College
of Computing
Science & Engineering
| Visit the College of Computing Sciences and Engineering Web Page |
Building
Your Own Computer
There's a new type of architecture
being taught at the University of North Florida and John Alexander is
the chief architect.
Alexander, who is a visiting distinguished professor and director of the Applied Global Systems Lab, is leading undergraduate students through an innovative class that allows them to research and build their own computers. It's known as computer systems architecture.
Alexander is teaching students various computer technologies including Java, C, and real-time operating systems and their relationship to microprocessor architecture. The computer, nicknamed the MicroOsprey08, has a circuit board that fits easily in the palm of your hand but is as powerful as the original IBM PC. The circuit boards are designed by the students and then can be produced on campus with the aid of recently purchased equipment. Each student is expected to research possible applications for their computer.
One
student is using his computer to run a robot that is being designed for
entry into a regional competition later this year. Another student is
using the computer to develop a project that uses an inertial guidance
system. They are among 25 computer science and electrical engineering
students building the MicroOsprey08.
"This program allows the students to do their own research and then work on individual projects," Alexander says. "We are also using the course to bring together electrical engineering students and computer science students into the same classroom to work together."
Alexander
is excited to be working in the rapidly developing program at UNF. With
more than 25 years of experience at the University of Florida, Alexander
was recruited to UNF last year by Jerry Merckel, who himself recently
joined the university as associate dean of the College of Computing Sciences
and Engineering. Alexander has worked on a vide variety of projects before
coming to UNF including heavy emphasis on research into mobile geographic
information systems. As an example, Alexander is involved in a research
project which involves the deployment of inspectors into disaster areas
with hand held satellite communications devices. These inspectors used
such devices to identify and report damage to buildings and infrastructure
after Hurricane Floyd. The system will make possible much more rapid and
accurate damage assessments after natural disasters in the future.
Work on these and other projects will continue in Alexander's role in the newly created Applied Global Systems Lab at UNF.
Whatever research projects Alexander undertakes, he has plans to involve UNF students in the work to better prepare them for the cutting edge technology projects they will face in their careers.
Return to Undergraduate Research Home Page
Copyright © 2000 University
of North Florida.
All Rights Reserved.
For more information on Undergraudate Research
opportunities at UNFcontact Mary Borg at 620-1095
mborg@unf.edu. Or visit the Admissions
web site.
Modified: Friday June 2, 2000