Faculty Name:          Dr. Hussain A. Alzaher

Area:                           Electronic

Subject:      

1.      CMOS Polyphase Filters and their Applications.

2.      CMOS Circuit Techniques for Biomedical Applications.

3.      N-th-Order Fully Integrated Universal Filters.

4.      High Dynamic Range Circuits for Wireless Applications.

Abstract:                    See Dr. Hussain A. Alzaher

For MS

 Faculty Name:          Dr. M.T. Abuelma'atti

Area:                           Analog Electronic Circuits

Subject:                    

1.      Development of CMOS building blocks for field programmable analog arrays (FPAAA)

2.      Development of analog signal processors.

3.      Development of analog circuits for linear algebraic equation solving.

Abstract:                    See Dr. M.T. Abuelma'atti

For MS or PH.D

 Faculty Name:          Dr. Samir Al-Ghadhban     

Area:                           Wireless Communications, MIMO Systems

Subject:                     Analysis of Opportunistic Round Robin Scheduling for V-BLAST users.

Abstract:                    This study considers opportunistic round robin (ORR) uplink scheduling for V-BLAST users.  Each user spatially multiplexes his data over multiple transmit antennas. This spatial multiplexing (SM) scheme provides high data rates while multi-user diversity obtained from scheduling improves the performance of the uplink system. The opportunistic round robin scheduler is totally fair and it allows all users to access the channel. In the same time it captures part of the available multiuser diversity. The objective of this study is to analyze the performance of the uplink system using analytical techniques supported by simulation results.

For MS or PH.D

 Faculty Name:          Ahmed Yamani

Area:                           Corrosion detection & evaluation (Multi-disciplinary: signal Processing & Electronics, chemical, …)

Subject:                     Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy Revisited for corrosion evaluation.

Abstract:                    Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) has found widespread applications in the field of materials characterization. It is routinely used in the characterization of coatings, batteries, fuel cells, and corrosion phenomena.  EIS can indicate the presence and the rate of corrosion, and the moisture content of the coating prior to corrosion. For ease of impedance measurement, EIS is used either in a potentiostatic or galvanostatic modes. However, this approach yields in some cases unexplained phenomenon, which makes EIS data interpretation a difficult task. In this proposed research work, a new approach to the computation of impedance is presented that alleviate the restriction of commercial EIS instruments to operate at either constant current (galvanostatic) or constant voltage (potentiostatic). The proposed contribution uses a new formulation based on the linear portion of the nonlinear I-V characteristic and thus, represents it as a convolutional model. Consequently, the impedance of the EIS system can be computed using robust deconvolution algorithms. The work will include

1.            Development of the necessary formulations

2.            Application of the developed model in a controlled environment (electrical circuits). Simulation using PSPICE software will be used first containing linear elements, and then real equivalent circuits of electrochemical systems will be tested.

3.            Development of the necessary software that acquires the data from the circuits and computes the impedance using the new method.

4.            Comparison of the results obtained from the developed method to those obtained from conventional EIS instruments.

For MS or PH.D

 Faculty Name:          Ahmed Yamani

Area:                           Nondestructive Testing of materials (Multi-disciplinary: Signal Processing, Electronics & wave propagation…)

Subject:                     Measuring ultra thin thicknesses deposited on a metallic surfaces using ultrasonic waves.

Abstract:                    A significant limiting factor that affects tube life in fossil fired steam boilers is the growth of iron oxide scale (magnetite) on the inside and outside tube surfaces. The oxide scale, which is formed under long term exposure to very high temperatures, acts as a thermal insulator. While external scale limits heat transmission into the tube and reduces boiler efficiency, internal scale build-up represents a potentially more serious problem and reduces the boiler life.

While very high frequency ultrasonic gagging techniques have been available for this measurement for a number of years, they involved the use of cumbersome and non portable instrumentations.  In addition, all the methods used up-to-date rely on the ability of high frequency ultrasonic wave to yield better resolving signals that can be used to measure smaller oxide thickness. However, high frequency ultrasound is prone to higher level noise, higher attenuation, and requires special surface preparation.

In this work, we will investigate the possibility of formulating the acoustic path inside the oxide scale to be as convolutional model, and thus, the measured A-scan signal would be a result of a convolution between the A-scan at the steel/oxide interface and an "impulse response" (IR) of the metal/oxide and oxide air (MOOA) interfaces. Extraction of the IR of the MOOA would be done through a deconvolution operation which is expected to have higher resolving power than the original A-scan signal used conventionally to measure the thickness of the oxide scale.

