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Winter 2003
Connection

Computer Engineering
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Object-Oriented Software Development

Real-Time Systems

Large-Scale Software Development for Engineering Systems

Genetic Algorithms and Evolutionary Design

Embedded System Design

Wearable and Ubiquitous Computing

Data Mining

Imaging Systems for Engineering and Medical Applications

Introduction to Configurable Computing

Multimedia Networking

Wireless Ad Hoc and Sensor Networks

Wireless and Mobile Systems Design

Network Performance Design and Management

Communications
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Spread Spectrum Communications Systems

Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing and Related Technologies

Advanced Simulation and Modeling Techniques

Electromagnetics
Computational Techniques Using Particle Simulation

Electronics
Introduction to Semiconductor Processing Laboratory

Modeling and Control of Three-Phase PWM Converters

Power Electronics System Integration

Power
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Electric Power Quality

Special Report:
What's Next for ECEs?

New Course Gives Students Hands-On Experience With Network Interface, Wireless Networking

Computer Engineering seniors James Bromwell (L) and Ed Holohan (R) test a mobile application in ECE/CS 4984, Wireless and Mobile Systems Design.

Thanks to a donation of equipment and cash from Intel, ECE and computer science students have the opportunity to learn and use the latest wireless networking and mobile computing technologies. ECE faculty members Scott Midkiff and Luiz DaSilva, along with CS faculty member Ing-Ray Chen, received the wireless curriculum development grant from Intel to develop a new course in "Wireless and Mobile Systems Design." With the help of graduate students Baoshan Gu, Yibin Liang, Vivek Srivastava, and Michael Thompson, Chen, DaSilva and Midkiff developed lectures, in-class laboratory exercises, and at-home experiments and design projects for the class.

This spring, 25 undergraduate and graduate students are taking the course in Blacksburg and 25 graduate students are taking the course at the Northern Virginia Center. The students work in two-person teams on exercises, experiments, and design projects. Each team is loaned a Dell notebook computer, an HP/Compaq iPAQ handheld computer, an Intel wireless local area network access point, and network interface cards for IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, and Bluetooth wireless networks.

The course emphasizes hands-on learning. Working with their team partner or in collaboration with other teams, students have already completed a variety of experiments and projects, such as measuring the effects of Bluetooth interference on IEEE 802.11b throughput, configuring a mobile ad hoc network and examining performance, and designing a remote control program for PowerPoint presentations. The course will be taught again in Spring 2004. The ECE and CS departments plan to make this a permanent cross-listed course.