Capstone design projects are a major component of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering curriculum. Students design a product or service of significance and solve an open-ended problem in their field of study.
ECE hosted a project showcase for the summer term on August 8th, 2024.
Wirelessly-Powered Tire Pressure Monitoring System
Ardavan Pourkeramati, Mihir Nimgade, Nick Zhao, Ethan Joyce Partner: UBC ECE Communications Lab and Sierra Wireless
Project and Solution
A common problem in the trucking industry is the need to remap tire pressure sensors after tire swaps. Without remapping, the system is unable to determine which pressure readings originate from which tire. This remapping requires manual technician labor and is an additional expense for trucking companies. Our team has developed a battery-free, wirelessly powered, Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) capable of performing this remapping automatically. Our system is able to selectively power the individual sensors in each tire, allowing it to always know which tire each pressure reading originates from, eliminating the need for manual remapping.
Challenges
During this project, we encountered several challenges that pushed us to expand our engineering skills. One of the key challenges was applying the theoretical Radio-frequency (RF) knowledge we learned in class to real-world scenarios. This required hands-on experience with testing and debugging using specialized RF equipment such as spectrum analyzers and VNAs. We also had to dive deep into researching and understanding RF energy harvesting, a field that is intricate and full of complexities. Identifying the most suitable harvesting solution took considerable time and experimentation to ensure it met our specific needs.
Designing the RF printed circuit boards (PCBs) presented its own set of difficulties. Our project required two PCBs–one for transmitting and one for receiving RF power. This process wasn’t just about creating a functional design; it demanded extensive research and testing to effectively integrate RF principles with embedded systems for optimal performance.
Future Impact
We hope that this project has successfully demonstrated an alternative method for performing automatic tire location mapping (i.e. “auto-localization”) for large vehicles such as tractor-trailers. Our solution favours a hardware-based approach by using RF energy harvesting (RFEH) technology to individually power on the embedded tire sensors. For our system, it was the application of RFEH that made the auto-localization problem tractable.
Computer Vision Processing for High-Resolution Angle Sensor in Computer-Assisted Surgery
Eddy Nangia, Michael Perkins, Charlotte Luo, Yifeng Liu, Zelin Li Partner: ISTAR Group, Vancouver General Hospital, and UBC Department of Mechanical Engineering
Project and Solution
The ISTAR group at the University of British Columbia is pioneering a new surgical system for mandibular reconstruction surgery. This system integrates mechanical devices with intraoperative surgical guidance to improve surgical outcomes. A critical aspect of this system is accurately tracking the positions of objects in the surgical field, such as mechanical devices and bone segments, using optical markers. However, the current optical markers are large and often obstructed, leading to suboptimal performance.
Our team’s objective was to replace these markers with a newly developed system called LentiMark. When used with a standard camera, LentiMarks can accurately measure position and orientation while being smaller and less obtrusive. This innovation aims to enhance ISTAR’s surgical guidance system, resulting in more effective operations.
The project focuses on developing and implementing a high-resolution angle sensor for computer-assisted surgery, using advanced computer vision techniques to improve surgical precision and reliability. The core innovation is the LentiMark, a novel optical marker combining ArUco markers with Variable Moiré Patterns (VMPs). While ArUco markers provide preliminary pose information, VMPs offer greater angle detection accuracy by varying visual effects with the viewing angle. Experimental results show that angle measurements maintain an error margin within 1 degree, significantly enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of surgical tools and thereby benefiting surgical navigation.
Challenges
Our team members come from diverse backgrounds, each with different strengths. Effective teamwork allowed us to support each other throughout the term, overcoming challenges and learning together. One significant challenge was the initial research, as some aspects of the project involved medical and optical knowledge not directly related to electrical or computer engineering. The design of Variable Moiré Patterns (VMPs) was particularly challenging due to the limited research available, so we had to learn from scratch and adapt the design to meet our project requirements.
