Labs & Equipment

Overview:

Directed by Dr. Perera, the embedded and digital systems lab focuses on groundbreaking and state-of-the-art research on embedded architectures for mobile devices, FPGA and ASIC designs, reconfigurable architectures for data mining, machine learning, cybersecurity, control systems, image processing, and bioinformatics. Current research projects and efforts include:

• Embedded and reconfigurable architectures for data analytics/mining on mobile devices

• Embedded architectures for control systems algorithms for BMS in electric vehicles

• FPGA-based reconfigurable architectures for cybersecurity

• FPGA-based accelerators for machine learning

• Adaptive architectures for next-gen edge-computing platforms

• Models and hardware architectures for neuromorphic computing and reservoir computing

• Multi-ported memory architectures for next-gen FPGAs

Equipment and facilities:

• Embedded and digital systems lab has several high-performance workstations for the students; and state-of-the-art development platforms, including Xilinx VC707 (Virtex-7 FPGA) development boards, Xilinx Zynq UltraScale+ MPSoC development boards, Xilinx ML605 (Virtex-6 FPGA) development boards, Xilinx Zed Zynq 7000 boards, Xilinx Zybo Zynq 7000 board, and several ARM development boards. These platforms are being utilized to design, develop, and prototype various architectures, techniques, and models that arise from the aforementioned research.

• The lab also houses numerous design tools to conduct the necessary design and development, including Xilinx Vivado Design Suite (full license), Xilinx Partial Reconfiguration (full license), ARM Keil (full license), Modelsim simulators (full license), Cadence and Synopsys tools (full license). These tools are used in-conjunction with the above development platforms to facilitate the embedded and digital systems research and experiments.

For more information, please visit: http://ece.uccs.edu/~dperera/

Overview:

Directed by Dr. Semiari, the MINDS laboratory focuses on cutting-edge research at the intersection of wireless communications, machine learning, and signal processing. Among the areas of research includes:

• Sixth generation (6G) cellular communication

• Ultra-reliable low-latency communications

• Machine learning in communications

• Millimeter wave and terahertz communications

• Context-aware networks

• Autonomous vehicles and platoons

• Wireless extended reality

Equipment and facilities:

• An advanced Ubuntu 18.04 Deep Learning Server with i9-9920X X-series CPU (3.5 GHz 12-core), 128GB DDR4 memory, two Quadro RTX 6000 GPUs plus NVLink, and 2TB SATA SSD storage. The server has pre-installed TensorFlow, PyTorch, Caffe, Keras, CUDA, and cuDNN. The server supports remote access and is used by students to implement machine learning algorithms.

• Remcom’s ray tracing simulator (Wireless InSite): Wireless InSite® is a suite of ray-tracing models and high-fidelity EM solvers for the analysis of site-specific radio wave propagation and wireless communication systems. The RF propagation software provides efficient and accurate predictions of EM propagation and communication channel characteristics in complex urban, indoor, rural and mixed path environments. The software supports advanced features such as full 3D propagation models, MIMO communications, as well as high-frequency millimeter wave communications.

• Software-defined radio platforms (to be updated soon)

Overview:

Directed by Drs. Plett and Trimboli, this team focuses on research in control systems as applied to the management and control of high-capacity battery systems, such as found in hybrid and electric vehicles. Current research efforts include:

• Physics-based reduced-order modeling of ideal lithium-ion dynamics
• System identification of physics-based model parameters using only current-voltage input-output data
• Physics-based reduced-order modeling of degradation mechanisms in electrochemical cells
• Estimation of cell internal state and degradation state
• State-of-charge, state-of-health and state-of-life estimation
• Power and energy prediction using model predictive control and other advanced techniques to extend life
• Battery pack fast charging.

Research is both theoretical and empirical: the UCCS high-capacity battery research and test laboratory houses equipment to test cells, modules, and battery packs, and is home to our own custom battery-management system and our own battery pack simulator projects, which enable cutting-edge research in advanced but practical algorithm prototyping.

Equipment and facilities:

• Three Arbin BT-2000 cell cyclers (5V measurement capabilities)
  • 2 independent channels at ±200A each (may be connected in parallel for single channel at ±400A)
  • 8 independent channels at ±100 A each
  • 8 independent channels at ±50 A each
  • 30 independent channels at ±20 A each
  • Software allows equipment to be used for OCV testing, characterization of cell dynamics, drive-cycle simulation, life testing, and others
• Three Gamry Reference 3000 galvanostat/potentiostat units, with three power-booster units
  • Allows constant-current, constant-voltage, pulse, and EIS testing at amplitudes up to 30 A per channel (can be placed in parallel for amplitudes up to 90 A total).
• AeroVironment MT-30 module cycler (120V maximum module voltage)
  • One channel at ±330A; a second independent channel at ±170A (may be connected in parallel for single channel at ±500A, max 30kW)
  • Equipment may be controlled by RS-232 or CAN
  • Data logging of BMS RS-232 and CAN data
  • Highly programmable for custom test requirements
• AeroVironment ABC-170 pack cycler (445V maximum pack voltage)
  • Two independent channels at –320A to +265A (may be connected in parallel for single channel with range –640A to +530A, max 170 kW)
  • Equipment may be controlled by RS-232 or CAN
  • Data logging of BMS RS-232 and CAN data
  • Highly programmable for custom test requirements

Overview:

Directed by Dr. Song, the UCCS Applied Electromagnetics Research Laboratory's primary focus is on the theoretical and experimental research on the microwave/ millimeter-wave/ terahertz radiation source, interaction between electromagnetic radiation and human body, and advanced antenna research. Recent projects are heavily associated with developing high frequency microwave/ millimeter-wave/ terahertz devices which requires design, construction, and characterization of high power microwave tubes, millimeter-wave vacuum electronic devices, novel electron guns, RF coupling structures, innovative RF circuits, and efficient collectors. Projects involving bio-engineering include terahertz dielectric spectroscopy research for non-invasive cancer screening and detection and work involving cell phone radiation effect on human brain. Various novel antenna concepts for future advanced communication systems are currently under investigation.

Equipment and facilities:

The EML at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs supports undergraduate and graduate laboratory courses and research activities. Undergraduate and graduate laboratory courses have been developed in the areas of microwave, millimeter-wave, and infrared (IR) diagnostic techniques to support the existing courses in electromagnetic theory. Significant research activity is being devoted to RF/Microwave systems, high power microwave and millimeter-wave vacuum electronics, microwave and millimeter-wave solid state technology, microwave integrated circuits, antenna and phased array, and terahertz electronics. The EML features an anechoic chamber and a microwave measurement facility. It possesses high power ac service and a chilled water recirculation system, thereby permitting high average power experiments.

• Anechoic chamber

The 27’x22’x12’ broadband, shielded anechoic chamber is capable of antenna testing and pre-compliance EMC/EMI measurements. An anechoic chamber is a shielded room designed to attenuate sound or electromagnetic energy. It is filled with special cone shaped absorber that is designed to absorb echoes caused by internal reflections of a room and to provide a shielded environment for radio frequency (RF) and microwaves. The performance for emission testing, Normalized Site Attenuation (NSA) is approximately ±10 – 15 dB between the 30 – 200 MHz and ±4 dB from 200 MHz and above. Measurement is fully automated using NI’s Labview program.

• Terahertz Measurement Facility

The facility provides a terahertz vector network analyzer (VNA) used to measure the scattering parameters of linear electrical networks. The PNA-N5224A is capable of generating 2-port or 4-port models and runs between 10 MHz and 43.5 GHz. Extension modules with waveguide interfaces are used to push the frequency beyond 110 GHz into the terahertz range up to 750 GHz. Those extenders provide a high performance capability with superb dynamic range and high test port power. A pair of transmission/reflection (T/R) test head modules and its associated waveguide calibration kit is provided for each system configuration, powered by a pair of 12V power supply. The terahertz VNA is located inside a racket cabinet whose front door is Plexiglas with wireless keyboard and mouse, extractor fan, and drawer storages. The module system is mounted on an optical table and supported by a rail system that assists the user to carry out the experiment more easily with stability and alignment features. 

• Microwave Measurement Facility

The microwave measurement facility possesses a number of state-of-the-art systems including network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, sweep oscillators, amplifiers, power meters, and various microwave/millimeter-wave components. Characterization of microwave/millimeter-wave devices is carried out in this facility.

