INFRASTRUCTURE 99

Center for Advanced Technology and Education

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Florida International University
Center for Engineering and Applied Sciences
10555 W Flagler St. Miami, Florida
adjouadi@eng.fiu.edu
http://www.cate.fiu.edu

Abstract

The NSF funded Center for Advanced Technology and Education (NSF-CATE) at Florida International University (FIU) was established in the fall of 1993. An initial support of three years was augmented with a two-year continuation grant, and grants from the NSF-ARI and NSF-MRI programs. Together, these grants allowed us to establish a modern multidisciplinary infrastructure used for both instructional and research activities. New opportunities for carrying out research in areas of critical technology need have served us well, not only in addressing new research directions, but in attracting and retaining a great number of graduate students who are finding in this infrastructure all the support they need to pursue their graduate studies all the way to the Ph.D. level. We are happy to report that many of these outstanding graduate students come from the traditionally underrepresented groups (African Americans and Women). We find that two of the strongest components in enhancing the student pipeline which feeds eventually the graduate program is (1) our outreach program to local high schools, and (2) the NSF-Research Experience for Undergraduates (NSF-REU) program which allows for students to be exposed early in their career to the merits of research.

1. Introduction

1.1 Introduction to Florida International University

Florida International University (FIU) is an urban doctoral-granting multi-campus institution located in Miami with campuses at University Park, North Miami, and a new campus, one mile away from University Park, housing the College of Engineering. Chartered by the Florida Legislature in 1965, the University opened its doors in 1972. A member of the State University System of Florida, FIU is now offering 218 degree programs at the BS and MS levels, and 40 doctoral programs. The University currently enrolls 30,583 students, has 1,300 full-time faculty, making it the largest public university in South Florida. For the past five years, FIU has been cited as one of the country's finest regional universities in US News & World's Report's annual survey of "America's Best Colleges." In 1994, the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching reclassified FIU as a Doctoral I University. FIU's diverse enrollment reflects the multicultural composition of our community; we are one of the nation's largest doctoral-granting majority-minority universities. Nearly 65 percent of our enrollment is drawn from minorities. The University has the second largest contingent of African-American students in the state and the largest contingent of Hispanic students of any doctoral-granting university in the country. Women constitute 57% of our enrollment.

1.2. Introduction to the Project

The NSF-CATE center promotes advancing the theoretical and practical foundations in the general fields of computing and information science. The research areas of the CATE center include:

- Human-Computer and Brain-Computer Interfaces

- Image Processing and Computer Vision

- Real-time and Multidimensional Signal Processing

- Robotics for Motion and Path Planning with Multi-sensory Modalities (sonar, infrared and vision)

- Confocal Microscopy for Dynamic 3-D Imaging

The CATE center focuses on two central themes: (1) the integration of software development and hardware design towards the solution of real-world problems, and (2) create a strong link between educational activities and research activities. Based on these central themes, the CATE center hence provides a computing environment capable of engaging researchers as well as facilitating classroom and laboratory-based instruction. CATE constitutes an infrastructure that is viable for cutting-edge research activities providing an environment with the potential for: (a) parallel and distributed processing, (b) high performance 3-D rendering and modeling, (c) real-time processing capability, and (d) operating systems, graphics and software tools that meet current standards. Most importantly, researchers in the CATE center attempt to bring their research findings in service to our society, from providing new techniques for such things as diagnostics in medical applications, to automation, to the design of human-computer or brain-computer interfaces (HCIs, and BCIs) that will better the lives of those among us who live with disabilities. Our mission in the HCIs and BCIs research is to provide working models that will initially enhance the technological access to those who live with disabilities such as visual impairment or blindness, loss of hearing, and loss of motor functions.

2. Resources

2.1 Human Resources

· DIRECTOR: Malek Adjouadi, Ph.D.

· Manager: Patricio Vidal, also Ph.D. candidate.

· Faculty: Malek Adjouadi, Armando Barreto, James Story, Gustavo Roig, Ana Pasztor, Maria Martinez, and Wunnava Subbarao.

· Ph.D. Students: Patricio Vidal, John Riley, Carlos Reyes, Noemi Fernandez, and Mildred Saenz.

