Twenty-four undergraduate students in the United States will soon have the opportunity to participate in research on network features that will enable unmanned aerial systems (UAS) or groups of drones to operate in “swarms,” funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). there is. By Dr. Houbing Song, an associate professor of electrical engineering and computer science.
Song, director of security and optimization at Embry Riddle’s Network Globe Institute (SONG Lab), recently received the 2021-2022 College of Engineering Outstanding Research Award from the university and 322,886 to facilitate research in this area. Received a dollar NSF grant. For three years, we have focused on artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning.
The first two students selected to participate in the study are Junior Luke Newcom of Embry Riddle Software Engineering and Laurel Celested Doson, Senior of Computer Engineering. Newcomb describes “everything” about drones, from hardware to the software and algorithms that make them work. Like his “wheelhouse”, I’m looking forward to the start of the project.
“I’m interested in almost every aspect of them,” said a person from Merritt Island, Florida. “The drone can go almost anywhere and can do almost anything, so it’s very versatile.”
He added that the diversity makes UAS research very valuable.
“Drones will give us a place for our future,” he said. “Technology continues to grow beyond what we have ever been able to or dream of.”
Research activities will focus on three core areas: network management, network design, and AI / machine learning, with students conducting field tests to validate and apply new protocols.
“Student participation provides preliminary results that will be the basis for developing next-generation drone swarm systems and applications that differ significantly from the network requirements of current systems and applications,” Song said. increase. “My ultimate goal is to leverage a diverse student talent pool and expand participation in science and engineering, especially in the context of integrating AI / machine learning into drones.”
Song has already licensed two patents for the detection and denial of UAS and has published several papers on this topic. One is about counterintelligence, cited by the Department of Defense department, and the other is the one that won the Best Paper Award in 2019. Integrated communications, navigation and surveillance meetings. He also coached three Dr. Embury Riddle. All students hold tenure-track faculty positions at other US academic institutions.
The song also contributed to the development of Embury Riddle’s unique drone-cyber security curriculum, and the counter drone technology he developed is now commercialized. In addition, with Dr. Yongxin Liu, an assistant professor of mathematics in tenuretrack, he mathematically discovered and proved the role of rotational memory in realizing AI.
“Students participating in this project are more likely to continue their interest in and involvement in research, either by pursuing advanced research or by choosing a career related to a herd of drones.” Song added. “Because lack of talent is a major concern for the emerging drone industry, this project offers participants significant advantages in their career search.”
The co-principal investigator for this project is Dr. Richard Stansbury, an associate professor of computer engineering and computer science. Other mentors include Dr. Thomas Yang and Dr. Juan Granizo Martinez of the Faculty of Engineering, and Dr. Sirani Perera of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
Students currently enrolled in a US program with an associate degree or bachelor’s degree are eligible to apply for participation in the study. Students interested in participating in NSF-sponsored drone research can apply online.
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