Nyhetsarkiv, 2024
Mohanmad Attari designs novel application-specific instruction set processors
Publicerad: 2024-10-29
Title of thesis: Application Specific Instruction-set Processors for Massive MIMO Systems
Link to thesis in Lund University Research Portal.
Defence: Monday November 11th, 09:15, room E:1406. Zoom Link: https://lu-se.zoom.us/j/68795368213 Zoom ID:...
Title of thesis: Application Specific Instruction-set Processors for Massive MIMO Systems
Link to thesis in Lund University Research Portal.
Defence: Monday November 11th, 09:15, room E:1406.
Zoom Link:
https://lu-se.zoom.us/j/68795368213
Zoom ID: 68795368213
Describe your research in a popular science way
It is easy to forget that digital processors form the substrate on which most of the amazing technological advances we enjoy today are built upon. The way we communicate nowadays is no exception. The cellphone you hold in your hand is a powerhouse in its own right, matching, and even sometimes dwarfing, the performance of what room-sized supercomputers were capable of 20 years ago. There are also wireless communication systems that work tirelessly, day and night, to bring what you want to life. For instance, communication towers employ hundreds of antennas in a setup that is called massive MIMO. Having these many antennas implies the need for a commensurately powerful processor to crunch the numbers. But performance is only one side of the coin. With the advent of every new standard, and as we crank up the numbers sitting next to their G neighbors (3G, 4G, 5G, ...), what seems to become more clear is that not only do we need more performance, we also have to deal with different scenarios. This requires processors that are powerful in their number crunching capabilities, as well as in their ability to cope with this varied nature. And that is what my research boils down to: creating application specific instruction set processors known as ASIPs that can take on the vagaries of the changing standards with programmability, and yet stand tall when it comes to processing power by seeking aid from customized accelerators.
What made you want to pursue a PhD?
I wasn?t really planning on running the PhD gauntlet, but my sister floated the idea one day, and, after some initial (and futile) resistance, I picked it up. I?m a more practical-oriented kind of dude, so I thought maybe looking at things from the lens of research by means of a PhD degree would be an interesting challenge, so I went for it.
Do you believe some results from your research will be applied in practice eventually? And if so, how / how?
It?s tough to opine on this with certainty, as human beings are not known for their oracular abilities. Having said that, I believe malleability of the system when it comes to handling disparate problems is going to be a key factor going forward, and as a result, ASIPs look like an appetizing choice to fill this role. So, are the ASIPs what the doctor ordered? Only time will tell.
What are your plans?
Now that I?ve had my daily dose of PhD for the past few years, I am going to move on to industry for a change of pace.
Länk till artikeln Mohanmad Attari designs novel application-specific instruction set processors
Mgeni Makambi Mashauri worked with spatial coupling in error control
Publicerad: 2024-10-21
Title of thesis: Enhancing Iterative Algorithms with Spatial Coupling
Link to thesis in Lund University Research Portal.
Defence: Friday November 8th, 09:15, room E:1406. Zoom Link: https://lu-se.zoom.us/j/67878645197 Zoom ID: 67878645197
...
Title of thesis: Enhancing Iterative Algorithms with Spatial Coupling
Link to thesis in Lund University Research Portal.
Defence: Friday November 8th, 09:15, room E:1406.
Zoom Link:
https://lu-se.zoom.us/j/67878645197
Zoom ID: 67878645197
Describe your research in a popular science way
To get good performances with feesible complexity in many systems especially those dealing with communication, two or more components have to exchange information iteratively. The choice of the components is a critical decision for such iterative systems since having the best components on each part does not guarantee good performance. Good performance comes when the components are matched. This matching comes with compromises on some aspects of the performance.
My research investigates the application of spatial coupling, a novel concepts in modern error control coding, to iterative systems ranging from communication channels with intersymbol interference to group testing (a scheme aimed at reducing the number of tests to identify objects of interest in a large population). With spatial coupling blocks of information are not processed in isolation but are linked to form a chain resulting into better and robust performance without the trade-offs involved in classical systems. We also propose new and better approaches in the design and processing of iterative algorithms.