In addition, we will use the time of flight diffraction (TOFD) technique, coupled with signal processing to map the corrosion/erosion extent in the inner surface of the boiler tube. The later method will serve as a screening method for oxide scale formation before we apply the developed scale thickness measurement.

The developed method will be integrated as software packaged into a graphical user interface (GUI), which drives a portable device that acquires the raw data, processes it, and measures directly the oxide scale thickness. The GUI based device will be used to train an unskilled operator to perform a task that otherwise will be done only by a professional expert.

For MS or PH.D

 Faculty Name:          Samir H. Abdul-Jauwad    

Area:                           Signal Processing                              

Subject:                     Digital Watermarking and Steganography                    

Abstract:                                Digital watermarking is the process of embedding information into a digital signal. The signal may be audio, pictures or video, for example. If the signal is copied, then the information is also carried in the copy.

In visible watermarking, the information is visible in the picture or video. Typically, the information is text or a logo which identifies the owner of the media. The image on the right has a visible watermark.

In invisible watermarking, information is added as digital data to audio, picture or video, but it cannot be perceived as such. An important application of invisible watermarking is to copyright protection systems, which are intended to prevent or deter unauthorized copying of digital media. Steganography is an application of digital watermarking, where two parties communicate a secret message embedded in the digital signal. Annotation of digital photographs with descriptive information is another application of invisible watermarking.

 Faculty Name:          Samir H. Abdul-Jauwad

Area:                           Signal Processing

Subject:                     Digital Image Compression

Abstract:                          Image compression is the application of Data compression on digital images. In effect, the objective is to reduce redundancy of the image data in order to be able to store or transmit data in an efficient form.

Image compression can be lossy or lossless. Lossless compression is sometimes preferred for artificial images such as technical drawings, icons or comics. This is because lossy compression methods, especially when used at low bit rates, introduce compression artifacts. Lossless compression methods may also be preferred for high value content, such as medical imagery or image scans made for archival purposes. Lossy methods are especially suitable for natural images such as photos in applications where minor (sometimes imperceptible) loss of fidelity is acceptable to achieve a substantial reduction in bit rate.

 Faculty Name:          Dr. Samir Al-Ghadhban

Area:                           Wireless Communications

Subject:                     Assessing Coexistence of Wireless Industrial Networks in ISM band.

Abstract:                    We like to look at the coexistence problems and interference in the ISM bands. Since these bands are license-free and many standards operate in it such as WiFi, Bluetooth, and Zigbee. We propose to investigate the coexistence problem using analytical methods, simulation and measurements. In addition, possible solutions will be proposed that could be incorporated in future standards.

For MS or PH.D

 Faculty Name:          Dr. Husain M. Masoudi

 Area:                          Integrated Photonics Technology  (Electromagnetics-Optical)

Subjects:              

1-      Modeling Ultra Short Optical Pulse Propagation in Dielectric Waveguide Structures  

2-      Study of Non-Parxial Wave propagation in Nonlinear Optical Waveguides  

3-      The Propagation of Ultra Short Optical Pulse in Second Order Nonlinear Waveguide Structures  

4-      Short Optical Pulse Propagation in Discontinuous Waveguide Structures

 Abstract:                   These are a series of projects aimed to solve very important research problems in the Integrated Photonics Technology field. Some of these problems are very suitable research projects for MS thesis work while the other are suited for Ph.D. research work. These projects require a good knowledge of the optical communication field in addition to programming skills using Matlab and/or Fortran computer languages. There will be training sessions to prepare students in the field of Integrated Photonics as well as some introductory research problems to familiarize students with the field of optical waveguide theory. Basic knowledge of Electromagnetic is required as a starting point.

For MS or PH.D

 Faculty Name:          Dr. Mohamed Mohandes

Area:                           Digital Area

Subject:                     Wireless smart glove for man-machine interaction

Abstract:                    Design and implementation of a wireless smart glove using a network of sensors for Arabic sign language recognition

 Area:                         Signal Processing

Subject:                     Translation of Arabic Sign Language to spoken Language

Abstract:                    Continuous Arabic Sign language recognition and translation to spoken language using Neural Networks and Hidden Markov Models 

Area:                           Digital Systems

Subject:                     RFID for Person Tracking

Abstract:                    Software and hardware RFID system for person tracking. A case study will be implemented for Pilgrim tracking.