Computer vision programming was another complex area that required extensive self-learning, testing, and iterations. Our team invested considerable effort in building from basic libraries to optimizing for more stable and accurate outcomes. This involved refining the Otsu binarization method for automatic image thresholding to better suit LentiMark detection and developing a custom angle calibration procedure tailored to our project’s specific needs.
Future impact
In computer-assisted surgical systems, precisely tracking objects like surgical instruments, anatomical structures, or mechanical devices is crucial. Instead of developing complex algorithms to identify and track each object individually, visual markers are attached directly. Once detected, the system infers the position and orientation of the associated object based on information from the marker. This method allows for precise control and accurate tracking while offering flexibility across different procedures and equipment with minimal adjustments.
Our project delves deeply into the design of the LentiMark visual marker. In the future, LentiMark could be used not only in surgical applications but also in robotics and beyond. LentiMarks presents a compelling alternative by combining enhanced accuracy with the compact size and durability needed for advanced applications. This positions LentiMarks as a superior option for a wide range of tasks requiring visual markers.
Assistant Professor Prashant Nair, from the University of British Columbia (UBC) Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, is the recipient of the 2024 IEEE Technical Committee on Computer Architecture (TCCA) Young Computer Architect Award. Professor Nair received this award “In recognition of outstanding contributions to mitigate scaling-related DRAM faults and security vulnerabilities.”
The TCCA annually honours early-career researchers with the TCCA Young Architect Award. This award is considered the highest honour for early-career researchers in the field of computer architecture across the world, recognizing outstanding research contributions. The award was presented at the banquet ceremony during the International Symposium on Computer Architecture (ISCA) 2024. UBC is the first Canadian University with a faculty member to receive the TCCA Young Architect award.
Professor Nair’s primary roles include teaching and research, with some time dedicated to service. He primarily teaches computer engineering courses, specifically Digital Design and undergraduate and graduate Computer Architecture. His research focuses on secure, reliable, and scalable memory systems. In addition, Professor Nair works on alternative computing paradigms, such as quantum computing, from a computer engineering perspective.
What were some of your recent works that contributed to you being selected for the TCCA Young Computer Architect Award?
The efforts of my research group, Systems and Architectures STAR Lab, to mitigate the Rowhammer vulnerability in Dynamic Random Access Memories (DRAM) were a significant factor. Rowhammer is a security vulnerability that enables adversarial users to manipulate the data of other users who share the same memory system. Rowhammer enables adversarial users to repeatedly access their data in memory systems and indirectly tamper the data of other users (victims) in the shared memory system.
Additionally, my decade-long efforts in mitigating resilience issues with DRAM, which have had a notable industry impact, likely contributed to my selection for this award.
How do you feel about this award?
I am honoured to have been chosen for this award. To put things in perspective, UBC is the first Canadian University, and the first university outside of the United States to have its faculty receive this recognition. I am glad that the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering has been incredibly supportive of my research vision and growth.
“The award reinforces my motivation to continue doing good work and to expand my research mandate. I am also delighted that my community recognizes and supports the importance of simple, creative, and industry-friendly solutions.”
What impact could this research have?
My research in the area of DRAM scaling could significantly impact the development and enablement of applications in edge devices, client devices, and servers. It can also influence the design of current and future computing systems. This is because, memory systems often act as bottlenecks in terms of latency, capacity, and bandwidth.
“My work aims to address these issues while also highlighting the importance of resilient, secure, and efficient solutions.”
What are your future research plans?
My research group is currently investigating memory capacity issues for large-scale machine learning models, such as large language models (LLMs) and recommender systems. The overheads of serving and training these models are driven not only by GPUs but also by the architecture of their memory systems.
Additionally, we are exploring industry-friendly and practical solutions to mitigate Rowhammer and investigating security vulnerabilities beyond Rowhammer. Memory systems at scale also present sustainability challenges, and we are currently exploring strategies to address these from both over-provisioning and resilience standpoints.