What made you want to pursue a PhD?
I pursued a PhD because of the desire to dig deeper into the things. I saw this as an opportunity to push my limits and gain skills for my future pursuits.
What is the most fascinating or interesting with your thesis subject?
It is interesting to see how one concept of spatial coupling could be applied to different fields which on the surface are unrelated with interesting results.
What are your plans?
My plans are to use the skills I have gained to explore more areas of interest by continuing research in academia or solving more hands on problems in industry.
Länk till artikeln Mgeni Makambi Mashauri worked with spatial coupling in error control
EIT students claim another design contest victory
Publicerad: 2024-08-28
For the third time, and for the second year in a row, students from EIT won the IEEE AP-S design contest, this year with a remote controlled car. In the photo: Teo Bergkvist, Otto Edgren, Orcar Gren, Måns Jacobsson. Not in the photo: Christian...
For the third time, and for the second year in a row, students from EIT won the IEEE AP-S design contest, this year with a remote controlled car. In the photo: Teo Bergkvist, Otto Edgren, Orcar Gren, Måns Jacobsson. Not in the photo: Christian Nelson and Johan Lundgren (supervisor).
This year, the team accepted the challenge to use a nano-VNA by developing a remote-controlled car. Hands and metal grids were placed near the antennas, affecting e.g. impedance, which was coupled to the velocity and steering.
The work was presented at the IEEE International Symposium on Antennas and Propagation and ITNC-USNC-URSI Radio Science Meeting 2024, 14?19 July in Florence.
External link to AP-S:
https://2024.apsursi.org/sdc.php
Länk till artikeln EIT students claim another design contest victory
Fatemeh Akbarian made cloud control systems safer.
Publicerad: 2024-06-20
Title of thesis: Resilient Cloud Control: Securing, Adapting, and Thriving. Link to thesis in Lund University Research portal. Defence: Friday, May 17th 09:15, room E:1406.
Describe your research in a popular science way
Imagine the cloud as an...
Title of thesis: Resilient Cloud Control: Securing, Adapting, and Thriving.
Link to thesis in Lund University Research portal.
Defence: Friday, May 17th 09:15, room E:1406.
Describe your research in a popular science way
Imagine the cloud as an invisible, unlimited storage and processing power- house floating in the digital sky. It?s like a magical library that not only holds all your digital treasures but also has endless rooms where you can work, cre- ate, and manage everything from family photos to entire business operations. Businesses, in their quest for efficiency and flexibility, are increasingly moving their controller?the brains behind their operations?into this cloud. This transition allows them to operate more smoothly, access data from anywhere, and scale up or down as needed without investing in expensive hardware. However, moving to the cloud isn?t without its challenges. It?s akin to moving into a shared space where security and privacy become paramount concerns. There?s also the issue of ensuring everything runs smoothly, without delays or hiccups, despite the physical distance between the cloud (where the data and applications are hosted) and the actual physical location of the business. Imagine trying to control a drone flying in California from a remote control in New York; the further the distance, the trickier it is to ensure smooth operation. In my thesis, I tackle these challenges head-on. For security, I propose a robust plan that acts like an advanced, ever-vigilant security system. This system not only keeps a watchful eye for any potential threats but also has the capability to neutralize these threats before they can cause harm. It ensures businesses can trust their operations to the cloud without fearing cyber-attacks or data breaches. On the performance front, I address the problem of delays, which can be likened to the lag you might experience during a video call when the internet is slow. I introduce a strategy that compensates for these delays, ensuring that commands and controls are executed in a timely manner, just as if the cloud controllers and physical operations were side by side. This means businesses can rely on cloud-based control systems without worrying about interruptions or inefficiencies. Furthermore, I explore the challenges brought by the ever-changing cloud environment, where the workload can shift dramatically due to the actions of many users and different applications. It?s akin to living in a house where the amount of electricity and water available changes depending on how many devices are being used or how many faucets are running. To tackle this, I propose a flexible strategy that adapts the system?s "pace" or "rhythm" to keep up with these changes, ensuring it stays efficient and responsive, no matter how crowded or busy the cloud environment becomes. This approach not only keeps the system running smoothly but also promotes resource frugality. By adjusting its operations to match the current demand accurately, the system avoids wasting computational power and energy, much like smart home technology that dims lights or adjusts the thermostat to save electricity. This ensures that, just like your home?s utilities adjust to your needs in the most efficient way, the cloud system automatically optimizes its resources, providing a seamless experience without slowdowns, interruptions, or unnecessary waste. By solving these problems, my thesis paves the way for businesses to fully embrace the cloud, leveraging its vast capabilities without falling prey to security risks or performance pitfalls. It?s about making the cloud not just a place to store data but a secure, efficient, and reliable extension of the business itself. It enables operations to soar to new heights with the confidence and assurance that they are protected and optimized, no matter the circumstances.
