Welcome...
[contact info] [student opportunities] |
Thank you for visiting! I am an associate professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Michigan. My research interests center on space systems--a multidisciplinary approach to enabling future space capability with particular emphasis on novel, nanosatellite missions. Other topics include (but are not limited to):
- Nanosatellites -- We are pushing the state of the art in what can be
done with small satellites.
Our current emphasis is on nanosatellites, systems that weigh
between 1-10kg.
We are developing novel subsystems including radios, power systems, high speed
computing (FPGA-based), and attitude determination and control.
- Optimization of Design and Operation of Resource Constrained Vehicles -- Small
vehicles, nanosatellites for example, are constrained in mass, volume, and surface areas.
This limits power production and available resources for systems such as payloads,
communication, and attitude determination and control. We are developing analytical
models based on first principles to optimize vehicle design given requirements and
vehicle operation given flight envelopes and operational desires. Our initial
development is focused on optimal small satellite design and operations.
- Vehicle communication networks -- Sensor systems generally produce more
data than what can be communicated. Our goal is to reduce this communication contraint
on mobile platforms such as satellites and UAVs. We are currently working to
develop analytical models for ground communication networks that have dynamic
availability and modeling vehicle operational communication needs. Following this, we
will develop algorithms for optimal utilization of both ground communication and
vehicle resources.
- Sensor Systems -- We are developing novel approaches to low-cost sensor
systems and noise reduction techniques. For example, how do we make precise measurements
when the act of measurement itself disturbs the quantity we are measuring?. Our initial
work is with magnetometers. This work will benefit systems such as satellites, UAVs,
and distributed, low-power sensor networks.
- Other topics of interest -- Robust space computing infrastructure, deep space exploration.