Many city infrastructures worldwide were long ago transformed to require single-occupancy vehicles if people wanted to get around. People made due and it became a way of life, though this wasn’t accessible for some. For years, planners have theorised that a new transformation is possible, one that benefits more people, and makes for more efficient streets, healthier air, and more affordable options.
This year, students from SCARP’s PLAN 341 course may have just come up with a real plan.
The course and its students
PLAN 341 is about Smart Cities, the pursuit of analysing information about people’s needs to provide those needs. Taught this past spring by SCARP PhD candidate Madison Lore (whose research identifies paths to sustainable behaviours through machine learning), this Planning course is part of UBC SCARP and UBC Geography’s Major in Urban Studies.
Urban Studies is interdisciplinary by its very nature, and these students come from many academic pursuits, including Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Political Science, Sociology, and Urban Studies itself.
The students who produced Streetwise Solutions proudly includes:
Hazel Chongoti
Michael Claassen
Kieran Freitag
David McPherson
Noa Nibbelink
Ben Torry
A bold solution
As these students’ final project, they produced a plan to help sustainable transit modes thrive.
While the tool they eventually developed has potential applications worldwide, the project began as a spirited response to Vancouver’s traffic challenges. Vancouver has the second-worst traffic in Canada, at an average rate of 23 minutes for every 10 km and, on weekdays bus delays amounting 2,400 hours/day.
The students of PLAN 341 have a bold solution to this challenge: Smart Traffic Lights, which dynamically adjust green-light windows by traffic density and prioritise sustainable modes of travel, a contrast to the historical and default domination by single-use vehicles. These intersections would interface with a downloadable app in the pockets of drivers and passengers as well as on board buses (analysing how many people are present and what they’re driving) and then adjust green-light timelines to best serve the most people and the most sustainable transit. Their research carefully measured velocities, scalability, and impact over time, and the simulations the students produced is confirmed mathematically accurate.
Then, not content with merely presenting their findings, these students went above and beyond and actually created a full working simulator of their invention, as well as the hardware it would instantaneously interact with in an urban scenario.
With their simulation, the students confirmed their ability to vastly increase the number of people who can safely and easily traverse a busy intersection.
The prototype
Hazel’s, Michael’s, Kieran’s, David’s, Noa’s, and Ben’s Streetwise Solutions start-up incentivises public transport and carpooling (as well as emergency vehicles). Theoretically, participating cities deploying Streetwise would gradually expand public transportation infrastructure, making sustainable choices more accessible to broader populations and easing congestion.
To make Streetwise Solutions as feasible as possible, their plan takes into account data privacy, cybersecurity, possible system errors, and algorithm bias.
The tool is designed specially to be:
Robust Automatic failsafe: revert to normal intersection pattern
Scalable More people using the system = better traffic management
Fair No mandatory participation: each traffic direction has a minimum guarantee to consider those not using the system
Extendable Can extend to include more complex traffic phasing and intersection coordination, further improving management efficiency
Transparent Always accessible to the public
Following software and lab testing, a single intersection in Vancouver can be chosen to pilot the infrastructure, before the proof of concept is potentially rolled out on a larger scale (including the public release of the mobile app). More than a proof-of-concept simulation, Streetwise Solutions is a comprehensive plan involving government partnerships, financial models, and staggered roll-out. In short: this could happen.
View it in action
The students have launched a demo of their simulation that you can view from home. How to use it:
The dual interface shows how both a normal intersection and a StreetWise Solutions smart intersection would handle any scenario you throw at it.
Select any combination of vehicles to arrive at the intersection.
When ready, press PLAY to watch the scenario play out with or without the tool, and sum up how many people are serviced each time!
Implementing the scope of this plan would of course be a hardware and software feat, and of course involve strong governmental partnerships. Some may also think it requires a cultural shift in how we view transportation, but it may be a keener insight to say this tool reflects a cultural shift already underway. This model could be a catalyst for a revolution in accessibility and sustainability, one already craved by many.
