SYSTEM IMPLEMENTATION

Extensive Hands-On Research on Electronics and Computer Systems

• Developed a general embedded system platform using MC68030 and Xilinx FPGAs, designed for incoming graduate student education

• Built RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) systems over fiber-optic networks, including custom fiber-optic interfaces, system controllers, and embedded web servers

• Designed and implemented clock-cycle-accurate energy measurement systems for ARM CPUs and memory devices

• Created a DRAM performance evaluation platform for system-level analysis and benchmarking

• Developed the Apollo Testbed, a complete wearable computer energy measurement system, integrating CPU, peripheral interfaces, display, sound, and disk subsystems

Advanced System Prototyping and Energy Analysis Platforms

• Developed an X-Scale and ARM9 microprocessor platform for embedded systems prototyping

• Built clock-cycle-accurate energy measurement systems for FPGAs, DRAM, and flash memory devices

• Designed a display power-saving test platform featuring framebuffer compression for energy optimization

• Constructed a power analysis platform for data acquisition (DAQ) systems, focusing on power integrity

• Created a digital convergence platform with programmable CODEC support using Equator DSP technology

• Designed and demonstrated dynamic backlight scaling for energy-efficient display systems

• Developed a programmable active load emulator for power converter and power system analysis

• Built and utilized a Texas Instruments OMAP-based platform for low-power system design

• Designed and deployed a memory system evaluation board for benchmarking and architectural analysis

• Engineered a low-power display controller integrating backlight scaling and framebuffer compression

• Prototyped a hybrid NAND flash and disk-based storage system for energy-efficient data handling

Hands-On, Cross-Disciplinary Research for Energy, Advanced Memory, QoLT, and Health

• Developed a hydrogen fuel cell and battery hybrid power source using proton exchange membrane (PEM) technology

• Created a passive voltage scaling platform enabling dynamic voltage scaling (DVS) without DC-DC converters

• Designed a System-on-Chip (SoC) development platform for low-power and embedded applications

• Built a direct methanol fuel cell platform for real-time constant-current operation and balance-of-plant (BoP) energy characterization

• Engineered a 100% nonintrusive hard disk profiler for performance and energy diagnostics

• Designed an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) control computer for autonomous flight operations

• Developed a fuel cell and supercapacitor hybrid system for efficient energy storage and delivery

• Constructed an OLED dynamic voltage scaling platform for ultra-low-power display applications

• Contributed to QoLT (Quality of Life Technology) initiatives for supporting individuals with disabilities

• Built a UV skin protection meter with storageless (battery-less) and converter-less dynamic power management

• Developed a PC-RAM (phase-change memory) evaluation board for emerging non-volatile memory research

Inclusive Hardware Prototyping for Cross-Disciplinary Research

To support hands-on learning and interdisciplinary collaboration, I have developed multiple complete hardware platforms that enabled early-career researchers—particularly students with limited prior exposure to experimental work—to engage in real-world, high-impact research:

• Designed and built an ocean-bottom seismometer integrated with a custom power analysis platform, enabling joint research between engineering and earth science, and offering a rare opportunity for students to apply electronics and systems design to geological instrumentation.

• Developed a comprehensive hybrid energy storage system demonstration platform, including:

  • Charge management controller unit

  • Voltage converters

  • Charge-transfer interconnect module

  • Supercapacitor module

  • Lead-acid battery module

  • Lithium-ion battery module
    This platform was used not only for research in energy system optimization but also as a teaching tool to provide hands-on experience in power electronics, battery safety, and energy-aware systems.

These platforms were frequently used in mentored projects with undergraduate and international exchange students, particularly female and first-time hardware researchers, enabling inclusive access to advanced system design and prototyping environments.

Hands-On, Cross-Disciplinary Research for Energy and Electrification

• Developed a photovoltaic (solar) cell emulation system for controlled testing and optimization of solar energy systems

• Built a reconfigurable-topology solar cell array platform for evaluating adaptive energy harvesting strategies

• Designed and fabricated a full-custom, real-scale electric vehicle, enabling comprehensive power modeling and system-level optimization for EV applications

Applied Research in Vehicle Electrification and Energy Harvesting

• Led the complete electric powertrain conversion of a Jeep JK Wrangler, including drivetrain integration and system-level optimization

• Developed an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle power analysis tool for real-time performance and energy profiling

• Designed an onboard power measurement and management system for drones, enabling lightweight, energy-aware flight control

• Created a reconfigurable-topology thermoelectric generator (TEG) energy harvesting system for adaptive thermal-to-electric conversion

Activities beyond 2017 👈