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As an EXCEL Scholar this summer with John Greco, associate professor of electrical engineering, Christopher David ’04 (Newtown, Conn.) is working to link individual computer chips and allow them to communicate with each other under the guidance of a computer user.
“The project involves linking different chips called FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays) together and making them communicate with each other,” says David, who is majoring in electrical and computer engineering.
In the design, one main FPGA chip links the other chips, which function like nodes on a network. The main FPGA chip is then connected to a microprocessor, which is linked to a computer for user interface.
“Basically, this means a person will be able to talk to the main chip through the computer and the microprocessor,” explains David. “The main chip talks to the various nodes on the network and sends information back to the person using the system. The user can then send information to the main chip, which will route the information to the appropriate node(s) on the network. Each node can stand alone or be hooked up to a device. Therefore, the user could control multiple devices with this network of chips.”
Says Greco, “This project allows Chris to use material and skills from the classroom and employ them in research setting. The real-world applications to this are most often seen in assembly lines and manufacturing through a unit called a programmable logic controller. This design is an extension of that idea.”
Though the work is sometimes challenging, David is pleased with this opportunity.
“Professor Greco was my Digital Circuits professor, and I enjoyed working with him,” he says. “He’s a great professor. Being able to design an entire network from the ground up is fun, and one gets a feeling of accomplishment each time a part of the project is completed and functions properly.
“This project gives me a chance to pursue many different applications. It’s great to have the time to pursue different methods of designing a single part and try to figure out how to make it better. Plus, there are many ideas discussed in lecture and lab that I was unable to do because of practicality or time. Now I can explore those different avenues of interest.”
David is considering a career in designing or working with digital systems. As a theater minor, he is intrigued with the idea of designing digital theatrical control systems. His EXCEL research may also pave the way for an honors thesis or senior design project.
Meanwhile, David is excited about the opportunities that will be available when work is completed next year on the 90,000-square-foot Acopian Engineering Center. “I look forward to a newly renovated building to work and learn in,” he says. “I can’t wait to see the new facilities when they open up.”
In addition to acting in The Nativity, David has been stage manager for College Theatre productions of Major Barbara, Translations, and She Stoops to Conquer. He plays trombone in the Pep Band and is president of Dry Surfers, a substance-free, computer-intensive group. He also is a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.
Christopher David ’04 helped design a network of communication between computer chips with John Greco, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering.