Conference Session

Instrumentation and Controls Laboratories

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Shuju Wu, Southeast Missouri State University; Ragu Athinarayanan, Southeast Missouri State University; Xiaobing Hou, Southeast Missouri State University; Charlie Wallgren, Southeast Missouri State University

Tagged Divisions

Division Experimentation & Lab-Oriented Studies

AC 2009-2359: IMPLEMENTATION OF A NEW COMMUNICATIONLABORATORYShuju Wu, Southeast Missouri State UniversityXiaobing Hou, Southeast Missouri State UniversityRagu Athinarayanan, Southeast Missouri State UniversityCharlie Wallgren, Southeast Missouri State University Page 14.690.1© American Society for Engineering Education, 2009 Implementation of an Integrated Undergraduate Telecommunications LaboratoryAbstractThis paper focuses on the implementation of the integrated laboratory using identifiedequipments and elaborate how it can provide students an integrated network environment wheretraditional telephone network, VoIP, data network and backbone

Conference Session

Solar, Wind, and Novel Energy-System Initiatives

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Samuel Lakeou, University of the District of Columbia; Ben Latigo, University of the District of Columbia

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

Water Resources; c) Meeting with a recommended local NGO which is experienced in water project implementation in rural areas; d) Visit of a solar powered water pumping station near the city of Debret Zeit; e) Visit with a City Administrator of the town of Wollisso, in Oromia State’s, West Showa zone; and f) Meeting with the president of a local regional business school of Ambo.Lessons learned during the first fact finding mission.The meeting with the University officials of AAU as well as the engineering faculty of theFaculty of Technology revealed that there is very little available in form of data base for waterresources and development project. It was learnt that the department of electrical engineering hasconducted some

Conference Session

Measuring Success of Graduate Program Components

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Lynita Newswander, Virginia Tech; Maura Borrego, Virginia Tech

Tagged Divisions

Graduate Studies

Research Traineeship Program. 2008: Arlington, VA.6. Conklin, G.H., The Frustration of Academic Innovation. Teaching Sociology, 1978. 5(2): p. 125-140.7. Anderson, M.S., Collaboration, the Doctoral Experience, and the Departmental Environment. The Review of Higher Education, 1996. 19(3): p. 305-326.8. Chemical Sciences Roundtable, Graduate Education in the Chemical Sciences: Issues for the 21st Century: Report of a Workshop, ed. N.R.C.B.o.C.S.A. Technology. 2000, Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press.9. Committee on Science Engineering and Public Policy, Reshaping the Graduate Education of Scientists and Engineers. 1995, Washington, D.C.: National Academies Press.10. Cowan, K. and Y. Gogotsi, The Drexel

Conference Session

Embedded System Design

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

matt gallagher, Vermont Technical College; Andre St. Denis, Vermont Technical College; John Murphy, Vermont Technical College

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

critical. Page 14.826.3We will show that this choice of device and the exposure to several application specific boardsresulted in a greater number of students opting to use an MPU in their senior capstone class forthe two-year AS in electrical engineering technology (ASEET) degree. Using an MPUimmediately expands the functionality and capability of projects compared with others that thatconsist only of discrete logic gates, transistors and other simpler devices and frequently reducesthe number of ICs and size of the final circuit. Students gain an appreciation of embeddedprocessor control, increase their own confidence and make better, more

Conference Session

Outcomes of Cooperative Education Assignments

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Bryan Dansberry, University of Cincinnati

Tagged Divisions

Cooperative & Experiential Education

AC 2009-491: DEFINING THE IMMEDIATE LEARNING OUTCOMES OF ANUNDERGRADUATE INTERNSHIP PROGRAMBryan Dansberry, University of Cincinnati Page 14.403.1© American Society for Engineering Education, 2009Capturing immediate learning outcomes of undergraduate internships:NASA’s Undergraduate Student Research ProjectAbstractGovernment internship and co-op programs fluctuate greatly in size and scope from year-to-year.A major source of this instability comes from volatility in the administrative priorities set at thehighest levels of these agencies. In the face of rapidly shifting administrative priorities, it isessential that experiential program managers capture data defining the full

