Supervisor: Prof A. Al-Alaoui
A robust modular power generation and distribution system for Lebanon.
The project is a feasibility study that involves designing a robust system with small power generation plants and a very few, if any, high voltage lines. The system could parallel the present system for envisaged future expansion and for backup. The project would also make it easier to incorporate solar and wind power generation into the system. A comparative study of the suggested system and the traditional systems should be carried out taking into consideration the economies of servicing, the environmental impact and the economies resulting from the reduced probability of power interruption or blackouts. The project involves determining the present and the projected future consumption patterns for the location of the power plants. The project could use GIS or any other suitable software. (EE or CCE students)
A CAD Package for Digital Filters
The package is an educational and a design package. It deals with both the finite impulse response (FIR) filters and the more general infinite impulse response (IIR) filters. In addition a section on analog filters should be included since analog filters are often transformed to digital filters by employing s-to-z transforms. The project could investigate applications to ECG or EEG signal processing. (EE or CCE students)
A CAD package for adaptive Digital Filters
Active research has attempted to extend the finite impulse response (FIR) filter into the more general infinite impulse response (IIR) configuration that offers potential performance improvements and less computational cost than equivalent FIR filters. A comparison the traditional LMS Algorithm and the recently proposed genetic algorithms could be included. The project will investigate applications to image processing, speech processing and/or biomedical signal processing. (EE or CCE Students)
Supervisor Prof. F. Chaaban
A cycloconverter Drive for Polyphase AC Motors (EE)
The task is to design and build a 3- phase cycloconverter to be applied in different variable- voltage, variable- frequency drive systems. Use will be made of advanced switching devices.
Air Pollution Estimation Using Spreadsheets (EE, CCE)
This project is aimed at conducting spreadsheet analysis of various emissions from static as well as mobile combustion processes. Emphasis will be given to the power and transportation sectors.
Supervisor: Prof. H. Chahine
Factory Electrification (EE Students only)
The work in this project includes the following:
Electrification of a newly developing area (EE students only)
The work in this project includes the following:
Supervisor: Prof. R. Chedid
Control Techniques for Wind Energy Conversion Systems. (CCE and EE)
In this project, techniques for controlling wind energy conversion systems are studied. A wind turbine connected to a permanent magnet generator is suggested and the generated energy is fed to a load through an ac-dc-ac link. The control policies to be developed must aim at maximizing energy capture and maintaining acceptable quality of generated electric energy.
Prerequisite:1. good knowledge in Matlab (Simulink)
2. good knowledge in linear control theory.
Multiobjective Optimal Unit Sizing of PV/Wind Energy Systems. (EE only).
This project aims at optimally sizing a powe basic knowledge in probability theory
Design, Testing and Analysis of a Solar Hot Water System for Lebanon. (EE only)
This project aims at designing, building and analysing a solar hot water system for Lebanon. The theoretical part of this project involves developing an optimization tool for optimally sizing the system and performing economic analysis to economically validate the design.
Prerequisite:
1. EE784e
2. One course on Thermodynamic
Supervisor: Dr. F. Chehayeb
Internet Personal Communication
Investigate the Enhanced CU-SeeMe(TM) technology that provides simultaneous video, audio, chat and blackboard based communication between two points on the Internet. Analyze performance parameters and accordingly design and develop an application and senario for communication between two points involving engineering document exchange. (requires knowledge of internet communication protocols and some Java)
Investigate technologies for Internet Commerce. Design and build an active commercial Internet site, with a dynamic database that maintains customers, purchases and delivery orders, stock inventory, etc. Generalize the site into a framework that can be used by any entity to create similar sites. (requires knowledge of relational databases, HTML, and some Java)
Supervisor: Prof. H. Diab
Performance evaluation of the DCT on a homogenous multiprocessor system.
This project will involve a performance evaluation study of the execution of the Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT) algorithm, which is used in image and video compression applications, on a homogenous multiprocessor system. Various mapping scenarios will be investigated in order to test their effect on the multiprocessor system performance and complexity trends. The results will be instrumental in the architectural definition of a reconfigurable computer system currently under research at the University of California, Irvine, which is supported by DARPA. (Project will be co-supervised by Prof. F. Kurdahi, University of California, Irvine)
The group of three should include preferably at least two CCE students but not less than one CCE student.
Pre-requisite: At least one member of the group should have taken
EE709C.
Co-requisite: At least one member of the group (he/she could
be the same member that meets the pre-requisite) should be taking EE710C.
Template matching in automatic visual inspection using fuzzy methodology. (CCE)
A central problem in automatic visual inspection and computer vision is determining the extent to which one shape differs from another. This is the key element of any inspection algorithm (IA). Pattern recognition operations (PROs) such as correlation and template matching are techniques for determining the differences between shapes. The project involves designing and implementing an inference rule-based fuzzy model of the IA and compare the results with those obtained from PROs.