Some words about the project’s significance from PLAN 341 student Kieran Freitag
“As with many others taking the smart cities class I was always interested in urbanist ideas of how we can make our cities better. I found it really engaging to work on a project where we could be at the helm of not only coming up with these ideas, but also how to be realistic in terms of implementation strategies and potential consequences.
Also, since every one of us in our group are in different majors, we were able to contribute something unique to our own skill sets. I’m in a second degree computer science program here at UBC and so I wanted to create a simulation of our idea to test its viability. This was quite fun as I was able to use the concepts I learned in my other computer science courses – such as how to appropriately model systems with objects, properties, and the relationships between them – in a more “real-life” environment with the traffic simulation.
Ultimately, I think this simulation was very helpful since it was much easier to find what works and what doesn’t with our smart traffic algorithm. You can theorize about potential effects and consequences of implementing something, but the most effective way to know what happens is to actually implement it (and the second best way is through a simulation of the process)!”
Praise for the students’ excellent work from instructor Madison Lore
Madison Lore, SCARP PhD candidate and PLAN 341 instructor in 2024WT2
“The goal of the final project is to think through a Smart City solution that uses technology to improve the quality of life for people. Students need to consider cost constraints, environmental and social impacts, and evaluate their system against a criteria that measures the unintended consequences of their solution on vulnerable groups.
The students in the class produced great projects that ranged from healthcare solutions, to sustainable and efficient transportation solutions, to urban gardens and waste management solutions. Each solution included innovative aspects from the course mixed with creativity and lived experience of the students.
The Streetwise Solutions group went above and beyond to build an online simulation of their solution to illustrate its effectiveness. The group have diverse majors and passions and you can see how it came together to produce an urban smart city solution. This is representative of the different backgrounds and skill sets we need to solve some of these major urban challenges.”
Pritam Dash, 4th year PhD Candidate in UBC’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, supervised by Professor Karthik Pattabiraman, was named a 2024 Rising Star in Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) research. On May 29th, 2024, Pritam was invited to participate in the CPS Rising Stars workshop at the University of Virginia (UVA), funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and ACM SIGBED.
Area of Research
My research focuses on making autonomous systems safe and secure. The advancements in robotics and AI have made autonomous systems, such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), autonomous vehicles (AV), and robotic surgery, a reality. We are also seeing machines we use in our daily lives increasingly feature autonomous capabilities for convenience or improved safety such as emergency braking and lane-keeping assists in cars.
Autonomous systems like AVs and drones are essentially computer systems that rely on sensors to perceive the world and make decisions accordingly. The problem is sensors can fail, malfunction, or be subject to malicious intervention (security breach), which poses serious threats. Imagine you’re walking on a sidewalk, and a car suddenly veers off the road or a drone crash-lands on a busy street, causing chaos because its sensors have failed or are tampered with. Not good, right?
“My ultimate vision is to develop methods to ensure that autonomous systems can handle even the worst-case scenarios and uphold safety standards.”
My research focuses on identifying vulnerabilities and developing robust AI and control methods to mitigate the potential points of failure. To fully realize the socio-economic benefits and accelerate the adoption of autonomous technologies, it is crucial to address the safety and security concerns.
What was your process of developing your research and area of focus?
Early in my grad school, I was diving deep into AI and Control theory, learning about all the incredible research that made autonomous systems that were considered science fiction a reality. I had a background in computer security.
“I started asking – what happens when an AV or a drone encounters a system failure? Imagine a security breach taking over control of an AV; how do we respond to such a security breach? Are there methods to recover from such situations?”
Traditional computer security techniques are not enough to handle these threats. I realized that amidst the drive for advancements in autonomy and functional efficiency, some of the real-world challenges of deploying autonomous tech have largely been ignored, which motivated me to pursue research in this area and develop solutions to make autonomous systems safe and secure.
Congratulations on being named a 2024 CPS Rising Star! How do you feel about this recognition?