Conference Session

Sustainable Education and the Environment

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Roger Beardsley, Central Washington University; Stephen Morton, Central Washington University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

AC 2009-679: DETERMINING THE GREENHOUSE-GAS IMPACT OFUNIVERSITY-SPONSORED AIR TRAVELRoger Beardsley, Central Washington University Roger Beardsley is an Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering Technology at Central Washington University, Ellensburg, Wa. His interests include many of the renewable energy technologies. This paper reports on research performed as a member of CWU's Climate Commitment committee.Stephen Morton, Central Washington University Stephen Morton is a senior undergraduate student in Mechanical Engineering Technology at Central Washington University, Ellensburg, WA. He has been working with the CWU Climate Commitment committee helping to establish procedures for

Conference Session

Alternative-energy Laboratory Experiences

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Bret Bosma, California State University, Chico; Gregory Kallio, California State University, Chico

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

Page 14.1022.2education. In particular, undergraduate engineering and engineering technology programs arenow including laboratory-based curricula in renewable energy1,2,3. Aligned with these aims, thispaper describes the successful design and implementation of a Photovoltaic Power System Laband a Wind Turbine Power System Lab for a senior-level Energy Systems course in MechanicalEngineering.Hands-on experiments such as those described in this paper provide for enhanced learningexperiences. Both units provide real time display of key system properties as well assurrounding conditions through data acquisition panels. Data is displayed in real time to showthe effects of changing conditions on the system. Data is also logged through the use of a

Conference Session

Instructional Strategies in AEC Education

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Muhammad Ghatala, Gulf States Inc.; Sang-Hoon Lee, University of Houston; Lingguang Song, University of Houston

Tagged Divisions

Architectural

AC 2009-2143: A SIMULATION APPROACH TO CONSTRUCTIONMANAGEMENT EDUCATIONMuhammad Ghatala, Gulf States Inc. Muhammad Imran Ghatala is a project controls engineer at Gulf States Inc., a general contractor in heavy industrial construction arena. He is involved in the lean construction and six-sigma based strategic planning efforts and is a continuous improvement leader at Gulf States Inc. He was a graduate assistant at University of Houston where he assisted in teaching Construction Estimation, Construction Planning and Scheduling and Reinforced Concrete Construction courses offered at under-graduate level. He was a Student Ambassador at College of Technology, University of Houston and a recipient of the

Conference Session

Instrumentation in Education

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jimmy DiTraglia, Middle Tennessee State University; Xiaojing Yuan, University of Houston; Mequanint Moges, University of Houston

Tagged Divisions

Instrumentation

AC 2009-824: DESIGNING A CONTINUOUS MONITORING AND TRACKINGSYSTEM BASED ON A WIRELESS SENSOR NETWORKJimmy DiTraglia, Middle Tennessee State UniversityXiaojing Yuan, University of HoustonMequanint Moges, University of Houston Page 14.425.1© American Society for Engineering Education, 2009 Design of a Continuous Monitoring and Tracking System based on Wireless Sensor NetworkAbstractToday the way we work and live has been changed by the deployment of ubiquitous intelligentwireless sensor networks. The infusion of such emergent technology into the current under-graduate lab designs becomes a critical issue in order to prepare and engage our

Conference Session

Curricular Issues in Computer-Oriented Programs

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Reza Sanati-Mehrizy, Utah Valley State College; Floyd Wilkes, Utah Valley University; Afsaneh Minaie, Utah Valley University

