Hi everyone, it is good to meet you in this virtual way. I am Sean Ma, studying as a PhD student in the school of Computer Science, The University of Auckland since Feb, 2018.
My Research topic is applying error correction codes to biometric (irises, fingers, etc) recognition systems to increase their acceptance rates using field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). A FPGA is an integrated circuit designed to be configured by users. In order to be easily understood, my research can be interpreted with three keywords: error-correction, biological information recognition and cross-discipline application. Error correction is often realized using Error Correction Codes. They are adopted widely in many fields, such as cellphone communication, and are capable of mitigating the negative impact of any noise. By introducing this technique to irises or fingers recognition systems, the acceptance rates of these systems could be improved practically. I am trying to get it done in the FPGA.
For now, I spend most of time in my research lab, simulating my programs in computers and implement designs onto FPGA development kits to validate functions and measure performance. In the last 2 years, I enjoyed the “cause and effect” linkage between software simulation and hardware implementation in my research life. If I had a light bulb moment, I created models and environments in a software- level, then spared no time to translate simulated program into FPGA-recognizable bitstreams. With uncountable program debuggings and changings, the idea would be “hardened” in a circuit board. It made me realize that I can do something, even tiny or meaningless to someone, but impressing me. It keeps me motivated.
Sometimes I keep working on one issue by one issue, feeling that it is an endless life. To tell the truth, I even think about my research cannot be done as expected At that time mentioned above, I chose to stick on my research goals and after a long time, I suddenly look back to the first day I got enrolled as a PhD student, A big success has been made and it surprises me. From time to time I am stuck in some tricky research issue, I prefer changing my mind and choose to serve my wife and me a dinner with dishes I have never tried. It really helps me relax to meet any challenge when I couldn’t make any research progress.
Questions are inevitable. As long as we acknowledge it and tackle it properly, it would be fine. Here are two typical questions I have ever encountered. One question is: Iris samples are difficult to find as they are private. I have searched any possible way to get some samples until I find an open-source iris database. I applied for the authorization from that origination. It took me a quite long time. One of the other questions is still pending, which is that I am still looking for a class of perfect error-correction codes for biometric systems with the optimized acceptance rate improvement. This question may last until the end of my PhD research life. Nevertheless, I still hope my research can practically deliver some cutting-edge things to improve people’s life quality.
Research life is not alone. I have been doing some research collaborating with people in Hong Kong Polytechnic University to implement an innovate Joint-Source-Channel-coding system using FPGAs. I could gain more experiences of working with others remotely and get communication technology better understood. In terms of the influence of this cooperation, this project may reveal another application field for my current research. If you are a younger researcher and would like to hear some advice from me. The most important one is: don’t cease to do tiny things no matter how seemingly insignificant they are. When they are accumulated for a while, a big contribution could be made.
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