Research Labs
Digital Systems Lab
Studies associated various aspects of digital systems are conducted here. This includes basic logic devices, programmable logic devices, software systems for designing digital systems, embedded processing hardware, embedded systems interfacing hardware, and embedded computer system software support.
Power Lab
(EE105)
1. Lab Volt Stations for Electrical Machines (EE 105 Main Lab)
These stations allow the experimental investigation of different electrical machines using computers. Different machines in modular form can be loaded and tested safely in each station. Complete performance characteristics and measurements can be done using data acquisition software.
2. Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell (EE 105B)
Hydrogen is converted to electricity without any harmful emission using the PEM fuel cell (1200 watt) and the electricity can be used to drive electric motors. Water and heat are the only byproducts in these units. PEM fuel cells are being used in fuel-cell vehicles in an environmentally safe way. A computer is used to collect performance data from the fuel cell. Research is being done in the modeling and conversion of fuel cell power.
3. Solar Panels (EE Building roof)
Ten solar panels mounted on the roof produce electricity (1200 watt) which is used directly to supply domestic loads or to charge batteries for use when there is no sunlight. Research is being done in the extraction of maximum power from solar panels and the conversion of solar electricity to useable forms.
4 Wind Turbine Tenerator  (EE Roof)
The first ever wind turbine generator system on NDSU campus was made operational through an ECE capstone project with a modest budget of under $1200.
An interdisciplinary team consisting of two Electrical Engineering seniors (supervised by Dr. Rajesh Kavasseri) and three Mechanical Engineering seniors successfully designed, built and tested a functional 1 kW wind turbine generator system. The unit consists of a permanent magnet NdFeB (Neodymium Iron Boride) - 3 phase AC generator driven by 10 ft diameter blades at a hub height of 20 ft (from the roof top).
The unit is designed to deliver 1 kW at a wind speed of 18 mph. The generator, rectification and braking system were designed by ECE students while the tower, blades, nacelle, mounting and hoisting system were designed by ME students. The effort is part of the Department's long term goal of building a sustainable renewable energy infrastructure.
5. Power Systems Analysis and Computation
While wind energy is being seen as a promising means to meet the increased demand for energy in the recent years, coping with its intermittent nature is, and continues to be a challenging issue. Currently, we are exploring the use of advanced mathematical tools to analyze the variability of wind generated power along with understanding its impact when integrated in to the existing electricity grid.
Signal Processing and Systems
(EE 237)
The Signal Processing and Systems lab is primarily utilized for courses such as Signals and Systems (ECE 343), Communications I (EE 443), Applied Digital Signal Processing and Filtering (ECE 444), Control Theory (ECE 461), and others. Each of the nine stations in the laboratory have an oscilloscope, function generator, high-performance digital signal processing evaluation board (Texas Instruments TMS320C6713 DSK, capable of several billion floating point operations per second), as well as a dual-boot (Windows/Linux) PC needed for the DSP integrated development environment software and various analysis packages. This laboratory space is primarily managed by Dr. David Farden and Dr. Roger Green.
Signal Acquisition and Processing Lab
(EE 239)
The Signal Acquisition and Processing Lab (ECE 239) is a signal processing research laboratory with special emphasis on digital signal processing and real-time processing. Room space is divided between three senior design stations, seven research stations, a soldering and board production area, and a small meeting table.
Recent work includes development of an advanced DSP-based electrochemical impedance spectrometer (EIS) to assess coating quality for the Air Force, development of a portable EIS-based health monitor for the Army, performance characterization of a high-speed transient waveform digitizer for Dakota Technologies Inc., development of efficient algorithms for a pulse-doppler blood flow meter, and others. While the seven research stations are primarily used by graduate students, the Digital Signal Processing Scholar Team is also located in this area. This team, comprised of freshman to graduate students, designs and builds DSP-systems; related projects include an digital audio equalizer, a probabilistic music generator, and a current work on a self-balancing two-wheeled robot.
This laboratory is managed by Dr. Roger Green and Professor Floyd Patterson.