I’m honoured to be named one of the 2024 CPS Rising Stars. It is incredibly rewarding to see our work recognized by the research community. I’d also like to express my gratitude to my advisor, Prof. Karthik Pattabiraman, for his guidance and to my collaborators, Dr. Guanpeng Li (University of Iowa), Dr. Mehdi Karimibiuki, and Ethan Chan, whose contributions have been instrumental.
Can you describe the CPS Rising Star workshop that occurred on May 29th?
Photo Credits: Jennifer Burman, Amanda Maglione
The University of Virginia (UVA) has hosted the CPS Rising Stars workshop for the past three years, and this year, they expanded the program to non-US candidates. There was an application process, and the organizing committee, consisting of senior Professors and researchers, selected 45 PhD students and Postdocs from around the world.
The workshop at UVA was a great opportunity to connect with rising stars and established senior researchers working on cyber-physical systems. It was inspiring to meet in person the researchers whose work I’ve admired and who I’ve previously only interacted with via email. Engaging with them, learning about their journey, and hearing firsthand about their career paths was an enriching experience. The workshop also had great panel discussions on establishing a research group, fostering collaborations, and how to write good grant proposals. Overall, fantastic blend of learning, networking and fun.
What are your future research and work plans?
I am currently working on safe reinforcement learning (RL) for autonomous systems. RL is widely used for control and decision making in many autonomous systems. However, a critical gap remains; we do not know how these algorithms perform under uncertainty and anomalies. After completing my PhD, my goal is to work in a research lab pursuing research in AI safety and autonomous systems.
Yasaman Best graduated from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at UBC with a biomedical specialization in 2011 and continued her studies to pursue a Master’s in Software Systems. Yasaman currently works as an IT Team Lead for the Federal Government of Canada (Department of National Defence).
Learn more about Yasaman’s experience at ECE, her current work for the Federal Government of Canada, and advice for ECE students!
Why did you choose ECE?
Choosing electrical engineering as a woman offers a unique opportunity to challenge stereotypes and contribute to a field that is constantly evolving. As a person with disabilities, pursuing a minor in the biomedical option not only expands one’s knowledge but also provides a pathway to understanding and developing assistive devices that can positively impact lives. This combination allows for both personal and professional growth, empowering individuals to make meaningful contributions to technology and society.
What was your student experience like while in ECE?
During my time at UBC, I had the privilege of encountering incredibly accommodating professors who supported my academic journey every step of the way. The UBC disability office played a crucial role in ensuring my success by providing accommodations such as hiring an assistant to write notes for me during class, which greatly facilitated my learning experience. Their dedication to inclusivity and accessibility truly made a difference. Overall, UBC proved to be a wonderful school, not only for its academic excellence but also for its commitment to fostering an inclusive environment where every student can thrive.
Where was your favourite place on campus?
Kaiser building! It’s so modern and accessible. I spent hours there studying with my classmates.
How did you get to where you are now?
Despite the life-altering car accident in 2002 that left me quadriplegic, I remained determined to pursue my academic goals. I successfully completed my undergraduate studies in electrical engineering with a biomedical option and went on to earn my Masters in computer systems. Throughout this journey, my friend, who has served as both a guide and mentor, suggested exploring career opportunities within the federal government due to their strong commitment to inclusion. Following this advice, I applied for a developer position and after passing rigorous technical assessments and interviews, was added to the pool of candidates. A month later, receiving the call from my manager offering me the job was a moment of immense pride and accomplishment. With the unwavering support of my husband, we made the decision to embark on a new chapter in Ottawa, where both of our careers could flourish.
What do you enjoy most about your career?
As the IT Team Lead for the federal government, I find immense satisfaction in knowing that my work directly benefits Canadians. Whether it’s improving digital services for citizens, ensuring the security of sensitive information, or implementing innovative technologies to enhance efficiency, every task I undertake has a tangible impact on the lives of individuals across the country. This sense of purpose and responsibility makes my role incredibly rewarding, as I play a vital part in contributing to the well-being and prosperity of fellow Canadians through the power of technology.
What are some challenges you have faced in your career?
