2016 FYP Proposals Callaghan

Final Year Projects, Callaghan Semester 1, 2016
UNIVERSITY BASED PROJECTS

Proposed By
Bob Betz
ID
RB-01
RB-02
RB-03
RB-04
RB-05
Zhiyong Chen
Colin Coates
Jose DeDona
Andrew Fleming
Minyue Fu
Chris Kellett
Jamil Khan
ZC-01
ZC-02
ZC-03
CC-01
CC-02
CC-03
JD-01
AF-01
AF-02
AF-03
AF-04
MF-01
MF-02
MF-03
MF-04
MF-05
CK-01
CK-02
CK-03
JK-01
JK-02
JK-03
JK-04
JK-05
JK-06
Fengji Lou
Kaushik Mahata
Rick Middleton
Galina Mirzaeva
Duy Ngo
FL-01
FL-02
KM-01
KM-02
KM-03
RM-01
RM-02
RM-03
GM-01
GM-02
GM-03
GM-04
DN-01
Title
Development of a Vector Controller for the Brushless Doubly Fed
Reluctance Machine
Effects of Variable Speed Drives in Mining Applications
Investigation of the Use of Wireless Charging in Mining Applications
Development of an Off-Grid Renewable Power System for Suburban Homes
Development of a Renewable Power System Modelling Package for the
OpenModelica Simulation System
Formation Control of Multi-Agent Systems
Collision Avoidance of Multi-Agent Systems
Modeling and simulation of humanoid walking robots
Formula SAE Electrical Race Car Development
Microgrid Demonstration
Tennis Trainer
Balls-in-Tubes Height Control Experiment
Multi-Level Delta-Sigma Class-D Audio Amplifier
Electromagnetic Neurocatheter Localization System
Piezoresistive Sensor Interface
Arbitrary Analog Transfer Function Implementation
State Estimation for Power Networks
Networked Control Systems
Control of Multi-agent Systems
Dual-stage Control Systems
Design of Dual Stage X-Y Table
Pricing Carbon Integrated Assessment Models and Optimal Control
System Identification of Climate Models for Carbon Pricing
High Speed Real-Time Control for Particle Accelerators
An Energy Harvesting Power Supply for Sensor Nodes for Outdoor
Applications
Firmware Development for Energy Optimised Wireless Sensor Node
Design and Development of a Prototype Autonomous Electric Car
Design and Development of an Enhanced Road Signalling System for
Future Electric Cars
A RFID / Zigbee / WiFi Based Electronic Car Parking Management System
Design and Development of a Visible Light Li-Fi Data Communication
System
Control of Thermostatically Controlled Loads in a Smart Grid Environment
Distribution System Modelling for Microgrid Control and Operations
Pulse Compression Ultrasound Imaging
Target Tracking Using Passive Acoustic Sensor Networks
Wireless Communications Laboratory
Distributed Load Management
Distributed Sensing for Remote Power System Fault Detection
Hi-Fidelity Class D Audio Amplifier
Flux optimization for variable speed AC drive
Optimal pulse width modulation for a three-phase inverter
Dynamic dynamometer for testing industrial motors
Random PWM strategies for induction motor drives
Wireless Monitoring Healthcare System
Lawrence Ong
Terry Summers
James Welsh
LO-01
LO-02
TS-01
TS-02
TS-03
TS-04
TS-05
TS-06
TS-07
TS-08
JW-01
JW-02
JW-03
High-Speed Video Streaming Using Pre-Fetching and Caching

Wireless Communications for Vessel Towage Operation
Dynamic Voltage Restorer
Unified Power Controller
Enhanced ELEC4160 Project
Design and Simulation of a Single Phase Laboratory Power Supply
Four Quadrant DC Drive for Electrical Machines Laboratory in Singapore
Multi-Level Converter Topologies
Single Phase Low Voltage StatCom / Active Filter for Microgrids
Sandvik More Electric Mine
Frequency Response Analysis of Electrical Machines
Reconfigurable Control Systems for an Autonomous Vehicle
Nerve Receptor in vivo Stimuli
INDUSTRY BASED PROJECTS

These are projects that have been proposed by local industry. They would be jointly
supervised by both an industry engineer and an appropriate University academic.
Aurecon
AU-01
AU-02
AU-03
AU-04
AU-05
AU-06
AU-07
AU-08
AU-09
AU-10
AU-11
AU-12
AU-13
AU-14
Safearth Consulting
Anditi
AU-15
AU-16
AU-17
AU-18
AU-19
AU-20
AU-21
AU-22
AU-23
AU-24
AU-25
AU-26
SE-01
SE-02
SE-03
AN-01
AN-02
AN-03
Multifunction Precision AC Waveform Analyser

Impulse Measuring System
Partial Discharge Analysis System
Magnetic Field Mapping System
ICNIRP Compliant LF EMF Field Strength Meter
30kV Amplifier DC 0.1HZ, 10mA
Isolated Signal Conditioning System for DSP Applications
Time Domain Reflectometer
High Performance Frequency Transducer
Precision Multi-Phase Test Source
3 phase Transformer Ratiometer
Variable Voltage Variable Frequency Source Control System
Conversion
Robust Industrial Voltage/Current Amplifier
Precision calibration systems for measurement of fundamental
electrical quantities
Dielectric Dissipation Factor Calibration System
Low Resistance Meter Calibrator
Motor Current Spectral Analysis Software
Lockin Amplifier
Scanning Tunnelling Microscope
Floating Point ADC
High Gain Amplifier with X-Y Display and Sweep Unit
4 Channel pk and RMS Ratio Calibration System
Microwave Thermography System
Vector Voltmeter
Synchronising System
Eye Tracking System
Soil Resistivity Modelling Shifting to 3D
Rating of Live Surge Arrestors
Lightning Surge Detection
Distributed Image Matching and Processing Techniques
LiDAR Feature Extraction
Use of Wavelets derived from Raw Imagery for Feature Detection
using Machine and Deep Learning Techniques
ResTech
Dexata
PS-01
PS-02
PS-03
DE-05
DE-07
Mathematical Models for Electrical Cables

Toolbox for Variable Speed Drive Applications
Common Mode Models of Electrical Systems
Performance Limits of High Throughput Image Processing for
Motion Detection in Self-Supported Communication Sites
Applications of Accelerometers and Geophones for Detecting
Weapons Impacts
Bob Betz
Projects Offered by Professor Bob Betz:
RB-01 Development of a Vector Controller for the Brushless Doubly Fed
Reluctance Machine.
Description: The Brushless Doubly Fed Reluctance Machine (BDFRM) is an unusual
electric machine that allows one to have a robust, limited speed electrical machine
using an inverter only partially rated for the power of the machine. These machines
are being investigated as an alternative machine for such applications as wind turbine
generators, and large air-conditioning system motors. The project will involve firstly
gaining an understanding of the machine, and the application of vector control to it,
and then implementing a vector controller on the experimental rig that already exists
in the laboratory.
RB-02 Effects of Variable Speed Drives in Mining Applications.
This is mainly a simulation project involving an investigation of the effects of the use
of variable speed drives in mining applications. When VSDs are used in mines, filters
are included on the inputs to the drives to mitigate the effects of inverter induced high
frequency ground currents on other parts of the mine electrical system. The inclusion
of these filters can result in undesirable voltage ground bounce in certain fault
conditions. In addition to this, it can result in nuisance tripping of other mine circuit
breakers, disrupting production. The project will involve understanding and
simulating these phenomena, and considering some possible candidate solutions.
Hardware and software solutions will be investigated.
RB-03 Investigation of the Use of Wireless Charging in Mining Applications.
The complete electrification of mines is desirable as it will allow diesel fuels to be
completely eliminated from mines. This is especially important in underground mines,
where a significant cost is incurred to provide adequate ventilation in the presence of
the carcinogens produced by diesel machines. One approach being proposed for the
development of underground mining vehicles is to use inductive wireless charge
systems in conjunction with battery storage. This project will focus on the technical
and financial viability of a wireless inductive charge system for use in mining
applications. Whilst it will focus mostly on underground vehicles, above ground
systems will also be considered. Issues such as whether the average energy can be
supplied for the typical vehicle operational cycles, what is the optimum balance
between on-board energy storage and the number / size of wireless recharge stations,
what are the maximum charge rates possible with current technology and emerging
technologies, are but some of the technical and cost issues that will be addressed in
the course of the project.
RB-04 Development of an Off-Grid Renewable Power System for Suburban
Homes.
With the cost of solar panels continuing to decrease, and improvements and lowering
costs of battery energy storage, an off-grid domestic suburban energy systems could
become economically feasible in the not too distant future. This project will
implement a complete design of such a system, including an economic analysis of its
viability, the design of the energy management system, and evaluation of storage
options.
RB-05 Development of a Renewable Power System Modelling Package for the
OpenModelica Simulation System.
Bob Betz
OpenModelica is a public domain simulation system similar to Saber. The purpose of
this project is to develop a library of components that allow the rapid development of
simulations for microgrid power systems involving a variety of renewable and storage
technologies. The library components would need to be modelled so that the key
dynamics that are important with respect to the stability and performance of a power
system are captured.
Zhiyong Chen

Title: ZC-01 Formation Control of Multi-Agent Systems
Supervisor: Zhiyong Chen
Level of Difficulty: Easy (Pass type project),
Medium Difficulty (Pass to Credit),
Difficult (Credit to Distinction),
Challenging (Distinction to High Distinction).
Assumed ELEC4400
knowledge:
Type of Project: Hardware
Software
Simulation
Literature Search
No. of Students: Single
Group
Description:
Multi-agent systems represent a class of systems composed of many autonomous agents,
interacting locally to achieve desirable collective behaviours, among which forming a
group pattern is a typical one. Such behaviours have been observed a lot in nature such
as bird flocking, fish schooling etc. In addition to these amazing natural phenomena,
there are also a bunch of potential applications in engineering. For example, use
unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to form a team pattern for surveillance or localization,
use autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) for ocean data retrieval or exploration, and
use smaller satellites in formation flying to view research targets from multiple angles or
at multiple times. In this project, we aim to do literature review for formation control of
multi-agent systems and run MATLAB simulation for a variety of formations.
Outcomes Expected:
1. Literature review on multi-agent control systems.
2. MATLAB simulation for typical formations.
Zhiyong Chen
Title: ZC-02 Collision Avoidance of Multi-Agent Systems
Assumed ELEC4400
knowledge:
Software
Simulation
Literature Search
Group
Description:
Mathematical models initially intended to mimic the collective motion of bird ocks,
sh schools, or colonies of bacteria have been looked as control mechanisms providing
basic coordination and consensus algorithms for systems of mobile autonomous agents,
such as groups of robotic vehicles, mobile sensors, or even satellites. If a model contains
a repelling force, avoidance of collisions (i.e., the respect of a minimal distance between
particles) is ensured. In this project, we aim to do literature review for collision
avoidance of multi-agent systems and run MATLAB simulation to verify the control
algorithms.
Outcomes Expected:
1. Literature review on multi-agent control systems.
2. MATLAB simulation for typical collision avoidance algorithms.
Zhiyong Chen
Title: ZC-03 Modeling and Simulation of Humanoid Walking
Robots
Assumed ELEC4400
knowledge:
Software
Simulation
Literature Search
Group
Description:
Humanoid walking robots have been one of the central topics for relatively long time.
Modeling of human body walk has been evolved from simple models such as, an
inverted pendulum model and a mass-spring model to relatively complicated models
that include relatively high number of degrees of freedom. This project aims to study a
class of kinematic and dynamic model of humanoid walking robots and simulate the
model in MATLAB. It is expected that a kind of walking gaits can be achieved that
match the data acquired from real human body walk. This project requires mathematical
derivation and numerical MATLAB simulation.
Outcomes Expected:
3. Literature review on modeling of humanoid walking robots;
4. Simulation of a class of model for humanoid walking robots;
5. Walking gait analysis.
Colin Coates
Title: CC-01 Formula SAE Electrical Race Car

