Dr Derek Rogers

PhD Ideas
Improved ship-board man overboard search and track systems The EMI impact of personal electronic devices on aeroplane systems

A collection of other areas of interest

Ideas for PhD Topics

Background
One of the sensors on many naval vessels

is an Infra-Red Search and Track (IRST) system IRST systems are often used for missile detection but can also be used for man overboard detection and tracking. When placed on a ship a sensor has to contend with roll/pitch/yaw of the ship, various sea states and often a very small target (the person overboard) to try and detect and track.

Problem
The intent of the PhD would be to look at

ways of improving IRST systems in the context of man overboard detection and tracking
Taking into account the mounting on a ship

and the maritime environment

Improving means increased probability of

detection and tracking under adverse conditions:

Sea state, atmospheric conditions, solar

conditions

Research Direction
The research can explore a number of

directions but should explore and consider the performance of detection and tracking algorithms under different situations and look to improve them:
Perhaps by taking into account input from

other sensors to provide an increased probability of detection and tracking stability Perhaps by taking into account image recognition

Skills and Behaviours

Anyone interested should first have an

interest in solving the problem, then a strength in mathematical modelling and simulation with a very practical focus. The research may involve aspects of radar theory, electro-optics and control theory. The research will require understanding maritime systems and the maritime environment.

Ideas for PhD Topics

Background
Most people are familiar with the phrase

Please turn off all electronic equipment because it may interfere with aircraft navigation systems Firstly, that is the safest thing to do But there is increasing prevalence of personal communications devices
Most people turn them off,

Some people forget or dont know how; and

Some people wilfully keep them on.

Background
One of the other reasons for turning phones

off related to the effect on networks of a high altitude (high power) mobile. Modern devices are much lower power, higher frequencies, use more modern modulation techniques. There has been some research into EMI/EMC in aeroplanes but not much

Problem
The intent of the PhD would be To model to a reasonable fidelity EMC from personal devices in aeroplanes under a variety of scenarios Identify the effects of EMC on different aeroplane systems Propose and analyse ways of allowing the two systems to safely co-exist

Research Direction
The research can explore a number of

directions but should explore:

Different ways to model the problem and the

strengths and limitations of the different models Consider the fidelity of the devices modelled, the susceptibility of aircraft systems People and other insulators / reflectors
Involves understanding EMI/EMC,

communications systems, mathematical modelling

Skills and Behaviours

Anyone interested should first have an

interest in solving the problem, then a strength in mathematical modelling and simulation with a very practical focus. The research may involve aspects of EMI/EMC, communications systems, and physiology. The research will require understanding aerospace and communications systems.

Ideas for PhD Topics

Other areas
The following ideas require further

development into research topics

Flexible Solar Generation and Storage

Systems Soft Robots

Flexible Solar Generation and Storage Systems

New technologies allow the creation of flexible

batteries; [Soon to be published in Nature] Similarly another new technology is a paint that has solar generation properties. The research would investigate and analyse these technologies

Why does it matter?

Imagine the ability to paint your car or your roof

to make it into a solar generation system and imagine a battery that could be moulded to the roof storing the energy for night time use.

Soft Robots

Robots are hard metallic things, right?

Not for long, new robotic systems are to able

to adapt their shapes to climb under or over things, the use air to inflate, deflate and change shape. This leads to a whole series of research topics on the integration of different sensors and control of such systems.

Why does it matter?

Soft robots will find more acceptance in the

consumer (home) market.

About Dr Derek Rogers

Adjunct of the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Previously co-supervised one student in

the area of Image Watermarking they successfully completed their PhD

Also an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of South Australia

Primary supervisor for one student in the

area of Software Acquisition they successfully completed their PhD in 2012.

Biography

Currently the Deputy Systems Engineering Manager Amphibious Assault Ships (LHD) with Saab Systems Prior to this worked with BAE Systems for 5 years, Motorola for 5 years, CTIN for 3 years Has over 30 publications on a wide range of engineering topics Sits on the Federal Governments Advisory Council on Intellectual Property (ACIP) Has won numerous academic and corporate best practice awards Has travelled extensively around the world