For more information, please visit: https://faculty.uccs.edu/hsong/laboratory-facilities/

Overview:

Directed by Dr. Lee, LiCA focuses on research for high performance computer architecture, deep learning optimization, cybersecurity, mobile systems, and workload characterization of emerging applications. Current research efforts include:

• Deep learning network optimization
• Workload characterization and performance modeling of emerging applications
• Intelli-dynamic malware detection
• Hardware acceleration for deep learning applications
• IoT, Cyber physical systems, AR/VR/MR
• Low power architecture and early-stage power estimation
• Cache optimization for emerging architectures

Equipment and facilities:

• LiCA has several workstations. Dell Precision 5820 Tower which contains 12 cores. Process type is Intel(R) Xeon CPU W-2133 @3.6GHz, Turbo @3.9GHz, 6C, 8.25M Cache, 32GB DDR4-2666, Nvidia GPGPU Quadro P6000, Xilinx FPGA Virtex-7. More Linux-based workstations will be available through NSF MRI grant. 
• All the necessary tools and virtual computing environment to carry out our research are available, including: all kinds of performance benchmarks, Intel V-Tune, Virtutech Simics, gem5, and various academic simulators and benchmarks.

For more information, please visit: http://ece.uccs.edu/~blee/lica/

Lab Description:

The Electronics Lab in Engineering 229 supports lab classes, as well as general electronics

Equipment and Facilities:

• Keysight MSOX6004A Oscilloscope, 4 analog channels, 16 digital channels, 2 channel arbitrary waveform/function generator, 15-inch touch display with voice controls, networked. Designed and by Keysight in their Colorado Springs Facility
• Keysight 34450A DMM 5 ½ digit networked multimeter
• Keysight E E36311A 80W Triple Output Power Supply, 6V, 5A & ±25V, 1A, USB networked
• PC with Keysight BenchVue: interface and programmable control of the lab instruments

Lab Description:

The control-systems laboratory (CSL) supports teaching and research in control-system theory. The lab comprises work centers that include Educational Control Products' (ECP) Magnetic Levitation apparatus. Each center has a full complement of test-and-measurement equipment. These dynamic devices may be configured to study identification and control of linear or nonlinear, stable or unstable, SISO, collocated SIMO, noncollocated SIMO and full MIMO control.

Equipment and Facilities:

• ECP Magnetic-levitation devices
• Oscilloscopes, power supplies, multimeters, function generators
• MATLAB/Simulink/Real-Time Workshop

Lab Description:

The EML at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs supports undergraduate and graduate laboratory courses. Undergraduate and graduate laboratory courses have been developed in the areas of microwave, millimeter-wave, and infrared (IR) diagnostic techniques to support the existing courses in electromagnetic theory. The EML features an anechoic chamber and a terahertz/microwave measurement facility. It possesses high power ac service and a chilled water recirculation system, thereby permitting high average power experiments.

Equipment and Facilities:

3.1 Anechoic chamber

The 27’x22’x12’ broadband, shielded anechoic chamber is capable of antenna testing and pre-compliance EMC/EMI measurements. An anechoic chamber is a shielded room designed to attenuate sound or electromagnetic energy. It is filled with special cone shaped absorber that is designed to absorb echoes caused by internal reflections of a room and to provide a shielded environment for radio frequency (RF) and microwaves. The performance for emission testing, Normalized Site Attenuation (NSA) is approximately ±10 – 15 dB between the 30 – 200 MHz and ±4 dB from 200 MHz and above. Measurement is fully automated using NI’s Labview program.

Anechoic chamber

3.2 Terahertz Measurement Facility

The facility provides a terahertz vector network analyzer (VNA) used to measure the scattering parameters of linear electrical networks. The PNA-N5224A is capable of generating 2-port or 4-port models and runs between 10 MHz and 43.5 GHz. Extension modules with waveguide interfaces are used to push the frequency beyond 110 GHz into the terahertz range up to 750 GHz. Those extenders provide a high performance capability with superb dynamic range and high test port power. A pair of transmission/reflection (T/R) test head modules and its associated waveguide calibration kit is provided for each system configuration, powered by a pair of 12V power supply. The terahertz VNA is located inside a racket cabinet whose front door is Plexiglas with wireless keyboard and mouse, extractor fan, and drawer storages. The module system is mounted on an optical table and supported by a rail system that assists the user to carry out the experiment more easily with stability and alignment features.

Terahertz Measurement Facility

3.3. Microwave Measurement Facility

The microwave measurement facility possesses a number of state-of-the-art systems including network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, sweep oscillators, amplifiers, power meters, and various microwave/millimeter-wave components. Characterization of microwave/millimeter-wave devices is carried out in this facility.

Microwave Measurement Facility