Dr Derek Rogers

PhD Ideas
 Improved ship-board man overboard
search and track systems
 The EMI impact of personal electronic
devices on aeroplane systems

 A collection of other areas of interest

Ideas for PhD Topics
Background
 One of the sensors on many naval vessels
is an Infra-Red Search and Track (IRST)
system
 IRST systems are often used for missile
detection but can also be used for man
overboard detection and tracking.
 When placed on a ship a sensor has to
contend with roll/pitch/yaw of the ship,
various sea states and often a very small
target (the person overboard) to try and
detect and track.
Problem
 The intent of the PhD would be to look at
ways of improving IRST systems in the
context of man overboard detection and
tracking
○ Taking into account the mounting on a ship
and the maritime environment
 ‘Improving’ means increased probability of
detection and tracking under adverse
conditions:
○ Sea state, atmospheric conditions, solar
conditions
Research Direction
 The research can explore a number of
directions but should explore and consider
the performance of detection and tracking
algorithms under different situations and
look to improve them:
○ Perhaps by taking into account input from
other sensors to provide an increased
probability of detection and tracking stability
○ Perhaps by taking into account image
recognition
Skills and Behaviours
 Anyone interested should first have an
interest in solving the problem, then a
strength in mathematical modelling and
simulation with a very practical focus.
 The research may involve aspects of radar
theory, electro-optics and control theory.
 The research will require understanding
maritime systems and the maritime
environment.
Ideas for PhD Topics
Background
 Most people are familiar with the phrase
“Please turn off all electronic equipment
because it may interfere with aircraft
navigation systems”
 Firstly, that is the safest thing to do
 But there is increasing prevalence of
personal communications devices
○ Most people turn them off,
○ Some people forget or don’t know how; and
○ Some people wilfully keep them on.
Background
 One of the other reasons for turning phones
off related to the effect on networks of a high
altitude (high power) mobile.
 Modern devices are much lower power,
higher frequencies, use more modern
modulation techniques.
 There has been some research into
EMI/EMC in aeroplanes but not much
Problem
 The intent of the PhD would be
○ To model to a reasonable fidelity EMC from
personal devices in aeroplanes under a
variety of scenarios
○ Identify the effects of EMC on different
aeroplane systems
○ Propose and analyse ways of allowing the two
systems to safely co-exist
Research Direction
 The research can explore a number of
directions but should explore:
○ Different ways to model the problem and the
strengths and limitations of the different
models
○ Consider the fidelity of the devices modelled,
the susceptibility of aircraft systems
○ People and other insulators / reflectors
 Involves understanding EMI/EMC,
communications systems, mathematical
modelling
Skills and Behaviours
 Anyone interested should first have an
interest in solving the problem, then a
strength in mathematical modelling and
simulation with a very practical focus.
 The research may involve aspects of
EMI/EMC, communications systems, and
physiology.
 The research will require understanding
aerospace and communications systems.
Ideas for PhD Topics
Other areas
 The following ideas require further
development into research topics
○ Flexible Solar Generation and Storage
Systems
○ Soft Robots
Flexible Solar Generation and
Storage Systems
 New technologies allow the creation of ‘flexible’
batteries; [Soon to be published in ‘Nature’]
 Similarly another new technology is a paint that
has solar generation properties.
 The research would investigate and analyse
these technologies
 Why does it matter?
 Imagine the ability to ‘paint’ your car or your roof
to make it into a solar generation system and
imagine a battery that could be moulded to the
roof storing the energy for night time use.
Soft Robots
 Robots are hard metallic things, right?
 Not for long, new robotic systems are to able
to adapt their shapes to climb under or over
things, the use air to inflate, deflate and
change shape.
 This leads to a whole series of research
topics on the integration of different sensors
and control of such systems.
 Why does it matter?
 Soft robots will find more acceptance in the
consumer (home) market.
About Dr Derek Rogers
 Adjunct of the School of Electrical and
Electronic Engineering
 Previously co-supervised one student in
the area of Image Watermarking – they
successfully completed their PhD

 Also an Adjunct Associate Professor

at the University of South Australia
 Primary supervisor for one student in the
area of Software Acquisition – they
successfully completed their PhD in 2012.
Biography
 Currently the Deputy Systems Engineering
Manager – Amphibious Assault Ships (LHD)
with Saab Systems
 Prior to this worked with BAE Systems for 5
years, Motorola for 5 years, CTIN for 3 years
 Has over 30 publications on a wide range of
engineering topics
 Sits on the Federal Government’s Advisory
Council on Intellectual Property (ACIP)
 Has won numerous academic and corporate
best practice awards
 Has travelled extensively around the world