aim of this project is to use evolutionary or machine learning algorithms to train an artificial "agent" to play Pac-Man. Previous work has been done on this project, but there is still lots to do!
Further Information:	http://www.itee.uq.edu.au/~marcusg

2 - Intelligent Agents for a Car-Racing Game

Supervisor:	Marcus Gallagher	Project ID:	2
Research Group:	Complex and Intelligent Systems Group	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	AI/Cognitive Science Software	Num. students signed up:	1
Prerequisite(s):	AI and/or Machine Learning would be useful but not essential
Description:	Recently, researchers in AI and computer games have created a car-racing game competition, with the aim of producing an AI-based controller than can learn to play the game well. The aim of this thesis project is to create and implement a controller for this car-racing software platform and hopefully enter the next competition. For more information see: http://cig.dei.polimi.it/?page_id=5
Further Information:	http://www.itee.uq.edu.au/~marcusg

3 - What kind of Problem is Easy/Hard for this Optimizer?

Supervisor:	Marcus Gallagher	Project ID:	3
Research Group:	Complex and Intelligent Systems Group	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	AI/Cognitive Science Software	Num. students signed up:	1
Prerequisite(s):	COMP3702 or COMP4702 useful but not essential
Description:	Metaheuristic research proposes all kinds of fancy algorithms for solving hard optimization problems. The aim of the project is to take the reverse approach to understanding the algorithm: given an algorithm, what kinds of problems are easy/hard to solve for that algorithm? I have a randomized problem generator that can be used in this project, and the project was also inspired by a recent journal paper that can be used as a key reference.

4 - Evaluation of a compression-based clustering algorithm

Supervisor:	Marcus Gallagher	Project ID:	4
Research Group:	Complex and Intelligent Systems Group	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	AI/Cognitive Science Software	Num. students signed up:	1
Prerequisite(s):	COMP3702 or COMP4702 useful but not essential
Description:	The aim of this project is to evaluate a recently proposed machine learning algorithm that has impressive performance at clustering data. For more information see: http://www.complearn.org/ http://www.cwi.nl/~paulv/papers/tkde06.pdf

5 - Evolutionary optimization of kinematic/dynamic performances of a class of parallel robots.

Supervisor:	Marcus Gallagher	Project ID:	5
Research Group:	Complex and Intelligent Systems Group	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	AI/Cognitive Science Robotics	Num. students signed up:	0
Prerequisite(s):	Good maths skills desirable, familiarity with Matlab, BASIC knowledge of kinematics and dynamics.
Description:	The Gantry-Tau (ABB Robotics, Sweden) is a parallel robot that it used in manufacturing and industrial applications. The design problem for such a robot (choosing geometric parameters to achieve optimal performances) represents a challenging optimization problem. The optimal design problems exist because of a non-finiteness of each geometric optimization parameter (link lengths, support frame dimensions, etc.), the antagonism of multiple criteria and the assignment of its initial value. Design variables are specified by their default values (given by user) and logical limits. Design constraints are defined in terms of the user requirements. The design objective is a combination of all design criteria. The aim of this project is to apply evolutionary (possibly including multi-objective) optimization algorithms to a design problem of the 3-DoF, 4-DoF and 5-DoF Gantry-Tau and possibly extend for other PKMs in the Hexapod family. A simulation environment in Matlab is available for use and previous work has been carried out using standard numerical non-linear optimization algorithms. This can be used to compare results.

Guido Governatori

Office: NICTA
Phone: 3300 8523
Email: guido@itee.uq.edu.au

1 - Social and Professional Interoperable Networks

Supervisor:	Guido Governatori	Project ID:	1
Research Group:	Data and Knowledge Engineering Group	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Information Systems	Num. students signed up:	0
Description:	The project intends to investigate the use web service composition to achieve interoperability of social and professional networks.
Further Information:	http://spin.nicta.org.au

Tara Hamilton

Office: 47-302
Phone: 53988
Email: tara@itee.uq.edu.au

1 - Digital Neurons for Digital Brains

Supervisor:	Tara Hamilton	Project ID:	1
Research Group:	Complex and Intelligent Systems Group	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	AI/Cognitive Science Computer Systems Embedded Systems Software	Num. students signed up:	1
Description:	In this project you’ll design simple digital neurons firstly in software and then on an FPGA. You’ll use existing, analogue models of neurons and approximate these in the digital domain. You’ll also explore connectivity (synapses) between your digital neurons.

Ian Hayes

Office: 78-326
Phone: 52386
Email: ianh@itee.uq.edu.au

Software engineering; specification of computing systems; software development based on mathematical principles; real-time systems; fault-tolerant systems; concurrent systems. Research projects: * Description of real-time systems using time bands * Teleo-reactive programming real-time systems * Generation and analysis of fault-tolerant real-time systems * Real-time specification and refinement * Timing path analysis of real-time programs

Additional information: http://itee.uq.edu.au/~ianh

1 - tsPyC: Making Semantics Scriptable

Supervisor:	Ian Hayes	Project ID:	1
Research Group:	Systems and Software Engineering Group	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Software	Num. students signed up:	1
Description:	The aim of this project is to create a programming language which (a) generates machine code; (b) is portable and retargetable; and (c) allows programmers to customise the semantic behaviour of the compiler using Python scripts. The motivation is to improve the ability of programmers to represent complex ideas simply, compared with the ability obtained when using traditional compiled programming languages. The project will produce a compiler and a well-defined interface with which programmers can easily introduce advanced concepts and define the meaning of those concepts to the compiler.

2 - Compiler code generator generator

Supervisor:	Ian Hayes	Project ID:	2
Research Group:	Systems and Software Engineering Group	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Software	Num. students signed up:	0
Prerequisite(s):	COMP4403 (possibly as co-requisite)
Description:	Compilers are required to generate machine code for a range of machines, each with its own idiosyncratic instruction set. One approach to code generation is to use pattern matching to select instructions that are appropriate to implement a language construct. We'll start small with a simple programming language and a simple machine instruction set. This project will require advanced programming skills and preferably a knowledge of compilers, or at least you should be doing COMP4403 as a co-requisite.

3 - Static program analysis

Supervisor:	Ian Hayes	Project ID:	3
Research Group:	Systems and Software Engineering Group	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Software	Num. students signed up:	0
Prerequisite(s):	COMP4403 (possibly as co-requisite)
Description:	Static program analysis is concerned with finding bugs or security loop holes in programs by analysing the code, e.g., to find potential references through a null pointer. It is closely related to program verification. This project will form part of a larger project with Sun Labs. For more details see the associated web page.
Further Information:	http://www.itee.uq.edu.au/~ianh/Static_Analysis_Project.html

4 - Advanced programming for reactive/robotic systems

Supervisor:	Ian Hayes	Project ID:	4
Research Group:	Systems and Software Engineering Group	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Software	Num. students signed up:	0
Description:	Teleo-reactive programming takes a higher-level approach to real-time programming than standard languages. This allows quite complex systems that reactive to evolving environments to be programmed in a more straightforward manner. The project will develop some case studies in teleo-reactive programming along with animation of their behaviour, and techniques for implementing teleo-reactive programs efficiently.

Jadwiga Indulska

Office: 78-627
Phone: 52542
Email: jaga@itee.uq.edu.au

1 - Quality of Service in Wireless Mesh Networks

Supervisor:	Jadwiga Indulska	Project ID:	1
Research Group:	Ubiquitous Computing	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Communications	Num. students signed up:	0
Prerequisite(s):	computer networks, C/C++ programming in Linux
Description:	This project will develop routing protocol extensions for Wireless Mesh Networks (WMN) using Network Simulator. The aim of the extensions is to provide better Quality of Service (QoS) communication over the wireless network than the current protocols. There are simulations of existing protocols (such as AODV: Ad hoc On-demand Distance Vector) already available. The simulation will need to be extended to accommodate the proposed protocol extensions. The project also involves some simulation based protocol performance measurements. Background knowledge of computer networks is required in this project as well as C/C++ programming in Linux. For students with high GPA there will be an opportunity for a NICTA Honours scholarship for this project.

2 - Development of protocols for Wireless Mesh Networks

Supervisor:	Jadwiga Indulska	Project ID:	2
Research Group:	Ubiquitous Computing	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Communications	Num. students signed up:	0
Prerequisite(s):	computer networks, C/C++ programming on Linux
Description:	The goal of this project is to develop routing protocol extensions for Wireless Mesh Networks (WMN) and implement them on the WMN test-bed developed in NICTA. The aim of the extensions is to provide better Quality of Service (QoS) than the current WMN protocols. There are implementations of existing protocols (such as AODV: Ad hoc On-demand Distance Vector) on the NICTA WMN test-bed already available. These implementations should be extended to accommodate the proposed extensions and some performance measurement should be carried out. Background knowledge of computer networks is required in this project as well as C/C++ programming in Linux. This project is only suitable for a high GPA student as it requires affiliation with NICTA. NICTA Honours scholarships are available for students with high GPAs.

Peter Jacobs

Phone: 54068
Email: p.jacobs@uq.edu.au

1 - A GPU implementation of a compressible flow code.

Supervisor:	Peter Jacobs	Project ID:	1
Research Group:	Division of Mechanical Engineering	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Software	Num. students signed up:	1
Description:	It seems that modern GPUs offer lots of megaFLOPs, if you can organise your code in a suitable way. Mechanical Engineering has a set of simulation codes for the simulation of reacting, compressible flow and these codes are very CPU intensive. This project will attempt the implementation of a prototype code (possibly restricted to quasi-one-dimensional flow on an inviscid gas) for a currently available GPU. Issues to explore will include the form of the software needed to take advantage of the GPU capability and the performance of the prototype code relative to our usual MPI implementation that we run on a cluster of workstation-class machines.

2 - Embedded data logging device for use within aerothermodynamic models.

Supervisor:	Peter Jacobs	Project ID:	2
Research Group:	Division of Mechanical Engineering	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Embedded Systems	Num. students signed up:	0
Description:	Shock tunnels and expansion tunnels can generate test flows with velocities reaching several kilometers per second. Unfortunately the flow is of very short duration and the environment (reaching temperatures larger than 10000K, with significant ionization) is harsh on both the sensors and their signals. This project will explore the implementation of an embedded data logging device for use within the aerothermodynamic test models that we put into the tunnels. These models include reentry aeroshells and various simpler objects such as spheres and cylinders.

