University of Calgary

Research Areas Within Electrical and Computer Engineering

ELECTRICAL AND COMPUTER ENGINEERING RESEARCH AREAS

Applied Electromagnetics
Research in the applied electromagnetics group focuses on RF microwave and optics, with some projects venturing into very low frequencies such as those of power-lines.

Current Research Projects

  • Design, simulation and measurement of new antennas for applications - ex. handsets, base stations and other wireless applications
  • Self-configuring and reconfigurable antennas for future wireless systems as well as space and military applications
  • Near-field antennas for cancer detection
  • Development of structures for optical data storage that provide comparable storage densities to DVDs with faster access to data
  • Radio frequency Micro-Electromechanical Systems (RF-MEMS)- ex. tuneable inductors, phase shifters, miniature filters etc.
  • Design, simulation and testing of novel materials with unique electrical characteristics
  • Biomedical applications - such as dosimetry at low frequencies (ex. powerline dosimetry) and radio frequency (ex. cell-phone),
  • Medical diagnostic technologies- ex. tissue sensing adaptive radar for breast cancer detection
  • Investigation of ground penetrating radar for landmine detection
  • Development of electromagnetics simulation techniques including development of dedicated computational hardware accelerator
  • Reconfigurable computational hardware
  • Global positioning antennas
  • Electromagnetics measurement techniques

Researchers

  • E. Fear
  • M. Okoniewski
  • M. Potter
  • R. Johnston
  • F. Ghannouchi

Artificial Intelligence

  • Neural networks
  • Fuzzy logic
  • Evolutionary computing                                                           
  • Data mining
  • Intelligent transportation systems
  • Smart home

Researchers

  • H. Leung

Bioelectrics

  • The electrical properties of biological matter and materials
  • Dielectrophoretic characterization and separation of biological cells
  • Micromachining applications in biomedical engineering
  • Dielectric properties of heterogeneous systems

Researchers

  • K. Kaler

Biomedical Engineering

  • Biomedical instrumentation
  • MEMS based mechatronics devices and systems
  • Biomedical signal and image analysis
  • Noninvasive diagnosis
  • Medical image and image analysis
  • Neural networks
  • Signal processing and pattern classification techniques for noninvasive diagnosis of knee joint cartilage pathology by analysis of joint vibration (sound) signals
  • Digital image processing, pattern recognition, and computer vision techniques for mammographic image analysis and computer-aided diagnosis of breast cancer
  • Filtering, restoration, and reconstruction techniques for nuclear medicine imaging
  • Artificial control of gastrointestinal motility, automatic infusion of insulin (artificial panreas), computer analysis of the level of randomness in electrophysiological signals
  • Magnetic resonance imaging and image processing
  • Image quality measures
  • Development of automated computer observers
  • ROC (receiver operating characteristics) evaluation of signal and image processing techniques in clinical diagnosis
  • Segmentation and analysis of tumours in neuroblastoma
  • Analysis of biopsy and histology images
  • Computer modeling of biological systems
  • Identification of non-linear physiological systems
  • Physiological modeling - ex. modeling in cardiac electrophysiology
  • Fusion of multi-modal medical images, and 3D visualisation (virtual reality)
  • Surgical planning and systems augmentation
  • Multi-modal medical images
  • Sensory systems

Researchers

  • E. Fear
  • Y. Hu
  • K. Kaler
  • M. Mintchev
  • A. Nygren
  • R. Rangayyan
  • M. Smith
  • E. Vigmond
  • D. Westwick
  • O. Yadid-Pecht

Communications

  • Multiple-access, multi-user detection, adaptive signal processing, radio location, detection and estimation techniques for cellular radio
  • Estimation of multipath fading for indoor wireless and mobile radio
  • Blind equalization
  • Combined modulation and coding
  • Satellite communications
  • Cellular radio amplifier and antenna studies
  • Fibre optic sensors and senor networks, and super throughput local area protocols
  • Telecommunications networks and queueing networks
  • Interference suppression, interactive multimedia
  • Non-linear signal processing for communications
  • Smart antennas
  • Multiple input multiple output (MIMO) antenna measurements
  • Wireless link quality estimation
  • Low power sensor network design

