Imagination Technologies, the leading multimedia and communications technologies company, has donated a set of embedded systems development kits to ECS-Electronics and Computer Science at the University of Southampton.

The development systems, called METAmorphs, are based on a single chip SoC (system-on-chip) that incorporates both a META HTP multi-threaded processor core from Imagination’s META family, as well as Imagination’s ENSIGMA UCCP (Universal Communications Core Platform) radio-processing unit (RPU) to provide programmable multi-standard broadcast receiver and Wi-Fi connectivity tasks.

The META processor is ideal for both running operating systems such as Linux and Imagination’s MeOS™ real-time OS, as well as advanced 32-bit signal processing. This unique highly integrated SoC based development system provides a uniquely powerful research and development platform for students.

“We very much value our relationship with Imagination Technologies, which is pioneering innovation in electronics in the UK and internationally," said Professor Neil White, Head of ECS-Electronics and Computer Science. "By supporting student projects using Imagination’s latest technology, providing advice on industry needs, and by employing our students on placements, Imagination is helping to ensure that ECS can continue to provide the high level of graduates needed for future UK industrial success.”

The METAmorph systems give students access to the same technologies which have been deployed in millions of shipping products across the TV, set-top-box, digital and FM radio and connected audio markets. They will be used in the third-year module 'Real-time Computing and Embedded Systems', which is taken both by Computer Science and Electronic Engineering students.

Tony King-Smith, VP marketing, Imagination commented: “META and ENSIGMA UCCP technologies are enabling a new wave of what we call ‘connected processors’ – embedded processors with highly integrated communications and connectivity capabilities that will form the backbone of tomorrow’s M2M “everything connected” world.

"Experience with embedded devices connected to the Cloud and the technologies needed to enable end-to-end cloud-based services to those devices are a vital area of study for students looking to be ready for the era of the connected home and machine-to-machine communication. We’re delighted to be working with the University of Southampton to help train the next generation of connectivity-based embedded systems engineers.”

Dr Denis Nicole, Course Leader, commented: "Third-year students at Southampton are very grateful for these cutting-edge connected processor development systems from Imagination Technologies. Providing these systems will enable students on the Real-Time Systems course to develop a broad range of multi-threaded DSP programs using Imagination’s Codescape tools which are tightly integrated with the METAmorph platforms.

"Students are particularly encouraged to be using the same components that are found in the latest high street connected digital radios, and to be associated with one of the world’s most successful UK-based electronics companies, where some hope to make their future careers."

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For further information about this story, contact Joyce Lewis; tel.+44(0)23 8059 5453.

A University of Southampton nanoscientist is working on a new microsystem for more efficient testing of pharmaceutical drugs to treat diseases such as cystic fibrosis, MG (myasthenia gravis) and epilepsy.

Dr Maurits de Planque of the Nano Research Group at ECS-Electronics and Computer Science will develop a new method to investigate the ion channels that underlie these serious disorders and that are used to test the effectiveness of new drugs.

"At the moment, commercial testing of new drugs is carried out using ion channels in living cell membranes. This is a slow and difficult process, not least because producing too many channels actually kills the cells," said Dr de Planque.

The researchers therefore plan to produce these ion channels without using cells, which is possible with so-called cell-free expression mixtures, and to insert the channels in a very stable artificial cell membrane which should enable faster, less expensive drug testing. "Researchers have experimented with cell-free mixtures before, but they found that this method was not economical due to the amount of expensive biochemicals required," said Dr de Planque. "Our proposal to develop a new platform, which uses a couple of microlitres instead of millilitres, will be a very cost-effective way of doing this, particularly when the produced channel is directly inserted in a membrane for drug testing."

Dr de Planque is conducting this research over a two-year period in collaboration with biological scientists at the University of Southampton. He is Principal Investigator for the project: Microsystems for Coupled Expression and Electrophysiology of Ion Channels, which has been awarded a grant of £125,000 from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).

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For further information about this news story contact Joyce Lewis; tel.+44(0)23 8059 5453

Over 1000 prospective students and parents visited ECS-Electronics and Computer Science during the two Open Days held on 8 and 9 July.

Tour and talks took place throughout the day providing prospective students with the opportunity to visit ECS labs for Electrical and Electromechanical Engineering, Electronics, and Computer Science and IT in Organisations. The tours were led by Admissions Tutors and ECS students. Parents talks were given by Eric Cooke and included latest information on Government changes to university funding.

During lunchtime Dr Klaus-Peter Zauner gave a talk on 'Robotics in ECS', and Admissions Tutors and students welcomed visitors to drop-in sessions in the Mountbatten Building which also included a Careers Talk and tours of the labs for parents.

Two further Open Days will be in held on 2 and 3 September 2011 and ECS will again be holding a full programme of talks and tours throughout the two days. To book a place, visit the University of Southampton Open Day website.

On each of those days ECS-Electronics and Computer Science will be holding a day of tours, presentations, demonstrations and drop-in sessions, highlighting the opportunities available on our degree programmes, and emphasizing the unique character of the School. Visitors will have the chance to see all our undergraduate labs, and to meet past and current students, as well as to find out about our students' excellent career prospects.

For further information contact Joyce Lewis; tel.+44(0)23 8059 5453.

Professor Harvey Rutt, Rank Professor of Infrared Science and Technology, and former Head of ECS-Electronics and Computer Science, has been elected a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering (FREng).

The Academy comprises the most eminent names in the engineering profession in the UK and overseas and Professor Rutt is recognized for his contribution to electro-optical research and development in laser technology for industrial application. Professor Rutt was Head of ECS from 2007 to 2010, and played a significant role before that in planning and commissioning the new Mountbatten Building, the University’s £100M world-leading research facility for optoelectronics and micro- and nanotechnology.

“I am honoured by the award of this prestigious Fellowship,” said Professor Rutt. “An award of this kind also recognises many contributions - from colleagues, collaborators here and abroad, students and research assistants who all played a part. As an experimentalist I would highlight especially the contribution of the many laboratory technicians, workshop staff and indeed secretaries who have supported my work; without them it could not have happened.”

Professor Rutt is a graduate of the University of Southampton, taking both his BSc and PhD degrees in Electronics. He established his first laser research group in Brazil before returning to the UK in 1973 when he joined the Atomic Energy Authority at Culham Laboratory, working on novel infrared gas lasers for the sixteen micron region. He was appointed to the newly established Rank Chair of Infrared Science and Technology at the University of Southampton in January 1992. His group has established a broad range of work in novel sources, instruments and systems in the mid and far infrared. He edits the Journal Infrared Physics and Technology.

Professor Andy Keane, Director of the University’s Rolls-Royce University Technology Centre for Computational Engineering, was also elected a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering. Professor Don Nutbeam, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Southampton, commented: “I am delighted for Andy Keane and Harvey Rutt. Their election as Fellows of the Royal Academy of Engineering is well deserved recognition for long and distinguished careers in engineering. Both continue to ensure that Southampton remains a leading force for engineering research and education in the UK.”