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Research

At UNC Charlotte, Electrical and Computer Engineering research puts you at the forefront of the technologies shaping tomorrow. Students and faculty work together to turn ideas into real-world innovation across areas like artificial intelligence, robotics, advanced communications, cybersecurity, smart energy systems, microelectronics and next-generation computing. With access to state-of-the-art laboratories and strong industry and government partnerships, you’ll gain hands-on experience tackling complex engineering challenges that drive innovation, improve systems and impact everyday life.

Individual Research Groups

Step into state-of-the-art labs where ideas become innovation. In Electrical and Computer Engineering, you’ll gain hands-on experience with advanced tools and technologies while working alongside faculty and peers on real-world challenges in computing, electronics, robotics, communications and energy systems.

Explore Our Labs

Communication, Controls and Signal Processing

Active research areas include wireless communications and networking, communications traffic modeling, pattern recognition, computer vision, medical and natural image processing, RF circuits and systems, spacecraft controls, multivariable controls, optimal controls and nonlinear controls.

Depending on interest, graduate students with interests in communications, controls and signal/image processing typically make primary course selections from the following list.

Data Communications and Networking
  • ECGR 5191: Analog and Digital Communications
  • ECGR 5187: Data Communications and Networking II
  • ECGR 6121/8121: Advanced Theory of Communications-I
  • ECGR 4422/5122: Random Processes
  • ECGR 6120/8120: Wireless Communications
  • ECGR 6188/8188: Fundamentals of Wireless Systems and Protocols
  • ECGR 6187/8187: Modeling and Analysis of Comm. Sys.
  • ECGR 6189/8189: Wireless Sensor Networks
Digital Signal and Image Processing
  • ECGR 5124: Digital Signal Processing
  • ECGR 6114/8114: Digital Signal Processing II
  • ECGR 5103: Applied Computer Graphics
  • ECGR 6118/8118: Image Processing
  • ECGR 6119/8119: Applied Artificial Intelligence
  • ECGR 6127/8127: Medical Signal Processing
  • ECGR 5190: Acoustics
Controls
  • ECGR 5090: Convex Optimization and AI
  • ECGR 5111: Control Systems I
  • ECGR 5122: Random Processes
  • ECGR 5412: Control Systems Theory II
  • ECGR 5112: Nonlinear Analysis
  • ECGR 6111/8111: Linear Systems Theory
  • ECGR 6115/8115: Optimal Control Theory I

Computer Systems

Active research projects include embedded systems and robotics, embedded computing and architectures, hardware security, hardware/software co-design, real-time OS, reconfigurable computing, multicore computing, digital VLSI, Big Data, embedded mobile computing, cloud computing, cyber-physical systems, heterogeneous many-core architecture.

Depending on interest, graduate students with interests in computer systems processing typically take primary course selections from the following list. 

Computer Architecture and Hardware
  • ECGR 5181: Computer Architecture
  • ECGR 5146: Intro to VHDL
  • ECGR 6146/8146: Advanced VHDL
  • ECGR 5133: VLSI Systems Design
  • ECGR 6090/8090: Special Topics: Heterogeneous Computing
  • ECGR 6090/8090: Special Topics: Reconfigurable Computing
  • ECGR 5090: Special Topics: Hardware Security and Trust
Systems and Application Software
  • ECGR 5101: Embedded Systems
  • ECGR 6185/8185: Advanced Embedded Systems Design
  • ECGR 6181/8181: Embedded Operating Systems
  • ECGR 5090/6090:Special Topics: Big Data and Mobile Devices
  • ECGR 5090/6090: Special Topics: Advanced Embedded OS
  • ECGR 5090/6090: Special Topics: Research Tools & Tech in Comp Eng
  • ECGR 5124: Digital Signal Processing
  • ECGR 5103: Applied Computer Graphics
  • ECGR 6119/8119: Applied Artificial Intelligence
Distributed and Real-Time Systems
  • ECGR 5187: Data Communications and Networking-II
  • ECGR 5090: Special Topics: Internet of Things
  • ECGR 5090: Special Topics: Advanced Internet of Things
  • ECGR 5196: Intro to Robotics
  • ECGR 6090/8090: Special Topics: Mobile Robot Sensing, Mapping, and Exploration
  • ECGR 6120/8120: Wireless Communications
  • ECGR 6188/8188: Fundamentals of Wireless Systems and Protocols
  • ECGR 6189/8189: Wireless Sensor Networks