Cryptography Laboratory
EE(223)
In the cryptography lab we are looking for fast and efficient implementation of private-key and public-key systems. This work is useful where ever the security of data is important in any communication. Currently we are funded by the INTEL Corporation and the National Science Foundation. The project funded by Intel involves the implementation and performance evaluation of a wireless LAN using the Intel IXP425 processor. The project funded by the NSF involves the development of fast recoding algorithms for efficient implementation of elliptic curve cryptographic systems. Currently we are also investigating the use of compression techniques for encryption. A group of seniors in this lab are involved with the senior design project “KidKrypto”. This involves the implementation of a microprocessor based system to demonstrate the basics of cryptography to middle-school and high-school students.
Neural Engineering Lab
(EE 241)
The main focus of the neural engineering lab is brain-computer interface (BCI) research. In a BCI system, subjects attempt to control things such as cursor position on a computer using only thought. Thus, one application of BCI systems is as an augmentative communication device for individuals with advanced ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease). A key element of BCI systems is the application of signal processing techniques to brainwave signals. Additionally, statistical classification methods are applied in order to identify the intention of the user.
Another focus within the lab is bioelectromagnetics. In particular, we are building a system that will expose cells to electric and magnetic fields. The system will help us investigate the effects that various fields have on cell growth, proliferation, migration, and deposition on a substrate.
ECE Teaching Lab
(EE 211)
The teaching lab is a unique multi-purpose room designed with student education in mind. The main purposes of the room include the following:
- Provides a common area for faculty to meet with
students and hold office hours.
- Provides a meeting area for students to collaborate.
- Provides students with access to electronic test and
prototype equipment.
- Provides students with access to a mini-library of engineering references.
- Houses the Hoaby Innovation Corner
which provides
literature on how to create, design, innovate, and
protect engineering work.
Students and faculty alike have found great value in
having the ECE Teaching Lab.
RF and Applied Electromagnetics Laboratory
(EE 205)
RF and Applied Electromagnetics Lab is used by students in EE 351, Applied Electromagnetics and in ee 455, Designing for Electromagnetic Compatibility. It is also used by senior design students and graduate students who are doing projects in the areas of radio frequency or microwave circuits and antennas. Some of the instruments are valued in the tens of thousands of dollars. They are used to measure signal and instrument characteristics over a wide range of frequencies of importance to electrical engineers and computer engineers.
Microwave and Lightwave Laboratory
(EE 225)
Microwave and Lightwave Lab is used by senior design students who are doing projects in radio frequency, microwave, and lightwave design. Usually two student groups make use of the two workstations in the lab.
Photonics and Bioengineering Laboratory
(EE 227)
The Photonics and Bioengineering Lab is devoted to research in optics, photonics, and bioengineering that are being conducted by graduate students and by the undergraduate students in the biophotonics scholar team. Currently, the lab is exploring several research areas under the guidance of Dr. Ivan Lima, including theoretical research in computational photonics and experimental research in fiber laser and fiber amplifier technology. The lab includes one professional optics table, several laser sources, high-precision translation stages, along with suitable parts and instruments for studies in optics and photonics.
Undergraduate Optics Laboratory
(South Engineering 112)
The Undergraduate Optics Lab is used by students in EE 411 and 417 as well as by students taking Physics courses in optics and lasers.
This is a joint project of the ECE Department and the Physics Department. The lab is fully outfitted with a large number of professional optics instruments and components. It was originally started with funding provided by the National Science Foundation.
Communications Lab
(EE 201)
The Communications Lab is a research laboratory with emphasis on communication systems. Equipment includes oscilloscopes, signal generators, computers (running both Linux and Windows), high speed fixed point digital signal processors, and software defined radio hardware and software (gnuradio).
The Communications Lab currently houses two senior design teams and the Time Reversal Signal Processing Scholar Team. This laboratory is managed by Professor Farden.
VSLI, Wireless Sensor Network, and Energy Harvest
(EE 223)
VLSI: two graduate students are trying to make a multiple output reconfigurable LFSR (linear forward shift register). A LFSR is used to generate random bits for chip testing purposes.
Wireless sensor network: Two graduate students are working on a project that uses RFID technology with temperature sensors to monitor bacteria growth in food transportation.
Energy Harvesting: One graduate student is designing a circuit that harvests energy from viberation. That circuit can be used to power wireless sensors that are placed remote location.
ECE 223 also host two senior design groups. One group is designing a solar power score board. The other group is designing a wireless horn indicator. Both groups are sponsored by Daktronics.
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