Xue Li

Office: 78-650
Phone: 52379
Email: xueli@itee.uq.edu.au

1 - Powerlink OpsWAN Dynamic Database

Supervisor:	Xue Li	Project ID:	1
Research Group:	Data and Knowledge Engineering Group	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Information Systems	Num. students signed up:	1
Prerequisite(s):	Database, Programming
Description:	Powerlink Queensland’s secondary systems are designed to take advantage of the Operational Wide Area Network (OpsWAN) monitoring infrastructure network. OpsWAN provides remote access to substation control, protection and plant monitoring systems. OpsWAN equipment asset structure is recorded and monitored in two ways. The OpsWAN database system is one of the methods of monitoring and recording the OpsWAN network. The database stores the Internet Protocol (IP) addresses in use and the status of the IP addresses, including the relative connection point to get to that device. This database is accessible via a web interface, and by directly accessing the database. Issues with this system have arisen due to data integrity, resulting from duplicate records with the paper based information and the database entries. The existing method of documenting the OpsWAN network is inefficient and does not meet the needs of the Business Units involved. Hence, there is a need to analyse the current system, to highlight any areas for improvements and implement these improvements or proposing a newly developed solution for the current system.

2 - Development of two web applications designed to aid companies and charities in making and receiving donations

Supervisor:	Xue Li	Project ID:	2
Research Group:	Data and Knowledge Engineering Group	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Information Systems	Num. students signed up:	1
Description:	This is a CEED Project (http://www.corptech.com.au/home/default.asp), joint with HSC&Co, a consultancy based out of Sydney. The projects involve the development of two web applications designed to aid companies and charities in making and receiving donations.

Brian Lovell

Office: 78-429
Phone: 54134
Email: lovell@itee.uq.edu.au

1 - Design of control electronics for Bio-electrochemical Systems

Supervisor:	Brian Lovell	Project ID:	1
Research Group:	Security and Surveillance	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Power	Num. students signed up:	0
Description:	Wastewaters are a large potential resource for the production of electricity, fuels, and chemicals. To exploit this renewable resource, bio-electrochemical systems (Figure 1), such as microbial fuel cells and microbial electrolysis cells, have recently emerged as promising technologies. Bio-electrochemical systems are based on the use of electrochemically active bacteria. These bacteria are capable of growing on an electrode surface, while using the electrode as an electron acceptor for the oxidation of organic matter in wastewaters. Effectively the bacteria thus function as an electrocatalyst and turn the electrode into a biological anode. Bio-electrochemical systems have already been demonstrated to be suitable for the production of electricity, hydrogen gas, and valuable chemicals from wastewaters. However, scale-up is currently the most important bottleneck towards practical implementation of this new technology. Ideally, a full-scale bio-electrochemical system would consist of several electrochemical cells that are connected in series in a so-called bipolar stack design. However, initial trials with bipolar stack designs have shown that this type of operation is not straightforward. In a bipolar stack design all electrochemical cell should ideally perform identical, but this is inherently difficult in a bio-electrochemical system due to the microbiological nature of the electrocatalyst. Consequently, well-performing electrochemical cells force bad-performing electrochemical cells to operate at higher currents, inevitably resulting in the destruction of those cells. The only way to solve this conundrum is to design proper control electronics (e.g., based on MOSFETs). Therefore, we offer a highly interesting research project for an electrical engineering student that is up to this challenge and interested to work in this dynamic, interdisciplinary research field. Interested? Contact Dr. René Rozendal at the Advanced Water Management Centre (AWMC): 07 3365 4725 or r.rozendal@uq.edu.au. Note: there is the possibility of up to $2.5k scholarship

2 - Develop Image Processing Software - Pizza Counter

Supervisor:	Brian Lovell	Project ID:	2
Research Group:	Security and Surveillance	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Signal and Image Processing	Num. students signed up:	0
Prerequisite(s):	Good coding skills, Image Processing
Description:	UPDATE 26/02 Advertising period extended. UQ students only (as per below) are encouraged to apply asap. 1st semester 09 project. This project is open for UQ students only, sorry. This project will suit a final year Mechatronics student, or double degree EE/IT student from UQ. The student will work under Prof. Brian Lovell's academic supervision, and will have an interest and skills in image processing/visual imaging. The successful applicant will receive a $2,750 scholarship and 4 units towards their degree. If further work/support is required by the client after 30 June, the client will pay the student a reasonable rate of pay for the extra work. As the industry partner/client is located in Mexico, the student will work on the project from home and UQ, under Prof. Lovell's supervision. Applicants must be available to work on the project 3-4 days/week throughout 1st semester (and 4-5 days/week before start of semester, if applicable). DESCRIPTION OF PRODUCT: • Thin crust pizzas of 2 sizes (30-33 cm and 48-50 cm) • The pizzas are NOT baked on a tray/plate, but directly on the stone surface of the oven. For this reason, the pizzas are uneven in size and roundness TASKS to be accomplished: 1. Recognize each time a new pizza goes into the oven 2. Make a high resolution picture of this pizza and save it into a log (with date and hour) on the hard drive 3. At the end of the day send a resume of this log (worksheet) to (one or more) email addresses 4. Every week start a new log (weeks begins with Monday) TASKS that should also be resolved: 1. Recognize when an uncooked pizza goes into the oven (reason: sometimes we have to warm up a cooked pizza and this pizza should not be counted as new pizza, but as a warmed up pizza) 2. Make a small counter (4 x 2 cm) that is always on top of the screen TASKS that might also be resolved: Recognition of 4-5 styles of pizza, that make up 90% of production output: 1. Hawaii (has pineapple and well defined squares of ham) 2. Peperoni (has 18-20 pcs of red round discs) 3. Margarita (has nothing but cheese on it) 4. National (has instead of red tomato sauce a brown bean sauce) 5. Envidia (has instead of red tomato sauce a green tomato sauce) OTHER: 1. Camera style, brand, model and its position above the oven has to be defined (might be a wired IP cam for on line observation) 2. Software should be compatible with our OS (XP Prof SP2. All computers are connected to a Windows for Work Groups server) 3. Evaluate roborealm.com as base for the application 4. Pizza Peel. Is now made of clear coat anodized aluminium. Could be of another color (blue, red, black etc.) TIME FRAMES: • The client hopes to be able to test V1.0 of the software around end of March (depending on how early the student can commence the project) – could be May • Final delivery and implementation should be not later than end of May (depending when student starts the project) • Follow-up (maintenance) during at least 1 year is not only welcomed, but also desired (including an additional income for the student). $ amount to be agreed between student and client. To view a short (30 sec) video of the pizza's going into the woodfired oven, click on the weblink below (or copy & paste the link into your web browser): http://www.corptech.com.au//home/inner.asp?pageid=31 Project Posted Date: 18/12/2008 Project Closing Date: 5/03/2009 Status: OPEN Category: Infomechatronics, Semester Available: Sem1 Other Description: -
Further Information:	http://www.corptech.com.au//home/inner.asp?pageid=31

3 - 3D visualisation of robots (CSIRO)

Supervisor:	Brian Lovell	Project ID:	3
Research Group:	Security and Surveillance	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):		Num. students signed up:	1

4 - CEED project with Australian Aerospace

Supervisor:	Brian Lovell	Project ID:	4
Research Group:	Security and Surveillance	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):		Num. students signed up:	1

5 - : Global online matching tool for the therapeutics industry: automation of Seeker search function (CEED)

Supervisor:	Brian Lovell	Project ID:	5
Research Group:	Security and Surveillance	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):		Num. students signed up:	1

6 - Touchwood Doors

Supervisor:	Brian Lovell	Project ID:	6
Research Group:	Security and Surveillance	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):		Num. students signed up:	0

Paul Meehan

Phone: 54320
Email: meehan@mailbox.uq.edu.au

mechanical engineering

1 - Experiments in Rail Corrugation Control

Supervisor:	Paul Meehan	Project ID:	1
Research Group:	Division of Mechanical Engineering	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):		Num. students signed up:	0
Description:	Experiments in Rail Corrugation Control

Michael Poole

Office: 78-529
Phone: 58304
Email: michael@itee.uq.edu.au

1 - Build a circuit scanner

Supervisor:	Michael Poole	Project ID:	1
Research Group:	Electromagnetics and Imaging Group	Max. students:	2
Discipline(s):	Electronics Robotics	Num. students signed up:	0
Prerequisite(s):	Sensor integration, robotics, matlab and/or maths
Description:	Electric currents flowing in a circuit produce a characteristic magnetic field above the circuit. With a new type of magnetic field sensor (a magnetic tunnel junction or MTJ) capable of registering magnetic fields smaller than one 10,000th of the strength of the Earth’s, this project aims to produce the necessary electronics and scanning platform to map the magnetic field above circuits and thereby calculate the currents flowing in the circuit. A student may chose to build the sensor circuitry, scanning stage, process the magnetic field data to obtain the current density map and/or provide a visual interface.

Marius Portmann

Office: 78-616
Phone: 58356
Email: marius@itee.uq.edu.au

1 - Privacy in Online Social Networks

Supervisor:	Marius Portmann	Project ID:	1
Research Group:	Ubiquitous Computing	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Communications Software	Num. students signed up:	1
Prerequisite(s):	high level of motivation, background in information security and network programming
Description:	The goal of this project is to investigate the issue of privacy in online social networks such as MySpace, Facebook, LinkedIn, Orkut, Twitter etc. These services expose to varying degrees personal information about users. This project specifically focuses on the information about the personal, professional and other social relationships between users, i.e. who is a friend of whom, who is following who's blog, etc. By combining the information available on various publicly "crawlable" blogging and social networking sites, it is possible to create increasingly comprehensive social graphs of users. This is potentially facilitated by technologies such as Google's OpenSocial API, which will need to be investigated. The goal of this project is to study how much information is currently exposed by various online social networking applications, and what are potential mechanisms to preserve privacy.

2 - Distribution of Massive Files over a LAN using P2P technologies

Supervisor:	Marius Portmann	Project ID:	2
Research Group:	Ubiquitous Computing	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Communications Software	Num. students signed up:	1
Description:	The project aims to apply P2P and file swarming technology for the efficient distribution of very large files on Local Area Networks.

Adam Postula

Office: 78-604
Phone: 53746
Email: adam@itee.uq.edu.au

1 - IP CORE support for Rachel processor

Supervisor:	Adam Postula	Project ID:	1
Research Group:	Embedded Systems Group	Max. students:	3
Discipline(s):	Embedded Systems	Num. students signed up:	1
Prerequisite(s):	good understanding of digital design, skills in VHDL
Description:	Rachel processor is our reconfigurable processor core based on Sparc instruction set and interfaced to AMBA standard bus. Rachel was developed last year in a thesis project and is working on Virtex4 at 100Mhz system clock. We continue with the project with the aim to build a whole microprocessor system based on reconfigrable cores. We also plan to make the system publicly available in open source initiative. Your task in this thesis project is explore IP technology with focus on standard AMBA interface. You mplement some IP blocks to be used with Rachel, test and document your work to be publishable as an IP open core. Testing can be done either on Virtex4 or Vistex5 XILINX boards that makes an opportunity to get familiarised with the latest state of the art FPGA technology.

