STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

Master of Science in Electrical Engineering – Hochschule Darmstadt

“If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put
the foundations under them”. - Henry David Thoreau

My academic career has proceeded in the best possible way so far. Science and Mathematics were
my favorite subjects in school and I used to spend my time in understanding the basic principles of
these subjects. I enthusiastically took part in all science talks and exhibitions right from that age. As
a result I took up PCMB ( Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology) for my secondary school
education in the most coveted and challenging syllabus of my country – Central Board of Secondary
Education. It was during this time that I was introduced by a prominent teacher to the book -
Fundamentals of Physics by - Halliday, Resnick and Walker. That book was a turning point early in my
life that inspired me and till today I haven’t stopped reading and rereading that book and The
Electric Field has been my favorite topic. My interest developed further as I spent my time watching
shows like The Human Edge, Tomorrow’s World, and attended lectures in above subjects outside
school to delve deeper. Later I topped my school in Senior Secondary Certificate in 12th Standard.

As a culmination of my efforts, I qualified for admission into the prestigious engineering college RNS
Institute of Technology, which is among the top five engineering colleges in the city.

During my third year of engineering, I started developing a penchant for Communication Systems
and Computer Networks, Cryptography, Wireless Communications, Signals and Systems and Signal
Processing. I took lectures from NPTEL website which are taught by Professors of IITs (Indian
Institutes of Technology).

I developed an appreciation of “the big picture”, and conversely how important details are. As I
learnt more of the subject, I began to admire the role of Communications Technology at the
technological front. After learning about the immense potential of this field, I cannot help but feel
excited about the potential for new research in this area. I am very eager to participate in research in
the broad field of Computer Communication and Signal Processing.

I elected to do my Final Year project at Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO - ISAC) as it has an
outstanding infrastructure setup and a simulating, state-of-the-art research environment. This
enabled me to work with some of the best minds dedicated to engineering research in my country. I
was associated with Dr. Sudhakar, Head of Test Systems Section, Control Systems Group, ISRO-ISAC,
Bangalore for this project under the guidance of Mrs. Pratibha Srivastava Scientist/Engineer-SC,
Control Systems Group. I have gained a lot from this association – in particular, an idea of how
rewarding and meaningful a career in research could be.

My Final Year project (Major Thesis) describes how a network of general purpose digital computers
is being managed in a redundant avionic configuration while performing flight-critical functions for
the Space Shuttle. The description covers the architecture of the redundant computer network set,
associated redundancy design requirements and the technique used to detect a failed computer and
to identify this failure on-board to the crew. The basic design technique consists of using dedicated
redundancy management hardware and software to allow each computer to judge the “health” of
the others by comparing computer outputs and to “vote” on the judgments. In formulating the
design, hardware simplicity, operational flexibility and minimum computer resource utilization were
used as criteria.

After my graduation, I worked with Amazon.com. It opened the door to a world of best technological
processes and practices in handling complex data and further enhanced my urge to delve deeper
into the field of computers and information analysis.

But then I still lacked a sense of satisfaction as my sole urge was always to pursue higher education
in my field of engineering and so I quit my job. And started to contemplate further for the next few
months. This was when I realized I always loved research, teaching and inspiring others and hence I
developed the clairvoyance about my real passion in life. And what more could I enjoy doing, rather
than teaching my favorite subject and involving in research and development in this area. So I want
to do my masters in Communications and Signal Processing and continue with a Ph.D . My father,
who is a Professor at a University in India has been a key source of motivation in this area.

To summarize, I am good at Mathematics and Physics. I love research, teaching and inspiring. I am
passionate about Principles of signal Processing and Computer Communications technology and am
keen on learning more. I want to have classrooms, I want to conduct lectures, I want to do research,
I want to inspire students. I feel great when I imagine myself doing all these and so I enthusiastically
move forward towards pursuing my dream. I am currently pursuing my A2 Deutsch certificate course
with Goethe Institute, Bangalore.

I wish to earn an MS degree in Electrical Engineering majoring in Communications. I intend to

follow it up with a Ph.D., and later, a career in research and teaching.

The department web site revealed a very strong faculty involved in extensive research in the area of
Communications. I am particularly attracted by the School's powerful pedagogical resource, vibrant
intellectual atmosphere and a comprehensive curriculum. Furthermore, the research work being
carried out, especially by Professor Dr. Michael Kuhn has interested me greatly. This has
strengthened my resolve to study at your esteemed Hochschule.

I bring along a strong grasp of fundamentals in Communications and Computers, an aptitude for
teaching and team work, a zest for challenges and an enthusiastic desire to learn. I would like to take
with me, in addition to knowledge of Communications, a network of strong and lasting relationships
with my teachers and fellow-students. I hope my background and qualifications are found suitable
for a Master’s degree in your esteemed university.

Sincerely,

Sreehari Buddappagari Jayapal Gowdu