Designing a remote control interface for a PC.
This project involves the design, implementation and testing of the necessary hardware to interface a universal TV remote control (RC) to a PC. This will involve designing an IR amp to receive the infrared signal from a RC and connect it to a PCAEs parallel port. The necessary software to decode the incoming pulse train should also be written.
The group of three should include at least one CCE student.
Pre-requisite: At least two members of the group should have taken EE079C.
Supervisor Prof. A. El-Hajj
A CAD program for control systems analysis.
This program should use Object Oriented Programming concepts. It will deal with complex control systems interconnected into a flow graph. The program should allow visualization of different outputs of any subsystem and the design of different controllers. 3 students, CCE only
A CAD program for passive network synthesis.
This program should use Object Oriented Programming concepts. It should be able to analyze a network immittance and draw the corresponding circuit showing different components and their values. The work may be extended to deal with transfer functions. 3 students, CCE only
Supervisor: Prof. K. Farhat
Development of GSM Base-Station Antennas (EE, CCE)
The project involves the: design and modeling of GSM base station array antennas with beam squint based on current GSM requirements, and the construction of one model. Measurement of the antenna design, synthesis, analysis, and measurement. Software tools will be Visual Basic, Matlab, and graphics software.
Design will involve synthesis of the antenna aperture field from pre-defined radiation pattern. Modeling will analyze the antenna array from the element pattern and the array pattern. Construction will involve manufacture of array of half-wave dipoles, either using modulated elements, or straight rod dipoles.
Microwave link design software
Design and implementation of a "professional" software package for point-to-point microwave link calculations. The project is not a programming exercise as it will involve significant research and understanding of propagation phenomena, statistical assumptions, and microwave transmission design principles.
Supervisor: Prof. A. Feghali
The objective of this CD-ROM is to provide an efficient interactive learning tool for 4th to 6th grade students. The software includes a full science syllabus reference (based on the new 1997 Lebanese Curriculum), an elaborate testing tool, a full adventure game, and a web site.
Supervisor: Prof. K. Kabalan
Design and implement an intelligent remote controlled car.
The remote control constitutes of an RF transmitter that transmits a set of commands and a receiver which accepts the bit stream and transforms it to commands through software embedded in a micro-controller. The car should at least perform the following functions:
1. Multi-direction movement capabilityIt is also required to install a camera with a UHF low power transmitter, so we can monitor the car through a TV set.
2. Multi-speed operation
3. Obstacle sensing (avoids accidents!)
Creating of a universal cardiac arrhythmias system or electrophysiological system (CCE students)
The objective of this project is to create a universal cardiac arrhythmia system or electrophysiological system that will be used in the Lab and will be the backbone for the coming few years for other students to build on. The first part of the project will be software creation and the latter part will involve data acquisition and control of different modules, and interface to go to the internet.
A Computer-Aided Educational Tool for Discrete Mathematics (CCE)
The project involves the development of an interactive software package to be used by the students for the understanding of the materials presented in this course. It also helps in creating and solving some of the complex problems addressed in this course.
Supervisor: Prof. S. Karaki
An Inverter Fed Commutatorless DC Motor.
The objective of this project is to investigate and test the basic operation of a synchronous motor driven by a three-phase MOSFET inverter yielding an inherent series or parallel characteristics of a DC motor. The possibilities of four-quadrant operation will be investigated. The characteristics of the drive are well suited in traction/transit propulsion and battery flywheel energy storage systems.
A High-Temperature Pipeline Heating System.
The objective is to design and implement a thyristor controlled heating system to heat a fluid to a preselected temperature by the user. It offers a reliable and economic alternative to water and fluid heating that does not require bulk storage and heating elements. It can be used for high-temperature heaters, the limitation being the temperature endurance of the pipe materials. This heater can form the nucleus of an efficient, economic and reliable hot water system for home.
The Design of a Logic Power System Stabilizer.
Heavy loading conditions, long lines, and fast automatic voltage regulators (AVR) create parasitic powers that reduce the natural damping of a power system or even make it negative. To compensate for this, a lead-lag feedback circuit called a power system stabilizer (PSS) is normally used. The PSS is tuned to maximize system damping at some operating system condition. At other operating conditions the PSS can be detuned thus largely reducing its damping effect. The project involves the software implementation of various PSS schemes in an already existing transient stability program. A fuzzy logic based PSS will also be implemented and compared with the classical lead-lag ones. This allows to learn power system stability, control systems, fuzzy logic and MATLAB.
Supervisor: Prof. A. Kayssi
Use the web to process and route forms. A database holds the information that is updated and verified using these forms. One application of this project will be in student registration.
A GPS receiver is used to give the location of an object. GSM is used to send this information to a central database. The central database uses GIS to identify the location and graphically show the object location on the web.