2 - Development of Rachel reconfigurable processor core

Supervisor:	Adam Postula	Project ID:	2
Research Group:	Embedded Systems Group	Max. students:	3
Discipline(s):	Embedded Systems	Num. students signed up:	1
Prerequisite(s):	good understanding of digital design, skills in VHDL
Description:	Rachel is a clone of LEON2 open core processor. RACHEL was developed in VERILOG to make it more attractive to industrial users. RACHEL is fully functional and tested on VIRTEX4 FPGA. Your task is to experiment with and improve this processor architecture by designing more efficient instruction pipeline and more efficient memory interface. You can also choose to work with virtual memory unit for this processor.

3 - Instruction set customisation of reconfigurable processors.

Supervisor:	Adam Postula	Project ID:	3
Research Group:	Embedded Systems Group	Max. students:	2
Discipline(s):	Embedded Systems	Num. students signed up:	0
Prerequisite(s):	good understanding of computer architecture and digital design, skills in VHDL
Description:	Standard processors and microcontrollers have fixed instruction sets. When a processor core such as microBlaze or NIOS is used on FPGA its instruction set can be extended with instructions best suited to the application. Of course soem additional hardware must be build to perfrom computations for the new instruction. The trick is to find good candidates fro new instructions. The manual analysis of an application is very time consuming and our research project builds automatic tools for doing that. We need a test set of well design examples to test software. Your task in this project is to explore and master instruction cutomisation technology on NIOS processor from Altera. You develop some design examples which illustrate this technology and can serve as a test set for experiments. With your experience you can also contribute to the methods of finding good canditates for new instructions.

4 - Wireless interaction with large display

Supervisor:	Adam Postula	Project ID:	4
Research Group:	Embedded Systems Group	Max. students:	2
Discipline(s):	Human Computer Interaction	Num. students signed up:	0
Prerequisite(s):	good IT and programming skills, some signal processing skills, some hardware skills
Description:	This project continues development of wireless methods and devices for interaction with large displays. Our present system is based on Wii mote Infrared interaction. We want to increase both resolution and performance of this system as well as explore use of other technologies. Depending on your knowledge, interest and skills your thesis work can be more hardware/wireless or more software orientated.

5 - UAV project

Supervisor:	Adam Postula	Project ID:	5
Research Group:	Embedded Systems Group	Max. students:	4
Discipline(s):	Embedded Systems	Num. students signed up:	3
Prerequisite(s):	good grasp of digital electronics and programming
Description:	We build Unmanned Aerial Vehicles powered by electrical and fuel motors. The vehicles require advanced sensing and control based on microcontrollers and programmable logic (FPGAs). UAV is a fantastic object to learn embedded system design. Depending on your knowledge, interests and skills your thesis will be defined as a part of this larger project.

6 - Collaborative electronic whiteboards

Supervisor:	Adam Postula	Project ID:	6
Research Group:	Embedded Systems Group	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Human Computer Interaction	Num. students signed up:	1
Prerequisite(s):	good IT and programming skills, knowledge of Linux
Description:	we want to explore technologies allowing collaboration of groups of peoples through electroinc touch screens or white boards. commercia systems with such functonality are very expensive and our goal is to explore, deisgn and develop a cheaper alternative.

7 - Applications of wireless motion sensing technologies

Supervisor:	Adam Postula	Project ID:	7
Research Group:	Embedded Systems Group	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Human Computer Interaction	Num. students signed up:	1
Description:	Applications of wireless motion sensing technologies: Research and development regarding the use of accelerometers in mobile technologies such as mobile phones, game controllers, etc. This project focuses on human-computer interaction through the use of biometrics to allow users to send control signals with mainly movement and gestures. Main topics include manipulation of mouse cursors, gesture recognition, displacement and orientation awareness.

8 - UAV Outback Challenge 2009

Supervisor:	Adam Postula	Project ID:	8
Research Group:	Embedded Systems Group	Max. students:	4
Discipline(s):	Embedded Systems	Num. students signed up:	1
Prerequisite(s):	Good team work skills
Description:	The outback challenge is going to be held in September and it is sponsored by Queensland Government, QUT, CSIRO and ARCAA. The task is to build an auto piloted UAV. The UAV will take off and fly to a 3 km by 3 km search area where it will search for a 50 Watt energy source representing a stranded human being. Then it will send the GPS location of the source to the base station where it will be checked by the judges. Upon receiving the confirmation from the judges the UAV will fly over this location and drop a 1 kg first aid kit. The last step will be to fly back to the starting point and automatically land. Students from the following fields are required • Mechanical / Mechatronics • Electronics / Electrical • Wireless Communication • Control systems • Software Engineering o Embedded programming o Image processing The project will include designing and developing a fixed-wing UAV, an auto pilot system and an aircraft controller. There will be onboard sensors for getting the orientation, velocity and altitude information. The auto pilot will use this information to plot a flight plan. The aircraft controller will use this flight plan to generate actuator signals.

9 - UAV engine/fuel management system

Supervisor:	Adam Postula	Project ID:	9
Research Group:	Embedded Systems Group	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):		Num. students signed up:	0
Prerequisite(s):	Embedded programming experience, basic fluid dynamics and combustion theory.
Description:	This topic involves the development and implementation of an engine/fuel management system for a gas two stroke model aircraft engine. This topic will require analysis of optimal (Stoichiometric) air/fuel ratios for changing atmospheric conditions through the use of a microcontroller, and appropriate sensors and actuators. The engine/fuel management system will be used in a fixed winged Unmanned Aerial Vehicle and will have a maximum cruising altitude of approximately 2000ft.

10 - Vision based inertial measurement unit (IMU)

Supervisor:	Adam Postula	Project ID:	10
Research Group:	Embedded Systems Group	Max. students:	2
Discipline(s):		Num. students signed up:	0
Prerequisite(s):	Matlab and C programming experience and good knowledge of image processing.
Description:	The task for this project will be to develop a vision based inertial measurement system. At present we are using an inertial measurement unit (IMU) comprising of accelerometers, gyros and magnetometers. The data from these IMUs is very noisy mostly because of the vibrations of the vehicle. In the vision based system a camera will be fixed on the UAV. The programme will need to detect objects in every frame. As the UAV moves the objects location will change from frame to frame. This movement will then need to be translated into roll, pitch and yaw rotations.

11 - UAV Quad Rotor controller

Supervisor:	Adam Postula	Project ID:	11
Research Group:	Embedded Systems Group	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):		Num. students signed up:	0
Prerequisite(s):	Good skills in VHDL and C programming
Description:	We are currently developing a Quad Rotor UAV. The control system for it is divided into three parts namely aircraft controller, data acquisition system and the autopilot system. The aircraft controller and data acquisition system are implemented on FPGA and the Autopilot system is being developed using Gumstix which has an embedded processor running Linux on it. The first task in this thesis project is to partition an FPGA and use one partition to put the existing aircraft controller and data acquisition system and putting a virtual processor on the other one. The second task is to transform the autopilot system software to a suitable form so that it can be run on the virtual processor.

12 - UAV control model

Supervisor:	Adam Postula	Project ID:	12
Research Group:	Embedded Systems Group	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):		Num. students signed up:	0
Prerequisite(s):	Matlab experience and basic fluid dynamics.
Description:	We are currently developing a Quad Rotor UAV. It has 30 ampere three phase DC motors as actuators and 10 x 7 propellers. The task for this thesis project will be to develop a mathematical model for this UAV which can be used for developing control system for it. The model will be implemented in Matlab. Different controllers will be tested with this model to find out which one will best suit our needs.

13 - Mobile phone as a joystick

Supervisor:	Adam Postula	Project ID:	13
Research Group:	Embedded Systems Group	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Human Computer Interaction	Num. students signed up:	1

Aleksandar Rakic

Office: 78-547
Phone: 53569
Email: rakic@itee.uq.edu.au

I offer projects in the Photonics area. Some of my projects are in optical communications and microwave photonics. Most of the projects are related to optical sensing for biomedical applications, Bioengineering and Biophotonics. I expect good, highly motivated students willing and able to be immersed in a research training and mentoring environment and willing to collaborate with my postgraduate students on projects with research focus and with (in some cases) publishable outcomes. Also, please contact me by email if you have ideas for projects of your own.

Additional information: http://www.itee.uq.edu.au/~rakic/

1 - Relative Intensity Noise of Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Lasers for Gigabit Ethernet applications: measurement and parameter extraction

Supervisor:	Aleksandar Rakic	Project ID:	1
Research Group:	Microwave and Optical Communications	Max. students:	2
Discipline(s):	Photonics and Optical Communications	Num. students signed up:	2
Prerequisite(s):	Desirable companion course is Photonics COMS4103 or equivalent.
Description:	Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Lasers (VCSELs) are the most commonly used light source for high-speed data communications over multimode optical fiber including Gigabit Ethernet and 10-Gigabit Ethernet. An important consideration for such applications is the measurement of relative intensity noise (RIN) in the laser as it becomes the factor limiting the bit-error-ratio and the maximum signalling rate. In this project you will: (1) Investigate techniques for RIN measurements on VCSELs. (2) Characterise several VCSELs manufactured in the same technology and differing only in the resonator diameter. (3) Use standard RIN models to determine relaxation oscillation frequency and damping frequency and their dependence on bias current. (4) Extract model parameters using global optimising procedures and compare simulation against measurements. (5) Draw conclusions related to effect of resonator diameter on modal, spectral and temporal response of the device.

2 - Modelling the Self-Mixing Effect in VCSELs

Supervisor:	Aleksandar Rakic	Project ID:	2
Research Group:	Microwave and Optical Communications	Max. students:	2
Discipline(s):	Photonics and Optical Communications	Num. students signed up:	0
Prerequisite(s):	ELEC3400, ability to design and make electronic circuits
Description:	This is a continuation of an extremely successful project. The aim is to improve the performance of a novel and compact laser range finder which is using a semiconductor laser both as a transmitter and a sensor. If you take this project you will be working in our research labs with a small group of motivated postgraduate students. Each student will have his/her well defined part of the project.

