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Power Line Carrier System Analysis and Self-Tuner Project

by Yuxin Feng

Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering,
NDSU
Fargo, ND

Abstract

The objective of this work was to develop two tools that can be used to improve the effectiveness of narrowband power line carrier (PLC) communication. The first tool was a MATLAB-based simulator that can be used to examine the effect of various PLC components on overall PLC performance. The second tool was a "self-tuner" that can be used to automatically correct for variable system parameters. The design, development and use of both tools will be discussed.

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How to Get the Most Out of Graduate Seminar

by Dr. Mark Schroeder

Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering,
NDSU
Fargo, ND

Abstract

The goals of the Graduate Seminar will be discussed. I will go over what the Department expects of the students this year with respect to the seminar. Students are expected to make a presentation at an early stage of their research.

Other issues will be brought up and discussed, so come prepared to participate.

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Novel Internal Calibration of Quadrature Receivers

by Xiao Yan

Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering,
NDSU
Fargo, ND

Abstract

An internal local oscillator (LO) output and its chopped version are introduced to estimate the mismatch errors of a quadrature receiver. Two types of mismatch are treated in this work: LO imbalances and I/Q path mismatch. LO imbalances can be corrected at analog circuitry, while I/Q path mismatch can be calibrated by designing inverse filters using frequency weighted least square (FWLS) technique. Furthermore, an adaptive filter design structure is introduced that allows direct mismatch calibration.

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Design of a monitoring aid for the prevention of leprosy-based disabilities

by Joanna Suresh

Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering,
NDSU
Fargo, ND

Abstract

Measurement of critical parameters like pressure and temperature of the human body are vital in many medical applications. Revolutionary changes in the field of electronics, like the emergence of MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) technology are bringing the cost of miniature, high efficiency sensors to a few dollars. This research project is about realizing a MEMS based monitoring device that can help leprosy/diabetes patients self examine the most vulnerable parts of the body in order to assess nerve damage in the absence of trained clinical personnel. Background information and the proposed steps to design and develop such a system will be discussed.

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A Microcontroller-Based Ambulatory Brain-Computer Interface Training System

by Dr. Mark Schroeder

Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering,
NDSU
Fargo, ND

Abstract

Brain-computer interface (BCI) systems are generally developed as desktop devices that confine a subject to the training site and limit training protocol options. We hypothesize that a BCI system that can be used at any time and place will improve current training methods and will thus accelerate the realization of a human’s potential towards controlling an external device. For this reason, we have developed an ambulatory BCI (ABCI) training system. It consists of a microcontroller-based circuit that acquires, digitizes, and processes up to two amplified EEG signals and then transmits the bandpass-limited power to a PDA for classification, translation, and training game control. The game allows the user to train by providing a visual feedback signal that is to be cognitively controlled in a task-oriented challenge. Evaluation of the ABCI shows that the accuracy and response time are equivalent to a desktop BCI system. The ABCI can therefore be used chronically and away from any training site, thus removing barriers inherent in traditional BCI systems. This should allow more advanced training protocols to be developed and implemented in order to more effectively study the ability of the brain to adapt and control augmentative devices.

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Challenges in the ASIC

by Divyata Kakumanu & Brian Morlock

Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering,
NDSU
Fargo, ND

Abstract

With the latest advancements in the CMOS process, the geometries have been constantly decreasing leading to numerous problems with respect to power consumption, yield and many other issues. The power consumption can be reduced by adopting dynamic voltage scaling techniques. Depending on the scenario, the yield can be increased in the embedded memories using forward error correction. An overview of implementing the dynamic voltage scaling for a Nanoblock design is presented along with the method of implementing of forward error correcting codes to increase the yield of embedded memory.

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A Method for Flicker Severity Evaluation using the Hadamard Transform

by Prakash Ranganathan

Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering,
NDSU
Fargo, ND

Abstract

One of the problems in power quality is the slow and repetitive variation of rms voltage, termed as "flicker". Flicker is a difficult problem to quantify and to solve. Flicker assessment in electrical power networks may be difficult since its evaluation requires long computation times and special procedures to calculate the flicker severity index. Conventional frequency domain techniques for flick 27 January, 2009 11:42 AM /p>

In this presentation, we explore the use of Hadamard Transform (which has been known to be a fast signal transform) for flicker assessment. The flicker meter design is done in the sequency (as opposed to frequency in the FFT) domain and its performance in terms of both accuracy and savings in computational time are evaluated on standard "flicker" test signals. The shortcomings and advantages of the proposed method will be discussed along with the feasibility of implementing the design in hardware.