What made you want to pursue a PhD?
I pursued a PhD to deepen my understanding of a topic I'm passionate about and to contribute meaningfully to the field through original research.
What is the most fascinating or interesting with your thesis subject?
The most fascinating aspect of my thesis subject is the potential for integrating control systems with the cloud. While cloud computing can provide significant advantages for industry, such as increased flexibility, scalability, and cost-savings, it also introduces new challenges that can make companies hesitant to fully embrace cloud-based control systems. In my research, I aimed to provide solutions to these challenges and make Cloud Control Systems (CCS) more resilient. Specifically, I focused on ensuring CCS are resilient to cyber attacks and delays, while also enabling the system to adapt its frequency according to the current cloud environment. By addressing these key challenges, my research seeks to motivate industry to fully utilize the advantages of cloud computing in their control systems. Rather than ignoring the benefits of the cloud due to its potential drawbacks, my work demonstrates how these challenges can be overcome, empowering companies to embrace the transformative potential of integrating control systems with the cloud.
Do you believe some results from your research will be applied in practice eventually? And if so, how / how?
Yes, I believe that some results from my research will be applied in practice. For instance, the methods I applied to a real testbed for a Cloud Control System (CCS) demonstrated the ability to make the system resilient to cyber attacks and delays, and adapt its frequency according to the cloud environment. These findings have practical implications for ensuring the reliability and efficiency of cloud-based systems.
What are your plans?
After completing my PhD, I plan to pursue a postdoctoral position in machine learning to further expand my knowledge and expertise in this field.
Länk till artikeln Fatemeh Akbarian made cloud control systems safer.
Hamid Karrari improved performance of analog-to-digital converters.
Publicerad: 2024-06-04
Title of thesis: Analog-to-Digital Converters for High-Speed Applications
Link to thesis in Lund University Research Portal.
Defence: Friday June 14th, 09:15, room E:1406. Zoom link. Zoom ID: 67608675506.
Describe your research in a popular...
Title of thesis: Analog-to-Digital Converters for High-Speed Applications
Link to thesis in Lund University Research Portal.
Defence: Friday June 14th, 09:15, room E:1406.
Zoom link. Zoom ID: 67608675506.
Describe your research in a popular science way
The rapid transmission of information and data has fundamentally transformed our world. While we once imagined the internet creating a global village, the current reality surpasses this vision; it has compressed this village into the confines of our homes. This transformation is largely attributed to the ability to wirelessly transfer high data rates and perform complex functions on the data in the digital domain. Digital processing offers many advantages, such as seamless and flawless data storage, reconfigurability, and programmability. Consequently, it is desired to transform analog signals into digital to leverage the advantages of digital signal processing. However, real-world phenomena are mostly analog. The interface bridging these two domains is known as an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). High-speed and high-resolution ADCs are crucial in communication systems for efficiently sampling the analog signals, preserving signal accuracy, maximizing spectral efficiency, enabling advanced signal processing, and meeting the demands of modern communication standards such as 5G and beyond. Our research journey delved into the intricacies of ADC design, leveraging CMOS technology to push the boundaries of speed and resolution. By harnessing innovative methodologies and cutting-edge techniques, we endeavored to enhance the performance of ADCs, striving to achieve high levels of accuracy and efficiency in the data conversion.