3 - Electronic hardware interface for an Optical Spectrum Analyser

Supervisor:	Aleksandar Rakic	Project ID:	3
Research Group:	Microwave and Optical Communications	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Photonics and Optical Communications	Num. students signed up:	1
Prerequisite(s):	elec3400 or similar
Description:	The aim of the project is to redesign the front end for an optical spectrum analyser. This is mainly an electronic design project focusing on teh design of a sensitive small signal amplifier

4 - Integrated distance sensor for robot sensing

Supervisor:	Aleksandar Rakic	Project ID:	4
Research Group:	Microwave and Optical Communications	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Photonics and Optical Communications	Num. students signed up:	0
Prerequisite(s):	ELEC3400, a desirable companion course would be Photonics COMS4103
Description:	The aim of the project is to design and implement of a compact laser range finder/ displacement sensor which is using a semiconductor laser both as a transmitter and a detector. If you take this project you will be working in our research labs with a small group of motivated postgraduate students. Design requirements are as follows  Low power (frequently used CCD sensors draw 30 mA – this sensor has to use an order of magnitude less current)  Range of 0 – 1m  Analogue distance output  Small, self-contained unit that operates on 3 – 5V.  Works with certain specified surfaces e.g. glass, black surface etc.  Refresh rate of 10 Hz.

5 - Microwave Measurements of Properties of Composite Aircraft Materials

Supervisor:	Aleksandar Rakic	Project ID:	5
Research Group:	Microwave and Optical Communications	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Photonics and Optical Communications	Num. students signed up:	1
Prerequisite(s):	ELEC3100
Description:	This project is being run in collaboration with Phantom Works Boeing Australia. For more information contact Dr Aleksandar Rakic or Mr Bruce Piper, bruce.r.piper@boeing.com. The Radar Cross Section (RCS), vulnerability to lightning strikes, EMC, antenna radiation patterns etc on aircraft rely heavily on the composite material the aircraft is made from. These composites are predominately made for their structural integrity with no consideration to the RF electrical properties (Conductivity, Permittivity, Permeability etc). Measurement of the RF electrical properties of composites relies on the composite being relatively thick. Often this is not the case and microwave measurement techniques need to be developed that can accurately measure thin aircraft composites. This project will develop algorithms for extracting microwave properties of composites from measured data. It will offer the student theoretical and practical experience in microwave measurements as well as working on a problem that is current and relevant to the aircraft industry.

Tapan Saha

Office: 47-406
Phone: 53962
Email: saha@itee.uq.edu.au

1 - Calculation of Optimum Vegetation Profile

Supervisor:	Tapan Saha	Project ID:	1
Research Group:	Power and Energy Systems	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Power	Num. students signed up:	1
Prerequisite(s):	elec3300
Description:	"• This project will determine the theoretical vegetation profile to limit outages on the 11kV overhead network. • Using mathematical models a profile (height versus distance) will be calculated for various vegetation sizes and types for a range of wind speeds. " This project is Enewrgex Sponsored

2 - Conductor Ageing due to Annealing

Supervisor:	Tapan Saha	Project ID:	2
Research Group:	Power and Energy Systems	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Power	Num. students signed up:	1
Prerequisite(s):	elec3300
Description:	"• ENERGEX has aluminium and copper conductors on the Network which are subjected to high current loading and fault currents. • ENERGEX would like to assess the affects of annealing (loss of mechanical strength) due to the accumulated effects of the current loading and fault currents. • The project would involve modeling the temperature rise of the conductor due to the current loading and fault currents. • Temperature rise laboratory tests could also be done on conductor strands to assess the loss of mechanical strength." This is an Energex Sponsored project

3 - Safe Voltage Criteria based on Risk for Electricity Networks

Supervisor:	Tapan Saha	Project ID:	3
Research Group:	Power and Energy Systems	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Power	Num. students signed up:	1
Prerequisite(s):	elec3300/elec4300
Description:	"Hazardous voltages can occur on conductive structures supporting overhead lines and on the neutral / earthing systems of a low voltage network. The objectives of this project are: • Research the international information available on safe body curves and body resistances. • Determine safe voltage criteria based on risk for continuous and fault currents for both workers and general public. • Identify high risk electrical assets and mitigation measures to address these hazardous voltages." This is an Energex Sponsored project

4 - Failure Rate Classification of 11kV Feeders

Supervisor:	Tapan Saha	Project ID:	4
Research Group:	Power and Energy Systems	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Power	Num. students signed up:	1
Prerequisite(s):	elec3300/elec4300
Description:	"• This project will determine the 11kV failure rate of various vegetation types. • ENERGEX has an extensive network outage database which records both the location and cause of each outage. A sample of outages caused by vegetation will be analysed to calculate the outage rate for various vegetation classifications. • The student will need to have some SQL programming skills." This is an Energex Sponsored project

5 - Real Time Network Simulator Case Study

Supervisor:	Tapan Saha	Project ID:	5
Research Group:	Power and Energy Systems	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Power	Num. students signed up:	0
Prerequisite(s):	elec3300/elec4300
Description:	As part of the recent upgrade to Powerlink’s Railway SVC’s, we purchased a system simulator from our supplier to provide a system to train our maintenance and operations staff on this complex equipment. One component of that equipment is a real time network simulator which models transmission network behaviour programmatically. This system can be used stand alone to test the interaction of other secondary system equipment on our transmission system. . This project is to test the behaviour of the simulator when connected to other equipment such as protection relays or other vendors SVC secondary systems to demonstrate possible technical benefits of this complex system in comparison to traditional unit test sets. This project is sponsored by PowerlinK Queensland

6 - Network Design Investigation

Supervisor:	Tapan Saha	Project ID:	6
Research Group:	Power and Energy Systems	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Power	Num. students signed up:	0
Description:	. Identify Ethernet network options and architectures suitable for use in real time control and protection systems in a transmission utility. . Provide testing tools (software) to enable numerical comparison between vendors substation hardened network equipment. . Identify diagnostic tools or provide software to ensure all failures of the network equipment are detected. . Provide a specification of requirements that can be used later for system design and hardware procurement. This project is sponsored by PowerlinK Queensland

7 - Bag Filter Flow Model

Supervisor:	Tapan Saha	Project ID:	7
Research Group:	Power and Energy Systems	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Power	Num. students signed up:	0
Prerequisite(s):	elec3300
Description:	Tarong North PS uses a bag filter to clean the flue gases. The bags in this filter have not been lasting as well as expected due to erosion and blocking (caused by low temperatures) The project is to: • Model gas flows and temperature distribution through the bag filter. • Adjust the model to allow for the staged blocking of bags through the filter. • Design flow distribution devices to even out flows in the bag filter.

8 - Energy metering and greenhouse

Supervisor:	Tapan Saha	Project ID:	8
Research Group:	Power and Energy Systems	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Power	Num. students signed up:	1
Prerequisite(s):	elec3300
Description:	As part of QLD Government policy office buildings need to meet energy reduction targets therefore Tarong Energy are committed to implementing this strategy on a number of buildings on our sites – this will involve the installation of energy metering to be connected to our SCADA systems at the Tarong and Wivenhoe Power Station sites as well as carrying out audits of energy use in the relevant office buildings and identifying possible areas for energy reduction. This project is sponsored by Tarong Energy

9 - Dynamic Stability and Network Power Flow Analysis of Highly Penetrated Grid Connected PV Systems

Supervisor:	Tapan Saha	Project ID:	9
Research Group:	Power and Energy Systems	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Power	Num. students signed up:	1
Prerequisite(s):	elec3300/elec4300

10 - Investigation of cost of producing greener electricity

Supervisor:	Tapan Saha	Project ID:	10
Research Group:	Power and Energy Systems	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Power	Num. students signed up:	1
Prerequisite(s):	elec3300/elec4300

11 - Automated Detection of Distribution Network Limitations

Supervisor:	Tapan Saha	Project ID:	11
Research Group:	Power and Energy Systems	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Power	Num. students signed up:	1
Prerequisite(s):	elec3300

12 - Solar Thermal Power

Supervisor:	Tapan Saha	Project ID:	12
Research Group:	Power and Energy Systems	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Power	Num. students signed up:	0

13 - Reliability evaluation of distributed systems with large penetration of renewable energy sources

Supervisor:	Tapan Saha	Project ID:	13
Research Group:	Power and Energy Systems	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Power	Num. students signed up:	1

14 - Lighting performance on transmission lines

Supervisor:	Tapan Saha	Project ID:	14
Research Group:	Power and Energy Systems	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Power	Num. students signed up:	1
Prerequisite(s):	elec3300

15 - Solar Photovoltaic Powered Traffic Signalling Systems

Supervisor:	Tapan Saha	Project ID:	15
Research Group:	Power and Energy Systems	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Power	Num. students signed up:	1

16 - Cost benefit analysis of large scale photovoltaic systems

Supervisor:	Tapan Saha	Project ID:	16
Research Group:	Power and Energy Systems	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Power	Num. students signed up:	1
Prerequisite(s):	elec4300

17 - Power Quality impacts on renewable energy integration

Supervisor:	Tapan Saha	Project ID:	17
Research Group:	Power and Energy Systems	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Power	Num. students signed up:	1
Prerequisite(s):	elec3300/elec4300

18 - Development of software for transmission line cost estimation

Supervisor:	Tapan Saha	Project ID:	18
Research Group:	Power and Energy Systems	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Power	Num. students signed up:	1
Prerequisite(s):	elec3300/elec4300

19 - Superconductivity Application for electrical equipment

Supervisor:	Tapan Saha	Project ID:	19
Research Group:	Power and Energy Systems	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Power	Num. students signed up:	1

Mark Schulz

Office: 78-417
Phone: 59132
Email: marks@itee.uq.edu.au

I am interested in the development of remote online laboratory experiments. We are linked in with the development team based at MIT in Cambridge, USA. I also have an interest in the application of technology in the education domain. As a consequence of these interests, I am the Associate Director of the UQ research Centre for Educational Innovation & Technology. Having spent over 20 years in ITEE in the computer engineering area, I still maintain an active interest in innovative uses embedded systems and digital systems.

1 - Social Tagging of Video Files

Supervisor:	Mark Schulz	Project ID:	1
Research Group:	Centre for Educational Innovation and Technology	Max. students:	2
Discipline(s):	Computer Systems Human Computer Interaction Information Environments Software	Num. students signed up:	0
Prerequisite(s):	Good coding Skills
Description:	2008 sees the introduction of video recording of lecture content of some UQ courses. What would make these videos more useful would be if students could tag the content of the recorded files with markers and comments that would enable them to quickly locate the relevant part of the relevant file when it comes time for revision. What would be even more useful would be if students of the same class could share their tags in some way - between particular friends or groups or between the entire class. This project is to investigate how this might be achieved using the existing infrastructure at UQ plus any extra infrastructure required to support the social collaboration and searching of tags.