Development
Supervisor: Colin Coates
Assumed ELEC3130, ELEC3240, ELEC3250
knowledge:
Software
Simulation
Literature Search
Group
Description: NU Racing is working to run an electric vehicle in the national
Formula SAE event (www.saea.com.au). To that end there are four distinct
areas of development that need to occur that could each be individually used to
constitute a final year project. These are:
1. Motor and Controller comparison, selection, commissioning and
testing.
This project involves the selection or design of motor(s) and compatible
motor controller(s) for use in a FSAE vehicle. The motor arrangement
(single motor, 2 motors or 4 motors) needs to be determined in
partnership with the mechanical project students. The package must
comply with the Formula SAE 2016 rules and research should be
conducted into common practice in similar applications.
Care will have to be given to the selection of the motor(s) and
controller(s) based on vehicle constraints. This is to be a high
performance vehicle so power and low mass are crucial while the team
resources of budget, time and ease of implementation must also be
considered. The student will need to select the best motor for our
application and should consider the relevant system components for
which it will need to be compatible accumulator, regenerative braking,
etc.
2. Accumulator and BMS Design/Selection, commissioning and
testing.
This project involves the design and manufacture of an accumulator
(either a collection of batteries or super capacitors) and battery
management system for use in an FSAE vehicle. The design must
comply with the Formula SAE 2016 rules, and research should be
conducted into common practice in similar applications.
Care will have to be given to the selection of the accumulator based on
Colin Coates
vehicle constraints. It must store enough energy to propel the vehicle
around the 22km endurance circuit This is to be a high performance
vehicle so power and low mass are crucial while the team resources of
budget, time and ease of implementation must also be considered. The
student will need to select the best choice for our application and should
consider the relevant system components for which it will need to be
compatible motor, controller, regenerative braking etc.
3. Vehicle Safety Systems design, commissioning and testing.
This project involves the design and implementation of all of the safety
and shutdown features outlined by the 2016 Formula SAE Rules.
Research should be conducted into common practice in similar
applications.
This project will involve the design, selection and commissioning of the
various safety systems which must be present on the vehicle, including
the tractive system active light (TSAL), Shutdown circuits, Master
Switches, Brake System Plausibility Device, Fuses, Inertia Switch, and
other associated components.
4. High Voltage Charging System, commissioning and testing.
This project involves the design and implementation of a charging system

for the accumulator in accordance with the 2016 Formula SAE Rules.
Research should be conducted into common practice in similar
applications.
An appropriate system will be required in order to charge the high voltage
accumulator pack required on the electric vehicle. This system will need
to be designed in line with Australian standards and the rules outlined in
the FSAE handbook. The system will need to consider ease of use and
availability of resources (ie 15A power supplies). If commercial solutions
exist, then selection should be made with respect to the design
guidelines and team needs.
Outcomes Expected:
It is expected in each case that the systems be completely designed,
components selected, commissioned and tested ready for implementation by
the end of the year with sufficient documentation for future optimisation and
improvement.
Colin Coates
Title: Microgrid Demonstration

knowledge:
Software
Simulation
Literature Search
Group
Description:
The aim of this project is to build a working demonstration of a microgrid (or low
voltage distributed generation system). For reasons of cost and safety
prototypes are to be constructed to operate at extra low voltage (60V DC bus,
24V AC output - single phase, 41.5V AC output - three phase).
This project has been run previously. The aim for this offering of the project is
to continue the development of existing three phase inverter hardware.
Specifically students would be expected to:
- Implement minor hardware improvements recommended by previous
student
- Enabling the inverter to synchronise and transfer power to the grid (via a
transformer)
- Constructing a second inverter to operate in parallel with the first. The
system would then be required to regulate itself to share a common load.
There are several techniques that have been proposed to do this (most
commonly based around power - frequency droop characteristics).
Students would need to research appropriate techniques for power
sharing and voltage control and implement an appropriate method.
Better students could then extend the project to follow a number of paths
including (but not limited to):
- Investigate the effects of non-ideal loads (e.g. harmonics, phase
imbalance) on the microgrid system.
- Investigate the effects of source dynamics on the microgrid system.
Outcomes Expected:
- A medium level outcome would be two inverters capable of power
sharing and voltage control.
- A challenging level outcome would include investigation into system
behaviour that includes non-ideal loads or source dynamics.
Colin Coates
Title: Tennis Trainer
Assumed
knowledge:
Software
Simulation
Literature Search
Group
Description:
There are a number of commercial ball machines available for tennis training
(Playmate, Lobster Sports, Sports Tutor). These machines fire tennis balls to
allow a player to practice. The features vary but can include variable speed,
variable feed rate, variable direction, variable height, topspin, backspin, slice,
programmable shot sequences and wireless control.
A limitation of the existing machines is that the control is open loop in the sense
that they allow you to manually set speed, spin, height etc. but these values will
vary over time with environmental conditions (wind, temperature) and wear on
the machine and balls. An enhancement to the machine would be to include
image processing to track the trajectory of the balls and closed loop control to
adjust the machine as conditions vary.
The long term aim of the project is to produce the ultimate tennis trainer which
is of course beyond the scope of a single final year project. The project aim
would therefore become:
1. To develop a conceptual system design based on previous work
(currently a ball delivery mechanism exists (although requiring some
mechanical redesign) and progress towards ball tracking)
2. To do detailed engineering design, construction and testing of selected
functional blocks within the system
Anticipated items that will need to addressed (to meet the long term aim, a
single student wont address all of these) include:
1. Ball delivery system to produce variable speed and spin.
2. Arc and height control
3. Slice control
4. Wireless operation
5. Battery design and management
6. Ball trajectory monitoring
7. Closed loop control
Jose DeDona
Title: JD-01 Balls-in-Tubes Height Control Experiment

Supervisor: Jose DeDona
Assumed
knowledge:
Software
Simulation
Literature Search
Group
Description:
The purpose of this project is to design and build a balls-in-tubes apparatus; and to
design and implement a number of control algorithms to be able to control the height of
the balls. The balls-in-tubes is a simple and inexpensive experimental setup that can be
used to demonstrate some of the fundamental concepts of feedback control systems. It
consists of a number of transparent tubes in a vertical position. Inside each tube there is
a light-weight ball (e.g., a ping-pong ball); at the bottom of each tube there is a fan that
is used to lift the ball; and at the top of each tube there is a sensor (e.g., an ultrasonic
sensor) to measure the ball's height. The tubes share a common input manifold inlet. The
measurements of each height sensor are sent to a computer through an A/D acquisition
card and the computer is programmed to implement a control strategy to, e.g., keep the
balls at fixed desired height positions or to make the balls follow desired trajectories.
The resulting control signals are then output through a D/A conversion card to the
motors that drive the fans (these signals can be analogue continuous signals or PWM
signals). The control algorithm can be implemented in a software package such as
ProcessACT, dSPACE (which can be interfaced with Matlab/Simulink for controller
design and graphical and GUI capabilities), LabVIEW, Matlab/Simulink/Real Time
Workshop, etc. Another possibility is to construct an embedded control system
consisting of a micro-controller attached to the experimental setup, with a connection to
a PC for controller design/downloading and visualization.
Outcomes Expected:
The expected outcome is the complete construction of the experimental setup, together
with the required connection to the computer (or micro-controller) for controlling the
balls height, and the implementation of a number of control algorithms to demonstrate
the functionality of the equipment. It is expected that the design of the controllers be
customizable from the computer, in order to be able to demonstrate different control
strategies and to be able to make the balls follow trajectories defined by the user. Also,
the program should have good graphical capabilities to generate plots of the time
response of variables of interest for reporting and comparison of different control
designs.
Resources:
The skills necessary to build the apparatus are basic, as it is a simple setup. Standard
electronic skills could be required, to be able to design the few circuitry (if any) that
could be required to perform the electrical connections. Basic standard programming
Jose DeDona
skills may be required depending on the software platform chosen to implement the
control laws (e.g., C programming language). Basic knowledge of Matlab/Simulink is
required to perform the system modelling and to design, evaluate and validate different
control strategies. If the chosen design is based on a micro-controller, then
microcontroller programming skills would be required or could be developed during the
project. Essential skills needed for this project are basic system modelling, signal
processing and control system design. Hence, the student attempting this project should
have a solid knowledge of the concepts imparted in subjects such as ELEC2400,
ELEC3400 and ELEC4400. Since the tubes share a common inlet manifold they are
coupled physically (as they struggle for air) and hence the system is a multiple-input
multiple-output (MIMO) system that allows to study advanced control concepts and
resource allocation strategies. Hence, a working background of multivariable control
must be developed during this project, which includes state space model representations
and linear quadratic Gaussian (LQG) control techniques. Other control techniques could
also be considered.
Andrew Fleming
Title:
AF-01 Multi-Level Delta-Sigma Class-D Audio

Amplifier
Supervisor: Andrew Fleming, Arnfinn Aas Eielsen

X Challenging (Distinction to High Distinction).
Assumed
knowledge:
Type of Project: X Hardware
X Software
X Simulation
X Literature Search
No. of Students: X Single
Group
Description:
This project aims to design and construct a multi-level class-D amplifier which is
controlled by a delta-sigma modulator. The aim is reduce quantization noise and
total harmonic distortion by modeling and correcting for supply voltages
variation.
Outcomes Expected:
Review of current methods

Simulation of a multi-level delta-sigma simulator in Simulink
Design of a low-power multi-level amplifier
Implementation of the algorithm on an FPGA development kit
Resources:
Resources will be provided.
Additional Items:
References:
Andrew Fleming
Title:
AF-02 Electromagnetic Neurocatheter Localization

System
Supervisor:
Level of Difficulty:
Andrew Fleming
Easy (Pass type project),
X Difficult (Credit to Distinction),
Assumed
knowledge:
Type of Project:
No. of Students:
X Hardware
X Software
X Simulation
X Literature Search
X Single
Group
Description:
This project will use a set of transmitting coils and a single sensing coil to
determine the position and orientation of a neuro-catheter device.
Neurocatheters are small flexible tubes directed into the brain through the
arterial system to repair aneurisms and remove clots after stroke.
Outcomes Expected:
Review of current methods