Tagged Divisions

Information Systems

. Refrences1. Floyd Wilkes and Reza Sanati Mehrizy , “An International Study of the Coverage of Relational, Object- Relational and Object-Oriented Database Concepts in Database Textbooks and a Database Example Represented in These Database Models”, American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) Annual Conference, June 2007.2. Reza Sanati Mehrizy and Floyd Wilkes, “A Comparison of Implementing a Single Problem in Relational, Object-Relational and Object-Oriented Database Systems”, American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) Annual Conference, June 2008.3. http://www.oracle.com/technology/software/products/database/xe/index.html4. http://www.softlist.net/program/db4o-software.html

Conference Session

Outreach and Hands-on Materials

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Daniel Magda, Weber State University

Tagged Divisions

Materials

AC 2009-1685: HANDS-ON LAB DEMONSTRATION TO TEACH HOWMECHANICAL PROPERTIES CHANGE DUE TO COLD WORKING ANDRECRYSTALLIZATIONDaniel Magda, Weber State University Page 14.663.1© American Society for Engineering Education, 2009 Hands on Lab Demonstration to Teach how Mechanical Properties Change Due to Cold Working and RecrystallizationAbstractLaboratories that employ hands-on demonstration to change material properties play animportant role in understanding why materials are selected for different design specifications.Engineering students take courses in mechanics of material, machine design, finite elementanalysis and capstone senior projects. These courses require

Conference Session

Embedded System Design

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Wagdy Mahmoud, University of the District of Columbia

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

paperprovides details of laboratory exercises and a senior project that is implemented using both softcore and hard core processors on three different FPGA boards. Advantages and disadvantages ofeach of these implementations will also be presented. The paper will also detail the challengesinvolved in using continually-evolving embedded processing tools and the efforts made to reducetheir learning times.IntroductionThe Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) requires providing studentswith a significant hands-on design experience. Graduating electrical engineering students shouldhave the ability to design, test, and verify the correctness of operation of systems, subsystems,and components for real-time application.The aggressive

Conference Session

ECE Poster Session

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Eduardo Montanez, Freescale Semiconductor; Michael Norman, Freescale Semiconductor

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

microcontrollers • 16-bit digital signal controllers (DSC) • 32-bit ColdFire® microcontrollers/microprocessors • Power Architecture® technology microprocessors • i.MX ARM® microprocessorsThis wide range of architecture coverage is suitable for introducing students from entry-levelcontrollers found in toys to high-end controllers in an automobile engine control module. Thevarious core options give the professor the flexibility to choose based on personal preference.The MCU/MPU Story boards are designed to work stand-alone as cost effective, entry level toolsor in combination with the Tower platform giving curriculum the access to additional PeripheralStory boards. These boards contain the basic connections needed to operate the controller along

Conference Session

ERM Poster Session

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Stephen Snyder, Taylor University; Elise Romines, Taylor University; Rachel Dodge, Taylor University; Jason Kruegar, Taylor University; Travis Booth, Taylor University; Josh Gates, Taylor University

Tagged Divisions

Educational Research and Methods

Science, Technology,Engineering and Math (STEM) degree programs is one way to help to address this problem. TheHigh Altitude Research Platform (HARP) system does this by teaching the scientific methodthrough applying experiments in the near space field. These experiments are developed bystudents using microelectronics (GPS, wireless, videos, miniature sensors, etc.). The programdesires to train students to practically apply theory to real-life problems making them betterprepared for graduate school or employment in industry. Students learn to solve problems andovercome obstacles by performing original experiments in real world settings. Page

Conference Session

Teaching Dynamics

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Ali Mohammadzadeh, Grand Valley State University; Salim Haidar, Grand Valley State University

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics

AC 2009-1466: ON THE ANALYSIS AND DESIGN OF VEHICLE SUSPENSIONSYSTEMS GOING OVER SPEED BUMPSAli Mohammadzadeh, Grand Valley State University ALI R. MOHAMMADZADEH is currently associate professor of Engineering at the School of Engineering at Grand Valley State University. He received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Sharif University of Technology And his M.S. and Ph.D. both in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. His research area of interest is fluid-structure interaction.Salim Haidar, Grand Valley State University SALIM M.HAIDAR is currently associate professor of Mathematics at Grand Valley State University. He received his B.S. in Mathematics

