Power Systems Research Lab · NRDI Block, PNEC, Karachi
021 48503031 sajjadzaidi@pnec.nust.edu.pk PNEC Home ↗
PSRL Power Systems Research Lab
Department of Electrical Engineering · NUST PNEC
Research

Research at PSRL

From modelling and control of modern power systems to underwater technologies — rigorous, cross-disciplinary research blending theory, lab-scale prototyping and field validation.

Scope

Areas of Research

The main areas in which research is undertaken at our laboratory include:

Area 1

Power Systems & Smart Grids

Grid planning, operational analysis, protection coordination, integration of renewables, storage and microgrids, power-quality enhancement and resilience studies.

Area 2

Brain Signal Processing (Biomedical)

EEG acquisition and analysis, brain–computer interfaces, and computational detection and forecasting of epileptic seizures using time–frequency methods.

Area 3

Automation

Autonomous systems, robotics and intelligent control — from vision-guided robotic arms to autonomous drones and guided vehicles.

Area 4

Industrial Automation

Process automation, machine health monitoring, condition-based maintenance, fault-tolerant drives, and vibration, current and acoustic-signature analysis.

Area 5

Underwater Technologies

Underwater acoustics, sonar systems, acoustic channel modelling, object classification and underwater optical wireless communication.

Cross-cutting

Signal Processing & Embedded

Time–frequency and statistical analysis of sensor data; FPGA and microcontroller platforms for real-time control in sonar, security and industrial robotics applications.

Funded & applied work

Research Projects

Funded · NUST

Development of Intrusion Detection System — MUSTAED®

A NUST-funded project (Rs 0.48M) to develop a cost-effective intrusion detection system for shore installations using indigenous expertise and commercial off-the-shelf hardware. MUSTAED v1.0 was installed on site in August 2011 using a cost-effective vibration sensor; after site acceptance trials, MUSTAED v2.0 was developed with a better false-alarm rate at lower cost.

Research project

Face Recognition Under Constrained Environment

Local development of security systems: recognition software capable of identifying video-stream images against a database of 40 images, with ongoing work to enhance capability and efficiency.

Defence · Underwater

Acoustic Signature Analysis

Upgrade of an acoustic signature monitoring system with classification capability — recognizing objects generating underwater sound signals with confidence levels, plus display options for trainees to visually identify contacts and their maneuvering patterns.

Research project

Non-Intrusive Fault Detection for Induction Machines

Fault detection algorithms for locally developed induction machines, investigating electrical and mechanical faults. Classification schemes differentiating fault types give local manufacturers a sophisticated tool to enhance market competence.

Research project

Prognosis Algorithm for Electrical Machines

Prognosis is the logical culmination of diagnosis — more desirable and valuable for the end user. The group is developing prognosis algorithms for induction machines, extensible to their variants with required modifications.

Embedded · FPGA

Diagnosis & Prognosis on FPGA (PSoC)

Implementation of diagnosis and prognosis algorithms on cost-effective, configurable embedded systems — a complete solution for non-intrusive fault detection, classification and prediction across a range of equipment.

Research project

Generator Fault Detection Algorithm

A condition-based maintenance methodology for detection and classification of faults in generator sets commonly in service in domestic and industrial applications — maximizing useful life without compromising safe operation.

Indigenous development

Indigenous Vibration Analysis (VA) Test Set

Local development of vibration analysis test sets (normally imported at high cost) covering signal processing, data acquisition, data analysis and customized human–machine interface development.

Indigenous development

Indigenous SONAR Trainer

An instructor node plus ten student consoles designed to mirror real onboard sonar displays. Instructors create training scenarios, helping educate individuals on actual sonar contacts — spanning signal processing, networking and HMI development.

Undergraduate research

Final Year Projects

Industry-linked final year projects hosted at PSRL, taking students from CAD models and algorithms to working hardware.

Automated Rover and Manipulator System

Automated Rover & Manipulator System (ARMS)

A cost-effective solution for automating the lifting and transport of heavy current transformers inside a manufacturing facility. A scalable two-tier system was designed and fabricated: a vision-guided SCARA arm for lifting heavy loads and an Automated Guided Vehicle for transport — with 3D modelling, joint torque analysis, and computer-vision algorithms for autonomous positioning, obstacle avoidance and grappling. The system mitigates health and safety hazards, reduces worker fatigue and boosts technician productivity.

Transformer Health Monitoring System using FPGA

Transformer Health Monitoring System Using FPGA

Transformers are among the most vital — and expensive — parts of the transmission and distribution network. This project develops a device that replicates the health of a transformer during operation using non-intrusive parameters, so engineers can take preventive measures before minor issues become major faults. Signal processing and machine learning techniques are implemented on FPGA, moving toward a fully autonomous, round-the-clock monitoring device.

Autonomous Fire-Fighting Drone

Autonomous Fire-Fighting Drone

When fire breaks out, the first minutes are crucial. This UAV acts as first responder: deployed as soon as in-building sensors detect fire, it flies to the spot, recognizes fire visually, and drops extinguisher balls from a servo-actuated lightweight container — covering wide areas safely and reliably to control outbreaks before they spread.

Advanced Metering Infrastructure

Advanced Metering Infrastructure

Smart meter technology has revolutionized power management, yet line theft and high production costs persist. This project presents a robust infrastructure to automatically and remotely measure energy usage, detect tampering, monitor power quality, and provide superior data communication, metering and control — giving utilities and consumers actionable information about consumption, efficiency and cost.

Mobile Platform Driver Monitoring and Safety System

Mobile Platform Driver Monitoring & Safety System

Driver drowsiness and fatigue are major causes of road fatalities globally. This non-intrusive system detects the driver’s drowsiness state using computer vision and machine learning implemented on small, inexpensive, powerful embedded platforms — combining techniques in a hybrid manner with no cables or physical contact restricting the driver’s movement.

Peer to Peer Energy Trading System

Peer-to-Peer Energy Trading System

P2P energy trading within a micro-grid of six houses: a bi-directional smart meter reads essential electrical parameters and tracks flow direction; Individual Data Monitor and Central Power Monitor GUIs manage power agreements and track each participant’s production and consumption, backed by a database of historical and real-time values — delivering affordable, decentralized, renewable energy.

Pick and Place Robotic Arm

Pick & Place Robotic Arm

With the global industrial robot population at 2.7 million (IFR 2020), manual material handling constrains cost, energy and packaging speed. This project designed and fabricated a four-degree-of-freedom SCARA arm with an end-effector, driven by an Arduino microcontroller, that picks products from a conveyor and places them by pre-programmed sequence — low-cost automation with higher throughput and fewer errors.