Simulation
Implementation and circuit design
Performance testing
Resources:
Additional Items:
References:
Andrew Fleming
Title:
AF-03 Piezoresistive Sensor Interface
Supervisor: Andrew Fleming

Assumed
knowledge:
X Software
X Simulation
Literature Search
Group
Description:
Piezoresistive sensors can be used to detect position with nanometer resolution.
However, they are highly sensitive to temperature variation. This project will
develop an analog sensor interface which is self-calibrating and can detect and
compensate for temperature variation.
This project is best suited to those with an interest in circuit design and
construction. The controller will be implemented on a Lab View development
card or STM32F4 microcontroller.
Outcomes Expected:
Review of methods for piezoresitive sensor interfacing

Simulation of suitable methods
Working analog interface
Working digital controller for calibration and
compensation
Resources:
Additional Items:
References:
temperature
Andrew Fleming
Title: AF-04 Arbitrary Analog Transfer Function
Implementation
Supervisor: Andrew Fleming, Arnfinn Aas Eielsen
Assumed
knowledge:
X Software
X Simulation
Literature Search
Group
Description:
This project aims to design and construct a circuit capable of implementing any
second-order analog transfer function (within reasonable limits). The analog
circuit will be configured with digital potentiometers and configured by a
microcontroller or PC.
The arbitrary transfer function will be used for laboratory implementation of lownoise analog filters and high-speed control systems.
Outcomes Expected:
Review of implementation methods

Simulation of possible options
Circuit design and construction
Controller software development
Resources:
Additional Items:
References:
Minyue Fu
Title: MF-01 State Estimation of Power Networks

Supervisor: Minyue Fu
Assumed Control, signal processing, communication theory, power
knowledge: systems
Software
Simulation
Literature Search
Group
Description:
State estimation is a very important problem for smooth operations of a power network
and is also a key element in the future smart electricity networks. Modern tools involve
using phasor measurement units (PMU) in conjunction to provide fast and accurate
measurements of the state variables in the power network. This project aims at studying
the use of such measuring devices in smart electricity networks. The project is mostly
software based.
Outcomes Expected:
Understanding of smart electricity networks; Understanding of PMU devices;
Understanding of communication issues in smart electricity networks; Simulation of
state estimation for power networks.
Minyue Fu
Title: MF-02 Networked Control Systems

Assumed Control, communication theory, signal processing
knowledge:
Software
Simulation
Literature Search
Group
Description:
Traditional control systems use dedicated communication links for sensing, actuation
and decision making. Modern control systems deploy complex communication networks
for such activities. This project aims to study the effects of communication deficiencies
to control systems. More specifically, this project will study the problem of transmission
packet losses and their effects to state estimation and feedback control. The project is
mostly software based.
Outcomes Expected:
Understanding of networked control systems, understanding of communication issues;
understanding of state estimation; understanding of feedback control; simulation of state
estimation and feedback control
Minyue Fu
Title: MF-03 Control of Multi-Agent Systems
Assumed Control, signal processing
knowledge:
Software
Simulation
Literature Search
Group
Description:
This project intends to study coordination and synchronisation of multi-agent systems.
We will be looking at multi-robotic systems in particular. Specific studies involve
modeling and control of robotic agents and synchronisation/coordination algorithms.
The project can be either software based or hardware based or mixed. In case of
hardware based project, 2 students can be involved.
Outcomes Expected:
Understanding of robotic systems, Understanding of synchronisation and coordination;
Control Design
Minyue Fu
Title: MF-04 Dual-Stage Control Systems

Assumed Control
knowledge:
Software
Simulation
Literature Search
Group
Description:
This project studies a super-precision positioning system which involves two actuators.
The system consists of a primary actuator, which has a long moving range but has low
speed and low resolution, and a secondary actuator, which has high speed and super
resolution but small range. By combining the two actuators together in an intelligent
fashion, long range super-resolution positioning can be achieved with fast dynamics.
Experimental work will be conducted to test different control algorithms. This is a
hardware-based project.
Outcomes Expected:
Understanding of dual-stage concept; Understanding of dual-stage control; Experimental
results of dual-stage control
Minyue Fu
Title: MF-05 Dual-Stage X-Y Table
Assumed Control
knowledge:
Software
Simulation
Literature Search
Group
Description:
Dual-stage systems are used for super-precision positioning applications. Such a system
consists of a primary actuator, which has a long moving range but has low speed and
low resolution, and a secondary actuator, which has high speed and super resolution but
small range. By combining the two actuators together in an intelligent fashion, long
range super-resolution positioning can be achieved with fast dynamics. This project
studies the design of an X-Y table using the dual-stage control concept. This is a
software-based project.
Outcomes Expected:
Understanding of dual-stage concept; Understanding of dual-stage control; Design of
dual-stage X-Y table
Jamil Khan
Title: JK-01 An Energy Harvesting Power Supply for
Sensor Nodes for Outdoor Applications
Supervisors: Jamil Khan, Colin Coates)
Industry Sponsor: n/a
Medium Difficulty (Pass to low Credit),
Difficult (low to high Credit),
Challenging (Distinction to high Distinction).
knowledge:
Software
Simulation
Literature Search
Group (2 students)
Campus: Callaghan.
Description:
This project will develop a heterogeneous energy harvester by combining output
from multiple energy sources such as solar panels, micro-wind turbines and
mechanical energy generators, etc. The energy harvester should be able to
charge at least two/four AAA NiMH (each 1000 mAH) which will feed in to a DC
to DC converter to generate different DC output with different current
requirements. The output capacity will be determined by the connected load and
available energy from different connected sources, hence, some sort of energy
management technique needs to be developed to maintain uninterrupted
communication services.
Outcomes:
Design & Develop an energy harvesting mechanism.
Design & Develop an energy storage system, both battery & super capacitor
based.
Design & develop a multi-output DC power supply.
Design & develop LCD based interface to show power storage and power
supply status.
Advanced (Group):
Design and develop a low cost electromechanical energy harvesters
Design and develop microcontroller controlled solar mico-reflector and/or
concentrator to enhance output of solar cells
Develop a super capacitor based energy storage system to replace the
battery
.
Jamil Khan
Title: JK-02 Firmware Development for Energy
Optimised Wireless Sensor Node
Supervisors: Jamil Khan
Assumed ELEC2700, ELEC3240, ELEC2500/3500
knowledge:
Software
Simulation
Literature Search
Group
Campus: Callaghan.
Description:
This project will design and develop a wireless sensor node using a low power
controller and initially using a WiFi communication interface. The project will
develop sensor node in a modular fashion allowing I/O processor to
communicate with other modules such as signal processor, communication
interface, power management circuits, and others. The student will develop a
generic hardware based on above architecture and then implement energy
management algorithms for different application scenarios. Scenarios need to
be defined by the research team.
Outcomes:
Develop and design a flexible sensor node architecture.
Design and develop WiFi communication interface
Develop software interface to support sensor node operation
Development of energy efficiency algorithm to maximise node life.
Jamil Khan
Title: JK-03 Design and Development of a Prototype
Autonomous Electric Car
Supervisors: Jamil Khan, Colin Coates, Alexandre Mendes
Assumed ELEC2700, ELEC3240, ELEC3400, ELEC3550
knowledge:
Software
Simulation
Literature Search
Group
Campus: Callaghan.
Description:
The main objective of this project is to develop an autonomous car that can
navigate without any direct human intervention. This is a group project of three
students developing different aspects of an autonomous car. The project will
physically design a prototype electric car which can be programmed to start
from a location then stop in two or three pre-defined locations before returning
to its base. Tasks among three students will be divided in following manner:
Student 1: Basic mechanical structure and drive electronics and basic control
system.
Student 2: Implement an image processing system to recognise road signs and
road objects to control the vehicle movements.
Student 3: Develop navigation system based on programmed route, road
conditions and road signal status.
Outcomes:
An operational prototype operational car acting as a mail delivery car.
Jamil Khan
Title: JK-04 Design and Development of an Enhanced

Road Signalling System for Future Electric Cars
Supervisor: Jamil Khan
knowledge:
Software
Simulation
Literature Search
Group
Campus: Callaghan.
Description:
The objective of the project is to develop an electronic road signalling system to
replace the visual road signals used by human drivers. The electronic road
signalling system will broadcast various road signals such as traffic light status,
road structure changes, temporary road blocks, accident information, etc. via
WiFi links which can be picked by a car control unit to take appropriate actions.
Signalling system will also send additional signals via road side units about
traffic conditions in the roundabouts or in areas of poor visibilities. The systems
should be able to interact with road side sensors to extract additional traffic
information.
Outcomes:
Design and construction of WiFi based signalling units and roadside units.
Design a sensor based road monitoring system and connect to the road side
unit(s).
Design and implement links with autonomous car navigation system.
Jamil Khan
Title: JK-05 A RFID / Zigbee / WiFi Based Electronic Car

Parking Management System
Supervisors: Jamil Khan
Assumed knowledge: ELEC2700, ELEC3500
Software
Simulation
Literature Search
Group (2 students)
Campus: Callaghan and Singapore.
Description: The project will develop an electronic car parking management system.
The idea is that cars will be fitted with an RFID that will allow drivers of those cars to
park their vehicles in pre paid or pre allocated parking areas with minimum delay.
Each parking bay in that section will also be fitted with a RFID reader. When a car
park in an assigned or paid area the RFID reader will read the car ID and send the
data to a data based using a multi-hop wireless link consists of Zigbee and WiFi
standards. If a car is parked in an unauthorised space then a red flight will flash
otherwise a green light will indicate an authorised parking. If a car is parked without
any authorised RFID tag then the system will generate an alarm at the database
server as well as flash the red flight in the parking space.
The car park will also have non-RFID spaces where cars can park but they will have
an on board electronic terminal through which a driver can purchase a parking permit
which will be displayed on the parking bay display..
Outcomes:
Design & Develop a sensor board to detect cars in parking bays.
Design & Develop a on board terminal for parking space reservation.
Design & develop Zigbee/WiFi based multi-hop wireless link.
Design & develop a simple database and GUI.
Advanced (Group):
Design and develop a low cost RFID reader
Extend the multi-hop link to cover a campus wide car park.
Develop solar power supply for communication nodes.
Develop an advanced GUI showing locations of different cars with their number
plates, model, color, owner information, etc.
Develop email capabilities if the car parking permit is expiring soon.
Jamil Khan
Title:
JK-06 Design and Development of a Visible Light Li-Fi

Data Communication System
Supervisor: Jamil Khan
xDifficult (Credit to Distinction),
xChallenging (Distinction to High Distinction).
knowledge:
Type of Project: xHardware
xSoftware
Simulation
Literature Search
No. of Students: x Single
Group
Description: The VLC (Visible Light Communication) has the potential to
support optical wireless communication using visible light spectrum from 380 to
780 nm. A new industrial standard known as IEEE802.15.7 supports LiFi
communication using the above spectrum. Li-Fi (Light Fidelity) is an optical
networked communication system to support short range data links. The project
will develop a single hop data communication link using commonly used LED
lights following the IEEE802.15.7 standard. It is expected that project will
implement a simple data communication link using the OOK modulator and an
optical coder using the standard LEDs.
Outcomes Expected:
Understanding of the VLC techniques and the IEEE802.15.7 standard.