What made you want to pursue a PhD?
Ever since I started my bachelor's degree, I always wanted to get a PhD. To see what is at the end of this road. After finishing my Master's, it was decision time: industry or academia? I weighed the options, and since teaching is another passion of mine, the PhD totally won!
What are your plans?
While in the past few months I have been very busy meeting multiple deadlines, it has been a period of immense growth. Now that things have settled, I'm at a crossroads ? academia versus industry. I am still weighing the pros and cons of each path to find out what truly motivates me now: the theoretical exploration of academia or the practical problem-solving of industry?
Länk till artikeln Hamid Karrari improved performance of analog-to-digital converters.
Rikard Gannedahl designed novel radio circuits for 5G and 6G communication
Publicerad: 2024-05-29
Title of thesis: Frequency Generation and Baseband Filters for mm-Wave 5G and 6G Transceivers
Link to thesis in Lund University Research Portal.
Defence: Thursday May 30th, 09:15, room E:1406. Zoom link. Zoom ID: 66635753300.
Describe your...
Title of thesis: Frequency Generation and Baseband Filters for mm-Wave 5G and 6G Transceivers
Link to thesis in Lund University Research Portal.
Defence: Thursday May 30th, 09:15, room E:1406.
Zoom link. Zoom ID: 66635753300.
Describe your research in a popular science way
My research has focused on designing radio circuits for 5G and 6G communication operating at the so-called mm-wave frequencies, that is, frequencies between 30 and 300 GHz. In previous generations (4G and earlier), the frequencies have been limited to 6 GHz or below. However, as our phone usage has shifted from calls and texting to much more data-intensive tasks like streaming and video calls, our bandwidth needs have dramatically increased. This has resulted in data traffic congestion at these sub-6-GHz frequencies, which is why 5G, and in the future 6G, has allowed for the use of mm-waves, enabling unprecedented bandwidths and data rates.
However, the use of mm-waves does not come without a cost. Radio circuits tend to perform significantly worse at these frequencies. Additionally, the path loss ? the power that is lost when the signal is propagating from transmitter to receiver ? is significantly higher at these frequencies. To overcome these issues, innovative circuit designs and system optimizations are necessary.
More specifically, my research has focused on two very important parts of a radio transceiver: frequency generation and baseband filters. The role of frequency generation is to generate a very stable and clean tone at a specific frequency. It is this frequency that determines which radio channel we will receive from/transmit to. We have designed two frequency generation circuits operating at mm-wave frequencies which have the capability to self-correct errors that arise during the manufacturing of the chips, resulting in very robust operation.
Baseband filters should filter out everything that is not the desired signal, which can be noise or other interfering signals. We have compared two types of filters to see which one is most suitable for the extremely wide bandwidths that are expected in 6G.
What made you want to pursue a PhD?
While it had always been in the back of my mind to do a PhD during my engineering studies ? I mean, who doesn?t want to be able to put ?Dr? as a title when booking a plane ticket? - it wasn?t until I did my Master?s thesis that I started to give it serious consideration. I began then to fully grasp the depth of this field and how much there was to learn, and a PhD seemed like the best opportunity to explore a wide range of subjects in the field and learn as much as possible.
I was also intrigued by the teaching aspect of the job, having worked as both a homework tutor after high school and a lab supervisor during my bachelor?s, and thoroughly enjoying both jobs.
What are your plans?
Having seen the academic side of our field for the last few years, I would now like to see it from an industry perspective. So, while nothing is finalized yet, I?m hoping to continue my career in circuit design with a company in the Lund-Malmö region.
Länk till artikeln Rikard Gannedahl designed novel radio circuits for 5G and 6G communication
Christan Elgaard adapted CMOS amplifiers for 5G
Publicerad: 2024-04-15
Title of thesis: Integrated millimeter Wave CMOS Power Amplifiers for 5G Systems.
Link to thesis in Lund University Research Portal.
