ExCElling at the ECE Senior Design Showcase

The Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science at The University of Texas at Dallas proudly hosted the Second Annual ExCEllence in Senior Design Showcase on May 21^st, 2021, building on the success of the inaugural event in 2019. As a result of the exemplary talent of the electrical and computer engineering undergraduate students, the hosts earned two awards at the event.

Touted as a one-of-a-kind senior design capstone event specifically for electrical and computer engineering in the Southwest region, the Senior Design Showcase provided an opportunity to highlight the impressive talent of graduating students and to connect them with top companies.

This year, the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at UT Dallas won second place for Texas Instruments’ “Best Engineering Design” award as well as the “Daring to be Green” award for the same project, sponsored by Murata Manufacturing Co.

Project Title: Intelligent Occupancy Management Using Air Quality Measurements

Team Members: MD Fiaz Islam Bhuiyan (computer engineering), Maxine Cabrasawan (electrical engineering), Bobby Counts (electrical engineering), Benjamin Dattilo (electrical engineering), Chandler Linseisen (electrical engineering), and Pranav Mathews (electrical engineering)

Abstract: Murata Manufacturing Co. tasked Team WAQ from UT Design with creating a low-maintenance system that successfully predicts occupancy in a building through non-intrusive sensing technology. Data gathered by the system must be transmitted wirelessly to a central hub for processing and prediction. Team WAQ’s engineering team focused on the physical sensor network, while the computer science team concurrently designed the prediction algorithm.

The design is split into three parts: sensor modules, LoRa gateway, and cloud server. Sensor modules are equipped with sensors that send recorded data to the gateway. The gateway then forwards this information to the cloud, where the prediction algorithm uses it to predict occupancy. Each sensor module consists of a custom PCB header mounted on top of a LoRa development board housed in a 3D-printed casing. Powered by a battery, a single unit can run for up to two years without needing maintenance. Every module in a network connects to a central gateway through a wireless LoRa network, seamlessly transmitting data to the cloud. Future work will focus on creating a single custom board that combines the functionality of the header and development board.

The occupancy prediction system allows for pre-emptive regulation of building systems such as HVAC, leading to savings in both money and energy for companies. Additionally, occupancy management has been crucial in the past year during the COVID-19 pandemic. Implementation of this system would be integral in remaining vigilant over proper air quality in interior spaces. As a non-intrusive monitoring solution, the Intelligent Occupancy System is an enabling technology that will lead to more effective building management and safer interior environments.