Design and construction of OOK modulator/demodulator and a light
intensity modulator/demodulator.
Design data transmitter and receiver hardware and software.
Design a data link transmitting data at a rate at least 100 kbits/sec.
Resources:
Digital and analog circuit components and ICs
Microcontroller development kit
LED and photodiodes
Additional Items:
References:
1. http://visiblelightcomm.com/what-is-visible-light-communication-vlc/
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjqSgsKbagQ
Fengji Lou
Title:
Supervisor:
Assumed
knowledge:
Type of Project:
No. of Students:
Control of Thermostatically Controlled Loads in a

Smart Grid Environment
Fengji LUO
ELEC3130, ELEC4410 (semester 2 enrolment
recommended)
Hardware
Software
Simulation
Literature Search
Single
Group
Description:
With the development of smart grids, demand side management (DSM) has
been drawn increasingly attentions. Thermostatically controlled appliances
(such as air conditioners, heaters, etc.) are considered to be good candidates to
perform DSM programs (such as load shifting, frequency regulation, etc.) due to
their thermal storage characteristics. This project aims to develop advanced
thermostatically controlled load models, and establish various smart grid DSM
programs based on controlling the thermostats of thermostatically controlled
loads based on the Matlab software.
Outcomes Expected:
A set of Matlab-based simulation programs and a technical report
Resources:
A PC with Matlab software installed
Additional Items:
References:
Fengji Lou
Title: FL-02 Distribution System Modeling for Microgrid
Control and Operations
Supervisor: Fengji Luo
Assumed Power systems, micro-economics
knowledge:
Software
Simulation
Literature Search
Group (1 or 2)
Description:
Some distribution feeders supply remote area over relatively long distance. In addition
to grid connected mode, under certain circumstances, the feeder can operate as a
microgrid with distributed generations to supply local demand connected to the feeder.
In this project, a system model will be developed using industrial software first. The
developed system model should have detailed system components including energy
storage devices, distributed generators (e.g. wind turbine, solar PV and diesel generator).
The 2nd stage of the project is to carry various system analysis including different system
faults, such as line to ground and line to line faults. The results out of these simulations
will be analysed to form useful bases for protection design and micro-grid operations.
More advanced studies will include distributed control algorithms to enhance the system
reliability.
Student will gain hands-on industrial experience with the industrial level software
and industrial studies with benchmark system data.
Kaushik Mahata
Title: KM-01 Pulse Compression Ultrasound Imaging
Supervisor: Kaushik Mahata
x Difficult (Credit to Distinction),
x Challenging (Distinction to High Distinction).
Assumed ELEC3130, ELEC4410 (semester 2 enrolment
knowledge: recommended)
Type of Project: x Hardware
x Software
x Simulation
Literature Search
Group

Description: An Ultrasound Imaging device transmits ultrasound pulses, and listens to
the echoes for reconstructing an image of the specimen under consideration. Pulse
compression is a special method of designing these pulses that allows using pulses of
wider bandwidth and higher centre frequency. This also allows fast imaging when
many ultrasound transducers arranged in some regular pattern transmit at the same
time.

This project will require the students to study, simulate and experiment on pulse
compression ultrasound imaging.

Outcomes Expected: At the minimum it is expected that the student will produce a
comprehensive report on Pulse Compression Ultrasound Imaging based on simulation
study. High achievers are encouraged to build a hardware platform to demonstrate
real world imaging.

References:

Rao, N and Mehra, S, "Medical ultrasound imaging using pulse compression"
(1993).Electronic Letters, vol. 29 (), pp. 649-651

Cowell, D. M. J and Freear, S (2008) Quinary excitation method for pulse
compression ultrasound measurements. Ultrasonics, 48 (2). 98 108

Vera, B and Dan, A, Parameter optimization of pulse compression in ultrasound imaging
systems with coded excitation, Ultrsonics, vol 42, pp 1101-1109, 2004.
Kaushik Mahata
Title: KM-02 Target Tracking Using Passive Acoustic Sensor

Networks
Assumed 1. Proficiency in low level programming
knowledge: 2. Background in signal processing
3. Basic understanding of linear algebra
Software
Simulation
Literature Search
Group
Description:
This project aims to develop a simple wireless sensor network consisting of possibly a
large number of sensor nodes. Each sensor node is essentially a cheap infra-red transreceiver equipped with a microphone. Each node listens to the acoustic wave incident on
it, and transmits few pieces of information to its neighbouring nodes. The objective of
this information exchange process is to locate the acoustic wave sources within the
range of the network. The problem is to devise the communication protocols and
relevant signal processing algorithms to accomplish the objective.
Outcomes:
Firstly we expect that an elaborate literature review will be produced. The literature
review should also be accompanied by comprehensive Matlab simulation codes that will
allow the users to compare various existing methods in the literature. Subsequently, the
student is expected to implement the network on hardware platform.
Expect to devote some significant amount of time on this project as apart from hardware
implementations, the student will have to learn many new concepts in Signal Processing
and filtering theory.
Resources:
If interested, contact Kaushik to get a detailed list of references.
Kaushik Mahata
Title: KM-03 Wireless Communication Laboratory

Assumed 1. Good understanding of layered communication
knowledge: architecture
2. Confidence in Signal Processing, particularly on Fourier
techniques
3. Proficiency in low level programming
Software
Simulation
Literature Search
Group
Description:
The purpose of the project is to develop a user-friendly hardware platform that can be
used in a laboratory to teach wireless communication systems and layered
communication architecture. This starts from the basics like setting up a simple wireless
link between two stations and continues until the point where several wireless stations
can share a common wireless channel and communicate among each other using some
high level protocol, extends further to inter-networking with IP. The hardware platform
should allow the students to experiment with and thereby gain hands-on experience on
implementation level details of a wireless communication system.
Outcomes:
The project is fairly open ended. However, we expect the student to produce an emulator
of a simple cell. This cell has a base-station which communicates with multiple wireless
subscriber stations using a OFDM based physical layer. The emulator should be flexible
to allow the users to play various aspects of communication protocols..
Resources:
1. To know basics of physical layer, and coding techniques see Gallagher's book on
digital communications, available from the MIT OpenCourseware website.
2. A nice overview of layered communication architecture is given in Computer
Networks and Internets by D. Comer (available in the library)
Rick Middleton
Title:
Supervisor:
Industry Sponsor:
Assumed knowledge:
Type of Project:
No. of Students:
RM-01 Distributed Load Management

Rick Middleton
ELEC3720, ELEC3240, ELEC4400
Hardware
Software
Simulation
Literature Search
Single
Group
Description:
Load management, that is automatic adjustment of user loads based on grid signals,
is an important opportunity to manage increasing variability in renewable energy
supply. To achieve coordination of user load, various schemes have been proposed.
Centralised schemes require all participating users to upload information on current
and future requirements to a distributor who then runs an optimisation and
downloads commands to all users. To avoid the information sharing required, and
the high communications overhead, a number of distributed algorithms have been
developed. These achieve near optimal performance, with very low communications
overhead, and one way (download only) communications.
The aim of this project is to build and test a small scale electronics version of a small
power system, with controllable loads, a centralised monitor, and Ethernet over
power communications.
Resources: Personal computer, Electronics
Additional item: Matlab Simulation, Saber or similar circuit simulation
References:
A flexible distributed framework for realising electric and plug-in hybrid vehicle
charging policies
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00207179.2012.679970
Rick Middleton
Title:
Supervisor:
Industry Sponsor:
Assumed knowledge:
Type of Project:
No. of Students:
RM-02 Distributed Sensing for remote Power System

Fault Detection
Rick Middleton
ResTech
Hardware
Software
Simulation
Literature Search
Single
Group
Description:
Remote area power supplies, such as Single Wire Earth Return (SWER) pose complex
issues for fault detection. In remote areas, long line lengths may give significant fault
impedance. In some cases, faults (e.g. conductor in contact with ground) may have a
relatively high impedance, and it may not be a simple matter to determine fault status
simply from the current magnitude in the line.
A more complex array of sensors, ideally wireless, and using either power scavenging or
making use of line power, could be used to sense more detailed information than simple
50Hz current magnitude, to allow more detailed fault determination.
Resources: Resources: Personal computer, simulations (Matlab/Simulink, Saber or

similar), electronics hardware construction
References:
Rick Middleton
Title:
Supervisor:
Industry Sponsor:
Assumed knowledge:
Type of Project:
No. of Students:
RM-03 Hi Fidelity Class-D Audio Amplifier

Rick Middleton
ELEC3720, ELEC3240, ELEC4400
Hardware
Software
Simulation
Literature Search
Single
Group
Description:
Class D Amplifiers often use Pulse Width Modulation or Sigma Delta conversion to
convert an analog audio signal to a switching signal. This project has several phases:
(i)
Review of existing Class D technologies
(ii)
Idealised simulation (Matlab) of Class D audio
(iii)
Extended feedback design for high fidelity using techniques such as model
predictive control/finite alphabet control
(iv)
Detailed simulation (in Saber or another circuits simulation package)
(v)
Hardware construction using programmable logic devices or DSP as
appropriate to convert a digital audio signal to a hi performance class D
amplifier.
Resources: Personal computer, Electronics

Additional item: Matlab Simulation, Saber or similar circuit simulation
References:
Galina Mirzaeva
Title: GM-01 Flux Optimization for Variable Speed AC