Researchers

  • A. Fapojuwo
  • M. Fattouche
  • F. Ghannouchi 
  • R. Johnston
  • H. Leung
  • M. Okoniewski
  • G. Messier
  • J. Neilsen
  • A. Sesay
  • O. Yadid-Pecht

Computer Engineering

  • Artificial intelligence
  • Cognitive science
  • Artificial neural networks
  • Computer vision
  • Computer graphics
  • Expert systems
  • Computer architectures
  • Parallel and distributed processing
  • Compilers
  • Special-purpose VLSI architectures
  • Computer performance evaluation
  • Computer networks
  • Computer-aided design of integrated circuits
  • Goal-oriented languages
  • Emulations
  • Interfacing logic machines
  • Computer simulation for training of the handicapped
  • Agent-based software systems
  • Frameworks for monitoring grid computing systems

Researchers

  • L. Bruton
  • H. B. Far
  • J. Haslett
  • Y. Hu
  • D. Krishnamurthy
  • M. Smith
  • L. Turner

Control Systems

  • Optimal and adaptive control
  • Nonlinear control theory, variable structure control
  • Identification of lumped and distributed parameter systems
  • Real-time ditial control
  • Real-time digital, adaptive and AI control applications to power systems
  • Microprocessor-based control
  • Expert systems
  • Digital control and sampled-data systems
  • Synthesis of linear multivariable systems
  • Robust design and H-infinity optimization
  • Control applications
  • Neural-network control
  • Post-modern control
  • Robotic control
  • Blind system identification
  • Intelligent control
  • Identification of non-linear and time-varying systems

Researchers

  • H. Leung
  • C. Mcnab
  • O. Malik
  • M. Mintchev
  • E. Nowicki
  • D. Westwick

Electronics

  • High temperature and noise limitations of metal oxide semiconductor devices
  • Analog circuit and device research
  • Microelectronic RC-active and switched capacitor filter design and implementation
  • Low voltage, low power current mode analog circuit design
  • Nonlinear analog circuit development for pressure and temperature measurement instrumentation systems
  • Optical pressure and force sensing
  • Analog circuits for telecom applications
  • Microwave moisture measurement
  • Microstrip line discontinuity analysis
  • Isolated biomedical amplifiers, digitally-controlled active filters
  • Application of analog and digital circuits to instrumentation problems
  • New merged circuit structures
  • Design, fabrication and modelling
  • Radio frequency integrated circuit design for wireless communications
  • Design of transceiver building blocks
  • Wireless LANs
  • Circuits for optical communications
  • Sensor circuits for healthcare applications
  • Packaging effects, EMC/EMI problems
  • Development of software package for electromagetic simulations

Researchers

  • L. Bruton
  • J. Haslett
  • R. Johnston
  • K. Kaler
  • B. Maundy
  • M. Mintchev
  • M. Okoniewski
  • L. Turner
  • F. Ghannouchi 
  • L. Belostotski

Image Processing

  • Medical image processing
  • Enhancement of magnetic resonance images (medical and petroleum applications)
  • Directional image analysis, lossless image coding and data compression
  • Enhancement of digital images by multidimensional signal processing, two-dimensional television image enhancement
  • Analysis of contours and shapes
  • Image fusion, hyperspectral image processing, radar imaging
  • Fusion of multi-modal medical images, and 3D visualisation (virtual reality)
  • Fusions of multi-modal medical images
  • VLSI implementation of image processing algorithms

Researchers

  • L. Bruton
  • Y. Hu
  • H. Leung
  • R. Rangayyan
  • M. Smith
  • O. Yadid-Pecht

Microwave Engineering and Radio Systems
The research themes in this area are related to RF/microwave electronics and radio communications systems:

  • Microwave and millimeter-wave solid-state devices and integrated circuits
  • High efficiency power amplifiers and transmitters (Doherty, LINC and EE&R)
  • Linearization and equalization techniques (digital and analog pre-distortion techniques, feedforward, dynamic biasing, feedback)
  • Interference detection and cancellation
  • SDR based reconfigurable wireless transceivers
  • DSP and embedded electronics
  • Tx/Rx modules for multi-antenna systems
  • Base band digital processing algorithms
  • Nonlinear device-level modeling
  • Nonlinear system-level behavioral modeling
  • Automated RF and microwave measurements and instrumentation (network analysis, noise measurements, dielectric measurements, load-pull etc.)