· Ms Students: Julio Blandón, Erika Suarez, Daniela Viegas, Peterjohn Hugh, Marco Midon, Marlin Brinson, and Christophe Godefroy .

· UNDERGRADUATES: Claudia Rodriguez, Danmary Sanchez, Luz Camacho, Meika Webster, and Celco Duran.

· RESEARCH PARTNERS: Beckman-Coulter Corporation, Baptist Hospital, and Fraunhofer Institute

· CONSULTANTS: Julie Jacko, University of Wisconsin at Madison; Richard Alo, University of Houston Downtown; and Kurt Vanlehn, University of Pittsburgh.

2.2 Equipment

The main equipment of the NSF-CATE center include:

· The Electric Signal Imaging – 256 channel system (ESI-256) for brain research

· Onyx Machine with four R-8000 processors

· RCM 8000 real-time Confocal Microscope

· An upgraded Nomad 200 integrated mobile robot system with multi-sensory modalities

· A Coulter EPICS Profile II Flow Cytometer for in-flow analysis of microscopic particles

· 20 SGI Indy Workstations

· 2 Origin 200 servers with video streamers, 1 Challenge M server; 15 Personnel Computers (Pentiums with MMX Technology); and all supporting accessories including Printers and CCD cameras.

· Eye-Gaze Tracking Systems: Eye-Gaze tracking systems are available with both remote and head-mounted optics

3. Accomplishments within the past year

3.1 Student support, degrees, honors, and internships

(a) Student Support

· Ph.D. Students: Patricio Vidal, John Riley, Carlos Reyes, Noemi Fernandez, and Mildred Saenz.

· Ms Students: Julio Blandón, Erika Suarez, Daniela Viegas, Peterjohn Hugh, Marco Midon, Marlin Brinson, Christophe Godefroy, Ana Maria Rodriguez, Euton Lyons, Ovidio Alfanso .

· UNDERGRADUATES: Claudia Rodriguez, Danmary Sanchez, Luz Camacho, Meika Webster, and Celco Duran.

(b) Degrees Granted

3 M. Sc. degrees: Scott Scargle, Ana Maria Rodriguez, and Christophe Godefroy

3 B.S. degrees: Danmary Sanchez (Summa Cum Lauda), Meika Webster, and Celco Duran

(c) NSF Graduate Fellowships

Sonia Duranza1996-1999; Annette Taberner, 1997-2000; Erica Suarez, 1998-2001; and Danmary Sanchez, 1999-2002

(d) High Honors:

Erica Suarez: FIU Outstanding Graduate Student Life Award, April 22, 1999;

DanMary Sanchez: Summa Cum Lauda Graduate, April 26,1999

(e) Summer 1999 Internships:

Danmary Sanchez: Motorola, Global Software Division, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Description of work: defect prevention and requirements documentation for software-platform components used in cellular phones.

Patricio Vidal: IBM Corp., Almaden Research Center, San Jose, California. Description of work: Performance analysis and optimization of control algorithms for high-end server disk drives.

Peterjohn Hugh: Beckman-Coulter, Algorithm Development & Research, Miami, Florida. Description of work: Software Engineering: Assist migration from an in-house language to C++.

Erika Suarez: International Business Machines (IBM), Logic & Physical Design Group, Burlington, Vermont. Description of work: Maintain and enhance SKILL routines for use in the Cadence Design Environment for the customization of electrical and physical design representations.

Julio Blandon: Motorola, RNSG (Radio Network Solution Group), Digital Signal Processing Department, Plantation, Florida. Description of work: Implementation and benchmarking of a new compression algorithm.

Claudia A. Rodriguez: G.E., G.E.T.S. (G.E. Transportation Systems), Erie, PA. Description of work: Supplier Quality Engineering. Assurance of quality and compliance with the inspection procedures and technical specifications of all components of a locomotive.

Luz Camacho: IBM, Software Development Division, Houston, Texas. Description of work: Development of an electronic form for real-time profiling of individuals for security purposes

Marco Midon: NASA Goddard, Mission Management Test Group, Greenbelt, Maryland. Description of work: Help in the development of a telemetry receiver for a compact automated ground station. Also, investigate the design aspects of a tactile array to help blind people.