2 - iLabs: Interactive Laboratory Experiments over the Internet

Supervisor:	Mark Schulz	Project ID:	2
Research Group:	Centre for Educational Innovation and Technology	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Embedded Systems Human Computer Interaction Software	Num. students signed up:	0
Prerequisite(s):	Good programming skills; Familiarity with LabVIEW a definite bonus; good lab skills
Description:	This project is part of the MIT-UQ iCampus collaboration. In the project, we expect a student to work with a National Instruments ELVIS (Educational Laboratory Virtual Instrumentation Suite - www.ni.com/academic/ni_elvis/ ) platform and the iLabs software developed at MIT. Programming will be done using Java, C#, Microsoft .NET, and the graphical programming language from national Instruments LabVIEW (www.ni.com/labview/). Support for the student allocated this project will also come from the Electronics Instrumentation Workshop in mechanical engineering and from the iLabs programming team at MIT. National Instruments (Oceania) have been approached to award a prize to the project which makes the best use of LabVIEW and NI products - this would be a contender for that award.
Further Information:	http://icampus.mit.edu/ilabs

3 - Measurement of Coastal Wave Heights via Remote Instrumentation

Supervisor:	Mark Schulz	Project ID:	3
Research Group:	Centre for Educational Innovation and Technology	Max. students:	2
Discipline(s):	Embedded Systems Software	Num. students signed up:	0
Prerequisite(s):	Good programming skills; Familiarity with LabVIEW a bonus; good lab skills; interest in building a complete and working system
Description:	This project is taken in conjunction with the Coastal Engineering group in Civil Engineering, the Electronics Instrumentation Workshop in Mechanical Engineering, the iLabs team at UQ and the iLabs programming team at MIT. The aim of this project is to collect water level information from manometer tubes at the Southport Spit. These tubes measure water pressure (and thus wave height) out to 500 metres from the beach. The aim is to use a web cam to capture images of the water levels and to image process these pictures to determine the water height readings. This is done in a station buried 3 meters under the sand dunes. The data is then to be transmitted back to the sand pumping station at The Spit, Southport, intergrated with local weather information and a live video feed of the beach waves, and transmitted via broadband back to UQ. The project will proceed in small stages as we investigate the various possible approaches. Programming skills and system integration skills will figure prominently. Much of the data acquistion, data processing and data display must be done in National Instruments graphical programming language LabVIEW (www.ni.com/labview/). This experiment will not only form part of the research activities of the civil engineering coastal research unit, but will also be used as a live demonstration in lectures.

4 - XMAS: Using Video Annotation in Documents

Supervisor:	Mark Schulz	Project ID:	4
Research Group:	Centre for Educational Innovation and Technology	Max. students:	2
Discipline(s):	Computer Systems Human Computer Interaction Information Environments Software	Num. students signed up:	1
Prerequisite(s):	Good programming skills; Familiarity with .NET programming a bonus
Description:	The Cross-Media Annotation System (XMAS) is part of the UQ-MIT iCampus collaboration project. XMAS was originally developed to allow video content from DVDs to be used in essays on media studies (particularly Shakespearean studies with Peter Donaldson) at MIT, but without copying the content as this violates copyright agreements. The system requires that the video files be on the same physical server as the video streaming software. This project is to develop a system whereby video content help in the UQ library can be accessed by a video streaming package which allows students to point to segments of the file and incorporate these segments in other digital media (again, without copying the content). Knowledge of SMIL(Synchronized Multimedia Integration Language) will be needed over the course of this project. Support for this project is also available from the XMAS project staff at MIT.
Further Information:	http://icampus.mit.edu/xmas

5 - Build a Micro Air Vehicle (MAV)

Supervisor:	Mark Schulz	Project ID:	5
Research Group:	Centre for Educational Innovation and Technology	Max. students:	3
Discipline(s):	Embedded Systems Robotics	Num. students signed up:	0
Prerequisite(s):	Be prepared to build an electromechanical system controlled by a microcontroller. At least one person working on this must have good design skills and good mechanical construction skills.
Description:	MICRO AIR VEHICLES (MAVs) refer to a new breed of aircrafts that are significantly smaller than all flying vehicles available today. The size of the MAV is defined as the largest linear distance between any two points located on the vehicle. The target dimension of MAVs is approximately 6 in, and the development of an insect-size aircraft is expected in the near future. Practical applications of MAVs have been recognized for military missions such as battlefield reconnaissance, damage assessment, visual surveillance, biological or chemical agent sensing, and communications relay, and for civil missions such as search and rescue, border patrol, air sampling, and police surveillance. As a result, investigations on MAV prototypes have drawn great attention in recent years.
Further Information:	http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/iel5/3516/28543/01275484.pdf

6 - Build a Low-Cost Multi-Touch Semsor and Display using Frustrated Total Internal Reflection

Supervisor:	Mark Schulz	Project ID:	6
Research Group:	Centre for Educational Innovation and Technology	Max. students:	2
Discipline(s):	Computer Systems Embedded Systems Software	Num. students signed up:	2
Prerequisite(s):	Good construction skills and good programming skills
Description:	There are a number of examples of homebulit multitouch screens which make use of infrared light sources and cameras to detect frustrated total internal reflection. The seminal paper on this topic is: Han, J. Y. 2005. Low-Cost Multi-Touch Sensing through Frustrated Total Internal Reflection. In Proceedings of the 18th Annual ACM Symposium on User Interface Software and Technology http://www.cs.nyu.edu/~jhan/ftirsense/ There is opensource software which can form the basis of a number of applications to make use of a screen: http://www.openframeworks.cc/download Your project is to supervise the construction of such a screen and develop a couple of applications in collaboration with the staff in the CEIT research centre. http://www.instructables.com/id/Interactive-Multitouch-Display/ A good starting point for your work the PDF document provided in the URL mentioned, but there are many other such documents around, along with videos on YouTube. Our aim is to have it functional and low-cost, with a high impact application running on the hardware. If the unit is successfully implemented, it will be a centrepiece of the new TEDI building, to be opened in 2010 at UQ.
Further Information:	http://www.multitouch.nl/documents/multitouchdisplay_howto_070523_v02.pdf

8 - Build a (cordless phone) DECT interface module in VHDL

Supervisor:	Mark Schulz	Project ID:	8
Research Group:	Centre for Educational Innovation and Technology	Max. students:	2
Discipline(s):	Communications Computer Systems Electronics Embedded Systems Software	Num. students signed up:	0
Prerequisite(s):	VHDL, FGPA knowledge
Description:	Implement a DECT interface to a cordless phone as a VHDL module. This would enable one to evetually build a DECT-VoIP interface.

9 - Electronic Post-It Notes

Supervisor:	Mark Schulz	Project ID:	9
Research Group:	Centre for Educational Innovation and Technology	Max. students:	2
Discipline(s):	Embedded Systems	Num. students signed up:	0
Prerequisite(s):	COMS3200, COMP4300
Description:	Information posted on office doors in paper form (e.g. lecturer availability) is often out of date soon after posting or may become out of date when the office occupant is away from the office (and is therefore unable to update the information). This project would involve developing an electronic replacement for the paper sign or post-it note. Ideally, the device should be able to be updated from afar (over the network). Other possible options include (a) device provides capability for messages to be left, (b) device responds to Elvin (http://elvin.dstc.edu.au) notifications, (c) displayed information is extracted from a (remote) database/calendar system (e'g', printer queue contents :-)) Other sources of data for public display will be able to be managed on such a system.
Further Information:	Look at the book "Making Things Talk" by Tom Igoe for many ideas

10 - Build a 3-D Printer

Supervisor:	Mark Schulz	Project ID:	10
Research Group:	Centre for Educational Innovation and Technology	Max. students:	3
Discipline(s):	Robotics	Num. students signed up:	1
Prerequisite(s):	A very practical student required for this project. Actual construction to be done with the direct assistance of the ITEE Mechanical Workshop, so ability to use Autocad essential.
Description:	Fab at Home is a project to build a small 3-D printer that will produce 3D objects. There is room to look at alternative schemes for printing using the basic mechanical framework described on this website. Students should focus on the low-level software required to drive the system and, for this project, using the software suggested to produce the necessary data files. This is a big project, and will require considerable liaison with the workshop staff to have something built successfully.
Further Information:	http://fabathome.org/

11 - Tree power: energy delivery for ultralow-power sensors

Supervisor:	Mark Schulz	Project ID:	11
Research Group:	Centre for Educational Innovation and Technology	Max. students:	3
Discipline(s):	Embedded Systems	Num. students signed up:	0
Prerequisite(s):	A practicval interest in embedded systems and electronics.
Description:	Researchers at MIT have discovered that the imbalance in pH between the inside of a tree and the soil in which it is potted generates voltage of around 59 millivolts for every step of mismatch in pH. Your project is to design and implement a small power source, measure its performance, and use it to power a small, remote sensor. A particular interest is to look at the performance in salt rich environments, i.e., islands located around the Great Barrier Reef, as the is ongoing research to implement sensor networks linking these islands to the reef environment by scientists at UQ.
Further Information:	http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0002963

12 - Applications for a Computerized Pen

Supervisor:	Mark Schulz	Project ID:	12
Research Group:	Centre for Educational Innovation and Technology	Max. students:	5
Discipline(s):	Software	Num. students signed up:	1
Prerequisite(s):	Good Java Programming skills
Description:	Livescibe released the SmartPen in 2008. It is a pen with a builtin camera. The pen is used with special paper covered in a dot pattern that enables the pen to determine its location on any of 1600 pages. The pen also has inbuilt stereo recording and playback capabilities. Thus, then pen is able to replay any audio associated with any pen mark on any page, making this a very useful notetaking tool. The pen has 2 Gb of flash memory built in, and runs under Java. The contents of the pen are uploaded to a web-based desktop via a USB connection. CEIT are interested in developing a number of small applications to run with the pen. Livescribe have recently released a SDK for developers. A starting project would be to develop a local web/desktop to which Pen memory can be dumped, displayed and interacted with. (Currently the pen data is uploaded to a public website, not something we might want to do with some UQ courses). An extension on this project would be to allow users to tag content so that digital searches could be made of the content. One application we are interested in is to have students replay a solution to a problem along with the verbal explanation from the lecturer/tutor. Clciking anywhere in the screen would then allow students to get an explanation starting at that precise part of the explanation. Another small project might be to link the system with a handwriting tool to convert handwriting to text. We would welcome student ideas for projects as well.
Further Information:	http://www.livescribe.com

13 - iLabs: Subscription Protocols and gathering operational statistics of remote experiments

Supervisor:	Mark Schulz	Project ID:	13
Research Group:	Centre for Educational Innovation and Technology	Max. students:	3
Discipline(s):	Computer Systems Embedded Systems Information Systems Software	Num. students signed up:	0
Prerequisite(s):	Good programming skills (Java great, C# useful), knowledge of network protocols
Description:	CEIT researchers collaborate with the Centre for Educational Computing Initiative (CECI) at MIT (in Cambridge, MA) on the development of remote laboratories (the iLabs project). iLabs is a collection of well defined services for running remote experiments. One area of interest that is being led out of UQ is the lead developer for a new service that will allow statistics on the operation of various components of the iLab system, and maybe to even provide remote maintenance of experiments. This project is to design and implement a simple XML producer-consumer protocol that allows geo-tagged operational statistics from an iLab experiment to be collected from around the planet. We are interested in the development of a client for the visualization of this data. The students working on this project will be working with the research staff in the Centre for Educational Innovation and Technology (CEIT), located in GP South. The URL gives a link to the home of the project. Come and talk with me about more details of this project if you are interested.
Further Information:	http://icampus.mit.edu/ilabs/

14 - Statistical Modelling for Outcome Predictions in Online Games

Supervisor:	Mark Schulz	Project ID:	14
Research Group:	Centre for Educational Innovation and Technology	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Software	Num. students signed up:	1
Description:	As the title says: using statistical processes to model outcome predictions in online games. Use this data to display game status in real time.