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The Effects of Fluid Characteristics in Biosystems Subjected to Electromagnetic Radiation

by Anupama Sadasiva

Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering,
NDSU
Fargo, ND

Abstract

The propagation of electromagnetic (EM) fields in the body depends on the structural and electrical properties of the constituent materials of the biological system. These materials exhibit variable proportions and concentrations and are asymmetric and anisotropic. One major variable in these materials that shows changes with age and sex is the water content that exists in and around cells and tissues. We propose to develop accurate multicellular and tissue models to investigate the variations in the magnitude and depth of penetration of EM fields in the body under different conditions of water concentration. The finite-difference time-domain analysis technique will be employed and simulations will be performed using the software package LC by Cray. Preliminary results suggest that fluid characteristics in and around cells and tissue can have profound effects on the distribution of the field.

The results of this research can have far reaching implications and provide new perspectives for continued research in areas such as EM exposure limits, safety concerns in the use of devices that radiate EM fields (cell phones, MRI), and new methods and implications of EM therapies.

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A Backscatter Communication System With Active Transmitting Tags

by Brad Thurow

Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering,
NDSU
Fargo, ND

Abstract

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) systems have been in place for decades, and have recently made progress through the adoption of a communication technique known as backscatter. This method has been primarily used to communicate the identification of individual elements, from crates and pallets to pop cans and razor blades. Research with RFID and backscatter communication is currently moving the technology into areas where more than a simple identification is needed. These RFID systems are more complex, often incorporating a power source (battery) and other circuit elements, such as a transducer, microprocessor and additional memory. The increasing capabilities of RFID have brought the need for increased range, while still having the benefits of low power, low visibility communication. This presentation discusses the incorporation, through modular design, of an active transmitter to enhance the communication range from RFID tag to base station.

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Thyristor Controlled Photo-voltaic Power Converter

by Marilyn Jayachandran

Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering,
NDSU
Fargo, ND

Abstract

In this seminar, a simple and economical power conditioner for converting the power available from photo-voltaic (PV) panels and feeding to the ac mains will be presented. First, a PSPICE-simulation model for the PV panel is developed based on the experimental results obtained on a set of 120-W PV panels. This model is used to study the operation of the PV panel when its power is converted and fed to the power grid. Next, a method of using a thyristor converter for transferring power from the PV panel by operating it as a line-commutated inverter will be presented. By varying the firing angle of the thyristors (>90°), the bridge will transfer the maximum possible power from the PV panel to the power grid at any insolation (light) level. The power converter will operate at maximum Power Point (MPP) with the help of a simple control circuit. The power conversion scheme has only one stage and hence is more efficient than the other schemes that use a bridge inverter. Simulation and experimental waveforms obtained on a prototype converter will be presented.

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The Dawning of the Age of Infinite Storage

by Dr. William Perrizo

Dept. of Computer Science,
NDSU
Fargo, ND

Abstract

We're at the dawning of the Age of Infinite Storage. Effectively, there is no limit to the storage that one can have today (e.g., TBs of HD, GBs of RAM on GHz processors, all for just a couple of large). 80% of this nearly infinite disk capacity is in the hands of individuals and only 20% resides on organization and company servers. Of course, individuals always and immediately fill their storage space. Therefore the problem has become one of knowing what you have, where you have it (exactly), and how to convert it to information. So space is virtually free - space management is expensive. Infinite space managers run up against two curses immediately, "the curse of non-scalability" and "the curse of dimensionality". New approaches are needed to address these curses, lest Shannon's Canon render our storage space "information free zones" (Shannon's Canon ~ "more volume = less information"). Current practice is to structure data horizontally (into records) and process it vertically (scan files of records). This practice may not work much longer. Darkness may descend upon our data stores very soon, unless we change this practice. Take back the night! Structure your data vertically (e.g., Ptrees1) and process it horizontally (logical ANDs and ORs, etc.).

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Developments in Sensor Research and Miniaturized Electronics

by Dr. Joel Jorgenson

Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering,
NDSU
Fargo, ND

Abstract

The original mission of the Sensor Electronics Group was to develop ultra-low power battlefield sensors for active combat areas. Since the inception in 2002, the group has expanded its scope and mission, now developing sensors and sensor electronics.

Dr. Joel Jorgenson is a member of the Sensor Electronics Group (SEG), and will present an update of the SEG activities, present and future. The design and testing of the Tenali1 nanocomputer (the first silicon design in North Dakota's history) will be discussed, as well as the roadmaps for fluidic self assembly sensor systems and chip-scale packaging designs. Finally, the roadmap for the integration of these designs will be introduced, with a "system of system" discussion in military, logistics, medical, and agricultural applications.