3.2 New Equipment Purchased This Year

(1) The Electric Signal Imaging – 256 channel system (ESI-256) for brain research system (ESI-256) for brain research provides acquisition and data processing for large electrode arrays in a wide range of applications, including short and long latency evoked potentials, event-related potentials, EEG, and EMG (http://www.neuro.com/neuroscan/index.htm). The goal of developing an alternative form of Human-Computer Interface (HCI), which is driven by the signals generated naturally by our bodies is both fascinating and relevant to a large number of individuals who are physically limited in their access to computers. As the communication interfaces between human and computers continue to evolve, the very signals that animate normal human activities can be exploited as precursors to specific machine (computer) functions to interact with them, such is the foundation of a direct Human-Computer Interface (HCI).

(2) Eye-Gaze Tracking Systems: Eye-Gaze tracking systems with both remote and head-mounted optics were purchased this year. Images of the eye and the scene or computer screen fixated by the eye gaze are both displayed in different display monitors. The eye, which is illuminated by a low-level noninvasive infrared light, is scanned by a video camera. Several functions such as calibration, eye position, eye- gaze tracking, pupil diameter, and other data of interest can be transmitted through a serial port and recorded by the computer for analysis. The applications involve a host of human-computer interface research issues. People who have lost function of their limbs may be able to control the cursor movement, select icons and perform mouse-clicking functions of the computer through eye-gaze related functions alone. People with low vision will be able to test their ophthalmologic and cognitive characteristics, where improvements in interface usage are then designed and provided.

(1) ESI-System (2) Eye-Gaze Tracking System

3.3 Establishment of New Teaching Laboratories

· The Interactive Design Lab

·

The Real-Time Signal/ Processing to be integrated with the Microcomputer Laboratory.

(1) The Interactive Design Lab (2) Real-Time Signal Processing Lab

3.4 Participation in Outreach Programs

Our students and faculty help organize workshops, and participate in our engineering outreach programs to bring in more minority students into the educational pipeline all the way through our Ph.D. programs. Below are examples of high-school visits to the CATE Center. Faculty from the CATE center have also visited with community high schools

3.5 Funded Grants This Year

(1) ♦ Proposal Title: Educational Innovations in Engineering in SEM Sciences, with a Comprehensive Student Pipeline: From Pre-College to Graduate Studies, Promoting Recruitment, Retention and Academic Excellence.

Principal Investigator: Malek Adjouadi - Co-PIs: Gustavo Roig, Armando Barreto, Robert Coatie, Naphtali Rishe, Yacim Darici, Mark Leckband, Ana Pasztor, Maria Martinez, and Steven Mintz

Source of Support: Department of Defense, Office of Naval Research

Total Award Amount: $1,274,000 - Total Award Period Covered: 5 Years – September 1999- June 2004.

(2) ♦ Proposal Title: Acquisition of an EEG-Based Imaging System for Human-Computer Interface Research

Principal Investigator: Malek Adjouadi - Co - PIs: Armando Barreto and Julie Jacko

Source of Support: National Science Foundation

Award Amount: $ 208,750 - Period Covered: September 1, 1998- August 31, 1999

(3) ♦ Proposal Title: A Software-Hardware Integrated Approach for Real-Time Information Processing & Computer Design

Principal Investigator: Armando Barreto - Co - PIs: M. Adjouadi, J. Jacko, A. Pasztor, and G. Roig

Source of Support: National Science Foundation

Award Amount: $333,973 - Period Covered: September 1998- August 1999

(4) ♦ Proposal Title: NSF Graduate Fellowship Program - Fellow: Erica Suarez

Source of Support: National Science Foundation – Continuation Grant

Award Amount: Estimated at $25,000 per year - Period Covered: September, 1998 - August, 2001

(5) ♦ Proposal Title: NSF Graduate Fellowship Program - Fellow: Danmary Sanchez

Source of Support: National Science Foundation

Award Amount: Estimated at $25,000 per year - Period Covered: September, 1999 - August, 2002

(6) ♦ Proposal Title: Acquisition of an EEG-Based Imaging System for Human-Computer Interface Research

Principal Investigator: Malek Adjouadi - Co - PIs: Armando Barreto and Julie Jacko

Source of Support: National Science Foundation

Award Amount: $ 208,750 - Period Covered: September 1, 1998- August 31, 1999

TOTAL FUNDING THIS YEAR: $ 1,867,723

(7) ♦ A NSF-MII 5-year Proposal (site-Visited) in the amount of $1.2M is decision pending.