Nicholas Shuley

Office: 78-535
Phone: 53997
Email: shuley@itee.uq.edu.au

My general area is electromagnetics and signal processing as associated with electromagnetics. More specifically, I have research interests in the area of UWB antennas, polarimetry and applications involving detection and recognition of targets from their backscattered signature. For sem I 2009, we are also running a number of project in association with Boeing Phantom Works. These will be jointly supervised between Boeing (Mr Bruce Piper) and UQ.

1 - Accurate RCS Prediction of a Remote Control Model Aircraft

Supervisor:	Nicholas Shuley	Project ID:	1
Research Group:	Electromagnetics and Imaging Group	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Microwaves and Radar	Num. students signed up:	1
Prerequisite(s):	Elec3100
Description:	Note: This project is being run in collaboration with Phantom Works Boeing Australia. The student may be required to be an Australian citizen. For more information contact A/Prof. Nick Shuley or Mr Bruce Piper, bruce.r.piper@boeing.com StudenRadars have been used to detect aircraft for many years. Commercial packages are now available that can use a number of techniques to model complex structures at gigahertz frequencies. The purpose of this project is to determine the radar cross section (RCS) of a remote control aircraft. The ultimate aim is to consider the properties of all of the aircraft’s components with the goal of achieving an accurate model of the RCS and comparing it with experimental results.

2 - RF Detection of Moisture in Composite Aircraft Materials

Supervisor:	Nicholas Shuley	Project ID:	2
Research Group:	Microwave and Optical Communications	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Microwaves and Radar	Num. students signed up:	0
Prerequisite(s):	ELEC3100
Description:	Note: This project is being run in collaboration with Phantom Works Boeing Australia. For more information contact A/Prof. Nick Shuley or Mr Bruce Piper, bruce.r.piper@boeing.com The current detection and measurement technique for moisture in composites is difficult and not very practical. For a composite sandwich structure, failures often occur between the laminate facesheet and the core interface. Moisture is currently verified inaccurately by weighing a sample that is also subjected to the same level of moisture conditioning. The object of this project would be to develop a microwave system capable of the accurate detection of moisture in composite aircraft materials.

3 - Small Antennas for Mobile Platforms;

Supervisor:	Nicholas Shuley	Project ID:	3
Research Group:	Microwave and Optical Communications	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Microwaves and Radar	Num. students signed up:	0
Prerequisite(s):	ELEC3100
Description:	Note: This project is being run in collaboration with Boeing Research & Technology Australia (formally known as Boeing Phantom Works Australia). For more information contact A/Prof. Nick Shuley or Mr Bruce Piper, bruce.r.piper@boeing.com. HF (2-30MHz) is a communications alternative for mobile platforms because of the large transmission distances it can achieve. Due to the large size of HF antennas, it becomes difficult to place HF antennas on mobile platforms. This project involves the design and EM modeling of possible HF antenna and phased array designs for optimal radiation patters suitable for mobile platforms.

4 - EM Modeling of Non-Homogeneous Composite Aircraft Materials

Supervisor:	Nicholas Shuley	Project ID:	4
Research Group:	Electromagnetics and Imaging Group	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Microwaves and Radar	Num. students signed up:	0
Prerequisite(s):	ELEC3100
Description:	Note: This project is being run in collaboration with Phantom Works Boeing Australia. For more information contact A/Prof. Nick Shuley or Mr Bruce Piper, bruce.r.piper@boeing.com Thin layers of different fiber composite matting are laid together, orientated in different directions and compressed together to create composite aircraft materials. The structural and physical properties of these materials are well known, but their EM properties are not. Knowing their EM properties is beneficial when these composites become the fuselage of a UAV or modern aircraft such as the Boeing 787. The object of this project is to model firstly simple non-homogeneous composite materials leading up to more complex materials and compare them with measured results.

5 - Polarimetric signatures in the time domain

Supervisor:	Nicholas Shuley	Project ID:	5
Research Group:	Microwave and Optical Communications	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Microwaves and Radar	Num. students signed up:	1
Prerequisite(s):	ELEC3100 and preferably ELEC3600
Description:	Polarization is essentially a frequency domain concept. This project is concerned with how to best represent polarization in the time domain for a transient signature. The project will look at the various physical target scattering mechanisms and evaluate them in a polarimetric context. The results will be used to determine a feture set from which a target may be identified.

Geoff Smith

Office: G2 microsystems
Phone: 04 1200 7354
Email: gjsmith@g2microsystems.com

1 - Wi-Fi Walkie Talkie

Supervisor:	Geoff Smith	Project ID:	1
Research Group:	Ubiquitous Computing	Max. students:	2
Discipline(s):	Embedded Systems	Num. students signed up:	0
Prerequisite(s):	good grasp of digital electronics and programming
Description:	The project is a Wi-Fi Walkie Talkie. a person pushes a button and talks into their walkie-talkie the walkie talkie sends UDP audio messages over Wi-Fi to an internet server the internet server sends the audio message to N walkie talkies that are registered into a 'work group' its a simple press-to-talk, 'over-and-out' protocol The differentiating feature is you now have a walkie talkie that can work locally or at a distance across the net. Yes its not unlike skype but the goal is a very different implementation price point that may even enable toys. The application will require audio hardware attached to the G2 G2M5477 module, this could be prototype hardware attached to the MDK but ideally I would expect a custom PCB to complete the project software running on the module to send and receive messages a web based hosted service that distributes audio messages allows configuration of walkie-talkies into groups

Graeme Smith

Office: 78-315
Phone: 51625
Email: smith@itee.uq.edu.au

1 - 3D Animation of Programmable Matter

Supervisor:	Graeme Smith	Project ID:	1
Research Group:	Systems and Software Engineering Group	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Software	Num. students signed up:	1
Prerequisite(s):	strong programming skills
Description:	Research on programmable matter, such as CMU’s claytronics project (http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~claytronics/), aims to build 3-dimensional objects from collections of nano-scale devices with the ability to interact with each other and move using electrostatic forces. Aside from the physics associated with building such devices, one difficulty is how to program them since there is no means for centralised control. This project will build a 3D Animator (using Java 3D) for experimenting with algorithms which allow 3-dimensional shapes to be built from a collection of devices using only local interactions.

Paul Strooper

Office: 78-324
Phone: 51628
Email: pstroop@itee.uq.edu.au

1 - “Toolbox” to screen pharmaceutical data sets prior to modeling

Supervisor:	Paul Strooper	Project ID:	1
Research Group:	Systems and Software Engineering Group	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Software	Num. students signed up:	0
Description:	A motivated student is required for a joint project between ITEE and the School of Pharmacy. The project will focus on the further development of a “toolbox” to provide visualization and production of suitable summary statistics out of pharmaceutical data sets prior to starting modeling. This “toolbox” will be able to identify errors and potential outliers in the data sets. This is a critical step in reducing time in model development at an academic and industry level. An initial prototype of the toolbox was developed in a previous project, and this project will enhance the toolbox with additional features. This project has application within the University of Queensland and also within the Pharmaceutical industry internationally. The end aim would be for this product to be available either via a UQ website (or via Sourceforge) for download and use as freeware. It would be advantageous for the student if they had a good grasp of numerical methods and statistics. If possible we would like the product to be developed for use on any OS and preferably using freeware like R, JAVA. etc. The project will be co-supervised by Carl Kirkpatrick from the School of Pharmacy.

2 - Extending the Java Collections Framework

Supervisor:	Paul Strooper	Project ID:	2
Research Group:	Systems and Software Engineering Group	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Software	Num. students signed up:	1
Prerequisite(s):	CSSE2002
Description:	The Java Collections Framework (JCF) was introduced as standard in JDK 1.2. Since then several sighnificant enhancements have been made including the introduction of generics and typed collections. As expected the collections framework includes interfaces (and associated classes) such as Set, Map, List, and others. The interfaces and classes provide access to set-based collections and operations. Notably, the Java Map class is not a descendant of the Java Set. From set theory we know that a map (or function) is a relation, which is descended from a set. The first part of this project examines the JCF and correlates classes and their methods to well-known matahematical structures and operations, respectively. The second part of this project involves a review of alternative and complementary frameworks, such as Apache Commons and Google's collections framework, to identify the features that have been introduced and/or improved upon (above the JCF). The third part of the project involves implementing a new framework by extending the JCF that is based on concepts grounded in set theory. This project will be co-supervised by Brad Long.

3 - Investigating the need for XML and annotations in Java frameworks

Supervisor:	Paul Strooper	Project ID:	3
Research Group:	Systems and Software Engineering Group	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Software	Num. students signed up:	0
Description:	Recent implementations of Java frameworks (e.g. Hibernate, Spring, JBoss Seam) rely heavily on XML and/or annotations for a variety of purposes. This project investigates the use of XML and annotations, and categorises their usage (e.g. configuration, dependency injection, declarative programming, etc.). The usage categories are compared to alternative existing programming techniques. For example, can a non-XML non-annotated Java persistence framework deliver equivalent (or better) power, flexibility and ease of use for the developer? If so, why has the Java community strayed down the path of annotations and heavily-laden XML scaffolds. This project will be co-supervised by Brad Long.

4 - Innovation in claims processing

Supervisor:	Paul Strooper	Project ID:	4
Research Group:	Systems and Software Engineering Group	Max. students:	2
Discipline(s):	Software	Num. students signed up:	2
Description:	The Guidewire Portfolio group is responsible for the product direction of Suncorp’s new claims platform Guidewire ClaimCenter. ClaimCenter is a flexible modern application with a rich service oriented API and object oriented development environment that enables significant extension to the base product. The student will be required to: • Investigate the current business environment for insurance claims (customers needs/wants, innovative insurers, expected future directions) • Develop an understanding of the Suncorp insurance business • Become familiar with the Guidewire development toolset and language (GScript), and the standards Suncorp has developed when using the toolset • Define a feature for addition to ClaimCenter that fills a market niche or introduces productivity or usage enhancements. Examples are: o integration with mapping systems o Internet/mobile claim lodgement o Internet/mobile claim tracking o Push claim updates via users preferred communications channel (SMS/e-mail/fax/mail) o telephony click to call integration o decision support for supplier selection o Onsite assessor tools (smart pens, tablets, smart forms) • Develop a proof of concept for this feature. The proof of concept will be developed according to the standards for Guidewire production development.