Researchers

  • F. Ghannouchi
  • R. Johnston
  • M. Okoniewski
  • J. Nielsen
  • J. Haslett
  • L. Belostotski

Energy Systems and Control Group

  • Analysis of the transient performance of large power systems
  • Determination of power system parameters
  • Load flow studies, stability studies, load frequency control
  • Application of digital, adaptive and artificial intelligence techniques to real-time control and protection of power systems
  • Expert systems, fuzzy logic and neural network applications in power systems
  • Induction motor and synchronous machine studies
  • Electrical machines control using high power semi-conductor switching circuits
  • Control and design of power electronic circuits for alternative energy systems
  • Power conditioning
  • Large scale integration of wind power in electrical power grids
  • Power system operation, planning, management and economics
  • Operation of competitive electricity markets
  • Electric energy management and optimization

For more information please visit the website for the Energy Systems and Control  Group

Researchers

  • O. Malik
  • E. Nowicki
  • W. Rosehart
  • H. Zareipour
  • A. Osman
  • A. Schellenberg

Sensory Systems

  • CMOS Imagers
  • Integrated Sensors
  • Lab-on-a-Chip

Researchers

  • O. Yadid-Pecht

Signal Processing

  • Random data analysis and the modelling and measurement of random physical phenomena
  • Estimation and detection theory
  • Spectral analysis and system identification problems; frequency estimation; sampling and quantization theory
  • Characterization of large electrical machines using spectral analysis
  • Fourier analysis and applications
  • Hartley analysis and applications
  • Multidimensional systems theory
  • Digital signal processing (DSP)
  • Adaptive signal processing; one-dimensional and multi-dimensional digital filter synthesis, implementation and applications
  • CAD tools for digital signal processing
  • High level synthesis of DSP systems
  • Biomedical signal analysis
  • Microprocessor systems; development of real time general purpose programmable and micro-programmable boards for digital signal analysis
  • Non-linear signal processing, data fusion, array processing, intelligent signal procesing, detection and estimation, multi-sensor target tracking

Researchers

  • L. Bruton
  • M. Mintchev
  • H. Leung
  • R. Rangayyan
  • A. Sesay
  • M. Smith
  • E. Vigmond
  • L. Turner
  • F. Ghannouchi

Software Engineering

  • Agent-based software engineering
  • Analysis, testing, and quality assurance of distributed, real-time and embedded systems
  • Cognitive informatics
  • Embedded systems, and biomedical engineering, software metrics
  • Human-computer interaction
  • Performance evaluation of distributed systems
  • Simulation-based software project management and process improvement
  • Software engineering decision support

For more information please visit the Software Engineering Research Group (SERG) Website SERG

Researchers

  • B. Far
  • V. Garousi
  • Y. Hu
  • D. Krishnamurthy
  • M. Moussavi
  • G. Ruhe
  • M. Smith
  • Y. Wang
  • D. Pfahl

VLSI Circuit Design

  • New VLSI circuit design techniques
  • VLSI system design and verification methodologies
  • Application - specific IC design and CAD tools
  • FPGA systems
  • Advanced VLSI CMOS analog and digital cell libraries, BICMOS circuit structures, monolithic instrumentation systems, high temperature circuits
  • Low-voltage analog circuits
  • Two and three dimensional topological logic partitioning schemes
  • Intelligent silicon and hardware compilation systems
  • Technology-independent VLSI circuit design
  • Design automation of VLSI circuits and VLSI CAD for ASICs
  • Sensor design
  • CMOS image sensors
  • Integrated CMOS sensors

Researchers

  • L. Behjat
  • L. Belostotski 
  • V. Dimitrov
  • J. Haslett
  • B. Maundy
  • E. Nowicki
  • L. Turner
  • O. Yadid-Pecht

 

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