Building Fireflies for Fun Building Fireflies for Fun and Profitand Profit

A research and development A research and development training opportunity for training opportunity for students of Computer Sciencestudents of Computer Science

My interests …My interests …

• I am passionate about R&D … I love to be I am passionate about R&D … I love to be a part of new thingsa part of new things

• 15 years developing technology to 15 years developing technology to support my studies of how the brain support my studies of how the brain processes information.processes information.

• 5 years developing products and services 5 years developing products and services for brain research labsfor brain research labs

• Goal to develop a research program that:Goal to develop a research program that:– Addresses an interesting problemAddresses an interesting problem– Involves CS studentsInvolves CS students

Since coming to FSC …Since coming to FSC …

• Interested in designing and building small, Interested in designing and building small, task specific computer systems called task specific computer systems called “Embedded Systems”“Embedded Systems”

• Developed a course for the graduate Developed a course for the graduate program in “Embedded Systems”program in “Embedded Systems”

• Several active graduate student thesis Several active graduate student thesis projects in this area:projects in this area:– An electronic pen that can be used to An electronic pen that can be used to

recognize handwritten signaturesrecognize handwritten signatures– An interface that allows a computer mouse to An interface that allows a computer mouse to

be positioned by eye movementsbe positioned by eye movements

A research grant …A research grant …

• Applied for funding from the National Applied for funding from the National Science Foundation with Professors Science Foundation with Professors Cratsley and Thomas in BiologyCratsley and Thomas in Biology

• Received a 3-year grant involving:Received a 3-year grant involving:– Collaboration between CS and Biology Collaboration between CS and Biology

departmentsdepartments– R&D training for undergraduate CS students to R&D training for undergraduate CS students to

produce a productproduce a product– Product will be used by biology students to Product will be used by biology students to

study a research problemstudy a research problem

• Problem to be researched: firefly signalingProblem to be researched: firefly signaling

Research focus …Research focus …

• Investigate the purpose of firefly Investigate the purpose of firefly signaling as it applies to:signaling as it applies to:– Attracting a mateAttracting a mate– Discouraging predatorsDiscouraging predators

• Progress in science starts with Progress in science starts with hypotheses:hypotheses:– Students will formulate testable hypothesesStudents will formulate testable hypotheses– Investigation will be supported through the Investigation will be supported through the

development of embedded systemsdevelopment of embedded systems

Sparky Firefly and Gina Sparky Firefly and Gina Lola-wattage interact …Lola-wattage interact …

And courtship proceeds …And courtship proceeds …

This is not exactly the behavior seenin the field …

Fireflies must avoid Fireflies must avoid predators such as bats…predators such as bats…

A role for Computer A role for Computer Science …Science …

• Develop and produce dedicated Develop and produce dedicated computer systems to be deployed in the computer systems to be deployed in the field to:field to:– Mimic firefly signaling capabilitiesMimic firefly signaling capabilities– Implement experimental protocols to Implement experimental protocols to

interact with fireflies in the fieldinteract with fireflies in the field

• Design criteria:Design criteria:– Small physical sizeSmall physical size– Low power consumptionLow power consumption

Functions of the “Virtual Functions of the “Virtual Firefly”Firefly”

• Generate flashesGenerate flashes• Detect flashesDetect flashes• Communication Communication

algorithmsalgorithms• DataloggingDatalogging• Data Data

compressioncompression

DETECTOR EMITTER

PROCESSOR

STORAGE

COMMUNICATIONS

CONTROLINTERFACE

Students neededStudents needed

• Opportunities …Opportunities …– Learn Microcontroller-based system Learn Microcontroller-based system

designdesign• Real-time programming Real-time programming • Product design constraintsProduct design constraints

– Physical sizePhysical size– Power consumptionPower consumption

More opportunities …More opportunities …

• Learn all phases of instrument Learn all phases of instrument development development – Requirements engineeringRequirements engineering– Software design, coding, testing, version Software design, coding, testing, version

controlcontrol– Hardware / PC board designHardware / PC board design– Electronic assembly and testingElectronic assembly and testing– Packaging and deploymentPackaging and deployment

• Attend professional conferences to Attend professional conferences to present your workpresent your work

Even more …Even more …

• Microcontroller-PC communicationsMicrocontroller-PC communications• Data compressionData compression• Windows application developmentWindows application development• Possibilities for audio and video Possibilities for audio and video

analysisanalysis

Software Development Software Development ParadigmParadigm

• Extreme ProgrammingExtreme Programming– Paired programmingPaired programming– Extensive testingExtensive testing– Incremental developmentIncremental development– Rapid deploymentRapid deployment– Intense client interactionIntense client interaction– Ongoing documentationOngoing documentation

FacilitiesFacilities

• State-of-the-art computers, State-of-the-art computers, compilers, version controlcompilers, version control

• Microcontroller development Microcontroller development systemssystems– Flash memory programmersFlash memory programmers– In-circuit emulators / hardware level In-circuit emulators / hardware level

debuggersdebuggers– ““C” language compilersC” language compilers

More facilities …More facilities …

• Electronic test equipmentElectronic test equipment– Prototyping systemsPrototyping systems– Measurement instrumentsMeasurement instruments– Logic analyzerLogic analyzer

• Circuit assembly equipmentCircuit assembly equipment– Temperature-controlled solderingTemperature-controlled soldering– Hot-air reworking stationHot-air reworking station

Want to join?Want to join?

• We are looking for four CS students to We are looking for four CS students to start in January, 2004start in January, 2004

• $8.50 per hour$8.50 per hour– Maximum of $4860 per yearMaximum of $4860 per year

• Initial 1 year commitmentInitial 1 year commitment– 5-20 hours per week during classes5-20 hours per week during classes– 40 hours per week during summer40 hours per week during summer– Can be extended for another yearCan be extended for another year– Can be adjusted for seniorsCan be adjusted for seniors

How to join the teamHow to join the team

• ApplyApply online: online:

http://www.fsc.edu/compsci/KBA/0Projects/Fireflyhttp://www.fsc.edu/compsci/KBA/0Projects/Firefly

• In addition, interviewees must submit:In addition, interviewees must submit:– ResumeResume– Code exampleCode example

Future directionsFuture directions

• Other advanced embedded Other advanced embedded development projectsdevelopment projects

• Seek further funding to produce an Seek further funding to produce an interface with firefly brainsinterface with firefly brains

• An expanded embedded systems An expanded embedded systems lab to provide microcontroller lab to provide microcontroller development experience to all development experience to all students students

How to join the teamHow to join the team

• Apply online:Apply online:

http://www.fsc.edu/compsci/KBA/0Projects/Fireflyhttp://www.fsc.edu/compsci/KBA/0Projects/Firefly

• In addition, interviewees must submit:In addition, interviewees must submit:– ResumeResume– Code exampleCode example