The PPGEE has five research lines:
- Microelectronics
- Telecommunications
- Systems Optimization
- Power Electronics and Control
- Power Electrical Systems
Microelectronics
This research line addresses the study, modeling, design, implementation, and characterization of integrated electronic devices, circuits, and systems, encompassing analog, digital, and radio frequency (RF) technologies. It includes the development of very large-scale integrated circuits (VLSI), with an emphasis on low power consumption, high integration density, and high performance. It covers the development and application of electronic design automation tools (CAD/EDA), aiming at optimizing the design space, including topology selection, dimensioning of active and passive devices, and layout generation. It also includes investigations in submicrometer technologies, embedded systems, and system-on-a-chip (SoC) integration. Experimental activities related to prototyping, validation, and electrical characterization of circuits are also included, with an emphasis on low-power consumption measurement techniques. This research line contributes to the advancement of microelectronic solutions applied to communication systems, instrumentation, sensing, and intelligent systems.
Faculty:
- Alessandro Girardi
- Fabio Luis Livi Ramos
- Lucas Severo
- Paulo César Comassetto de Aguirre
- Cristian Muller
Telecommunications
This research line encompasses the study, development, and evaluation of radiating and receiving systems operating in microwaves. It includes areas such as wireless communications in terrestrial and satellite links for various applications, including data communication networks, mobile cellular telephony, the Internet of Things (IoT), radar, antenna performance evaluation in drones, global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), as well as emerging systems such as 5G and future generations of mobile networks. The research line aims at developing innovative and efficient solutions, aligned with the demands of connectivity, systems integration, and the evolution of communication technologies. The research line has a unique infrastructure in the country for the design, prototyping, and experimental characterization of antennas and circuits operating from 400 MHz to 44 GHz, which will soon be installed at the Electromagnetic Characterization Center being implemented at the UNIPAMPA Alegrete Campus with the support of FINEP.
Faculty:
- Edson Schlosser
- Marcos Heckler
- Juner Menezes Vieira
Systems Optimization
This research line covers the optimization of hardware and software solutions that involve the design of distributed systems, computer networks and parallel architectures. Conducting research in the area is crucial for the advancement of emerging distributed systems such as, for example, 5G mobile networks and technologies such as Internet of Things. In this sense, research related to the design, evaluation and optimization of access networks, high-speed networks, Internet and new technologies, management of new services and applications is developed. The development of research in the field of parallel architectures is crucial to assist designers of parallel systems during the analysis, design and integration of high performance computer systems. Considering hardware solutions, research on reconfigurable, heterogeneous and high performance parallel architectures is developed. In this sense, software research considers the design of parallel algorithms and techniques for optimizing the use of computational resources. Its main objective is to create optimized solutions for different metrics, such as, for example, performance, power dissipation, energy efficiency and systems reliability.
Professors:
- Fábio Rossi
- Marcelo Caggiani Luizelli
Power Electronics and Control
This research line involves the processing of electrical energy and the study and development of control techniques for dynamic systems. Power electronics is an area that can encompass research with multiple approaches. There is, for example, the design of static converters, techniques to aid switching, design of converter topologies and modulation techniques. In addition, the studies developed in power electronics can be applied to the processing of energy from renewable energy sources, management of the connection of renewable sources to the power grid, improvement of the quality of energy using active filters and activation of electrical machines. Finally, another focus of research related to power electronics is control. In some applications, the complexity and performance requirements are such that more complex control techniques are needed, such as adaptive, variable structure, robust, etc. In this line, modern energy microgrids are also studied considering the inherent complexity and the increasing number of converters and uncertainties in the loads. Besides the use of advanced microgrid architectures, it is also possible to use control techniques that have potential for application in the modern electrical system without classical considerations, such as constant voltage and frequency. The inclusion of more complex dynamics demands the application of more advanced dynamic and control systems analysis techniques for application in non-linear systems. Also looking at advanced applications, the stability and control analysis in embedded microgrids are also subjects of study in this research line, since it is possible to make use of some concepts used in terrestrial hybrid microgrids and vice versa.
Professors:
- Felipe Grigoletto
- Guilherme Sebastião da Silva
- Marcio Stefanello
Electric Power Systems
Studies in the area of generation, transmission and distribution of electrical energy fit this research line, using computer simulations to obtain results and seeking to optimize the production and continuous delivery of electrical energy. For this, it is necessary to develop robust methodologies that allow the reduction of electrical losses, as well as the significant improvement of the parameters that guarantee the stability and the full functioning of Electric Power Systems (EPS), thus allowing the continuity of operation with high levels of energy quality and high level of reliability of generation, transmission and distribution services. Therefore, studies in the area of planning, operation, protection and control of EPS are also included in this research line. From the point of view of planning and operation, studies in the area of operation optimization are cited so that load variations and system growth are foreseen, as well as the consequent increase in the demand for electricity and the susceptibility of the parameters as mains voltage, current and frequency to these changes. From the point of view of EPS protection, the need for studies to develop techniques for the optimal adjustment and coordination of protection relays is emphasized, as well as the production of methods to mitigate the impacts of the phenomena inherent to EPS, which hinder the functioning of these devices. Such methods are achieved through the application of optimization and signal processing techniques, to be used in the operation centers and in microprocessor relays. Finally, adequate strategies for controlling the operation, aiming at optimizing the energy delivered to consumers, preserving the adequate operating conditions so that the parameters of the electrical system remain within acceptable levels, are also the focus of studies.
Professors:
- Eduardo Machado dos Santos
- Micael Oliveira
HISTORY
Click here to view the research lines prior to 2020.