ECE: Electrical & Computer Engineering

ECE 5984: Application and Design of High-density Multi-phase PWM Converters
F. Wang: T/R 9:30 a.m. - 10:45 p.m.

This course covers the design as well as key applications of the modern advanced high-density AC multi-phase PWM converters. The detailed state-of-the-art design methodology will be presented, including control, semiconductor device selection, loss calculation, thermal design, protection and auxiliary circuits, and converter system integration. The important interface issues with source and load will also be covered. The application topics will focus on PWM converters for electric machine drives, and will also discuss the converter application in electric power transmission and distribution network, as used in utility and autonomous power systems. (3C)

ECE 5984: Introduction to Space Plasmas
W.A. Scales: T/R 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

This course describes the underlying physical processes in the space environment medium in terms of plasma physics and electrodynamics. Concepts covered include single particle motion, fluid and kinetic theory of plasmas, plasma waves and instabilities, diffusion and resistivity, and a brief introduction to nonlinear effects. (3C) Corequisite ECE 5105 Electromagnetic Waves.

ECE 6504: Advanced Topics in Computer Engineering: Resource management in Wireless Networks
Y. Yang: M/W 2 p.m.-3:15 p.m.

This course covers recent advances in the design, implementation, modeling and evaluation of dynamic resource management schemes in various types of wireless networks, including wireless LANs, sensor networks, ad hoc networks and mesh networks. Major topics include bandwidth management through access control, power saving through sleep/awake scheduling, network-wide resource managment through routing and topology control, and cross-layer resource managment.

ECE 5984: Introduction to Data Mining
Y Liang: R 7 pm-9:45 pm (Northern Virginia campus only)

This course examines the basic principles of data mining, including data analysis and uncertainty, modeling, various data mining algorithmns, patterns and rules discovering, spatial-temporal data analysis, data integration and management, and various applications.

5984 Introduction to Space Science
R. Clauer; T/R 9:30 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.

Electrodynamics, plasma physics and chemistry of the sun-earth environmental system with some discussion of impact on modern electrical technologies such as electrical devices, power systems, satellites and space vehicles.

ECE 5984 - Nanoscale Biosensing
K Meehan; T/R 9:30-10:45 p.m.

Theory and design of nanoscale biosensors with an emphasis on in-vivo sensors will be discussed. Properties of biological materials, cells, and tissue will be analyzed to identify appropriate sensing techniques. Effects of quantization on the properties of nanoscale materials will be described. Applications include biomolecule and cell markers, in-vivo biochemical recognition, and nanoparticle-mediated bioassays.

ECE 5984: Application and Architecture Trends in Computing
J. Paul: W 4 p.m.-6:45 p.m. (Northern Virginia campus only)

Emerging computer systems defy traditional classification into categories such as desktop, embedded system, or supercomputer. Students who take this course will be well-versed in how shifts in application requirements and complexity drives the need for new computer architectures. Students will learn a methodology to enable them to establish a projection of future architectural trends based on software simulation.

ECE 5984: Statistical Learning for Bioinformatics
J. Xuan: W 7 pm-9:45 pm (Northern Virginia Center)

As we move into the 21st century, the biological sciences are being transformed by the advent of large-scale data. The sequencing of the human genome is a most dramatic example of this. Simultaneeously, with this increase in biological data, computers and computation have had a transforming effect on the way information is handled, stored, and analyzed. This course will help students understand the theory and principle of many statistical methods in bioinformatics; to acquire working knowledge of many bioinformatics tools and database; to have a hands-on experience on analyzing DNA sequences, microarray gene expression profiles, and proteomics data for cancer research.

ECE 5984 - Nanoscale & Energy-Efficient Microarchitecture Design
L. Nazhandali; T/R 3:30-4:45 p.m.

Advances in deep-submicron technology create many challenging issues in microprocessor design. In addition, emerging applications in areas such as wireless sensor networks and implantable devices put extemely stringent requirements on the energy-efficiency of the microproessocrs. This course will focus on these two aspects of advanced microarchitecture design.

ECE 5984: MEMS From Fabrication to Application

The course focuses on the design, fabrication, and application of microsystems providing a unique opportunity for interdisciplinary interactions. The course consists of lectures, readings from the current literature, discussion by students, and team-work projects. The major topics covered are: materials in MEMS; microfabrication techniques; sensing and actuating mechanisms; wafer-level packaging; and case-study of some MEMS-based devices and lab-on-a chip systems.