Defence: Friday April 19th, 09:15, room E:1406. Zoom link. Zoom ID: 63926548525.
Describe your research in...
Title of thesis: Integrated millimeter Wave CMOS Power Amplifiers for 5G Systems.
Link to thesis in Lund University Research Portal.
Defence: Friday April 19th, 09:15, room E:1406.
Zoom link. Zoom ID: 63926548525.
Describe your research in a popular science way
This dissertation focuses on millimeter-wave power amplifiers built using a common and inexpensive silicon-based technology known as CMOS, for fifth-generation mobile systems and beyond. It comprises four scientific publications based on three measured power amplifiers with increasing complexity, where the third one essentially includes a complete transmitter and parts of a receiver. The third circuit is measured with a signal where the power amplifier sends a whopping 9.6 Gbit/s, equivalent to downloading about an hour's worth of video in just one second. To achieve high-output signal transmission at such high data rates without distorting it to the point of making it difficult or even impossible for the receiver to decode the digital bits while consuming as little power as possible, a Doherty amplifier combined with adaptive bias is used. The Doherty amplifier, invented in 1936, has the special property of consuming very little power when amplifying signals with highly varying amplitudes, a characteristic of 5G (and 6G) signals. To save power, the Doherty amplifier has two amplifiers cooperating: one is on all the time (the main amplifier), while the other (the auxiliary amplifier) is only on at high amplitudes, reducing consumption. However, constructing a Doherty amplifier at such high frequencies as millimeter waves poses a significant challenge, making it interesting from a research perspective. To ensure that the transistors amplify the signal in the desired way, it's necessary to set an appropriate operating point, known as biasing the transistors. Normally, a constant operating point is used, but with adaptive bias, the transistors' operating points are adjusted as the signal's amplitude changes. As demonstrated by the research in the dissertation, using a Doherty amplifier with adaptive bias for the auxiliary amplifier is a good way to mitigate the problems that arise when a power amplifier needs to handle the complex signals of 5G and future mobile systems in a power-efficient manner. The fourth article examines and explains the theoretical aspects of how an adaptive bias signal should be designed to work optimally with the auxiliary amplifier, and the article also contains a detailed description of the construction of a circuit capable of creating such an adaptive bias signal and thus able to change the operating point for the auxiliary amplifier very quickly, i.e., with high bandwidth. The circuit creates the adaptive bias signal by first extracting amplitude information from the Doherty amplifier's input signal. An important theoretical result is that an ideal adaptive bias signal should then be constructed through a nonlinear transfer function from the amplitude information. Measurements and simulations show that the circuit effectively achieves this.
The figure shows a die photo of the power amplifier (PA) described in the first paper included in the dissertation. From right to left showing the pre power amplifier (PPA), PPA output resonator, output stage (partly placed under GND bump), and output combiner. The occupied area is 0.144 mm2.
What made you want to pursue a PhD?
Prior to choosing to become a PhD candidate at EIT I held a research position, within the same field and with tight cooperation with my supervisor Henrik Sjöland, at Ericsson research. When the opportunity came to continue the research that I was already conducting at Ericsson, in the form of an industrial PhD linked to EIT, it was an easy decision to accept.
What is the most fascinating or interesting with your thesis subject?
The research and development investments required to launch a global functional cellular network are arguably among the most complex, costly, and far-reaching achievements of mankind. From the complexity and capability of a single transceiver circuit to the complexity of the entire cellular system, one must not overlook the challenges associated with ensuring affordability to enable global widespread access, allowing mobile phones and associated subscriptions to function practically in all corners of the world. At the center of this is the power amplifier and how its limitations are shaping the capacity of the cellular system, and thereby presenting excellent research opportunities.
Do you believe some results from your research will be applied in practice eventually? And if so, how / how?
Yes, I have already seen other published papers in the same field that has used some of the outcome of my research to achieve better performance. I think it is very likely that the proposed idea of using the adaptive bias signal on the auxiliary amplifier of a Doherty amplifier will be used in hardware in both cellular infrastructure and handheld devices.
What are your plans?