Navigating accessibility challenges as a quadriplegic has been a significant aspect of my journey. However, I’ve been fortunate to have managers who consistently go above and beyond to accommodate my needs. Their unwavering support, coupled with the federal government’s steadfast commitment to inclusion, has provided me with a sense of assurance and empowerment. Knowing that there is a dedicated effort to ensure accessibility and support for individuals like myself within the organization has been invaluable. It underscores the importance of fostering an inclusive work environment where everyone, regardless of their abilities, can thrive and contribute meaningfully.
Do you have any advice or suggestions for ECE students
My advice to fellow students with disabilities is never to allow your condition to hinder your pursuit of your goals. Before embarking on your academic journey, it’s crucial to reach out to the disability office at your institution to explore the various accommodations available to you. Communication is key; make sure to regularly engage with your professors to discuss your specific needs and how they can best support you throughout your studies. Remember, your disability does not define you, and with determination and the right support system in place, success is entirely within reach. Additionally, UBC stands out as an excellent engineering school, offering a supportive environment conducive to academic achievement and personal growth.
UBC study uncovers insights into users’ love-hate relationship with online resale platform
Love it or hate it, Facebook Marketplace is the largest online resale site today with more than one billion monthly users. A new study conducted by UBC researchers sheds light on the intricate web of trust, privacy and safety factors shaping users’ experiences on this popular platform.
Researchers interviewed 42 Facebook Marketplace buyers and sellers in the U.S. and Canada to uncover the factors associated with trading decisions.
“Concerns for physical and financial safety, as well as well-being, were top of mind among users, reflecting the inherent risks associated with trading with strangers—particularly because goods are exchanged in person,” said Dr. Konstantin Beznosov, senior researcher on the study and a professor of electrical and computer engineering at UBC. “Many participants hesitated to rate sellers, citing physical safety concerns and the challenge of balancing feedback with anonymity.”
Participants were also uncomfortable with the inseparable link between the Marketplace and Facebook, raising privacy red flags as personal details became intertwined with trading activities.
Because of these reservations, users remained vigilant while trading on the site, closely monitoring transactional signals, such as negotiation conversations, location preferences and signs of trader authenticity: perceived impoliteness, flirtatious or patronizing language, or multiple grammatical errors suggesting a foreign scammer.
“Despite these persistent trust concerns, most participants continued to use the Marketplace because it’s simple to set up and offers wide audience reach, and it’s effective in facilitating sales,” said Dr. Beznosov.
In response to the study’s findings, the researchers proposed increasing user safety and privacy on the Marketplace, including enhancing user understanding of the implications of sharing personal information, and adding features that strike a balance between privacy and trust—for example, by implementing a profile verification process.
Facebook, Dr. Beznosov added, should also offer more transparent communication channels for user feedback.
“At the end of the day, every market—even online platforms—carries an element of ‘buyer beware.’ But it’s always possible to create a safer, more trustworthy trading environment on Facebook Marketplace. We should be helping users to make more informed choices about the tradeoffs between benefits and risks in any online marketplace, particularly those in which goods are exchanged in person.”
Results from the study will be presented today (May 13) at the Association of Computing Machinery’s CHI conference, the leading conference on human-computer interaction research.
Congratulations to Jennie Chen and Hooman Vaseli, graduate students in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, for receiving the Faculty of Applied Science Dean’s Graduate Extra-Curricular Contributions Award and the Dean’s Graduate Leadership Award!
Dean’s Graduate Extra-Curricular Contributions Award
The Dean’s Graduate Extra-Curricular Contributions Award recognizes a student who has demonstrated leadership, innovation, personal initiative and service to the UBC community through active participation in extra-curricular activities.
As the Vice President Social of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Graduate Student Association (ECEGSA) during the 2022-2023 academic year, Jennie planned and hosted 18 events for ECE graduate students, collaborated with other student organizations, rebranded the ECEGSA logo and social media assets, created branded merchandise, handled communications with the student body and took part in creating the new ECE grad lounge. Learn more about Jennie Chen’s experience at ECE and as the VP Social of ECEGSA.