ECE 6504: Advanced Topics in Computer Engineering: Self-Organization in Mobile AD HOC Networks
L DaSilva: T/R 12:30 p.m.-1:45 p.m.

This is an advanced topics course concentrating on self-organizing and heterogeneous mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs). We will cover current research topics in this field, including: autonomous establishment of trust and reputation; cross-layer design; optimization and game-theoretic models; cognitive networks. The course has a significant design and prototyping component, with testing of protocols in a MANET formed by students.

ECE 5984: Multimedia Networking
Y Liang & T Hou: W 7 p.m.-9:45 p.m. (Northern Virginia campus only)

This course examines and explores recent advances in multimedia networking technologies. Major topics include multimedia compression and standards, quality of service (QoS) support mechanisms and protocols, performance analysis, network calculus, IP multicasting, Internet multimedia applications, and multimedia transport over wireless networks.

ECE 5984: Design of Single-Chip Heterogeneous Multiprocessors
J Paul: T/R 2:00-3:15 p.m.

This course is intended to complement the existing course, ECE 5514: Design of System on a Chip, by focusing on the software and application-level view of future single chip devices that may not be classified as SoCs. This course will focus on topics which are still considered research and so focus on critical evaluation of research at the same time.

ECE 6304: Advanced Topics in Power: Power System Dynamics
Y Liu: MWF 12:20 pm-1:10 pm

Students will simulate and analyze power system dyanmics as seen in the form of inter-area oscillations, frequency and angle swings, and loss of stability. It is expected that students will learn to approach problems in power system dynamics through literature study and hands-on projects. Students are required to use PSS/E, EMTDC or other tools for simulation aspects of the projects. The class also intends to provide a supporting and critic environment for students to improve their presentation skills.

ECE 5984: Information Infrastructure Engineering
M Eltoweissy: T 7 pm-9:45 pm (Northern Virginia campus only)

Discusses and explores information assurance engineering concepts and processes during the design, implementation, and operation of information infrastructure components. The course adopts a systems engineering approach that synthesizes elements from assurance concepts, solutions, and research covering computer networking, operating systems, and service-oriented architectures (for exmaple, web services) to affect defense-in-depth in modern information infrastructures.

MEMS From Fabrication to Application
ECE6204 Advanced Topics in Electronics - Agah

MicroElectroMechanical Systems (MEMS) are “very small systems” or “systems made of very small components.” The course focuses on the design, fabrication, and application of MEMS. The course builds on the science and engineering base provided by most undergraduate degrees in such fields as biology, bioengineering, chemistry, chemical engineering, electrical engineering, materials science, mechanical engineering, and physics, and creates a unique opportunity for interdisciplinary interactions. The course consists of lectures, readings from the current literature, and discussion by students along with a team project.

The major topics covered are: materials in MEMS; microfabrication techniques; sensing and actuating mechanisms; wafer-level packaging; and case-study of some MEMS-based devices and lab-on-a-chip systems. This introductory course will prepare students with the necessary background to participate in both advanced processing laboratory courses and advanced MEMS design and microfabrication courses.

Nanophotonics
ECE 5984 - Meehan

Introduction to interactions between electronics, holes, and photons. Discussion of the effects of quantization on the optical properties of nanoscale materials, including quantum dots, metal nanoparticles and quantum dots, and photonic crystals. Applications, such as surface plasmon resonance sensors, surface enhanced spectroscopy, near-field microscopy, and quantum dot molecular probes, will be covered.

Power Electronics Integration Technology
ECE 5984 - van Wyk

The characteristics of materials, interfaces, and process technologies for synthesizing integrated electronic power processors as well as the resulting electromagnetic and thermo-mechanical characteristcs of the structure are treated. Case studies of cutting-edge research examples are examined in detail. Fugure development in terms of structural, functional, and electromagnetic integration is projected. Lab work on processes and technology for integration is included.