4. Publications

M. Lenart and A. Pasztor: "Pragmatic Paradoxes and the Hard Problem of Consciousness." Extended Abstract, Informatica, volume 22, nr. 3. (As part of "Consciousness in Science and Philosophy, Eastern Illinois University, Nov. 1998 - Abstracts," pp. 373-394.

Barreto A. B., Yen K. K., Aguilar, C.D., "PC-based Personal DSP Training Station", Computers in Education Journal, Vol. IX, No. 2, 1999.

Adjouadi, M., Reyes, C., Vidal, P., and Barreto, A. “A Mathematical Approach To Gaussian Approximations Applied To Both Randomly Generated Data And Real-World Flow Cytometric Data”, in review, Journal of Mathematical Imaging and Vision, March 1999.

Barreto, A. B., Taberner, A.M., and Adjouadi, M., “Mu Rhythm Variability and its Impact on the Development of Brain-Computer Interfaces”, to appear in the Journal de Genie Biologique et Medical, ITBM (Innovation and Technology in Biology and Medicine), 1999.

M. Hale-Haniff and A. Pasztor: " Operationalizing Emotions." To be presented at Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland, August 15-18, 1999 - to be published by John Benjamins Publisher in "Mind 4".

Adjouadi, M., Reyes, C., Vidal, P., and Barreto, A., “An Analytical Approach to Signal Reconstruction Using Gaussian Approximations Applied to Randomly Generated Data and Flow Cytometric Data”, in review, IEEE Transactions on Signal Processing, March 1999.

Barreto, A. B., Scargle, S. D., and Adjouadi, M., “A Practical EMG-based Human-Computer Interface for Users with Motor Disabilities”, in review, the Journal of Rehabilitation Research & Development, March 1999.

Barreto, A. B., Scargle, S. D., and Adjouadi, M., “Hands-off Human-Computer Interface for Individuals with Severe Motor Disabilities”, Invited Paper to the 8^th Conference on Human-Computer Interaction, Munich, Germany, August 22-27, 1999.

Barreto, A. B., Scargle, S. D., and Adjouadi, M., “A Real-Time Assistive Computer Interface for Users with Motor Disabilities”, invited paper, ACM Special Interest Group on Computers and the Physically Handicapped, ACM SIGCAPH Newsletter, May issue, 1999.

M. Lenart, A. Pasztor, J. Strickrott. "Intelligent Agents with Subjective Experience" Submitted to 10th Irish Conference on Artificial Intelligence & Cognitive Science, September 1-3, Cork, Ireland.

Barreto, A. B., Scargle, S. D., and Adjouadi, M., “Real-Time Digital EMG/EEG Signal Processing in a Human-Computer Interface for Users with Severe Motor Disabilities”, International Conference on Signal Processing Applications & Technology (ICSPAT), 1999, to be held November 1-4, in Orlando, FL.

Barreto, A. B., Hugh, P.O., Jacko J.A., and Adjouadi, M., “Enhanced Human-Computer Interface for Partially Sighted Users Through Real-Time Spatial Auditory Icons”, International Conference on Signal Processing Applications & Technology (ICSPAT), 1999, to be held November 1-4, in Orlando, FL.

Theses

Scott D. Scargle, EMG/EEG HCI System for Computer Cursor Control", MS thesis, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Florida International University, November 1998.

Ana Maria Rodriguez, Modular Design for Test Reuse Strategy for Automative Microcontrollers Integrating Hardware and Software Designs. MS thesis, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Florida International University, March 1999.

Christophe Godefroy, Hardware-Software Integration for Particle Light Scatter Imaging, MS thesis, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Florida International University, June 1999.