Satyajit Desai

MS program in Computer Engineering

Emphasis on Embedded Systems and
Computer Architecture

I enjoy watching the reactions of people around me when they hold a new gadget
in their hands. The element of surprise and awe on human faces, for some reason,
gives me a high. Through my work, I seek to be involved in the development of
gadgets that will create awe among a large mass of humankind. Sharing my thrills
with technology, creating embedded systems for increased functionality, satisfying
customers – this is what I want to spend the rest of my life doing.

The question is where can I do this – At a research based university, at Nokia, at

Intel, at IBM – it doesn’t really matter. As long as I can experience the thrills of
solving complex engineering problems and contribute to the effort in enhancing the
functionality of existing and future devices, I would have accomplished my mission.

My immediate goal is to pursue my interest in embedded systems and

microprocessor design with the help of graduate study and research. The Embedded
System industry is in its nascent stage in India and with rapid economic growth, it
is certainly poised to move at a brisk rate. The potential for contributing in
emerging markets like India through my work led me to the undergraduate
program in engineering.

During my engineering program, I was introduced to the concepts of

microprocessors and microcontrollers and I had taken an instant liking to these
subjects. Since then I’ve covered numerous topics in microprocessors such as the
Intel 8085, 8086, 80386 and their instruction sets along with peripheral devices,
the ISA bus and the 8051 microcontroller. With every new topic that I studied, my
interest grew for this field. The Embedded Systems coursework helped me to
understand concepts like RTOS Functioning and programming. Also, for my project
work, I was required to learn basics of J2ME/J3ME and Embedded Programming
using C, which added to my knowledge of programming languages. We also had
Computer Organization and Architecture which introduced me to the basic working
of a computer. Topics such as PCI Bus, Memory Organization, Microprocessor
Architecture, Pipelining Concepts, Storage Format like FAT, FAT32 and NTFS, Von
Neumann Model, Harvard architecture and the basics of a LAN network were
introduced in this coursework.
In preparation for my future goals, I have actively participated in many innovative
projects throughout the undergraduate program and developed a keen interest in
the subject. I have also demonstrated through this work an aptitude for research
and therefore, believe that I am capable of meeting the best standards in research
at master’s level.

One of my key projects, “Digital Display System, using LCD and Atmel 8051”,
helped me understand the basic working and the problems involved in designing an
embedded system. In continuation with my interest in Embedded Systems, I chose
a major final year project on microcontroller. I am working with two other students
to design a ‘Bluetooth Controlled Home Automation System’. The heart of my
system comprises the 8051 microcontroller and a Bluetooth modem. I am
interfacing all home appliances with the help of the Microcontroller and Bluetooth
modem. Also, I am using J2ME/J3ME to create a program, which will enable me to
use the inbuilt Bluetooth feature of my mobile phone to control all the home
appliances. This is one of the most interesting large projects that I have been a part
of and it will help me better understand microcontroller programming and
interfacing of various devices.

I have also attended a seminar on Embedded System Designing. This helped me

learn about the finer points involved in selection of microcontroller for a particular
embedded system, reliability issues present during programming and the various
type of software architecture present for embedded system programming.

With my background and the awareness that American universities offer great
scope and encouragement for intellectual and academic development, I am
applying for my MS at UCSB. I appreciate that research calls for patience,
perseverance, dedication and commitment and I consider myself ready to handle
the rigors. The research facilities at department of electrical and computer
engineering are of particular interest, especially the Computer Architecture Lab.
Armed with an undergraduate degree in Electronics and Telecommunication and a
keen interest for computer architecture and embedded system, I am positive that I
will be able to contribute profusely to these research groups. Prof. Steven Butner
and Prof. Fred chong work on Computer architecture and Embedded Systems will
give impetus to my goals. I hope to have an opportunity to learn and contribute at
UCSB.