Drive
Supervisor: Galina Mirzaeva
Industry Sponsor:
Assumed ELEC3130, ELEC4100 desirable
knowledge:
Software
Simulation
Literature Search
Group
Description:
Current control in variable speed AC drives is based on separate control of two quadrature
current components: torque producing current (fast changing) and magnetising current, which is
typically kept constant. It is argued that, by using the magnetising current as an extra degree of
freedom, additional advantages can be achieved. In particular, the AC drive can be made more
power efficient.
As a result, big brands of AC drives introduced additional mode to their drive operation called flux
optimisation. Customers are interested in this option but they need to know how much power
they can actually save by using it, under a typical scenario of their drive application.
This project is aimed at theoretical study and experimental comparison of an AC drive with and
without flux optimization, under different conditions.
The student working on this project should start with study of the theory of flux optimization and
literature review on the subject. Then the student is expected to implement the current controlled
AC drive, with and without flux optimization, in MatLab or Saber simulation environment. By
simulating the drive performance under different levels of speed and load, power consumption
and efficiency should be studied.
For the advanced option of this project, laboratory implementation and experimental studies
should be included.
Outcomes:
- Literature review on flux optimization;
-
Computer simulations of AC drive with and without flux optimization;
Laboratory implementation and experimental results;
Conclusions about the effect of flux optimization on power efficiency
Resources:
- Matlab/Simulink (or other) simulation software;
-
Electrical machines lab.
Galina Mirzaeva
Title: GM-02 Optimal Pulse Width Modulation for a Three
Phase Inverter
Industry Sponsor:
Assumed ELEC3130 assumed, ELEC4160 desirable
knowledge:
Software
Simulation
Literature Search
Group
Description:
This is a theory + simulation project.
The most common Pulse Width Modulation strategies are Carrier-based PWM (CPWM) and
Space Vector Modulation (SVM). Both are well understood and their theoretical spectra can be
calculated. There are areas, however, where CPWM and SVM do not provide acceptable
harmonic performance, such as very low switching frequency drives. An alternative PWM strategy
is based on optimization of the switching pattern to minimize harmonic distortion and to exclude
certain harmonics, called Optimal PWM (OPWM) with Selective Harmonic Elimination (SHE).
A student attempting the project will do a review of available literature on OPWM with SHE. Then,
for given parameters of the system, a theoretical solution for the optimal switching pattern should
be developed.
OPWM implementation without and with SHE should be implemented in the chosen simulation
environment (Saber or MatLab) and demonstrated to meet the specified requirements.
Outcomes:
- Review of the relevant theory;
-
Software solutions of the optimization problem in any language (a MatLab script is

preferred but not mandatory);
Computer simulation of OPWM and OPWM with SHE;
Resources:
- Computer with software environment;
-
Saber and Matlab simulation software;
Additional item:
Galina Mirzaeva
Title: GM-03 Dynamic Dynamometer for Testing
Industrial Motors
Industry Sponsor:
Assumed ELEC3130, ELEC4400 desirable
knowledge:
Software
Simulation
Literature Search
Group of two
Description:
To determine the resource and performance issues of an industrial motor, it is tested in the lab
under cyclic loading conditions. These conditions should be somewhat similar to the actual
operation conditions of the machine. A realistic way to implement such a system is to
mechanically couple two machines back to back, one being the test machine and the other
serving as a load.
An adequate machine-load representation poses an interesting control problem. The controls of
the two machines should be connected together in one loop. The system is called a dynamic
dynamometer. Different control implementations are known from literature.
The student should start with literature review of dynamic dynamometer control and develop a
good understanding of the problem and implementations.
Then, for Medium difficulty, a simulation in MatLab or Saber environment is expected.
For Difficult to Challenging, a PLC should be programmed to combine the control loops of the two
drives. This PLC should be tested with the lab machines on a test bed.
Depending on the number of students (one or two) there will be some variation of the scope to
make it achievable.
Outcomes:
- Literature review of the dynamic dynamometer control;
-
Computer simulation of the dynamic dynamometer;
Hardware prototype developed and tested.
Resources:
- Matlab/Simulink (or other) simulation software;
-
Two machines mechanically coupled and with separate digital drives are available.
Additional item:
Galina Mirzaeva
Title: GM-04 Random PWM Strategies for an Induction
Motor Drive
Industry Sponsor:
Assumed ELEC3130 assumed, ELEC4160 desirable
knowledge:
Software
Simulation
Literature Search
Group:
Description:
This project comes down to programming an existing AC drive with different control algorithms.
The most common Pulse Width Modulation strategies are Carrier-based PWM (CPWM) and
Space Vector Modulation (SVM). Both are well understood and their theoretical spectra can be
calculated. There are areas, however, where CPWM and SVM do not provide acceptable
harmonic performance, for instance, Electric Vehicle application where discrete harmonic spectra
generated by CPWM and SVM cause acoustic noise and EMI problems.
This project will look at PWM options that result in distributed harmonic spectra - Random PWM.
First a literature review of RPWM techniques will be expected. Then three students will look at
three different RPWM implementations: SVM with random variation of switching period/pulse
position; Sigma-Delta Modulator with variable switching period; and Feedback Quantizer PWM
with high pass filter.
A working simulation and an induction motor drive with working software will be available. It is
expected from the students, by modify the simulation model, to implement their versions of PWM.
Then, by modifying the drive software, to implement their versions of PWM for a laboratory
demonstration.
Outcomes:
- Review of the relevant theory;
-
Saber simulations of proposed PWM strategy;
Software implementation of proposed PWM strategy with lab demonstration;
Resources:
- Saber simulation software;
-
Laboratory drive with working control software.
Additional item:
Duy Ngo
Title: DN-01 Wireless Healthcare Monitoring Systems
Supervisor: Duy Ngo
Assumed Microcontroller design, wireless communication,
knowledge: programming
Software
Simulation
Literature Search
Group
Description:
There has been an increased demand for in-home healthcare monitoring solutions,
especially for aged people and those suffering from chronic diseases (e.g., asthma,
diabetes, heart attacks). The objective of this project is to develop a wireless system that
allows for the continuous supervising and monitoring of the patient health. Real-time
data are to be collected from biomedical wireless sensors, sent via wireless links to
receiving modules, and interpreted and displayed for medical personnel or family
members.
The expected outcomes include:
1. Developing a hardware prototype of minimal physical size which causes
minimal EMI (electromagnetic interference) with sensitive equipment. The
prototype includes a microcontroller that interfaces between biomedical
sensors and wireless devices.
2. Developing network topologies and protocols that reliably transmit the data
collected from multiple sensors to multiple receivers in real time. Possible
options include Bluetooth/Zigbee/WiFi. The coexistence issues among the same
communication system as well as with other wireless systems should be
considered.
3. Developing software to analyse the collected data and a user interface to
display the interpreted data on various platforms (e.g. computers, smart
devices) locally and remotely.
Lawrence Ong
Title: LO-01 High-speed video streaming using pre-fetching
and caching
Supervisor: Lawrence Ong
Assumed
knowledge:
Software
Simulation
Literature Search
Group
Description:
Due to the increase in media file sizes and wider adoption of IPTV, maintaining
smooth streams of video transmissions to multiple clients simultaneously is a
challenging task for service providers. This project aims to ease the bandwidth
requirements by studying the clients' profiles (e.g., which videos each client is most
likely to watch), strategically pre-populating videos to intermediate relay nodes and
clients' devices, and minimising transmissions from the server based on clients' cache
and demand using network coding.
The level of difficulty of this project depends partly on the type of network (wired,
wireless, or mixed) chosen.
Outcomes Expected:
A video-streaming system employing pre-fetching and caching.
Lawrence Ong
Title: LO-02 Wireless Communications for Vessel Towage
Operation
Supervisors: Dr Lawrence Ong (principal supervisor),
Dr Yuen Kuan Yong (co-supervisor)
Assumed knowledge: ELEC3720, ELEC3540, ELEC3550, ELEC4210
Software
Simulation
Literature Search
Group
Campus: Callaghan
Description:
Svitzer is a global market leader within towage and emergency response with 4,000
employees and a tugboat fleet of 430 vessels and operations all over the world.
Currently, during the towage operation, the Marine Pilot manoeuvres the vessel by
communicating with the Tug Masters rough positions and the engine output level of
the tugboats, through a walkie-talkie.
As part of the Smart Tug Project, the tugboats will be equipped with communication
technology, and precise information of the tugboats (positions, angular propeller
speed, thrust direction, etc) will be transmitted to the cloud. The data will then be
made available to (i) the Marine Pilot in real time to better direct the tugboats in
manoeuvring the vessel, and (ii) the office after the towage service to analyse the
efficiency of the towage operation.
The student will be able to work closely with Switzer engineers and will get the
opportunity of regular site visits to get an understanding of the real-world problem.
Lawrence Ong
Expected Outcomes:
automatic real-time uploading of vessels information to the cloud
a GUI for the Marine Pilot, showing real-time information of the tugboats and
the vessel
analyses of the towage operation (fuel efficiency, towage duration, etc)
(optional) obstacle avoidance and alert system through cameras installed on
tugboats
(optional) cost analyses and pricing of the towage operation
Terry Summers
Terrys projects are in a separate pdf document
James Welsh
Title: JW-01 Frequency Response Analysis of Electrical

Machines
Supervisor: James Welsh
Assumed ELEC3130, ELEC4410 (semester 2 enrolment
Software
Simulation
Literature Search
Group
Description:
Frequency Response Analysis (FRA) is a method that is utilised in industry to evaluate
the mechanical and electrical integrity of an electrical machine. Essentially, by
measuring the electrical transfer function over a wide frequency range a fingerprint of
the machine can be obtained. A change in this fingerprint at some time in the future
indicates that a change has occurred in the electrical and/or mechanical structures of the
machine. The tests associated with FRA are usually conducted offline, i.e. when the
machine is not operating.
This project will investigate the application of online FRA. It will involve the
development of algorithms, in Matlab, to interpret the frequency response a machine.
Hardware may need to be designed and constructed to facilitate the connection of the
test equipment to the machine when it is operating under normal conditions.
Outcomes Expected:
1. Survey and literature review of Frequency Response Analysis of electrical machines;
2. Development of algorithms in Matlab for the purpose of utilising the FRA to detect
faults;
3. Design of interfacing hardware.
James Welsh
Title: JW-02 Reconfigurable Control System for an
Autonomous Vehicle
Supervisor: James Welsh
Assumed ELEC3730,
ELEC4410
(semester
2
enrolment
Software
Simulation
Literature Search
Group
Description:
This project involves the design and implementation of a reconfigurable control system
in an autonomous vehicle. The purpose of the reconfigurable control system is to
provide the vehicle with a degree of robustness with respect to faults that can occur
within the onboard systems. The vehicle must remain autonomous even in the presence
of faults.
The project will utilise an autonomous vehicle equipped with two microcontrollers, an
ATMega128, which handles sensor readings and motor control, and a Nios II, which
handles the control system. The microcontrollers communicate via SPI, with the Nios II
being the master.
Outcomes Expected:
1). Modelling of the vehicle;
2). Development of a simple path planning navigation system;
3). Development of a basic control system for the vehicle;
4). Implementation of a fault detection algorithm;
5). Design of a reconfigurable control system.
James Welsh
Title:
Supervisor:
Industry Sponsor:
Assumed
knowledge:
Type of Project:
No. of Students:
JW-03 Nerve Receptor in vivo Stimuli

James Welsh
n/a
ELEC4210,
ELEC4410
(semester
2
enrolment
recommended)
Hardware
Software
Simulation
Literature Search
Single
Group
Description:
Researchers in the School of Biomedical Sciences are studying, in vivo, nerve signals
sent to the brain in response to external stimuli. Currently the devices they use for
stimuli are manual and not integrated within their measurement system
This project involves the design, development and construction of a device to interface
with their current test equipment to supply the necessary stimulus. A new suite of
devices is required which have the ability to consistently give the same stimulus for
predetermined sets of time. It is also necessary that the magnitude of stimulus be readily
adjustable.
Outcomes:
1). Design of hardware to meet a set specifications to be determined by the School of
Biomedical Sciences.
2). Construction of hardware.
3). Interfacing of hardware to the existing measurement system.
Aurecon
AU-1. Multifunction Precision AC Waveform Analyser