Conference Session

Innovations in ECE Education III

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Asad Azemi, Pennsylvania State University; Nannette D'Imperio, Pennsylvania State University

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

AC 2009-2184: NEW APPROACH TO TEACHING AN INTRODUCTORYCOMPUTER SCIENCE COURSEAsad Azemi, Pennsylvania State University Asad Azemi is an associate professor of Engineering at Penn State University. He has received his B.S. degree from UCLA in 1982, M.S. degree from Loyola Marymount University in 1985, and Ph.D. degree from University of Arkansas in 1991. His professional interests are in nonlinear stochastic systems, signal estimation, decision making under uncertainty, biocomputing, and use of computers and related technologies in undergraduate and graduate education to improve and enhance teaching and learning.Nannette D'Imperio, Pennsylvania State University Nannette D’Imperio is an

Conference Session

Developing New Instrumentation

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Akram Hossain, Purdue University, Calumet; Vijay Mahajan, Influx Software Solutions

Tagged Divisions

Instrumentation

AC 2009-677: REMOTELY RECONFIGURABLE, SECURE WIRELESS MESHNETWORK FOR BIDIRECTIONAL DATA COMMUNICATIONAkram Hossain, Purdue University, Calumet Akram Hossain, Purdue University-Calumet Akram Hossain is a professor in the department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology at Purdue University Calumet, Hammond, IN. He worked eight years in industry at various capacities. He is working with Purdue University Calumet for the past 21 years. He consults for industry on process control and related disciplines. He is a senior member of IEEE. He served in IEEE/Industry Application Society for the past 15 years at various capacities. He served as chair of Manufacturing Systems Development

Conference Session

Curricular Issues in Computer-Oriented Programs

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Kyle Lutes, Purdue University; Alka Harriger, Purdue University; Jack Purdum, Purdue University

Tagged Divisions

Information Systems

appointment at Purdue, Kyle worked for 16 years as a software engineer and developed systems for such industries as banking, telecommunications, publishing, healthcare, athletic recruiting, retail, and pharmaceutical sales.Alka Harriger, Purdue University Alka Harriger joined the faculty of the Computer and Information Technology Department (CIT) in 1982 and is currently a Professor of CIT and Assistant Department Head. Professor Harriger's current interests include reducing the IT gender gap, web application development, and service learning. Since January 2008, she has been leading the NSF-ITEST SPIRIT project that seeks to rekindle enthusiasm for information technology disciplines as a career

Conference Session

Innovations in ECE Education III

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Mark Lau, Universidad del Turabo; Sastry Kuruganty, Universidad del Turabo

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

University of West Florida in Pensacola, Florida. His research interests include optimal control, control of flexible structures, and power systems. Dr. Lau was the recipient of the Student Best Paper Award at the 2001 American Control Conference held in Arlington, Virginia. He was also co-recipient of the 2000 Colorado Advanced Software Institute Exemplary Project Award.Sastry Kuruganty, Universidad del Turabo Sastry P. Kuruganty (IEEE M’76–SM’81) was born in India. He obtained his B.E and M.E in electrical engineering from Birla Institute of Technology and Andhra University, India, in 1964 and 1966, respectively. He obtained his M.S. degree in electrical engineering from the University of

Conference Session

OMCED Topics

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

William Simpson, United States Coast Guard Academy

Tagged Divisions

Ocean and Marine

AC 2009-233: TEACHING SHIP STRUCTURES WITH SHEET METALWilliam Simpson, United States Coast Guard Academy Dr. William M. Simpson, Jr. is a faculty member in the Engineering Department at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. He has a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Maryland, a Masters in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and a Bachelor of Science from the U. S. Coast Guard Academy. He is a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Connecticut. He served on active duty in the U.S. Coast Guard from 1965 to 1992 and had assignments in Marine Safety, Naval Engineering, Acquisition, and Research and Development

