Research Laboratories
Coursework in basic and advanced subjects in electrical and computer engineering is supported by specialized laboratories and continuously updated computer facilities. The laboratories are located in the East Engineering Building, Houser Hall, and the Houser Hall Annex.
Control Systems Laboratory
The Control Systems Laboratory is equipped for the experimental study of electrical and electromechanical systems. Direct-current motors and servo-amplifiers are available to implement position and velocity control systems. Analog computer equipment is available for use in simulating systems and as components of control systems. Sufficient equipment is available for students to experimentally determine system models and develop and test original control-system configurations.
Circuits Laboratory
The Circuits Laboratory, which is used in ECE 225, affords the student an opportunity to study both circuit phenomena and the proper use of instruments in measuring circuit parameters and circuit variables.
Computer Architecture Laboratory
Advanced computer architecture, design, and parallel processing form the focus of this laboratory, which is equipped with current systems from IBM, SUN, and Intel for students' use. Several parallel computer systems, facilities of the Alabama Supercomputer network, and multiple networks of Unix-based systems are used for the study of fundamentals in parallel computer architecture. Students may use this equipment for instructional laboratory work or special projects.
Computer Engineering Laboratory
The Computer Engineering Laboratory uses a network of up-to-date computers, state-of-the-art CAD software, and FPGA development systems to give students hands-on hardware design experience. Students design digital circuits ranging from simple shift registers to pipelined and micro coded microprocessors.
Computer Graphics Laboratory
This laboratory provides equipment for teaching and research in the areas of computer graphics, real-time video simulation, image processing, pattern recognition, vision, and graphics algorithm development. The facilities support C, Unix, assembler, high-resolution color video, scene digitization, and hardware and software development.
Digital Logic Laboratory
The Digital Logic Laboratory is used in ECE 380. Students design and test various combinational and sequential network configurations.
Electric Power and Machines Laboratory
This facility houses many types of AC and DC motors and generators, transformers, and other devices typically found in the electric-power industry. In addition, suitable instrumentation is available for steady-state and transient monitoring of individual experiments. The laboratory provides an excellent environment for research and studies of fundamental and advanced power-system and electric-machinery concepts.
Electromagnetic Laboratory
The Electromagnetic Laboratory has experimental capabilities for the generation, transmission, radiation, and measurement of radio frequency (RF) and microwave energy and signals. There are facilities for antenna impedance characterization studies, and an indoor anechoic chamber for microwave radiation pattern measurements. The laboratory has a complement of equipment that includes solid-state signal generators, TWT amplifiers, spectrum and network analyzers, and an extensive holding of passive components.
Electronics Laboratories
The Electronics Laboratories are well equipped with modern digital and analog electronic instruments. Students study the theory of electronic instruments and make practical use of instruments in measuring the electrical characteristics of discrete and integrated solid-state electronic circuits, which they design and assemble.
Instrumentation Laboratory
Students use this laboratory to study DC and AC circuit phenomena and the proper use of instruments such as oscilloscopes, voltmeters, ammeters, wattmeters, power supplies, and function generators.
Laser and Fiber Optics Laboratories
These laboratories are equipped for experimental studies of laser principles, optical electronics, and optical communications. One laboratory has an air-suspended stable table, many high-quality mirrors, spatial filters, beam splitters, and an argon ion laser. Another laboratory has an air-suspended stable table, numerous He-Ne lasers, diode lasers, fiber optic devices and equipment, acousto-optic and electro-optic modulators, and many other high-quality optical components.
Microprocessor Laboratory
The Microprocessor Laboratory is equipped with a network of Pentium-based computers, 80386 and 8051 microprocessor development systems, FPGA development systems, video terminals, ROM programmers, and additional electronic instrumentation needed for designing and testing microprocessor systems. Software used in the laboratory includes code assemblers and debuggers, C/C++ compilers and integrated development systems, and electronic design automation software.
Communications Laboratory
The Communications Laboratory is an undergraduate laboratory in which students are introduced to amplitude, frequency, and pulse modulation; spectral analysis; frequency and time-division multiplexing; and noise analysis. Special laboratory equipment includes a storage scope, spectrum analyzer, recording wave analyzer, digital noise generator, and A/D interfaces to a dedicated IBM-PC system with signal-processing software packages.