Nanocomputing Architectures and Techniques
ECE 5984 - Shukla

With the advances in silicon technology as predicted by Moore's law, we are already in deep sub-micron era of device feature size. Currently, 65 nanometer (65 nm) is a reality, and very soon we will be in the tens of microns. The technology is projected to change drastically, with single electron transistors, self-assembled molecular devices, quantum dot based devices, etc. An immediate effect of such miniscule scale in technology is uncertainty about the device behaviors. This is being projected as a common problem that arises due to quantum physical effects, reduced noise margins, and rampant defects in the devices manufactured. Currently, while desgining computer architecture components, engineers safely assume that the transistors and logic gates will behave as predicted by the thoery. However, with uncertainties in nano-technology, one can only rely on the measures of the probability that a transistor will behave correctly, or a logic gate will function correctly. As a result, in order to implement a logic function and to depend on it with high degree of reliability, engineers will have to build redundancy in the design, such that if some of the gates fail, even then, the functional block will provide the correct functionality with very high degree of reliability. This course will cover interesting current research papers that will introduce the students to the novel technologies being used or being posed as future computing technologies, the architectural innovations to circumvent the problems of uncertainty and increased fault levels, and techniques and tools that have been discussed in the recent years at conferences and journals.

Theoretical and Algorithmic Foundations of Computer Engineering
ECE 5984 - Hsiao

Theoretical and algorithmic foundations of computer engineering will be covered. The emphasized theories and algorithms are those upon which most computer engineering problems are built and formulated. This course serves as a basic foundation in problem formulation, solution finding, and optimization in computer engineering. Topics include set algebra, Boolean reasoning, graph theory, algorithms, queuing theory, complexity analysis, and probability as they are applied to computer engineering problems.

Game Theory for Computing Engineering
ECE5984 - Shukla

This course will have a theory component and a programming component. The theory part will be mostly based on class lectures and the text and material provided. The programming projects will involve modeling engineering problems as games and use algorithmic solutions to solve the engineering problems by solving the games. This will include taking power management problems, resource constrained QoS optimization problems, scheduling and partitioning problems, formal verification problems from the literature, and then model them in game theoretic framework, and then program solution strategies.

Wearable and Ubiquitous Computing
ECE 5984 - Martin

Issues in the design and use of wearable and ubiquitous computing systems. Topics covered include current research issues in system-level low power design, input/output devices, location and context-awareness, and networking. Students are expected to design, implement, and evaluate a wearable computing device or application.

Power Electronics Integration Technology
ECE 5984 - van Wyk

Covers the fundamental electromagnetics, materials, interfaces, thermo-mechanics and process technology for developing integrated power electronic converters. Physics of failure, integration of power switching stages and power passives are covered by means of case studies of developed prototypes. Lab work covers the essential process technologies to build actual integrated converters.

Spread Spectrum Communications
ECE 5984 - Buehrer

To develop a fundamental understanding of spread spectrum communication systems. Of fundamental importance is the se of spread spectrum to combat jamming and prevent intercept. We will also examine the use of these properties in the context of commercial systems as applied to CDMA.

Decentralized Estimation and Control
ECE 6444 Advanced Topics in Controls - Stillwell

This course will introduce students to the theory and practice of decentralized estimation and control, which is used for systems composed of many spatially distributed sensors and actuators. Application include flexible structures, distributed sensing, communication networks, industrial process control, and cooperating autonomous vehicles. Course topics include decentralized fixed modes, techniques and limitations of decentralized control synthesis, and distributed Kalman and information filters.

Multimedia Networking
ECE 5984 - Hou

This course examines existing multimedia standards and focus on network support to transport multimedia over wired and wireless networks. Major topics include multimedia standards, video and audio compression and traffic modeling, quality of service (QoS) architecture and mechanisms, data plane and control plane mechanisms to support multimedia over wired and wireless networks.

Microfluidic Biosensors
Advanced Topics in Electronics - ECE 6204

The integration of MEMs and sensors into systems for biomedical applications has gained increasing importance. This course will provide students with an introduction to the theory and design of microfluidic devices to regulate fluid flow; sensing techniques including optical, electrochemical, mechanical, and amperometric techniques; energy storage and distribution; and remote data collection, as time permits.

Advanced Undergraduate Special Studies

Electric Power Quality for the Digital Economy 4984 - Tam

Wireless Networks and Mobile Systems 4984 - Midkiff