Two devices are required here one is effectively a waveform analysing multimeter that needs to
be able to have adjustable inputs and determine various waveform parameters such as +ve pk
-ve pk, RMS, Ave and DC. The unit will be able to determine in-phase and out-of-phase
components of the waveform to enable impedance to be determined. Impedance should be
able to be determined at any desired frequency within the AC bandwidth. The unit therefore
needs a synchronising input which can be either a 1 per sec pulse from a GPS or an external
AC input. It is anticipated that the unit will be made using an ARM processor and display results
on a graphical display.
Outcomes: Working prototype
Level of Difficulty: Moderate.
AU-2. Impulse Measuring System
A measuring device is needed to perform automatic impulse waveform parametrisation that will
accept an impulse signal which has a rise time of ~1.2uS and automatically determines its
parameters in accordance with the IEC standard 60060-1, 60060-2 and 61083-2. The device
will have to qualify in accordance with the requirements of the ISO Guide to Uncertainty
Measurement.
AU-3. Partial Discharge Analysis System
Proposed By : Joe Tusek, Aurecon
A system based on using a commercially sourced high speed DSP with integral FPGA (such as
X3-10M from Innovative Integration) to analyse in real time partial discharge pulses and store
individual pulse data to a hard disk. The project involves getting a detailed understanding of the
DSP FPGA board and programming it to perform the required tasks. The partial discharges are
occurring at a rate of up to 1000s per second and have a bandwidth of <1MHz.
Once the hardware is working then there is the opportunity to perform analysis, digital filtering
including adaptive filtering.
AU-4. Magnetic Field Mapping System
Make an instrumentation system that can be dragged or pulled along the ground whilst
measuring magnetic fields from currents of about 100mA or more from a distance of 0.5m. The
unit must be able to determine its location within 100mm over a grid of approximately
30mx30m.
The results of the measurement will be a plot of the magnetic field strength under the areas
traversed by the system.
The source of current injection into the grid is controllable and thus can be adjusted for the best
effect
Outcomes: Finished system.
Aurecon
Level of Difficulty: Medium.
AU-5. ICNIRP compliant LF EMF field strength meter
Build a handheld ICNIRP compliant magnetic field strength meter to measure DC and AC
magnetic and AC electric field. ICNIRP requires that a frequency dependant limit applies to
magnetic field exposure thus an instrument that can measure a range of frequencies at once
and check for compliance is required. This basically requires the instrument be designed as a
type of spectrum analyser either using FFT or sweep frequency. The advantage of FFT is that it
uses and then can potentially store the waveforms in a log. Phase information is also of
interest. This project will require the development of sensors or integration of commercial
sensors.
Specifications:
DC 3-axis 1nT 10T, 0-1Hz, accuracy 3% up to 0.2T, 10% up to 10T
AC 3-axis 1nT 10T, 1 (1, 10, 30) 400kHz (1MHz desirable), accuracy 3% up to 0.2T, 10%
up to 10T
Electric Field AC 1-100kV/m, (1,10,30) 400kHz (1MHz desirable) accuracy 3% up to
20kV/m, 10 % up to 100kV/m.
Measure as % INCNIRP and 3-axis + resultant, store results and download to computer.
Should store settings information with measurement results. Be able to store results into
internal (non-volatile memory). ICNIRP limits should be able to be augmented through
computer to upload different limits as desired. Comparable commercial units, SPECTRAN (NF5030) and NARDA (ELT-400), HIOKI
Level of Difficulty: Medium if going for proof of concept, difficult if going for a polished
integrated product.
AU-6. 30kV Amplifier DC - 0.1Hz, 10mA
Stage 1: An amplifier able to produce 0-30kV, 10mA into a resistive or capacitive load.
Voltage and current to the load should be measured in a manner that makes them available for
monitoring by a computer. Aurecon has a circuit diagram that outlines the design, the
components needs to specified, the amplifier constructed and tested.
Stage 2: Software program to control a data acquisition card to enable the source to be used in
tests and to record values during its use.
AU-7. Isolated Signal Conditioning System for DSP applications
The project is the development of a signal conditioning system to be used with a standard SSH
data acquisition card. The project would involve the design and construction of the hardware,
development of the PCB, design of software for the control of the interface and testing. The
objective is to develop a system that has low noise and is robust enough to be used by CWPPI
in routine testing tasks. This is the first stage that will lead to the design of a 200MSample
module that will need to work at voltages up to 1MV for application within our high voltage
laboratory.
Aurecon
Specifications - Analogue signal conditioning module with the following
USB control of gain, offset, AAF frequency
16 bit resolution
24 channel
Isolated to 2kV
6 inputs capable of 1kVAC continuous inputs
100kHz bandwidth
Adjustable antialiasing filters
CMRR >140dB DC, >100dB 50Hz, >90db 10kHz and >60dB 50kHz
Outcomes: Working prototype of at least 2 channels.
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
AU-8. Time Domain Reflectometer
Build a time domain reflectometer that will enable testing of up to 5 km of XLPE cable and
identify splice joints and faults. The system should be able to generate pulses up to 200V with
rise times of 5ns. The system should allow for an oscilloscope to be used for data acquisition
and if time allows software for data processing in Matlab for finding fault and joint locations.
Aurecon
AU-9. High Performance Frequency Transducer

Description: The project is to make a high precision frequency transducer and PLL which can
accept a variety of input waveforms and produce an analogue output that is a precise measure
of the frequency. An example is that a once per revolution 50Hz position encoder signal is
provided and the unit should be able to resolve the frequency to better than 0.01% of the input
frequency. There are of course complications such as noise, jitter in the input signal and
variations in the signal with speed. Depending on how the project is tackled it could be either
done as a hardware implementation or it could be done with a DSP card. The DSP approach
allows for many more adjustable elements and advanced filtering of the input.
Outcomes: Working prototype.
Level of Difficulty: Moderate Hard depending on approach.
AU-10. Precision Multi-phase Test Source
Description: The project is to develop a multiphase computer controlled source that can
produce precision high power signals. These outputs would be used to test the response of
protection relays or calibrate power meters. In this regard the source will have to be able to
produce 7 voltages of up to 240VAC 60VA and 6 currents of up to 15A each. The controlling
source is expected to be an isolated multiphase on-board arbitrary waveform generator that will
allow waveforms to be phase shifted to a level of better than 0.1 deg at 50Hz. Standard
waveforms at 50Hz should have no material phase error relative to 120degree separation of
phases. Amplitude of all signals should be able to be varied independently.
The accuracy of waveforms provided as a three phase power set (3V + 3I) should be <0.03%.
The sets of three waveforms such as voltage and currents should be isolated from each other
to at least 500VAC. The arbitrary wave function should have a bandwidth of 1.5kHz.
As this is a challenging project, the power supplies will not be considered as part of the project.
Outcomes: Working isolated multiphase arbitrary waveform generator with software for
control. Precision voltage and current amplifiers.
Level of Difficulty: Difficult
AU-11. 3 phase transformer ratiometer
Description: The ratios of large power transformers have to be measured in the field to an
accuracy better than 0.1%. This measurement has to be often made in the presence of a
considerable amount of noise as well as standing voltages as high 20VAC (sourcing up to
100mA). This project is to build a unit capable of measuring 3 phase or single phase
transformer ratios for normal and phase shifting transformers.
This will require the application of DSP principles to deal with the noise scenario and the design
and manufacture of hardware.
Aurecon
AU-12. Variable Voltage Variable Frequency Source Control System Conversion

Proposed By : Joe Tusek, Aurecon PPI
Description: Aurecon has a 200kVA 415VAC single-phase output VVVF source that is
controlled by an obsolete DEC Alpha computer system. The project is to re-engineer the
control system around a current PWM motor drive integrated circuit or some other up to date
method. The project is fairly involved and requires a person with a high degree of aptitude in
electronics systems and design. The testing will be carried out under controlled conditions
before a final full power trial. It is envisaged that a laptop computer using a fibre optic cable
interface will control the test source.
Outcomes: Working prototype replace control card.
Level of Difficulty: Difficult.
Probably Post Graduate
AU-13. Robust Industrial Voltage/Current Amplifier
The project is to develop a robust, general purpose 2 kW, 0 - 5kHz , switchmode amplifier able
to drive any load including a direct short circuit continuously. Aurecon has been using audio
style amplifiers but they are subject to instability and fragility when used in industrial
applications. The project is to design and prototype a high power amplifier that will be stable
driving any load up to its protective limits including highly reactive loads. The ability to use
current or voltage feedback is a feature of the required design.
Outcomes: Prototype
AU-14. Precision calibration systems for measurement of fundamental electrical
quantities
In electrical metrology there is often a need for very high levels of precision when making
measurements such as used in calibration of other instrumentation. This project allows a
student to work through various measured quantities such as voltage, current, resistance,
capacitance, inductance and scale factor required to support the operations of a NATA
registered calibration laboratory. The outcomes would be test systems, circuits, software and
uncertainty calculations supporting the measured quantities.
A particular desired system is a voltage transformer and current transformer accuracy
measurement system.
In order to support this work the student would have access to precision standards and bridges
used by the Aurecons high voltage laboratory. Suit a student interested in precision
measurement systems. As a resource, there are many IEEE papers suggesting test methods
and system designs.
Outcomes: Measurement systems, software and documentation.
Level of Difficulty: Moderate to High.
Aurecon
AU-15. Dielectric Dissipation Factor Calibration System
In high voltage equipment a measurement is often made of a quantity called Dielectric
Dissipation Factor and there are very accurate instruments available to measure them. These
instruments though need to be calibrated and as to be able to demonstrate linearity the
calibration must be able to occur at many points on each range. The most comprehensive way
to achieve this is to have a two controlled current sources that can produce currents up from
mA to 10s A each and for one of those current to be controllable in phase and magnitude
relative to the other current in a stable and precise way. The currents must be able to be set at
a frequency from 10Hz to 300Hz and the phase must difference be able to be controlled to
within 0.01 mrad and stable to within 0.01 mrad.
Thus this nominally requires the development of stable controllable AC current sources with a
system of varying the phase and amplitude under control of say a sample front control panel.
Level of Difficulty: Moderate if made from modules; hard if made from discrete components.
AU-16. Low resistance meter calibrator
Make an instrumentation system that is based on active components that will be able to be
used to calibrate meters to a precision of better than 0.1%. The device would nominally
measure the current passing from the current terminal of the micro-ohm meter and then
produce a voltage that is proportional to that simulating the resistance.
The device should be able to,
Measure and report the current

Work with either polarity of DC current
Simulate to resistances
Work with currents up 100A
Be able to dissipate up to 1kW continuously.