My plan is to continue my current position as Master researcher at Integrated Radio and Systems, RF Frontend and Power Amplifiers at Ericsson Research in Lund and hopefully with some form of cooperation with EIT.
Länk till artikeln Christan Elgaard adapted CMOS amplifiers for 5G
Russ Whiton created cellular car navigation for autonomous vehicles
Publicerad: 2024-03-21
Title of thesis: Dude, Where's My Car? Cellular Navigation for Autonomous Driving.
Link to thesis in Lund University Research Portal.
Defence: Wednesday April 10th, 09:15, room E:1406. Zoom link. Zoom ID: 69963010473.
Describe your research...
Title of thesis: Dude, Where's My Car? Cellular Navigation for Autonomous Driving.
Link to thesis in Lund University Research Portal.
Defence: Wednesday April 10th, 09:15, room E:1406.
Zoom link. Zoom ID: 69963010473.
Describe your research in a popular science way
This thesis is a case study in using cellular signals for navigation for a passenger vehicle in environments where GPS is most likely to be unsatisfactory. It touches on many of the important aspects of the problem, starting with how such a navigation technology might be integrated into vehicular electronic systems for advanced use cases like autonomous driving and what challenges need to be overcome if cellular navigation is to work in the environments where satellite navigation also struggles.
A transmitted signal from a cellular base station arrives at a car through several different paths, undergoing different propagation mechanisms for each. Illustration: Max Boerboom.
What made you want to pursue a PhD?
I worked in industry between my Bachelor?s and Master?s, and for 6 years between my Master?s and PhD. It was appealing to me to gain a better theoretical understanding of engineering principles to see problems with more clarity. I also realized that commercialization frequently does not allow for in-depth exploration of subjects, because when something works well enough for deployment it is time to move on to generating new revenue streams.
What is the most fascinating or interesting with your thesis subject?
Navigation as a subject is fascinating. In my thesis, I tried to draw some kind of line from ancient Polynesians navigating using star compasses through to GPS to navigation methods that are novel in 2024 that I developed in this project with my collaborators.
Do you believe some results from your research will be applied in practice eventually? And if so, how / how?
Yes, some of my colleagues in the department are already extending my work for channel modelling. For the navigation methods, I think some form of them might be applied to tracking problems for future cellular networks.
What are your plans?
I bought a Volkswagen Caddy and I?m converting it into a micro-camper. My short-term plan is to rent out my apartment and make a career shift into a life of vagrancy and live in my van, but that choice might be re-evaluated when the temperature drops and the money runs dry.
Länk till artikeln Russ Whiton created cellular car navigation for autonomous vehicles
Niklas Wingren developed software for microwave scattering.
Publicerad: 2024-03-18
Title of thesis: Computational Methods and Measurements for Direct and Inverse Scattering of Microwaves.
Link to thesis in Lund University Research Portal.
Defence: Friday April 5th, 09:15, room E:1406. Zoom link. Zoom ID:...
Title of thesis: Computational Methods and Measurements for Direct and Inverse Scattering of Microwaves.
Link to thesis in Lund University Research Portal.
Defence: Friday April 5th, 09:15, room E:1406.
Zoom link. Zoom ID: 62684643819.
Describe your research in a popular science way
We all use electromagnetic waves in our everyday lives with technologies like mobile phones, contactless payment, and car radars, to name a few. This explosion in wireless technology during the last 30 years or so has, in part, been made possible by the rapid development of computational tools used to simulate electromagnetic waves. It is fair to say that a modern mobile phone, with many antennas hidden inside, would not be possible to design without these tools. My research has focused on situations where electromagnetic waves are scattered by objects, which happens, for example, when an aircraft is located by radar. I have developed computational tools to simulate such situations, and worked with theoretical solutions and real measurements to verify that the computations are correct. I have also combined computational tools with measurements of waves scattered by structural components to locate defects inside the structure.
What made you want to pursue a PhD?
After studying the courses in electromagnetics at LTH I realized that I wanted to learn more, so I looked for a research-adjacent master?s thesis project at the department. This gave me an idea of what it might be like to work as a PhD student, and I decided to apply for a position that was opening up.