Conference Session

Instrumentation and Controls Laboratories

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Oscar Ortiz, LeTourneau University; Paul Leiffer, LeTouneau University

Tagged Divisions

Division Experimentation & Lab-Oriented Studies

AC 2009-1009: WHAT DOES MY CAR AM RADIO HAVE TO DO WITHLEARNING ELECTRONICS?Oscar Ortiz, LeTourneau UniversityPaul leiffer, LeTouneau University Paul R. Leiffer is a professor in the School of Engineering and Engineering Technology at LeTourneau University, where he has taught since 1979. He received his B.S.E.E. from the State University of New York at Buffalo and his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from Drexel University. Prior to joining the faculty at LeTourneau, he was involved in cardiac cell research at the University of Kansas Medical Center. His professional interests include bioinstrumentation, digital signal processing, and engineering ethics. Email: paulleiffer@letu.edu

Conference Session

Student Learning

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Philip Parker, University of Wisconsin, Platteville

Tagged Divisions

Educational Research and Methods

AC 2009-2013: FACTORS AFFECTING CONCEPT RETENTIONPhilip Parker, University of Wisconsin, Platteville Page 14.623.1© American Society for Engineering Education, 2009 Factors Affecting Concept RetentionKeywordsConcept retention, transfer, competencies, fluid mechanicsIntroductionFew would argue with the claim that the quality of the learning experience in prerequisitecoursework has a significant impact on student success in subsequent courses. The premise forthis seems obvious: the more effectively students are taught, the better they will learn, and thebetter they learn, the more they will retain. Surprisingly, the STEM (Science, Technology,Engineering, and

Conference Session

Information and Network Security

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Nipul Patel, Purdue University, North Central; Bryan Marshall, Georgia College and State University

Tagged Divisions

Information Systems

AC 2009-1819: EXAMINING THE IMPLICATIONS AND CHALLENGES INCLOUD COMPUTING ENVIRONMENTS: AN EXPLORATORY STUDYNipul Patel, Purdue University, North CentralBryan Marshall, Georgia College and State University Page 14.599.1© American Society for Engineering Education, 2009 EXAMINING THE IMPLICATIONS AND CHALLENGES IN CLOUD COMPUTING ENVIRONMENTS: AN EXPLORATORY STUDYAbstractCommercial enterprises are increasingly utilizing cloud computing as a solution tofluctuating capacity challenges. Cloud computing offers the possibility of on-demandcapacity, allowing commercial enterprises to “tweak” their network infrastructure basedon increased or decreased

Conference Session

Innovations in ECE Education III

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Cordelia Brown, Purdue University; Yung-Hsiang Lu, Purdue University; Melissa Yale, Purdue University; Deborah Bennett, Purdue University

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

Digital Age: Reconciling the Roles of Pedagogy,Technology, and the Business of Learning, IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management, November 2003.[4] Woit, D and D. Mason, “Effectiveness of Online Assessment”, SIGCSE ’03, February 2003.[5] Shen, J., K-E. Cheng, M. Bieber, and S. R. Hiltz, “Traditional In-class Examination vs. Collaborative OnlineExamination in Asynchronous Learning Networks: Field Evaluation Results, Conference on Information Systems,August 2004.[6] English, J., “Experience with a Computer-Assisted Formal Programming Examination”, ITiCSE ’02, June 2002. Page 14.925.8

Conference Session

Computational Tools and Simulation II

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Trent McDonald, West Inc.; David Mukai, University of Wyoming

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

AC 2009-848: NONPARAMETRIC, COMPUTER-INTENSIVE STATISTICS: APRIMERTrent McDonald, West Inc. Dr. Trent McDonald is a Consulting Statistician and Senior Manager at Western EcoSystems Technology, Inc. in Laramie, Wyoming.David Mukai, University of Wyoming Dr. David Mukai is an associate professor of civil engineering at the University of Wyoming in Laramie, Wyoming. Page 14.912.1© American Society for Engineering Education, 2009 Non-Parametric, Computer-Intensive Statistics: A PrimerAbstractThe authors have developed a first course in statistics for engineers based on non-parametric, computer-intensive (NPCI