Peter Sutton

Office: 78-628
Phone: 54854
Email: p.sutton@itee.uq.edu.au

My major research interests are in the areas of embedded system development (in particular, design tools and software frameworks to support the development of reconfigurable computers and embedded systems) and technology to support teaching.

I'm willing to supervise projects in areas including FPGAs, Embedded systems, CAD Algorithms and remotely accessible online laboratories (iLabs). Please contact me if you have ideas for projects of your own.

1 - Java-based logic analyser interface

Supervisor:	Peter Sutton	Project ID:	1
Research Group:	Embedded Systems Group	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Computer Systems Embedded Systems Systems Engineering	Num. students signed up:	0
Prerequisite(s):	Strong Java skills, Knowledge of Logic Analysers, Network protocol knowledge (COMS3200)
Description:	The aim is to develop a lightweight (i.e. small) but powerful Java-based logic analyser interface that can be deployed as part of the user interface for embedded-systems based iLabs. The project will also involve development of an appropriate protocol to send such information over the network to the Java UI.

2 - Java-based oscilloscope interface

Supervisor:	Peter Sutton	Project ID:	2
Research Group:	Embedded Systems Group	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Computer Systems Embedded Systems Systems Engineering	Num. students signed up:	0
Prerequisite(s):	Strong Java skills, Knowledge of Oscilloscopes, Network protocol knowledge (COMS3200)
Description:	The aim is to develop a lightweight (i.e. small) but powerful Java-based oscilloscope interface that can be deployed as part of the user interface for embedded-systems based iLabs. The project will also involve development of an appropriate protocol to send such information over the network to the Java UI.

3 - Remotely accessible embedded development systems (iLab)

Supervisor:	Peter Sutton	Project ID:	3
Research Group:	Embedded Systems Group	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Computer Systems Embedded Systems	Num. students signed up:	0
Prerequisite(s):	Strong background in Embedded Systems, experience with networks
Description:	This project involves the design of an embedded development system that can be remotely accessed and programmed (for educational purposes). A remote user (student) should be able to upload a new program to the development board and test/debug it remotely (e.g. via network/web interface).

4 - Parfait Testing Research

Supervisor:	Peter Sutton	Project ID:	4
Research Group:	Ubiquitous Computing	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):		Num. students signed up:	1
Description:	CEED project with Sun Microsystems

5 - Ground Control Teleoperation Solution for an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

Supervisor:	Peter Sutton	Project ID:	5
Research Group:	Ubiquitous Computing	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Computer Systems	Num. students signed up:	1
Description:	This thesis involves the formation of the pilot station for the UQ UAV competition. The pilot station involves both selection of suitable hardware in terms of platform and input devices and the creation of new or modification of; existing software interfaces. This thesis has two main objectives: to simulate the UAV mission as closely as possible and to command the actual aircraft.

6 - External ground control solution for navigation and trajectory tracking of unmanned aerial vehicles.

Supervisor:	Peter Sutton	Project ID:	6
Research Group:	Ubiquitous Computing	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):		Num. students signed up:	1
Description:	Research Outline: • Interfacing Oziexplorer, Google earth or similar software to a customised C++ and X - plane software to display and track the UAV in Real-time on a map. • Allow for real-time placement of waypoints and boundaries to aid with the navigation of the UAV. • Display of flight information such as distance travelled etc.

Ben Upcroft

Phone: 68751
Email: upcroft@gmail.com

1 - 6D odometry using stereo vision

Supervisor:	Ben Upcroft	Project ID:	1
Research Group:	Division of Mechanical Engineering	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Robotics	Num. students signed up:	1
Description:	Implement a 6D odometry for a ground vehicle using iteratative closest point on stereo vision data. Note that this requires a strong background in mathematics and good Matlab/C++ programming skills are essential.

2 - Biologically inspired computer vision for object classification

Supervisor:	Ben Upcroft	Project ID:	2
Research Group:	Division of Mechanical Engineering	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Robotics	Num. students signed up:	0
Description:	This project involves developing a biologically inspired vision system for localisation and mapping. It will use algorithms that are inspired by the neural processes in animal brains to localise and incrementally build a map of the surrounding environment. Note that this project will require a very good mathematical background with good skills in Matlab/C++ programming.

3 - Parallellised computer vision algorithms

Supervisor:	Ben Upcroft	Project ID:	3
Research Group:	Division of Mechanical Engineering	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Robotics	Num. students signed up:	0
Description:	This project requires the development of computer vision algorithms for a standard CPU and for a graphical processing unit (GPU) and to compare the speed of them on both platforms. These algorithms will be state of the art in computer vision and if successful will be used on autonomous ground vehicles. Note that a strong background in mathematics is required and good C++ programming skills are essential.

4 - Real-time stereo vision for an autonomous vehicle

Supervisor:	Ben Upcroft	Project ID:	4
Research Group:	Division of Mechanical Engineering	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Robotics	Num. students signed up:	0
Description:	This project involves developing a real-time stereo vision system using inexpensive web cameras for an autonomous ground vehicle. Stereo vision normally requires high quality cameras. The idea behind this project is to investigate the viability of using low quality cameras to achieve relatively accurate results. Note that this project will require a very good mathematical background with good skills in C++ programming.

5 - Simulation environment for a tri-legged dynamically stable robot

Supervisor:	Ben Upcroft	Project ID:	5
Research Group:	Division of Mechanical Engineering	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Robotics	Num. students signed up:	0
Description:	This project will require the development of a simulation environment for a dynamically stable three-legged robot. The robot must be energy efficient for long term operation and should be capable of traversing difficult terrain. Note that a strong background in mathematics is essential and good C++ programming skills is desired.

6 - Unmanned Autonomous Vehicle outback challenge

Supervisor:	Ben Upcroft	Project ID:	6
Research Group:	Division of Mechanical Engineering	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Robotics	Num. students signed up:	0
Description:	This project is aimed at developing a UAV capable of entering the UAV outback challenge. This requires a team of dedicated students who are willing to build a robotic aircraft. Two people are already involved and we're looking for more as there is plenty of interesting work to go around.
Further Information:	http://www.uavoutbackchallenge.com.au/

7 - Detection and Location of a Near-Infrared source from a UAV

Supervisor:	Ben Upcroft	Project ID:	7
Research Group:	Division of Mechanical Engineering	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Robotics	Num. students signed up:	1
Description:	This project aims to detect and locate a near-infrared source, where the detection platform will be fitted to a UAV travelling at a great height and speed. The platform will also require integration with a flight planning system so as to know the physical location of the pictures it takes, and to signal to other systems the location of the near-infrared source upon detection.

8 - Dynamic stabilisation and flight control of an Unmanned Airborne Vehicle

Supervisor:	Ben Upcroft	Project ID:	8
Research Group:	Division of Mechanical Engineering	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Robotics	Num. students signed up:	1
Description:	Research Outline: • Researching the different types of flight controllers available on the market. • How the chosen controller will be integrated into the design of the UAV to perform the specific tasks of the Outback Challenge. • Determining the best procedure for tuning and optimising the dynamics of the flight controller

9 - Path Planning and Trajectory Generation software and hardware for an automated UAV search vehicle

Supervisor:	Ben Upcroft	Project ID:	9
Research Group:	Division of Mechanical Engineering	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Robotics	Num. students signed up:	1
Description:	Project Overview: • Investigate Trajectory Generation under dynamic constraints using Rapidly-Exploring Random Trees (RRT's) and Nonlinear Optimisation. • Investigate Scanning Algorithms for a polygonal shape. • Develop Algorithms and Code for trajectories changing position and attitude. • Develop Algorithms and Code for to place waypoints and determine path. • Construct dynamic model of UAV - correlation with Flight Control and Mechanical Design. • Develop a Visualiser for the trajectories and waypoints. • Install onto appropriate hardware. • Link with Onboard Systems. • Test, tweak, repeat.

10 - Scene Understanding for 3-Dimensional Laser Point Clouds

Supervisor:	Ben Upcroft	Project ID:	10
Research Group:	Division of Mechanical Engineering	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Robotics	Num. students signed up:	1
Description:	Develop unsupervised algorithm for segmentation and modelling of unstructured 3-dimensional point clouds. Extend this work to unsupervised object classification and change detection algorithms which operate on the already segmented/modelled point clouds. Implement scan matching and SLAM algorithms in C/C++ if time permits. Requires strong mathematical background and Matlab/C/C++ coding skills.

11 - Position and Orientation (POSE) derivation for a UAV using GPS and INS

Supervisor:	Ben Upcroft	Project ID:	11
Research Group:	Division of Mechanical Engineering	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Robotics	Num. students signed up:	1
Description:	· Investigate methods for determining POSE · GPS and INS hardware selection based on UAV performance requirements · Develop Kalman Filter for improved POSE calculations using both GPS and INS data · Develop sensor calibration method

12 - The Development of an advanced Formula SAE Steering Wheel with integrated driver aids

Supervisor:	Ben Upcroft	Project ID:	12
Research Group:	Division of Mechanical Engineering	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Robotics	Num. students signed up:	1
Description:	To design, manufacture and implement an effective F1 style driving aid system. The system includes the steering wheel and all interfaces and electronics through which the driver can interact with the performance of the car. The system is to be implemented according to the rules set by Australasian Formula SAE for use by UQ Racing in the 2009 Championships.

13 - Digitally controlled sequential pneumatic shifting system

Supervisor:	Ben Upcroft	Project ID:	13
Research Group:	Division of Mechanical Engineering	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Robotics	Num. students signed up:	1
Description:	To research, design, manufacture and evaluate the performance of a digitally controlled pneumatic shifting system for use by UQ Racing in the 2009 Australasian Formula SAE Championships.

14 - UAV safety system design and implementation

Supervisor:	Ben Upcroft	Project ID:	14
Research Group:	Division of Mechanical Engineering	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Robotics	Num. students signed up:	1
Description:	The UAV system will take heartbeat signals from the critical components and if necessary terminate the flight, by initiating a controlled crash. It will also send the component health data to a ground station and other on-board systems. Furthermore, the plane control signals (on-board flight control or ground control) will be sent to the safety system and it will choose what signal to persist to the motors.