Do you believe some results from your research will be applied in practice eventually? And if so, how / how?
The computational software I developed during my time as a PhD student is open source, meaning that it is freely available online for anyone to use. I hope that this will make it useful to others, either directly as a tool or as a basis for other software. Most of my research has also been conducted in collaboration with industry, and there has been interest in my software from their part.
What are your plans?
I will stay at EIT until the summer to, among other things, make my computational software more accessible. After that we?ll see where I might end up.
Länk till artikeln Niklas Wingren developed software for microwave scattering.
Zahra Chamideh improved self-driving cars.
Publicerad: 2024-02-29
Title of thesis: Navigating the Future: Intersection of Safety, Efficiency, and Resilience in Autonomous Traffic Systems. Link to thesis in Lund University Research Portal.
Defence: Tuesday March 12th, 09:15, room E:1406. Zoom link. Zoom ID:...
Title of thesis: Navigating the Future: Intersection of Safety, Efficiency, and Resilience in Autonomous Traffic Systems.
Link to thesis in Lund University Research Portal.
Defence: Tuesday March 12th, 09:15, room E:1406.
Zoom link. Zoom ID: 66179207826.
Describe your research in a popular science way
Imagine a world where your morning commute is no longer a battle with endless red lights and traffic jams. Envision instead a scenario where your car passes through intersections, in seamless conversation with both its vehicular peers and the infrastructure that guides them. This isn't science fiction; it's the emerging reality of autonomous vehicles and intelligent traffic management systems. Across our cities, we're beginning to see glimpses of this future. Smart traffic management systems adjust based on real-time traffic flow, reducing congestion and idling. Autonomous vehicles, already on our roads, promise a future of hands-free, stress-free driving. These advancements are not just about convenience; they're about creating safer, cleaner, and more efficient urban environments.
But what happens when the technologies we rely on face glitches? Picture this: you're in a self-driving car, approaching an intersection. Suddenly, the car's positioning system malfunctions, or it loses the ability to communicate with other vehicles. In such a scenario, the harmonious flow of traffic could be disrupted, leading to confusion or even accidents. This is not just a theoretical concern. The reality is that our technology, as advanced as it is, isn't perfect. Communication breakdowns, GPS inaccuracies, or even cyber threats can pose significant risks in a system that relies heavily on precision and inter-connectivity.
This is where my work comes into play. Recognizing these challenges, my thesis focuses on developing a resilient Autonomous Intersection Management (AIM) system. This system is designed to withstand technological imperfections and unforeseen circumstances. By employing advanced algorithms and reinforcement learning techniques, the AIM system can adapt and respond to various disruptions, ensuring that traffic continues to flow smoothly and safely, even when individual components fail or behave unpredictably.
What made you want to pursue a PhD?
I saw a chance to really dive into how self-driving cars and intelligent traffic systems could change our daily commutes. I was curious about making these technologies not just cool but also really reliable and safe, especially when things go wrong.
What is the most fascinating or interesting with your thesis subject?
This research is not only fascinating due to its innovative use of cutting-edge technology but also because of its significant real-world implications. By prioritizing safety, reliability, and efficiency, my work attempts to address key challenges in autonomous vehicular network, offering solutions that could impact future urban mobility and smart city infrastructure.
Do you believe some results from your research will be applied in practice eventually? And if so, how / how?
Absolutely, my research on improving traffic management has a strong chance of being applied in the real world. It might not mean my system gets used exactly as it is, but I'm pretty excited about how it brings new ways of thinking, analyzing, and improving traffic systems to the table. Think of it getting into smart city projects, influencing how self-driving cars are controlled. My research could be a big deal in making our streets smarter and safer.
What are your plans?
As my interest in the field, which already from the start was high, has increased further, I would like to continue in the field. I wish to get involved in future projects that aim to make vehicles as well as roads safe at the same time as the traffic flow is efficient.
Länk till artikeln Zahra Chamideh improved self-driving cars.