Conference Session

Project-Based Learning in ECE Education

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

James Archibald, Brigham Young University; Doran Wilde, Brigham Young University

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

AC 2009-608: THE ROBOT RACER CAPSTONE PROJECTJames Archibald, Brigham Young University James K. Archibald received the B.S. degree (summa cum laude) in mathematics from Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, in 1981, and the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in computer science from the University of Washington, Seattle, in 1983 and 1987, respectively. Since 1987, he has been with the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Brigham Young University. His current research interests include robotics and multiagent systems. Dr. Archibald is a member of the Association for Computing Machinery and the Phi Kappa Phi.Doran Wilde, Brigham Young University Dr. Wilde started his career as an electrical

Conference Session

Instructional Strategies in AEC Education

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Ahmed Megri, University of Wyoming

Tagged Divisions

Architectural

AC 2009-2488: TEACHING THE INTEGRATION OF SAFETY ANDFIRE-PROTECTION ELEMENTS INTO THE BUILDING DESIGN PROCESSAhmed Megri, University of Wyoming Page 14.1157.1© American Society for Engineering Education, 2009 Teaching the integration of safety and fire protection elements into the building design processAbstractSummarized within the following article are the attempts made over an eight-year time period atthe Illinois Institute of Technology to improve the skills of its Architecture and ArchitecturalEngineering Students with regards to the integration of safety and fire protection into thebuilding design process.System integration has long been

Conference Session

Solar, Wind, and Novel Energy-System Initiatives

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Faruk Yildiz, Sam Houston State University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

AC 2009-1091: SELF-POWERED WIRELESS-CAMERA SYSTEM DESIGNFaruk Yildiz, Sam Houston State University Page 14.1049.1© American Society for Engineering Education, 2009 Self Powered Wireless Camera System DesignAbstractEnergy harvesting is described as the conversion of ambient energy into usable electrical energy.When compared with energy stored in common storage elements, such as batteries, capacitorsand the like, the environment represents a relatively infinite source of available energy.Conventional electrochemical batteries power most of the portable and wireless electronicdevices that are energized with electric power. In the past few years, electrochemical

Conference Session

Innovations in ECE Education III

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Raymond Winton, Mississippi State University

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

AC 2009-1891: USE OF A SIMULATION SWITCH MATRIX FOR EFFICIENTDESIGN OF CMOS ANALOG INTEGRATED CIRCUITSRaymond Winton, Mississippi State University Page 14.1302.1© American Society for Engineering Education, 2009Use of a Simulation Switch Matrix for Efficient design of CMOS AnalogIntegrated CircuitsAbstractCMOS analog integrated circuit (IC) design is a technology-dependent process. Analog designfollows a process for which transistor sizing is necessary to achieve performance goals that aredefined by a series of simulation tests. Both the design and the pedagogical processes make useof one or more algorithms in which a set of subcircuits are separately tested and then

Conference Session

Pedagogy and Assessment III

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Chao Chen; Carlos Pomalaza-Ráez; Ma Oo

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

applying wireless technologies in medicalapplications. A diverse range of medical services can be supported by current wirelesstechnologies. For example, body sensor networks can be formed by placing low-power wirelessdevices on or around the body, enabling long-term monitoring of physiological signs.1 Thecollected data can be passed onto the Internet through a PDA, a cell-phone, or a home computer.The caregivers thus have remote access to the patient’s health status. If the physical activities ofpatients can be monitored reliably at home and at a low cost, it will have a tremendous effect onreducing the gap between the need and the capability of the current health care systems.Among the available wireless standards, IEEE 802.15.4 is especially