Level of Difficulty: Easy
AU-17. Motor Current Spectral Analysis Software
Motor current spectral analysis requires the measurement of the motor current on an induction
motor and then performing high resolution spectral analysis of the current to identify various
defects. The difficulty is that the location of the spectral lines of interest moves in time with the
speed of the motor. The speed of the motor is being affected by the frequency of the power
supply and the load on the motor, these may both be dynamic to varying degrees.
The objective of the project is to produce Matlab code and a GUI that can be used to identify
these spectral lines in the presence of changes in speed and noise. The application must work
with data that has been synchronously and asynchronously sampled (relative to supply).
Typically you would want to be able to identify 50Hz fundamental and sidebands varying
between 0.5Hz and 1.5Hz with high accuracy.
It is anticipated that this will involve data resampling, filtering, frequency estimation and spectral
estimation techniques.
Outcomes: Working software.
Aurecon
Level of Difficulty: Medium, depending on approach.
AU-18. Lockin Amplifier
Lockin amplifiers are commonly used in precision scientific measurements and are able to be
constructed using relatively simple systems. They are renowned for their ability to recover
signals buried in over 100dB of noise.
The purpose of this project is to build an analogue based lockin amplifier using the Analogue
Devices AD630 balanced modulator demodulator. The project can be staged and encompass
many aspects of a commercial lockin amplifier such as,
1) Analogue lockin amplifier able to measure in-phase and quadrature components
2) USB or switch controllable variable gain amplifier front end.
3) Precision digital low harmonic distortion internal frequency generator
4) Means of phase shifting relative to reference oscillator, analogue or digital.
Outcomes: Working lockin system, with USB controllable gain amplifier.
AU-19. Scanning Tunnelling Microscope (STM)
Fun thing to make, aim for atomic scale resolution, can make based on simple design. STM
are often used to probe atomic scale surfaces to study the fundamental structure of
components. There have been many homemade STM projects published and the Uni of
Newcastle has also done some research in the area around controlling the piezo actuators
used to control the probe.
Make hardware including mechanical components

Reconstruct images using Matlab.
Outcomes: Reconstructed image of surface profile of an integrated circuit

AU-20. Floating Point ADC
Many signals have very high dynamic range and are required to be acquired at high speed. In
order to facilitate this requirement it is an advantage to have a conversion system that applies
pre-scaling multipliers to bring the signal into the range of the A/D converter, and then store the
conversion result and an exponent which is the required gain. This approach promises to
facilitate fast conversation over wide dynamic range signals with good accuracy.
The project involves
Reference papers
High-Resolution Floating-Point ADC, Voicu Z. Groza, IEEE Inst and Meas Trans
High resolution floating point ADC, S.Nandakumar
Experimental Determination of Synchronous Machine Reactances from DC Decay at
Standstill Voicu Z. Groza, IEEE
Floating-Point Analog-to-Digital Converter, Johan Piper 19 November 2004, These
Outcomes: Build working prototype with 12 bit ADC and 8 bit exponent, 100kS/S
Aurecon
AU-21. High Gain Amplifier with X-Y display and sweep unit
The test group uses old Tettex 5517 electronic galvanometer in conjunction with manual
bridges for measuring dielectric dissipation factor of insulation. This device consists of a small
oscillographic display with a range of gain settings from 1 to 10,000. These devices are very
old and by modern standards are about 10 times bigger and heavier than they need to be. We
are seeking someone to design a module to plug into an oscilloscope to replace these units.
Typically the functions would include
Amplifier with gains 1 to 10,000 in steps 1, 10, 100, 1000, 10,000

Low noise design
Switchable bandpass filter able to be tuned from 40Hz - 60Hz in 0.1 Hz steps
As an extension, complete the unit by building in its own x-y display to make it self
contained.
Outcomes: Working boxed up unit

AU-22. 4 Channel pk and RMS ratio calibration system
In a high voltage laboratory there are a number of high voltage sources and metering systems
which are based on high voltage dividers. These dividers may be magnetic voltage
transformers or very stable capacitive dividers.
When these need calibration, it is very advantageous to have peak reading voltmeters and a
display of the ratio to 4 significant figures or higher. Typically a system may contain
A commercial multichannel 16 bit or higher data acquisition card with simultaneous
sample and hold (could use Aurecon 16 bit acquisition system)
precision low temperature coefficient shunt capacitors for use with the capacitor
dividers
Labview GUI for running the test and recording the results
Means of calibrating each input channel to attain the highest possible precision and
accuracy
It is anticipated that as part of this project you will manufacture three, low temperature
coefficient, high stability capacitors, two of 1uF 100VAC and the other of 500nF 100VAC.
These are typically made using many very stable capacitors in parallel hand chosen to balance
out temperature coefficients.
Outcomes: Working unit and 1uF and 500nF very low temperature coefficient standard
capacitors
AU-23. Microwave Thermography System
A paper was published about a decade ago showing a microwave thermography system that
was used to measure the internal temperature profile of high voltage current transformers
through the external porcelain whilst in service. This is an important capability for condition
monitoring of high voltage transformer bushings and current transformers. The objective is to
measure the vertical temperature profile within the CT through the porcelain shell.
The system comprised two microwave antennas that where moved by a mechanical scanner.
The thermal noise voltage from each antenna was processed in a way that ensured that a
narrow area of the CT was being measured at any one time and converted the resulting signal
into a temperature. The resulting temperature profile was overlayed over an image of the
current transformer.
Aurecon
This project would suit a student with a strong interest in microwaves and sound understanding
of RF measurements.
Outcomes: One demonstration result from a field measurement at a local switchyard.
Level of Difficulty: Medium Hard.
AU-24. Vector Voltmeter
Build a system that can interface to a notebook computer (based on commercial data
acquisition module) that accepts voltages from mV to 600VAC and will use one input as a
phase reference and the other for measurement.
The signal being measured may be buried in noise and thus filtering will be required.
The project involves hardware design (signal conditioning), digital filtering and software
(LabView).
Outcomes: Working unit
AU-25. Synchronising system
In field measurements there is often a requirement to distribute a trigger or phase signal to
various instruments that are not in the same location. In many systems these days this is
performed using GPS but when the measurements are performed in doors the GPS signal is
not often available for distributed. The project is to come up with a system (possibly using RF)
that can distribute a trigger and phase information over a distance of 2 km in open fields and
300m within buildings.
For a system to work well there needs to be a quantification of delays and the ability to
synchronise units.
Outcomes: Demonstration prototype
Level of Difficulty: Easy, depending on approach.
AU-26. Eye Tracking System
Long distance drivers are often subject to fatigue, a system that monitors eye movement could
be used to alert to loss of concentration. This project is to develop hardware that is based on a
pair of glasses or similar that can identify the position of the drivers pupils and give metrics in
relation to attention. It is envisaged that the project might be built around some miniature CCD
PCB type cameras and that the outputs be processed in a Raspberry Pi microcomputer.
Outcomes: Demonstration prototype
Level of Difficulty: Moderate to difficult depending on approach.
Safearth
Safearth Consulting Honours Projects 2016

The following honours projects are being offered by Safearth Consulting. These
projects offer the student the opportunity to work closely with an industrial partner
on real world problems with potentially valuable solutions. The following conditions
will be applicable:
1. All IP will be retained by Safearth Consulting.
2. All documentation shall be completed in LyX.
3. Field testing and verification of all projects is expected.
4. Ongoing involvement with Safearth staff will be required.
Safearth
Title:
SE-01 Soil Resistivity Modelling Shifting to 3D
Supervisors: Darren Woodhouse + elected co-supervisor

Industry Sponsor: Safearth Consulting
Assumed knowledge:
Hardware
Type of Project:
Software
Simulation
Literature Search
Single
No. of Students:
Group (2 students)
Campus: Callaghan.
Description:
The electrical resistivity of soils is important to understanding the response of any
buried object through which current passes. Predicting this response is important to
such areas as earthing system, lightning dissipation and corrosion.
Electrically soils are usually layered horizontally, aligning with the geological
structure. Current modelling techniques use a minimum of 2 horizontal layers to
great effect. However, in some instances more layers are required. Extracting soil
models with more than two layers from field test data is a complex problem.
This project will look at various methods for extracting multiple (> 2) layer soil
models from test data.
This project will focus on extending current capabilities so that more complex soil
structures can be modelled, including interpretation of Ground Penetrating Radar
(GPR) data. An interest in mathematical modelling and programming (preferably in
C#) will be beneficial to this project.
Outcomes:
Modelling of complex soil structures from various data sources.
Field verification of modelling.
Resources:
Matlab/EMTP
Programming
Safearth
Title:
SE-02 Rating of Live Surge Arrestors

Assumed knowledge:
Hardware
Type of Project:
Software
Simulation
Literature Search
Single
No. of Students:
Group (2 students)
Campus: Callaghan.
Description:
Transients in electrical transmission networks, such as lightning surges, can be
mitigated by the appropriate placement of surge arresters. Being connected to a
power system these arresters must be capable of handling the surge energy and the
power follow through that occurs during their on period. This project will look at how
to rate surge arresters in situ.
A potential extension will be to look at modelling surge arrester response when fired
by an earth fault event rather than a transient event. An interest in mathematical
modelling and programming (preferably in C#) will be beneficial to this project.
Outcomes:
Modelling of surge arrester firing conditions.
Comparison of field statistics and predicted failure rates.
Resources:
Matlab/EMTP
Programming
Safearth
Title:
SE-03 Lightning Surge Detection

Assumed knowledge:
Hardware
Type of Project:
Software
Simulation
Literature Search
Single
No. of Students:
Group (2 students)
Campus: Callaghan.
Description:
To quote the infamous
Lightning is cool until it hits you!
Unfortunately the nature of lightning is such that it doesnt have to hit sensitive objects,
including we humans, before it can do damage. This project will investigate means to
measure the nature of energy induced into metallic systems due to lightning strokes.
The aim is to build a lightning detector and correlate lightning strokes with the
detected/measured events. This project covers HV design, electronics and some
interesting challenges.
Outcomes:
Functional lightning detector.
Comparison between lightning strokes and detected events.
Resources:
Matlab/EMTP
Electronics/HV Design
A passion of lightning
Anditi
Title: AN-01 Distributed Image Matching and Processing