Supervisor: Prof. F. Mrad
This project intends to build an automated tracker for the sun using a microprocessor based controller (a PC with a data acquisition system, PLC, or a micro-controller). The reflector is a polished parabolic dish equipped with thermocouples and photo-detectors. The dish can be positioned using DC motors (2 degrees of freedom). The students are expected to design and build hardware interface and software control algorithms that delivers acceptable specifications using feedback information.
Students : 2 EE, 1 CCE, 1 ME.
Pre-requisite: Digital Control course for the EE students.
Co-advisor : Prof. R. Nuwayhid.
This project requires the automation of an existing manipulator (Heathkit) equipped with motors and position sensors. The students are expected to build the hardware interface needed to control the manipulator via a PC (conditioning and acquisition) and investigate the online and off line programming possibilities of the robot.
Students : 2 EE, 1 CCE, 1 ME.
Pre-requisite: Digital Control for the EE students, Robotics
for ME and EE students.
Co-advisor : Prof. K. Abdel-Malek.
This project gives a chance for students to integrate commercial manufacturing technologies in a working productive cell. The value-added of the project is in the hardware interface and the integration software needed for various components to work and communicate together. Specifically: a Robot, a conveyor, a PLC, and a PC. The nature of the application is very flexible and open-ended at this stage.
Students: EE, CCE, or ME.
Pre-requisite: Robotics for al least one student per group.
Supervisor: Prof. J. Saade
Design and Simulation of a traffic controller (CCE or EE Students)
The project consists of designing an intelligent controller for control of traffic flow at different types of intersections. The design needs to be done using fuzzy logic and influence. Since the design problem included many variables, an automatic rule generation mechanism is needed. This will be provided by a recently developed algorithm for fuzzy controllers. Once the algorithm is programmed, it will be used to generate the inference ruled based on collected numerical data obtained from the experts and field observations.
Implementation of a new algorithm for the optimization of fuzzy controllers. (CCE Students)
The project consists of programming a recently developed algorithm for the optimization of fuzzy controllers based on available input-output numerical data. It also consists of developing a user-friendly computer package that can assist designers wishing to optimize fuzzy controllers for various types of fuzzy control situations. After the development stage, the package will have to be tested in different practical fuzzy or intelligent control cases; such as traffic control, air conditioning, car driving, etc.
Weather prediction using fuzzy logic and inference methodology. (CCE/EE Students)
The project deals with the application of a recently developed methodology for the optimization of fuzzy inference systems in the area of weather forecasting. It also consists of using the methodology to tune existing weather prediction models in order to make them increasingly efficient for predicting the weather variables over a short period of time. Once this is accomplished, then the results will have to be used to extend the forecast over longer periods. Comparison with sophisticated and expensive weather prediction techniques, such as the use of satellites, will have to be done.
Computer grading of subjective exams. (EE or CCE students)
The project consists of using the concept of a fuzzy set in order to specify a method that can be implemented on the computer and used in grading subjective exams. The method is supposed to take into account the subjectivity and uncertainty involved in the grading and try to minimize their effect. Also, a look should be taken at the possibility of applying the method or another modified one in the appraisal of faculty members by students. The objective would be to try to eliminate as much as possible of student subjectivity and render the procedure more objective.
Supervisor: Prof. M. Yehia
Monitoring and Control Package for Electric Power Consumption: (For a group of EE students or a combined group of EE and CCE students)
The regulatory and competitive environment for electric utilities is changing rapidly, allowing utilities to enter new markets but also requiring them to reduce costs and improve customer satisfaction. In this project, a modeling technique and a software package will be developed to monitor and control the electricity consumption of the customer. The package will be used to compute the electricity bills on the basis of the tariff used by the Lebanese Electricity Company. Recommendations for tariff structure improvement and load consumption control are expected.
An Integrated Power Application Module using the Geographic Information System Environment: (For a group of EE students or a combined group of EE and CCE students)
Over the last four years a complex of software packages for power system analysis and control was developed on the Geographic Information System (GIS) platform. The project deals with the design of a GIS data processor/simulator to modify and interface the developed packages (Load flow, Distribution Automation, and Reactive Power Compensation) using the latest GIS available modules. The project will be executed in conjunction with the AUB team involved in this field.
A good knowledge of the GIS technology is Required.
A Computer-Aided Educational Tool for the Electric Power Engineering Course: (For a group of EE students or a combined group of EE and CCE students)
The introductory Electric Power Engineering course is intended to present
an overview of electric energy components and systems. The components of
the system include power plants, transmission and distribution systems,
and large variety of electric motors and equipment. The course, therefore,
deals with a vast and significant topic. The project involves the development
of an interactive software package to be used by the students for the understanding
of the complexity of the Electric Power Technology. The students may use
the multimedia technology, the visual basic technique, or other available
software packages at the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture.