Hardware Acceleration for Neural Systems. To really understand how brains work, we need to simulate neural networks of a size similar to that of the human brain (100 billion neurons, 100 trillion connections). Simulating such a network on standard computers in not possible because of its sheer size. Several groups are currently building very expensive and proprietary hardware to solve this, but the output from these projects will not be accessible to other researchers. In order to make real prog ....Hardware Acceleration for Neural Systems. To really understand how brains work, we need to simulate neural networks of a size similar to that of the human brain (100 billion neurons, 100 trillion connections). Simulating such a network on standard computers in not possible because of its sheer size. Several groups are currently building very expensive and proprietary hardware to solve this, but the output from these projects will not be accessible to other researchers. In order to make real progress in neuroscience, many more researchers need to be enabled to participate. To do this, the project will build a system from commercial hardware (FPGAs) that will cost only a few ten thousand dollars and it will make this design and software available for free. Read moreRead less
Computational neural modelling of bottom-up information and top-down attention in auditory perception. The aim of this project is to gain a better understanding of the ways in which our auditory cortex functions. This project will make a significant contribution to this important and fundamental aspect of brain science and brain-inspired computation. The outcome will be to build a computational model of the auditory cortex, through simulation of the detailed neuronal responses using spiking neur ....Computational neural modelling of bottom-up information and top-down attention in auditory perception. The aim of this project is to gain a better understanding of the ways in which our auditory cortex functions. This project will make a significant contribution to this important and fundamental aspect of brain science and brain-inspired computation. The outcome will be to build a computational model of the auditory cortex, through simulation of the detailed neuronal responses using spiking neurons. Applications will develop improved processing strategies for automatic speech recognition, hearing aids, bionic ears (cochlear implants), robotics and other machine processing systems.Read moreRead less
Cyber-Physical Security Analyses and Enhancing the Resilience of Smart Grid. The electrical power industry in Australia is undergoing a massive revolution to an intelligent, low-carbon and sustainable smart grid environment. However, due to the heavy reliance on cyber infrastructure and the intermittence of renewables, smart grid will inevitably introduce new security issues, for example, cyber security. This project is to investigate emerging security issues together in a comprehensive framewor ....Cyber-Physical Security Analyses and Enhancing the Resilience of Smart Grid. The electrical power industry in Australia is undergoing a massive revolution to an intelligent, low-carbon and sustainable smart grid environment. However, due to the heavy reliance on cyber infrastructure and the intermittence of renewables, smart grid will inevitably introduce new security issues, for example, cyber security. This project is to investigate emerging security issues together in a comprehensive framework where quantitative models and analysis methods will be explored for smart grid cascading failure analyses. Then innovative three-stage reinforcement strategies (three lines of defence) will be developed to enhance the resilience of smart grid against natural disasters and intentional attacks, and potential large blackouts. Read moreRead less
Smart CMOS Vision Sensors in Deep Sub-0.25um CMOS Technologies. This research project aims to develop a new generation of smart vision sensors featuring on-chip and pixel-level implementation of human vision based algorithms. Built in state-of-the-art deep sub-0.25um CMOS technologies, these imagers will feature extensive in-pixel processing power in contrast to the currently commercially available CMOS vision sensors. This will enable on-chip vision-based decision making but also increased on-c ....Smart CMOS Vision Sensors in Deep Sub-0.25um CMOS Technologies. This research project aims to develop a new generation of smart vision sensors featuring on-chip and pixel-level implementation of human vision based algorithms. Built in state-of-the-art deep sub-0.25um CMOS technologies, these imagers will feature extensive in-pixel processing power in contrast to the currently commercially available CMOS vision sensors. This will enable on-chip vision-based decision making but also increased on-chip image processing. These innovative system-on-chip features will contribute towards the positioning of CMOS imaging technology as the technology of choice for most digital imaging applications, in place of the existing, and so far unchallenged, CCD technology.
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New perspectives on computing methods for mathematical signal processing. This project determines how best to design computing methods for challenging demands in signal processing. The expected conceptual & algorithmic advances will have significant repercussions in a number of fields including optimal filtering theory and will contribute to applications ranging from bio-informatics to electrical engineering. The new techniques will allow development of software that will benefit Australian in ....New perspectives on computing methods for mathematical signal processing. This project determines how best to design computing methods for challenging demands in signal processing. The expected conceptual & algorithmic advances will have significant repercussions in a number of fields including optimal filtering theory and will contribute to applications ranging from bio-informatics to electrical engineering. The new techniques will allow development of software that will benefit Australian industries and technologies. The formation of a strong research team across four universities in Australia, USA and Japan will enhance our scientific standing in the international community and will place Australian researchers at the forefront of world-class research methods. Read moreRead less
Electronic Auditory Pathway. We will develop electronic building blocks to investigate biological signal processing. In particular, we will investigate the auditory pathway and develop the most accurate electronic model of the biological cochlea and auditory nerve. These will be followed by electronic circuits that model the processing of sensory signals in the brain. Processing signals with neural spikes offers distinct advantages over current analogue and digital signal processing techniques i ....Electronic Auditory Pathway. We will develop electronic building blocks to investigate biological signal processing. In particular, we will investigate the auditory pathway and develop the most accurate electronic model of the biological cochlea and auditory nerve. These will be followed by electronic circuits that model the processing of sensory signals in the brain. Processing signals with neural spikes offers distinct advantages over current analogue and digital signal processing techniques in terms of noise, energy consumption and extraction of temporal information. We will implement the first spike-based models of pitch and timbre perception, and a neural model of speech recognition in noisy environments.Read moreRead less
A 3D CMOS Vision Sensor with Pixel Level Analog-to-Digital Converter and Intelligent Processing. The aim of this research project is to build a smart vision sensor using advanced 3D technology. The smart sensor will consist of two vertically stacked levels comprising the vision sensor chip with pixel-level Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) and the processing chip for edge and motion detection. The pixel level ADC will be based on new architectures offering improved performance in terms of dynami ....A 3D CMOS Vision Sensor with Pixel Level Analog-to-Digital Converter and Intelligent Processing. The aim of this research project is to build a smart vision sensor using advanced 3D technology. The smart sensor will consist of two vertically stacked levels comprising the vision sensor chip with pixel-level Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) and the processing chip for edge and motion detection. The pixel level ADC will be based on new architectures offering improved performance in terms of dynamic range, fill-factor, and signal-to-noise ratio. Both the vision and the processing chips will be realised in standard CMOS technology, which make the smart vision sensor very suitable for low cost consumer electronic applications.Read moreRead less
Design and Control of Sensorless, Brushless, Linear Permanent Magnet Motors for Fluid Pumping. Many machines require reciprocating motion and achieve it by mechanical conversion of rotary motion. In particular, pistons for liquid pumping and gas compression are usually driven by a crank on a rotary electric motor. Driving the piston directly by a linear motor eliminates the cost, weight, inefficiency and wear of the mechanical conversion. This project will design, construct and test high efficie ....Design and Control of Sensorless, Brushless, Linear Permanent Magnet Motors for Fluid Pumping. Many machines require reciprocating motion and achieve it by mechanical conversion of rotary motion. In particular, pistons for liquid pumping and gas compression are usually driven by a crank on a rotary electric motor. Driving the piston directly by a linear motor eliminates the cost, weight, inefficiency and wear of the mechanical conversion. This project will design, construct and test high efficiency, tubular, linear permanent magnet motors for fluid pumping. Further, an intelligent electronic controller will be developed to control the motor speed and reversals without sensors in the motor. Initial applications will be solar powered water pumping and purification.Read moreRead less
Development of Low Cost High Performance Motor Drives for Electrical Appliances using New Soft Magnetic Composite Materials. This project aims to break the major barrier to commercial production of efficient electrical appliances by developing low cost high performance motor drives using new soft magnetic composite materials. Initial applications will be swimming pool/spa pump drives. Optimum material composition, novel motor topologies, intelligent variable speed drive, and motor manufacturing ....Development of Low Cost High Performance Motor Drives for Electrical Appliances using New Soft Magnetic Composite Materials. This project aims to break the major barrier to commercial production of efficient electrical appliances by developing low cost high performance motor drives using new soft magnetic composite materials. Initial applications will be swimming pool/spa pump drives. Optimum material composition, novel motor topologies, intelligent variable speed drive, and motor manufacturing techniques using mould injection/compaction will be developed to reduce the production cost with improved performance in collaboration with Waterco. The new technology will contribute to reduction of greenhouse gas emission by reducing energy consumption of electrical appliances and once commercialised will greatly enhance the competitiveness of Australian industry in the world market.Read moreRead less
High Efficiency Low Cost Low Noise Variable Speed Compressor Drive for Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Systems. This project aims to break the major barriers to the commercial production of efficient refrigerators and air conditioners by developing a high efficiency low cost low noise variable speed compressor drive. High performance PM motors, power electronic fault tolerant converters/inverters, and intelligent algorithms for motor control and temperature control will be developed to meet ....High Efficiency Low Cost Low Noise Variable Speed Compressor Drive for Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Systems. This project aims to break the major barriers to the commercial production of efficient refrigerators and air conditioners by developing a high efficiency low cost low noise variable speed compressor drive. High performance PM motors, power electronic fault tolerant converters/inverters, and intelligent algorithms for motor control and temperature control will be developed to meet the specific requirements of compressor drives in collaboration with Kirby Refrigeration. The new technology will contribute to the reduction of CO2 greenhouse gas emission by reducing the energy consumption of refrigerators and air conditioners and once commercialised will greatly enhance the competitiveness of Australian industry in the world market.Read moreRead less