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The Pragmatic Aspect of Engineering

by Joel Larson

Agilent Technologies, Inc.

Abstract

This presentation will focus on the day-to-day challenges that engineers will face as they progress in their careers. What are the practical challenges involved in taking an idea from the initial research phase to actual design, layout, manufacturing and testing of a product? How does a company such as Agilent Technologies address these challenges? How does the issue of testing become part of the original design process? Can an idea be successful just because the design can be made to work?

Joel has been involved in electronics at the technician level, the engineering level, and now in sales. He works with many companies to help solve their measurement problems as they relate to R&D, manufacturing, and also service. His experiences will help provide some insight into what engineers, who are students today, will face once they are no longer students, but professional engineers who seek to make the world a better place through technology.

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Forward Error Correcting Circuitry

by Divyata Kakumanu

Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering,
NDSU
Fargo, ND

Abstract

The use of forward error correcting circuitry is examined as a means of increasing the yield of embedded memories. This approach is compared to traditional approaches, specifically hardware redundancy. The two methods are implemented for various memory sizes and differing defect rates in 0.18-micron CMOS technology.

To determine the benefits of the forward error correcting circuitry, the overall power, area, and latency of the resulting memory is analyzed. For many applications, forward error correcting circuitry has advantages over redundancy, as it uses less power and requires less area. Forward error correcting circuitry does have increased latency, which may be mitigated with additional research.

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Voltage Scaling System for Reducing Dynamic IC Power Consumption

by Brian Morlock

Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering,
NDSU
Fargo, ND

Abstract

Thanks to recent advances in the electronics industry, increasingly complex circuits can be integrated into a single die. This is mainly accomplished through the shrinking of the transistor size. With this every decreasing transistor size, power density is ever increasing. This can lead to many new problems in regards to heat dissipation and power supplies. This work deals with a design that attempts to reduce dynamic power consumption with a totally on chip dynamic voltage scaling system. Increased integration is accomplished by keeping all components on the same silicon die. Power savings results from keeping the scaling circuitry low power, but the majority comes from its adjustment of the die's core voltage with response to its needed activity level.

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A New Parallel Architecture for Low Power Linear Feedback Shift Registers

by Abdullah Mamun

Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering,
NDSU
Fargo, ND

Abstract

Low power dissipation is very critical in today's IC designs. Components which are widely used in design, such as sequence generators like Linear Feedback Shift Registers (LFSR), should consume as little power as possible. Two recent works on parallel architecture of an LFSR, one by M. Lowy and another by M. E. Hamid and C. I. H. Chen, have reduced power consumption significantly compared to the conventional architecture and showed the way to generate multiple outputs. In this thesis design improvements on these parallel architectures are proposed. The proposed method reduces power dissipation significantly and simplifies design process in most cases.

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Automotive Surround Sound

by Dr. Bradley F. Eid

Harman/Becker Automotive Systems
Martinsville, IN

Abstract

By the late 1990’s multi-channel receiver-amplifiers incorporating Dolby Digital® and DTS® surround sound technologies were commonly used in home entertainment systems. In 2002 several automotive manufacturers introduced rear-seat entertainment systems featuring multi-channel surround sound technologies like those found in home entertainment systems.

The automotive listening space is very different than the typical home theater. The salient features of the automotive listening space are small size, lack of natural reverberence, high background noise levels, and restrictions on speaker placement. A widely used analogy is to imagine putting a couch and home theatre in a closet next to a noisy furnace. The design goal of these automotive systems was to replicate the listening experience of a good home theater system; however, achieving this goal required development of specialized digital signal processing.

This presentation will discuss solutions Harman/Becker found to these problems. Vehicles currently employing this technology include the Toyota 4Runner® with JBL Synthesis® Surround Sound and the Chrysler Pacifica® with Infinity Intermezzio® Surround Sound.

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A Technique for Time-Spectral Analysis of Non-Stationary Signals

by Adnanul Haq

Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering,
NDSU
Fargo, ND

Abstract

A new technique for the time-spectral analysis of non-stationary signals is presented. The proposed technique smoothly fits a system's time varying spectral coefficients using the combined methods of Fourier analysis and B-splines. The resulting algorithm is efficient and generally effective. Algorithm assumptions and limitations are identified; performance is explored using simulated data. Further, the algorithm degenerates into a simple Short Time Fourier Transform (STFT) based Periodogram provided certain conditions are met. Methods are presented to calculate knot-spacing based on the frequency and geometric properties of the ensuing time-spectrum curve. Near real-time capabilities are also discussed. Finally the method is compared with other time-spectrum analysis techniques such as the Evolutionary Periodogram (EP) and analyzed regarding its pros and cons.

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