Research Interests

• Optical Networks
• Visible Light Communication
• Vehicular Communication
• Grid/Cloud/Fog Computing
• Internet of Things
• VR/AR in Education

Research Projects

Title: Design, analysis, and optimization of next generation fiber optic national backbone networks.

In this study, we intend to improve upon our previous work and develop more advanced algorithms to improve spectral efficiency of Elastic Optical Networks (EONs). Taking a step further, in  this proposed  research, we intend to develop  novel  impairment-aware solutions  to  EONs that carry highly dynamic heterogeneous traffic(e.g. 5G mobile networks). Our proposed solutions will incorporate a realistic and accurate Physical Layer Impairment (PLI) model and  be  tested  on  both  national  (Sri  Lankan)  and  international  (American,  European)  realistic communication networks against benchmark algorithms.

Objectives:

• To develop an impairment model that accurately accounts for both linear and non-linear PLI in EONs under dynamic traffic environments.
• To formulate an analytical model that accurately characterize network parameters, PLI, constraints, and the desired outcome.
• To develop novel impairment-aware routing,  modulation,  and  spectrum  allocation (RMSA) schemes to obtain the desired outcome, i.e., increase spectral efficiency and throughput of EONs in dynamic traffic environments.
• To validate accuracy of the developed impairment-aware RMSA schemes by comparing their results against analytical results.
• To demonstrate superiority of the developed impairment-aware RMSA schemes by comparing against results of the benchmark work and testing on local and international networks

Title: High data rate Li-Fi systems

The major goals of this research are to develop a Visible Light Communication (VLC) system with indoor mobility at a speed much higher than that of Wi-Fi as the norm, robustness with respect to intrinsic properties of optical wireless medium, future proof with respect to upgradability, simplicity with respect to design and technological maturity, and lower manufacturing cost and energy efficiency in the form of hardware.

Objectives:

• To develop Light Emitting Diode (LED)/ Laser Diode (LD) based WDM systems with an anticipated data rates in Gb/s and distances in metres both in advanced computer modelling and experimental testbed
• To improve directionality of light through better LED/LD packaging
• To integrate Li-Fi and Wi-Fi in the ‘last metre’ communications

Title: Development of a strategic educational approach to the use of  Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/VR) in Engineering Education

The current application of Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/VR) in higher education for Engineers (and arguably others) is somewhat fragmented and needs more educational design.

Objectives:

• To create a clear taxonomy of (i) the potential areas of pedagogy or learning which engineering in both Universities need to address, and (ii) The modes of AR/VR based approaches available and draw links between the two.
• To develop AR/VR based learning activities to show the sample application of the taxonomy in engineering education and highlight its learning benefits

Title: Technology enhanced assessment, feedback and delivery in engineering and it education

While the the nature of higher education and its roles are changing, there is a need to rethink the way it is being delivered, measured and monitored. As such,educators are compelled to reevaluate and make fundamental changes in what needs to belearned and how learning has to take place in the ICT learning era. This research examines these from assessment, feedback and seamless learning point of view.

Objectives:

• To identify current assessment and feedback practices in institutions of higher learning in different disciplines including engineering and information technology.
• To investigate educators’ perceptions on the effect of current adoption of education technologies in enhancing assessment and feedback process
• To examine the perceptions of educators, students and experts on seamless learning
• To provide suggestions on how technology can be used for assessment, feedback and seamless learning in higher education

Title: Traffic management framework for vehicular network

Recent rapid urbanization has caused increased traffic volumes in limited road capacities. This has caused traffic congestion to spread like a plague in modern metropolitan cities resulting in adverse impacts on economy, society and environment. This study aims to develop a green traffic management framework to reduce air pollution (environmental cost) and traffic congestion (economical cost).

Objectives:

• To develop a short-term traffic forecasting model to predict traffic conditions in the mixture of roads with signalized intersections and roads without signalized intersections.
• To develop a heterogeneous green vehicle routing strategy to minimise fuel consumption.
• To develop a coordinated traffic light control strategy by considering the effect of each traffic light signalling time.
• To unify all short-term traffic forecasting model, heterogeneous green vehicle routing and coordinated traffic light control strategies into a framework, and its application to both typical and atypical traffic conditions into a larger road network.

Education

Units taught

ECE4122 Advanced Electromagnetics