Robin Atle studied memristors
Publicerad: 2024-02-28
Title of thesis: Ferroelectric Memristors ? Materials, Interfaces and Applications. Link to thesis in Lund University Research Portal.
Defence: Friday March 8th, 09:15, room E:1406. Zoom link. Zoom ID: 63504410836
Describe your research in...
Title of thesis: Ferroelectric Memristors ? Materials, Interfaces and Applications.
Link to thesis in Lund University Research Portal.
Defence: Friday March 8th, 09:15, room E:1406.
Zoom link. Zoom ID: 63504410836
Describe your research in a popular science way
Today?s society is heavily dependent on electronics, from the smartphone in your pocket to the heat pump heating your house. This digitalization is the engineering result of ?chips?, where billions of electrical switches called transistors are integrated on an area the size of a fingernail. The huge improvements seen over the last 50 years can mainly be attributed to making these switches smaller, allowing one to pack more of them onto the same chip. However, we are now at a crossroads where this is no longer possible. Issues with heat dissipation and fundamental physical properties severely hamper today?s chips. This, coupled with an ever-increasing demand for computation driven by applications such as AI, requires new approaches which look beyond this miniaturization trend. By integrating new materials with superior properties and taking inspiration from the biological brain more energy efficient and faster systems can be achieved.
What made you want to pursue a PhD?
I had a taste of conducting research during my master?s thesis where I initiated the work on ferroelectric materials which at the end extended into a PhD project. I was intrigued by the process of research and breaking new ground which potentially could advance our society.
What is the most fascinating or interesting with your thesis subject?
The complexity and intricacies of modern chips which make up the backbone of all our electronic devices and applications is incredibly difficult to grasp. The ability to successfully integrate billions (!) of transistors onto a chip the size of a fingernail requires atomic scale accuracy, which in my opinion is probably the greatest engineering feat to date of humankind.
What are your plans?
For the coming months I will continue our research on ferroelectrics as there is much more to be done, then we will see what the future might hold!
Länk till artikeln Robin Atle studied memristors
Patrik Olausson studied quantum bit transistors
Publicerad: 2024-02-05
Title of thesis: III-V Devices for Emerging Electronic Applications Link to thesis in LU Research Portal:
https://portal.research.lu.se/en/publications/iii-v-devices-for-emerging-electronic-applications
Defence: Friday February 23rd, 09:15,...
Title of thesis: III-V Devices for Emerging Electronic Applications
Link to thesis in LU Research Portal:
https://portal.research.lu.se/en/publications/iii-v-devices-for-emerging-electronic-applications
Defence: Friday February 23rd, 09:15, Lecture Hall E:1406, building E.
Describe your research in a popular science way
Today?s digital electronics relies on the transistor technology, where calculations are performed using a binary numerical system, represented by high and low currents. An interesting approach to increase the computational power is to replace the digital bits "1" and "0" with quantum bits, which can exist in a superposition of these two states. This enables certain types of calculations to be performed more efficiently. One of the most promising quantum bits is based on the fact that certain metals becomes superconducting at temperatures near absolute zero (-273.15°C). The recent development in realization of these types of devices has led to an increased interest in cryogenic electronics. In this thesis, were are fabricating III-V transistors and studying the electron transport at cryogenic temperatures.
What made you want to pursue a PhD?
I was introduced to semiconductor device processing when I did my master?s thesis at RISE. I really enjoyed it, and decided to do a PhD within the field.
What is the most fascinating or interesting with your thesis subject?
Processing of devices on the nm-scale is demanding. Excellent material quality is required, and the surface-to-volume ratio is large, meaning that the surface quality is essential. Defects in the crystal structure or poor interfaces leads to scattering of electrons and reduced device performance. In addition, different parts of the devices are defined in separate steps, hence requiring extremely high spatial precision. It is fascinating to follow how far the limit for engineering achievements can be pushed.
What are your plans?
I will further increase my knowledge within semiconductor device processing by joining a company developing semiconductor lasers.
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Länk till artikeln Patrik Olausson studied quantum bit transistors