15 - 6D Localisation Using Stereo Vision

Supervisor:	Ben Upcroft	Project ID:	15
Research Group:	Division of Mechanical Engineering	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Robotics	Num. students signed up:	0
Description:	Implement a simultaneous localisation and mapping algorithm for a ground vehicle using bundle adjustment techniques on stereo vision data. Note that this requires a strong background in mathematics and good Matlab/C++ programming skills are essential.

Martin Veidt

Phone: 53621
Email: m.veidt@uq.edu.au

1 - Fibre-Reinforced Composite Monocoque Chassis

Supervisor:	Martin Veidt	Project ID:	1
Research Group:	Division of Mechanical Engineering	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):		Num. students signed up:	1
Description:	The aim of the project is to design, manufacture and test a composite monocoque chassis for the UQ Formula SAE car that is lighter and safer than previous space-frame designs with maintained stiffness performance. Sensors will be incorporated for structural performance data logging.

Stephen Viller

Office: 78-605
Phone: 51190
Email: viller@itee.uq.edu.au

1 - AIRbiff: cross-platform tool for intentional awareness

Supervisor:	Stephen Viller	Project ID:	1
Research Group:	Ubiquitous Computing	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Human Computer Interaction Information Environments Software	Num. students signed up:	0
Prerequisite(s):	Good coding skills, interest in conducting user research
Description:	Collaborative software often provides support for users to send and receive information about each others' current activities. One of the biggest problems when trying to support distributed groups is developing for multiple platforms (Windows, Macintosh, etc.). The Adobe AIR platform provides a way to develop cross-platform applications which simplifies the process of developing collaborative tools that can be used in real-world settings. This project will take an existing implementation of a tool for sharing users' intentions, called AnyBiff, complete the process of developing it to run on Adobe AIR, and run user studies to evaluate the design in situ. Development of the AIRbiff tool has already started, with the bulk of the interface design having been completed. The development component of this project will connect the existing interface to the server API. The research component of the project will explore the nature of intentional awareness and run user studies to evaluate the software.

2 - Using social navigation to enhance a student equipment booking system.

Supervisor:	Stephen Viller	Project ID:	2
Research Group:	Ubiquitous Computing	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Human Computer Interaction Information Environments Multimedia Software	Num. students signed up:	1
Prerequisite(s):	COMP2506 COMP3505 (preferred)
Description:	This project will develop an online social software system to facilitate students searching for and booking equipment for use in studio projects in multimedia and interaction design. The social software component of the system will provide opportunities for students to explore the problem space for their projects by revealing links between the equipment available and the projects they have been used on previously. Through this system students will not only be able to search for and book equipment for their projects, but also explore what other projects have been developed previously using each item of equipment, which combinations of equipment have been borrowed on previous projects, and most importantly which other students have experience with using particular kinds of equipment. The system will therefore introduce an online environment to support peer learning in studio. This will enhance the already strong collaborative aspects of the studio learning experience.

3 - Situated display for activity awareness

Supervisor:	Stephen Viller	Project ID:	3
Research Group:	Ubiquitous Computing	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Electronics Human Computer Interaction Information Environments Multimedia	Num. students signed up:	0
Description:	Situated displays provide context-specific information about a location, e.g. current activity in a room (and maybe ability to book it), availabilty of the occupant of an office (and maybe ability to contact them or leave a message), or visualisation of current/recent activity (social networks, energy usage, etc.). This project will investigate existing examples of such displays and their usage in various domestic, office, and public settings, and build a working display for one specific context.

John Williams

Office: 78-613
Phone: 52185
Email: jwilliams@itee.uq.edu.au

1 - Software Emulator for MicroBlaze System-on-Chip

Supervisor:	John Williams	Project ID:	1
Research Group:	Ubiquitous Computing	Max. students:	3
Discipline(s):	Computer Systems Electronics Embedded Systems Systems Engineering	Num. students signed up:	0
Prerequisite(s):	C Programming
Description:	MicroBlaze is a 32-bit embedded MicroProcessor implemented in programmable FPGA logic. System-onChip design tools permit the creation of complete embedded systems containing the CPU, peripheral and memory buses, IO controllers as well as custom processing hardware. QEMU is an open source CPU / system virtualisation and emulation system. It can be used to create virtual machines on an i386 host. Among the emulated architectures in QEMU is the MIPS CPU, which is architecturally similar to the MicroBlaze. The goal of this project is to add MicroBlaze as a supported CPU architecture in QEMU. At a minimum, the CPU itself should be emulated, as well as a basic collection of system-on-chip components such as a memory controller and simple serial port (UART). If the core project is succesfully completed, there are many possible extensions, such as creating interfaces to allow connection between the QEMU emulation and hardware simulation tools such as ModelSim. This would permit hybrid hardware/software simulation.

2 - Digital Signal Processing on GPGPU

Supervisor:	John Williams	Project ID:	2
Research Group:	Ubiquitous Computing	Max. students:	3
Discipline(s):	Computer Systems Embedded Systems Signal and Image Processing	Num. students signed up:	0
Prerequisite(s):	C programming
Description:	Architecturally, modern Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) from vendors such as NVIDIA are highly parallelised multiprocessing machines. NVIDA has released the CUDA programming environment that provides a C-like programming model to write custom processing applications to run on the graphics accelerator. This kind of computing is known as GPGPU (General Purpose Processing on GPU). This is an open-ended project, with final goals dependent upon the skills and interestes of the students involved. After completing an initial exploration and familiarisation with the CUDA programming suite, an interesting application will be deciedd. One possibility is speech recognition, or some other signal or image processing algorithm.

Stephen Wilson

Office: 78-539
Phone: 54449
Email: wilson@itee.uq.edu.au

1 - Visual acuity estimates based on visual evoked responses

Supervisor:	Stephen Wilson	Project ID:	1
Research Group:	Electromagnetics and Imaging Group	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Biomedical Engineering	Num. students signed up:	1
Description:	The surface potential detected on the scalp from reversing visual patterns may be a basis for determining the visual acuity of an individual (i.e. how well they can "see") This project involves configuring lab-based acquisition equipment, programming suitable reversing patterns and testing on a small number of individuals to generate an acuity estimate using a linear regression technique.

2 - Embedded web-server control of weather satellite receiver systems

Supervisor:	Stephen Wilson	Project ID:	2
Research Group:	Electromagnetics and Imaging Group	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Communications	Num. students signed up:	0
Description:	Polar orbiting satellites continually transmit optical signals in the VHF spectrum in a known format (NBFM). Receiver hardware exists and a useful augmentation would be to allow remote users (school students and general public) to control the receiver and antenna parameters (i.e. time of recording, frequency, antenna selection) An embedded web server would control this functionality and a HTML front end will be designed as the user interface.

3 - Digitisation of magnetic resonance spectra

Supervisor:	Stephen Wilson	Project ID:	3
Research Group:	Electromagnetics and Imaging Group	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Biomedical Engineering	Num. students signed up:	0
Description:	A large Brisbane hospital has a database of MR spectra (plots of chemical composition) from brain scans. The spectra are only available as hard copy and are intended to be correlated to biochemical studies being conducted. This project will look at image processing techniques to allow data extraction from these "noisy" spectra. Experience with signal image processing techniques (ELEC3600) is desirable.

4 - Optical phantom development for pulse oximeter probe calibration

Supervisor:	Stephen Wilson	Project ID:	4
Research Group:	Electromagnetics and Imaging Group	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Biomedical Engineering	Num. students signed up:	1
Description:	Pulse oximeters rely on visible and infra-red attenuation of pulsatile flow to estimate blood oxygenation. As LED sources and photodiode detectors age, the calibration will change markedly. A pulsing attenuating optical tissue phantom is required to assess probes currently used. This project will involve some medical electronics and interfacing to applied optics under Dr. Aleks Rakic's group.

5 - iPhone/iTouch signal acquisition application development

Supervisor:	Stephen Wilson	Project ID:	5
Research Group:	Electromagnetics and Imaging Group	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Biomedical Engineering	Num. students signed up:	0
Prerequisite(s):	Objective C (or ability to learn rapidly)
Description:	Apple has released an SDK to allow development under the iPhone OS. Many medical (and non-medical) application would benefit by being able to acquire analog data, display and analysis on this portable platform. A framework for acquiring data and interfacing to the device using existing wifi protocols is the basis of this project. An "add-on" piece of hardware is envisaged. There are many sample signal sources for a demonstration application.

Kirsten Winter

Office: 78-305
Phone: 51629
Email: kirsten@itee.uq.edu.au

1 - BeeTreeMee, An Automated Behaviour Tree Drawing Tool using Graphviz

Supervisor:	Kirsten Winter	Project ID:	1
Research Group:	Systems and Software Engineering Group	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Software	Num. students signed up:	0
Prerequisite(s):	Java programming, practical software engineering,good communication skills, good time management skills
Description:	Behavior Tree (BTs) are a modeling notation for the modeling of requirements and behaviour of complex systems. They are useful to design airspace supervision systems, software and hardware on airplanes like the F. 111, automotive electronics, medical systems, and numerous other application areas. A prominent user of BTs is Raytheon. The amount of data describing a complete system can be quite substantial. BTs manage this complexity by projecting relevant aspects in tree-shaped diagrams (hence the name). In this project, the candidate will design a tool based on the Eclipse platform that automatically draws BTs from provided data.
Further Information:	http://www.itee.uq.edu.au/~jgsuess/teaching/projects/it-projects08.html

Gordon Wyeth

Office: 47-309
Phone: 53770
Email: wyeth@itee.uq.edu.au

1 - Robot Violin Player

Supervisor:	Gordon Wyeth	Project ID:	1
Research Group:	Complex and Intelligent Systems Group	Max. students:	3
Discipline(s):	Robotics	Num. students signed up:	3
Description:	Build a robot to play a standard violin for the ARTEMIS competition.

2 - Mechatronics design for a VTOL model

Supervisor:	Gordon Wyeth	Project ID:	2
Research Group:	Complex and Intelligent Systems Group	Max. students:	1
Discipline(s):	Robotics	Num. students signed up:	1
Description:	The vehicle will have three ducted fans for control of roll, pitch and yaw (main engines will swivel). The test rig will enable these rotations, but not allow translations. This will ensure that the prototype vehicle is not lost in an accident. Encoders on each axis will provide vehicle attitude information. Communications between an off-board computer, encoders and the vehicle will be achieved via wireless communications. The student will be responsible (partly or in full) for the following parts of the project:  All wireless communications  Power supplies to electrical components  Sensors / actuators  Software programming

ENGG4801,METR4900,ENGG7803 - Engineering Thesis Commencing Semester 1 2009 Coordinator: Adam Postula (adam@itee.uq.edu.au)