Techniques
Supervisor:
Industry Sponsor: Anditi
Assumed
knowledge:
Software
Simulation
Literature Search
Group
Description:
- The project involves a review of rapid image matching techniques such as those
used in driverless cars with a view to significantly reducing the time required for
processing imagery captured using remote sensing techniques. A good example
would be using information from images captured by UAVs (drones) to generate
high resolution 3D point clouds.
- Explore the feasibility of using distributed and parallelised processing techniques
to match imagery and generate point clouds working with the Anditi team and
using the Anditi platform.
Outcomes Expected:
- Overview of image matching techniques (such as Semi Global Matching) and
suitability of these techniques for parallel and distributed processing.
- Analysis of the performance of these techniques based on trials conducted with
the support of the Anditi team.
Anditi
Title: AN-02 LiDAR Feature Extraction
Supervisor:
Assumed
knowledge:
Software
Simulation
Literature Search
Group
Description:
The amount of LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) point cloud data being collected
is growing at a very fast rate. It is used in autonomous vehicles, space exploration, solar
potential analysis, vegetation analysis, terrain analysis, tree clearance, etc. There is a big
demand for extracting useful information from these massive point cloud datasets. The
major challenges are to classify and find features. The aim of this project is to develop a
series of algorithms/methods that will find predetermined features from point cloud
datasets, either from LiDAR in isolation or combined with imagery captured at the same
time. For example, it could be finding all the points that are power lines, fences, trees,
pedestrians, etc. The ideal candidate would have a good knowledge of C++.
Specifically students would be expected to:
- Implement algorithms from first principles to detect features in point clouds.
- Develop new point cloud analysis techniques.
- Test their new algorithms at scale with autonomous verification.
If time allows, the project could be extended to follow a number of more advanced paths
including (but not limited to):
- Investigate the possibility of using machine learning to detect point cloud
features.
Outcomes Expected:
- A medium level outcome would be two algorithms that are able to detect certain
types of features with a success rate greater than 80%.
- A challenging level outcome would be using machine learning to detect with a
success rate greater than 50% other types of features.
Anditi
Title: AN-03 Use of Wavelets derived from Raw Imagery for
Feature Detection using Machine and Deep Learning
Techniques
Supervisor:
Assumed
knowledge:
Software
Simulation
Literature Search
Group
Description:
- In generating compressed imagery formats such as ECW and JPEG2000, key
visual features of raw imagery are converted into digital wavelets and then
converted to Red Green Blue imagery in a format that closely matches what the
human eye perceives. Historically, machine learning has been used to try and
detect features (plants, buildings, etc) in ECW or JPEG2000 imagery along with
other sources of remote sensing data.
- The project involves exploring the use of wavelets derived directly from raw
imagery and other remote sensing sources as an input to machine learning and
deep learning techniques. If successful this will avoid the need to derive
information from processed data (such as ECW) which has already lost some of
the information contained in the raw data. It will also enable machine based
feature detection to be incorporated into workflows such as those used by the
Anditi platform to increase overall processing efficiency and reduce processing
time and the time required to deliver products.
- A performance comparison with the reference case of detection in standard
imagery should be included.
Outcomes Expected:
- Overview of machine learning and deep learning techniques using wavelets and
suitability of these techniques for parallel and distributed processing.
- Analysis of the performance of these techniques based on trials conducted with
the support of the Anditi team.
ResTech
Title:
Supervisor:
Industry Sponsor:
PS-01: Mathematical Models for Electrical Cables

Peter Stepien
ResTech
R Difficult (Credit to Distinction),
R Challenging (Distinction to High Distinction).
Assumed knowledge:
Software
R Simulation
R Literature Search
No. of Students: R Single
Group
Description:
The aim is to create mathematical models for multicore cables which can be used for
simulating electrical systems. Two methods will be developed to generate models. The
first method uses measurements of voltage/current under various cable core
configurations to generate the model. The second method uses the physical parameters
of the cable (such as conductor diameter, separation, permittivity of insulating material)
to generate the model. In both methods, models will be verified for accuracy by
comparing physical measurements with simulations using the models. LTspice or PSIM
will be used to simulate the models.
As a starting point, multicore cables with simpler geometries and electrical properties will
be explored. The ultimate aim is to develop mathematical models for mining cables,
such as Type 241 used as trailing cables in underground coal mines.
Outcomes Expected:
Develop procedures for generating cable models
measurements and from physical cable properties.
from
both
voltage/current
Resources:
Signal generator, power amplifier and oscilloscope for measuring cable characteristics.
Access to computer to run LTspice or PSIM.
Additional Items:
Sample cables will be provided.
References:
Olex Mining Catalogue
(http://www.olex.com.au/eservice/Australiaen_AU/fileLibrary/Download_540225169/Australasia/files/OLC12641_MiningCat_FA.pdf)
ResTech
Title: PS-02: Toolbox for Variable Speed Drive
Applications
Supervisor: Peter Stepien
Industry Sponsor: ResTech
Assumed
knowledge:
Software
R Simulation
R Literature Search
Group
Description:
The use of Variable Speed Drives (VSDs) in industry is becoming the norm for
most induction motor applications. Simulation models of industrial electrical
systems need to include models of VSDs, although there is a large variation in
VSDs design.
The aim is to develop simulation models for the various components of a VSD to
allow for any possible VSD configuration to be simulated. This includes
developing models for different front end stages (such as 6-pulse, 12-pulse and
active front end) and various modulation schemes. Example configurations will
be developed to demonstrate the performance of the model for various power
systems (such as MEM and IT) and the use of common mode filters. The
models will be developed for LTspice or PSIM.
Outcomes Expected:
A toolbox of models for LTspice/PSIM with components of VSD to allow a
complete VSD to be simulated. Example configurations ready to use to be
provided.
Resources:
Additional Items:
Field data will be provided to allow comparison with simulated data.
References:
ResTech
Title: PS-03: Common Mode Models of Electrical
Systems
Supervisor: Peter Stepien
Industry Sponsor: ResTech
Assumed
knowledge:
Software
R Simulation
R Literature Search
Group
Description:
The aim is to look at complex non-linear electrical systems, such as those with
Variable Speed Drives (VSDs), to determine the validity of using common mode
models to give useful results without the need for a complete 3-phase model.
This is especially useful in large systems which would require long simulation
times.
A number of different example systems will be used as the basis to compare the
results from both types of models. The first stage is to formalise the conversion
between a
3-phase model and a common mode model, highlighting the limitations of
common mode models and what the impacts are for the results. The two models
will then be run and the results quantitatively compared.
Outcomes Expected:
A formal method for converting between 3-phase and common mode models. A
quantitative comparison between the two model types for different electrical
systems.
Resources:
Additional Items:
Example systems to use as the basis for comparison.
References:
Dexata
UNCLASSIFIED
PERFORMANCE LIMITS OF HIGH THROUGHPUT IMAGE

PROCESSING FOR MOTION DETECTION IN SELF-SUPPORTED
COMMUNICATION SITES
5.1
CONTEXT
Weapon safety templates used on air weapons Ranges are increasing in size by an order of magnitude over current
practices because of changes in the weapon types used in training. Therefore, the impact detection/prediction areas
will need to increase by the same order. The current impact/detection solution uses cameras to provide coverage of
expected impact area processed by a commodity computer in a central location. To extend the current solution by an
order of magnitude will require increasing the pixel count and camera count substantially and require a move to a
distributed image processing model.
5.2
PROBLEM
Develop a computational framework for receiving compressed video, storing, decoding, scanning for motion, cutting
and cropping and retransmitting across a wireless network for further analysis at a central location. At the fullest
extent, it would be desirable to be able to do this for sixteen 4096x2048 resolution cameras operating at up to 60
frames per second (8 Gigapixels/second) per communications site. The problem does not include developing
algorithms for storing, decompression, scanning, cropping etc. as these already exist; but it is about numerical
analysis of processing delays, computer bandwidth limitations and other factors that affect throughput on modern
computer systems. It is expected that the verification for the computational framework will include performance
measurements on commodity hardware. An ideal outcome is that the upper limit on throughput is understood given
the power and thermal limits of communications sites and the capability of commercially available computer hardware
UNCLASSIFIED
Dexata Corporation
Page 6 of 9
Dexata
UNCLASSIFIED
7 APPLICATIONS OF ACCELEROMETERS AND GEOPHONES FOR

DETECTING WEAPONS IMPACTS
7.1
CONTEXT
Air weapons Ranges are used to train air crews in releasing air to ground weapons from combat aircraft such as
guided and unguided bombs. A small proportion of bombs do not explode and remain dangerous until they can be
found and made safe. Finding the bombs is time consuming and impinges on aircrew training time. Existing solutions
rely on video cameras to observe the point of impact to determine the location but they do not provide coverage of all
situations (e.g., bombs landing behind visible obstructions such as trees). Moving coil geophones and, increasingly
MEMS accelerometers, are being used to measure seismic vibration from events such as earthquakes and controlled
explosions in mining. It is desirable to use some form of additional ground-based vibration sensors to improve
detection coverage over the existing solutions.
7.2
PROBLEM
Evaluate ground-based sensors that could be used to:

1) detect that a weapon has impacted with the ground;
2) detect if a bomb has exploded or not; or
3) detect the location of an impact.
The evaluation is expected to include:
a literature survey of the possible application, capabilities and limitations of different sensor types &
techniques
modelling to predict the most practical sensor type
Testing one or more of the chosen sensor or arrays of sensors to evaluate its performance for locating bomb
impacts.
UNCLASSIFIED
Dexata Corporation
Page 8 of 9

2016 FYP Proposals Callaghan

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

You might also like

2016 FYP Proposals Callaghan

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

2016 FYP Proposals Callaghan

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Final Year Projects, Callaghan Semester 1, 2016

UNIVERSITY BASED PROJECTS

High-Speed Video Streaming Using Pre-Fetching and Caching

INDUSTRY BASED PROJECTS

Multifunction Precision AC Waveform Analyser

Mathematical Models for Electrical Cables

Title: CC-01 Formula SAE Electrical Race Car

This project involves the design and implementation of a charging system

Title: Microgrid Demonstration

Title: JD-01 Balls-in-Tubes Height Control Experiment

AF-01 Multi-Level Delta-Sigma Class-D Audio

Supervisor: Andrew Fleming, Arnfinn Aas Eielsen

Review of current methods

AF-02 Electromagnetic Neurocatheter Localization

Review of current methods

AF-03 Piezoresistive Sensor Interface

Supervisor: Andrew Fleming

Review of methods for piezoresitive sensor interfacing

Review of implementation methods

Title: MF-01 State Estimation of Power Networks

Title: MF-02 Networked Control Systems

Title: MF-04 Dual-Stage Control Systems

Title: JK-04 Design and Development of an Enhanced

Title: JK-05 A RFID / Zigbee / WiFi Based Electronic Car

JK-06 Design and Development of a Visible Light Li-Fi

Understanding of the VLC techniques and the IEEE802.15.7 standard.

Control of Thermostatically Controlled Loads in a

Title: KM-02 Target Tracking Using Passive Acoustic Sensor

Title: KM-03 Wireless Communication Laboratory

RM-01 Distributed Load Management

RM-02 Distributed Sensing for remote Power System

Resources: Resources: Personal computer, simulations (Matlab/Simulink, Saber or

RM-03 Hi Fidelity Class-D Audio Amplifier

Resources: Personal computer, Electronics

Title: GM-01 Flux Optimization for Variable Speed AC

Computer simulations of AC drive with and without flux optimization;

Laboratory implementation and experimental results;

Conclusions about the effect of flux optimization on power efficiency

Electrical machines lab.

Software solutions of the optimization problem in any language (a MatLab script is

Computer simulation of OPWM and OPWM with SHE;

Saber and Matlab simulation software;

Computer simulation of the dynamic dynamometer;

Hardware prototype developed and tested.

Saber simulations of proposed PWM strategy;

Software implementation of proposed PWM strategy with lab demonstration;

Laboratory drive with working control software.

Terrys projects are in a separate pdf document

Title: JW-01 Frequency Response Analysis of Electrical

JW-03 Nerve Receptor in vivo Stimuli

AU-1. Multifunction Precision AC Waveform Analyser

AU-9. High Performance Frequency Transducer

AU-12. Variable Voltage Variable Frequency Source Control System Conversion

Measure and report the current

Outcomes: Finished system.

Make hardware including mechanical components

Outcomes: Reconstructed image of surface profile of an integrated circuit

Amplifier with gains 1 to 10,000 in steps 1, 10, 100, 1000, 10,000