1.

Port of Uclinux to an SH2/3 processor

UCLinux is a non-MMU dependent version of Linux.

2.

Build non-battery based power sources.

Design of power sources to replace batteries for ubiquitous computing appliances (eg, RF powered, light powered, etc).  Expected to produce a working demonstration, plus a design procedure to enable the design of power sources to meet specific current and voltage requirements.

3.

Embeddable clock source

Design and implement an embeddable clock source.  This could draw upon a satellite based system (eg, GPS), a “standards” RF signal (WWV), or something else (eg, a pager broadcast).  This would go into VCRs, ovens, clocks, etc.

4.

USB peripherals

IrDA to USB converter.  In fact, we are interested in anything new interfaced to USB.  Talk to me about your ideas for this.

5.

World’s smallest Web server

Build the world’s smallest Web server using a PIC or Atmel or ACE microprocessor.  We have some details of these sorts of projects to use as a starting point.  The server would then be use to monitor/control a small object, eg, a light bulb, a kettle, a …?

6.

Refridgerator on the Internet

As for the above, but using a refridgerator. There is only one other in the world!

7.

A smart, compact video camera

Hook a CCD camera directly to a DSP chip, without converting the CCD output to analog video with sync pulses and framing pulses. This means that the DSP has complete control on where it scans an image, and how much data it needs to collect. Can you think of the uses for such a compact device?

8.

A Hand-held Web Browser

Continue the work started by Ben Williamson, Craig Newell, David Wilson, Michael Goddard, and Ted Clancy on the NetSlate project. The original system used an ARM 7500 CPU (later version uses a StrongARM) and an LCD display to display WWW info without the need for a complete PC. Web browser for the masses - the NC (network computer) much vaunted in the trade press. Ben(1996), Craig (1997), David and Michael(1998) have got jobs in Silicon Valley because of the work done on this project! Andrew Over and Simon Gee (1999) are going to the same company to continue this work.

9.

ATM network projects

Get an ATM switch, a video camera. a video display on a PCI bus, and an audio board all working together to implement a Desk Area Network (DAN). Based on 3 projects from 1996. We have now been donated two ATM switches by Cisco to make this project more attractive.

10.

Inferno Operating System

Inferno is the latest operating system from Lucent. It is in the flavour of UNIX, but three generations on - developed to support smart phones, set-top boxes, PDAs, etc. Extend the work of Len Scuderi in 1997 and get a smart telephone system operating within the department. Or suggest one yourself! Maybe port it to a new piece of hardware!

11.

Digital Ink

Build a pen that recognizes and stores the handwriting and drawing of its user.  After writing, the user jots the word “send” or “e-mail” followed by a FAX number or email address.  The documents are wirelessly sent via a cellular network to fax machines, desktop computers or even other digital pens

12.

Tilt Sensor

Build a button free tilt and gesture input device.  Initially build it for a PC, but look at its application within a small information appliance, or build an all-electronic simulation of a physical game.

13

Customizable Nanoprocessor in VHDL

Design a customizable nanoprocessor (designed in VHDL) that can be placed in small designs on FPGAs.

15.

A Microphone Array for Multimedia Workstations and Conferences

Use beam-forming principles to achieve accurate control of the directivity of a microphone. Use for enhanced speech reconition by eliminating noisy backgrounds, allow for free roaming of the user, track the talker location, and track multiple talkers.

16.

Diffuse Infrared Communications Link

Design and implement a diffuse (non line of sight) infrared communications links for use in the Computer Engineering Thesis Laboratory. It is intended as a group project. One of the group would be required to create an Ethernet-to-IR connection to the undergraduate computer network.

17.

Power Line Communications Link

Design and implement a reliable communications link to operate over standard 240 volt AC power links around a residential dwelling. This link to be used for communications between devices used in home automation. It is assumed that the link will be slow speed (ie, not greater than 9600 baud). Project may have more than one person working on it, as there are many devices that can be automated in the average home. There are a number of new powerline communications chips avaliable out now which make this a viable project.

18.

Computerized Local PABX

Design and implement a microcomputer controlled telephone excange. 8 subscriber lines and up to 3 central office lines. 12 speech paths to support non-blocked operation and support multiple conference calls in progress at the same time. Look at Internet phone access as well. Entire project needs more than one Honours student. Have a look at this news item.

19.

Smart Objects

I am interested in building (physical) objects which have the ability to learn. This makes it easy for users to adapt them than systems which require programming. Imagine the little old grandma trying to program the VCR! Let's look at systems which learn our pattern of use, our preferences, and which try to predict what we will require next. For example, we can start with a smart light bulb that knows when it gets turned on and off, what the light levels were, who was in the room, what other appliances were turned on or off at the time. Or we can look at a TV, radio, or stereo which knows the programs we usually watch, given who is in the room, the time of day, our mood(how do you determine this?). Telephones that know who is using them and then adapt to that person - remind you to call your mum on her birthday, provide access to your personal address book, etc. There is a vast range of activity here. This involves both harware construction and software and research into user modelling and machine learning.

20.

BodyNet

A Body Area Network used to transmit messages over a human body, between two or more human bodies when they touch, and between a human body and an inanimate object with which one comes into contact. Build a system to do this based on the work done at MIT Media Lab. This involves using a very small microprocessor and a small RF near field data link. Check on Altavista for a paper by Zimmerman on the topic of Personal Area Networks.

21.

YOUR-OWN-TOPIC

Suggest a topic to me and I'll see if it is doable at the Pass or Honours level.