How do you feel about receiving this award?
It feels amazing to be recognized for our efforts! I think both of us took on our roles in ECEGSA because we wanted to better the graduate student experience for our peers in the department, and I do think we managed to accomplish that. However, throughout the year, we felt that perhaps members of the department did not really understand the effort and impact that ECEGSA had on the student body. Having this official recognition is definitely the icing on the cake.
What have you enjoyed the most during your time at ECE and with ECEGSA?
We’re both technically still in ECE for a while longer! One thing that ECEGSA allowed me to do is make a lot of connections and friends in the department. It’s also really heartwarming when fellow students would come to us after events and tell us that they had a great time.
Any advice for current ECE students?
Join the council, reach out to them to see if they need volunteers, or even just participate in their activities! I strongly believe in a good work-life balance and the importance of community. I promise you that these are the memories you will look back on in 10 years, and not all the times you’ve spent staring at your code.
Dean’s Graduate Leadership Award
The Dean’s Graduate Leadership Award recognizes an outstanding student who takes an active role in institutional governance, service delivery, and community service work with the primary aim of making significant contributions to the graduate student culture and environment.
As the President of ECEGSA during the 2022-2023 academic year, Hooman led and managed the ECEGSA team through 30 events in the year, enhanced the team’s operational efficiency, revised the outdated ECEGSA constitution, negotiated for substantial cost savings, and advocated for the interest of ECE graduate students both on and off campus. Hear from Hooman Vaseli on his experience at ECE and as the President of ECEGSA during the 2022-2023 academic year.
How do you feel about receiving this award?
I am honoured to be given the Dean’s Graduate Leadership Award for my efforts as the ECEGSA President in 2022-23, which, of course, with the help of my fellow executive team members, has positively contributed to the social life and professional development of over 100 of the UBC ECE Graduate Students.
It feels great because it is an external recognition that what we worked on in ECEGSA has positively impacted the students, at least relative to the big campus community. It is definitely encouraging me, and hopefully others, to step up in the future as well.
What have you enjoyed the most during your time at ECE and with ECEGSA?
I enjoyed the feeling of having some sort of power (as president). However, with great power comes great responsibility, so I am happy I could use the power positively. Most importantly, I liked the friendships, memories, and connections I gained through this experience.
Any advice for current ECE students?
First, please don’t burn yourself out for just one aspect of grad school: the research part. Check out the awesome events hosted on campus by different organizations, especially ECEGSA. Connect more with others in your community and have fun! Second, consider stepping up for executive positions too, because not only does it help the community, but it also helps you grow a lot both on personal and professional levels. It provides many opportunities for practicing and improving on certain soft skills that you may not find anywhere else this easily. For example, I learned to make some difficult choices or be decisive when needed, and I learned to be a leader, something that will be in my toolbox for life.
Thank you to everyone who attended Design and Innovation Day! Congratulations to all of the groups on your hardwork and effort for this year’s capstone projects!
The capstone design project is a major component of the ECE engineering curriculum where students work in teams of four to six students to design a product/service of significance and to solve an open-ended problem in electrical and computer engineering.
Best Video Winners
The best video awards recognize exceptional capstone teams and their ability to communicate their technical design challenge and project’s impact to a general audience. A short list of videos is selected by the Capstone students with the final winners selected by a panel of judges representing diverse perspectives.
First Place- TL-32: Use of Frequency Modulated Continuous Wavelength Radar (FMCW) to Detect Heart Rate, Respiratory Rate of Patients
Project Client: Aberrant Designs Inc.
Project Description: Emergency departments see significant morbidity and mortality each year from unrecognized changes in patient vital signs. A patient’s condition can deteriorate after they are first admitted; this is indicated by changes in heart and respiratory rate, which are difficult to notice visually.
