2013–2014 UNIVERSITY CATALOG - Florida Institute of Technology

RESEARCH
Current areas of research include image processing, electromagnetics,
computer vision, neural networks, speech processing, wireless communications
and pattern recognition. These activities are being carried
out in relation to the following general areas of research interest.
Electromagnetics: Applied and computational research is conducted
in order to manipulate electromagnetic fields. Antennas, frequency
selective surfaces, high impedance ground planes, and bandgap
structures are designed and analyzed using computational tools, then
tested for validation. The ability to model electromagnetic properties
of complex structures requires full-wave analysis with finite element,
method of moments or finite difference techniques. RF measurements
are conducted in the antenna laboratory that houses an anechoic
chamber and screen room.
Image processing: Much of the research is directed at basic problems
and contributes to the solution of major national problems in vision
and image processing. These include automated object detection and
perception, computer imaging, modeling and other areas of image
analysis. Techniques being used include traditional techniques and
others that include wavelets, fractals, higher-order statistics and morphology.
Application areas include autonomous inspection in manufacturing
and other commercial uses. Projects include the fusion of
infrared and visible imagery, and denoising of imagery using advanced
methods. In addition, many of the techniques in image processing
are being applied to speech processing.
Lightwave and Optronics Laboratories: The laboratories are dedicated
to research and development efforts in the field of optical electronics
such as optical communications and optical sensors. Activities
with regards to communication span the development of state-ofthe-art
multi-Tb/s optical transmission architectures to design and
development of cryogenic instrumentation for the space program.
Current activities are focused on innovative optical communications
architectures such as spatial and orbital angular momentum (OAM)
photon-based, multiplexing in optical fibers. As a result, revolutionary
capabilities for future optical networks using hybrid architectures
have already started to emerge and several multi-Tb/s optical systems
employing multiple photon degrees of freedom were recently reported.
Sensor research includes 2-D and 3-D structural health monitoring
of strain and material failure, and environmental parameters. These
laboratories are equipped with instrumentation such as tunable lasers,
optical spectrum analyzers, bit error rate test sets, fiber amplifiers and
digitally controlled attenuators, optical time domain reflectometers,
fiber splicers and customized data processing systems for data acquisition
and signal processing.
Signal processing: Research is performed in neural networks, image
processing, pattern recognition and speech processing. Algorithms
have been developed for near-real-time detection and classification
for several applications such as communications, noise reduction,
and speaker identification. Techniques being used include traditional
techniques and others that include wavelets, fractals, higher-order statistics
and morphology. Projects include the analysis and classification
of infrasound signals, development of pattern recognizers, denoising
of imagery and speech identification.
Wireless Center of Excellence (WICE): See the Institution Overview
section. Research within WICE focuses on areas related to wireless
communication, wireless multimedia communications and wireless
sensor systems. Students are involved in research projects evaluating
122 Florida Tech 2013–2014
propagation of radio waves, planning and optimization of voice and
data services in cellular systems, various aspects associated with
wireless sensor networks and topics addressing challenges in providing
multimedia communication over wireless links. WICE is well
connected with several industry partners that help in selection of
relevant research topics and provide the center with state-of-the-art
design tools and CAD software. In recent years the center has been
involved in the hurricane research program sponsored by the National
Science Foundation.
DEPARTMENT OF ENGINEERING SYSTEMS
Muzaffar A. Shaikh, Ph.D., Head
Degree Programs
Engineering Management, M.S.
Systems Engineering, M.S., Ph.D.
Graduate Certificate in Enterprise Architecture
Professors
William W. Arrasmith, Ph.D., systems engineering, signal processing.
Muzaffar A. Shaikh, Ph.D., management science, decision modeling,
mathematical programming, management information systems, systems
engineering, operations research.
Assistant Professors
Luis D. Otero, Ph.D., system design and analysis, industrial systems
engineering.
Adrian M. Peter, Ph.D., systems engineering, statistical data analysis,
machine learning, image analysis.
Barry Webster, Ph.D., systems engineering, optimization analysis,
management and analysis of data, artificial intelligence, software engineering.
Adjunct Faculty
M.W. Grieves, E.D.M.; K.J. Wallenstein, Ph.D.; R.W. Welch, Ph.D.
Mission Statement
The mission of the department of engineering systems is to prepare
engineers and scientists for leadership roles in business organizations.
Our educational objectives are to achieve steady enrollment
growth and pursue practical funded research; to provide engineers
and scientists the skills to expand their areas of responsibility in the
workplace; and to update the skills of engineers and scientists in their
fields of specialization.
Undergraduate Area of Emphasis in Systems Engineering
This area of emphasis is designed to expose interested undergraduate
engineering students to core aspects of systems engineering. Juniors
and seniors within the College of Engineering can select any three
from the four courses listed below and have them applied as electives:
SYS 4100 Quality Engineering
SYS 4200 Project Engineering
SYS 4310 Systems Engineering Principles
SYS 4460 Systems Requirements Analysis
Undergraduate students in the Fast Track Master’s Program for
College of Engineering Honors Students can take up to two of the
courses under the graduate-level number (listed below). In this case,
requirements for the fast track program apply. As a general rule, fast
track students may apply up to six credits to both the undergraduate
and graduate degree.
ENM 5100 Quality Engineering
ENM 5200 Project Engineering
SYS 5310 Systems Engineering Principles
SYS 5460 Systems Requirements Analysis