Devices, Circuits and Systems

Active research areas include RF circuit design, antennas, analog and mixed-signal circuit design, power electronics, fiber-optic sensors, laser and detector design, optical and optoelectronic networks, optical image processing, optoelectronic material science, photovoltaics, quantum devices, materials for submicron lithography, microstructural analyses, vacuum microelectronics, radiation hardened devices, packaging and systems integration and device modeling.

Depending on interest, graduate students with interests in devices, circuits and systems typically take primary course selections from the following list. 

Electromagnetics, Antennas and RF
  • ECGR 5190: Acoustics
  • ECGR 5121: Antennas
  • ECGR 5125: Foundations of Optical Engineering
  • ECGR 5261: Microwave Circuit Design I
  • ECGR 5123: Advanced Electromagnetic Field Theory
  • ECGR 6090/8090: Special Topics: Metamaterials and Metasurfaces
  • ECGR 6264/8264: RF Design
  • ECGR 6090/8090: Special Topics: RF, Digital Radio, & Metamaterial Fundamentals
Electronic Devices and Systems
  • ECGR 5431: Linear Integrated Electronics
  • ECGR 5132: Analog Integrated Circuits Design
  • ECGR 5136: Solid State Microelectronic Devices II
  • ECGR 5125: Found of Optical Engineering
  • ECGR 6090/8090: Special Topics: Applied Quantum Mechanics
  • ECGR 6090/8090: Special Topics: Integrated Photonics
  • ECGR 5090: Special Topics: Science and Technology of PV
  • ECGR 6090/8090: Special Topics: Solid State Materials
  • ECGR 6090/8090: Special Topics: Solid State Lighting
  • ECGR 6132/8132: Advanced Semiconductor Device Physics

Power Systems

Active research areas include power systems modeling and analysis, power electronics, Smart Grid, microgrids, power system stability and control, power system optimization, utility applications, high voltage, condition monitoring, economic operation of power systems, electromechanical systems and drives, power system protection and renewable energy.

Depending on interest, graduate students with interests in power systems typically take primary course selections from the following list.

Power Systems
  • ECGR 5194: Power System Analysis II
  • ECGR 5171: Intro to Energy Systems
  • ECGR 5172: Energy Markets
  • ECGR 6144/8144: Electric Power Distribution Systems I
  • ECGR 6145/8145: Electric Power Distribution Systems II
  • ECGR 6147/8147: Power System Stability and Control
  • ECGR 6190/8190: Smart Grid: Characteristics, Design, and Analysis
  • ECGR 5090: Special Topics: Energy Data Analytics
  • ECGR 5104: Computational Methods in Power Systems
  • ECGR 5142: Power Generation, Operation, and Control
  • ECGR 6090/8090 & 6173/8173: Power Quality
  • ECGR 6147/8147: Power Systems Stability & Control
Power Electronics and Machines
  • ECGR 5144: Power Electronics I
  • ECGR 6197/8197: Power Electronics II
  • ECGR 5195: Electrical Machines
  • ECGR 5090: Special Topics: Utility Applications of Power Electronics
  • ECGR 6090/8090: Special Topics: Solid State Circuit Protection

ECE Undergraduate Teaching Laboratories

Take your learning beyond the classroom and into the lab. UNC Charlotte’s ECE Undergraduate Teaching Labs give students hands-on experience building, testing and evaluating electrical and electronic systems while developing the practical skills needed for a career in engineering. Explore the labs, resources and expectations that will help you make the most of your ECE laboratory experience.

Explore Our Lab