Patients in hospital seclusion rooms are especially at risk, since traditional wired health monitors cannot be used. Despite having camera and in-person examinations to assess the patients, accurately distinguishing between a sleeping patient lying in bed and one experiencing distress – and quickly intervening to prevent life-threatening or long-term harm – remains a critical challenge.
Our solution uses a Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) Radar to monitor the heart and respiratory rate of a patient in a seclusion room in a non-invasive manner. FMCW Radar allows us to measure the movement of a patient’s chest with sub-millimeter precision, without the need for wires and contact sensors.
Our product processes the radar data in real-time; this includes signal processing algorithms to denoise and reconstruct patient vital signals, making our system more tolerant to patient movement and applicable to realistic conditions. We send the measured heart and respiratory rate values to a web-based GUI, allowing health workers or nurses to monitor multiple patient vital rates remotely. Additionally, the GUI creates audio and visual alerts when patient vitals are in a dangerous range, improving patient outcomes.
Second Place- AI-70: Monitoring and Control System for C-Quester Carbon Capture
Project Client: C-Quester, Inc.
Project Description: The iCapture addresses the critical need for cost-effective and efficient data monitoring and control systems (MCS) in carbon capture operations. It is capable of communicating with various sensor signals, collecting their data, and outputting the sensor data to an online API. Developed in collaboration with Mitico, a company that offers accessible carbon capture technology and services, iCapture seamlessly integrates with their existing sensor networks, providing real-time insights into crucial parameters of their carbon capture system. The iCapture’s automatic sensor configuration, range communication of beyond 100ft, error handling for sensor disconnection or malfunction, and LCD display for displaying error notifications ensure seamless operation and scalability, all while maintaining affordability at under $500. By lowering the cost and complexity of MCS, we enable Mitico to deliver more accessible and sustainable carbon capture solutions, furthering their mission to combat climate change and promote environmental stewardship.
Third Place- TL-30: Mapping Below the Forest Canopy Software
Project Client: Korotu Technology Inc.
Project Description: The health of forests worldwide is fast deteriorating due to increases in deforestation and climate change. In order to make sound planning and management decisions, we must first better understand the present condition of our forests. Tree counts, biodiversity counts, growth stages, and other inventory data all provide extensive information on the state of our environment, yet much of this data is hidden beneath the forest canopy.
Today, traditional forest surveying techniques often involve deploying teams of skilled workers to collect data samples in remote locations, costing substantial time and resources. Expenses are estimated to average around $10,000 per hectare. While satellites and drones may provide information on forest conditions above the canopy, they are currently unable to gather data on the state of trees growing underneath.
To address these challenges, we have partnered with Korotu Technology Inc. to create ForestFolio, a mobile application that aims to reduce the financial and time burdens of data collection, increase the quality and precision of data samples, and make forest surveys more accessible to smaller groups interested in gathering forest data.
ForestFolio combines the various tools needed for traditional surveying into one device by making use of the camera, LiDAR sensor, gyroscope, and accelerometer on a mobile device. The application guides the user through the data collection process for the location, height, diameter, and species of each tree within a fixed-area forest plot..
First, the user is required to walk around the plot while holding up their mobile device to scan their surroundings and generate a map of detected trees. At this step, the diameter of each tree is extracted through machine learning algorithms, eliminating the need for individual tree diameter measurements.
The generated map helps the user keep track of their own position within the plot and the location of each tree. When the user navigates to a tree, they first receive step-by-step guidance on measuring its height. They then input additional data such as the tree species and relevant notes. Once all trees have been completed within the plot, the application waits for a stable Internet connection before uploading the completed plot to a server. There, the data is further analyzed and presented to the user via a website interface, with the option to export the data as a spreadsheet file.
In addition to the mobile application, data collected through other means such as via a drone with a mounted LiDAR sensor can also be analyzed by ForestFolio. This data simply needs to be uploaded to a website interface which will process it and return valuable tree inventory data.
ForestFolio not only eliminates the need for external forest survey tools, but also facilitates the data collection process so that untrained users can quickly begin gathering accurate, high-quality data beneath the forest canopy.
